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The Covington County Board of Education approved 24 personnel matters including the naming of an assistant principal during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

Ellen Sikes, who has completed 26 years in education and 19 years as the counselor at Straughn Middle School, will move into the assistant principal role at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year. She will replace Daniel Rodgers, who was approved for the principal’s position at Straughn Elementary School in a previous meeting.

“I am so excited about this new chapter. I look forward to serving both Straughn Elementary School and Straughn Middle School in this new capacity. I am very thankful for this opportunity,” Sikes said.

The board approved the following personnel matters:

Resignations

• Amber B. Ramer as instructional paraprofessional with Covington County Schools retroactive to May 23
• Kerry Strickland as elementary teacher at Straughn Elementary School retroactive to May 23
• Theodore Cox as bus driver at Straughn High School retroactive to May 23
• Halie Dutton Bryant as lunchroom worker at Straughn Middle School effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year

Transfer

• Bonita Merritt from bus driver at Red Level School to bus driver at Straughn High School effective at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews

Employment

• Lisa Holloway as K-6 special education teacher at Fleeta Junior High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Cierra Philyaw as K-6 elementary teacher at Fleeta Junior High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Stephanie Bass as lunchroom worker at Fleeta Junior High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Rhonda W. Martin as English teacher at Florala High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Halie Dutton Bryant as physical education teacher at Pleasant Home School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Amber B. Campbell as elementary teacher at Pleasant Home School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Griffin Windham as social science teacher at Red Level School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Ashley G. O’Neal as elementary teacher at Straughn Elementary School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Natalie S. Walters as elementary teacher at Straughn Elementary School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Jessica Ann Stelle as special education teacher at Straughn Middle School and Straughn High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• David Saunders as special education teacher at Red Level School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Erin Dauphin Morris as mental health coordinator with Covington County Schools at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Dalton Reaf as custodian at Florala High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Sandra Vaughn as bookkeeper at Straughn High School beginning July 1, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Amanda Kay Aughtman as elementary teacher at Red Level School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Tracy McLelland Watson as lunchroom worker at Straughn Middle School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Frank Butts as bus driver at Red Level School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Andrea Holly Driver as English teacher at Straughn High School at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, pending verification of new or existing background reviews

In other business:

• The board adopted salary schedules for the 2025-2026 school year, effective July 1. Superintendent Shannon Driver said the schedules would follow in line with previous years.
• The board adopted the Covington County BOE Child Nutrition Program Procurement Plan.

The board set the next meeting date for Tuesday, June 24, noon, at the central office.