ANNISTON, AL — The Calhoun County Board of Education reviewed the school system’s financial outlook for the coming fiscal year, recognized students for statewide and national honors and approved several personnel and operational items during its Sept. 17 meeting.
Board President Michael Webb presided over the meeting, with board members Bobby Tittle, Mike Almaroad, Tobi Burt, Allen George, Joe Lathers and Alan Mange in attendance. Superintendent Tony Willis and Deputy Superintendents Summer Davis and Dr. Tony Dowdy serve as members of the district’s administrative leadership.
The meeting began with several recognitions, including one honoring Alabama State Board of Education member Marie Manning for her service representing District 6. Manning was presented a plaque recognizing her service on the state board from 2023 through 2026.
Manning, a former St. Clair County superintendent who previously served for a period as principal at Ohatchee High School, thanked Calhoun County educators and employees and credited teachers, administrators, students and other school personnel with contributing to improvements in education across the state.
The board also recognized a large group of junior high and varsity cheerleaders who earned All-American honors. Junior high honorees represented Ohatchee, Pleasant Valley, Saks, Weaver and White Plains, while varsity honorees represented all seven of the district’s high schools.
Five student-athletes were also recognized as All-American wrestlers: Ryler Houston of Alexandria, Rosalie Allward of Wellborn, Dylan Brown and Caden Maddox of Weaver, and Anna Hulsey of White Plains.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget. The district is projecting approximately $126 million in total revenue for the coming year, including about $100 million in general fund revenue, $18.7 million in special revenue and $4.7 million in capital projects revenue. State funding remains the district’s largest revenue source, with approximately $78 million projected from the state and $12 million from federal sources.
District officials reported that enrollment increased by approximately 20 students after declining by roughly the same number the previous year. Because enrollment affects the number of teaching positions funded through the state, the increase resulted in the district earning approximately two additional teaching positions and part of a counselor position.
The budget also accounts for a state-mandated 2% salary increase for employees on formal salary schedules. District officials said the state funding associated with the increase is expected to largely offset the additional salary and benefit costs.
Transportation funding is projected to increase by approximately $1.4 million. Officials said some of those funds could be used toward replacing school buses. The district attempts to keep buses within a 10-year replacement cycle, but officials noted that the state fleet-renewal allocation has not kept pace with the cost of new buses, which are now approximately $160,000 each.
The district is also budgeting significant capital spending. Approximately $14.3 million is available from several sources for capital projects and improvements, although officials emphasized that much of that funding is temporary or nonrecurring.
The overall proposed budget begins with approximately $53 million in fund balances, projects $126 million in revenue and approximately $138 million in expenditures. Finance officials explained that the difference primarily reflects spending previously received one-time or temporary funds during the upcoming fiscal year rather than an operating deficit.
The district projects an operating reserve equivalent to approximately 3.57 months of normal operating expenses after one-time funding is excluded. Officials said the district generally targets about three months of reserves, while one month is required.
Following the financial presentation, the board unanimously approved a 16-item consent agenda consisting largely of routine items, annual contract renewals and memorandums of understanding.
The board also approved the district’s capital plan for the 2027-2031 school years. Willis explained that the plan provides general guidance to the state and can be changed as district needs develop.
Board members approved a request from Ohatchee High School to use a portion of football funds for coaching supplements and approved personnel recommendations, including several transportation-related hires and additional personnel at district schools.
During his superintendent’s report, Willis provided an update on the district’s turf-field projects. He said White Plains and Weaver were expected to use their new fields for the first time that Friday night, while Saks was expected to have its field ready early the following week. Once completed, all of the district’s fields were expected to be playable.
The superintendent additionally discussed the district’s recently purchased visitor check-in system, which uses QR codes to register visitors. Willis told the board the system recently flagged a visitor during a Grandparents Day event because the individual was listed as a registered sex offender in another state. According to Willis, the notification alerted the school resource officer and principal, and the individual was not permitted on campus.
The board later entered executive session to discuss matters involving students or employees. After returning to open session, members approved Willis’ recommendation to uphold employee actions listed in the board’s personnel materials before adjourning.
