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From the Thursday, May 15, 2008 edition

Mixon resigns post again

Dennis Mixon tried to retire as superintendent of the Monroe County Public School System about a year ago and last Thursday night he presented a second letter of his retirement to the school board that the board reluctantly accepted.

Mixon, who began his career as a teacher 32 years ago in Monroe County, said he and his wife, Carol, who has 31 years of service in the school system, have been considering retirement for the last two years.

“We have decided now is the time,” he said. “We are appreciative of the opportunities we have had to work and serve in the Monroe County schools. I am especially honored and grateful for the opportunity to serve as superintendent the past nine years.”

Mixon said during his term as superintendent he has had an excellent working relationship with the school board.

“I am proud of what we have been able to accomplish together, yet I remain humbled by the awesome responsibility of all that we may not have fully accomplished,” he added. “Certainly, much remains to be done.

“My wife and I look forward to enjoying our retirement together, but we realize there will be a period of adjustment as we leave our life’s work that we have both loved.”

Mixon said he and Carol will continue to be interested in the county school system and wish it much continued future success.

During his career, Mixon held positions as teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.

A year ago after he announced his resignation, the school board approached him and asked him to reconsider and he did.

During the board’s monthly meeting that was held last Thursday at Monroe Intermediate School at Packers Bend, board member William Andrews of Monroeville said he would accept Mixon’s resignation, but if he decided to reconsider later, he would accept that also.

Board member Martha Jordan of Excel, said she would accept his resignation and added, “But, I don’t have to like it!”

“All of us have been blessed and we’re a much better school system because of his leadership,” she said. “I don’t know what size shoe you were, but I know we have some big ones to fill. He has held a lot different positions so I guess you can truly say he went from the chalkboard to the boardroom during his career.”

The board will begin its search for Mixon’s replacement immediately.

During Mixon’s tenure as superintendent the school system saw the following accomplishments:

• Attained CLEAR Academic Status in all Monroe County Schools for first time ever under the previous academic accountability standards

• Met System Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) each year under current No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Academic Standards.

• Expanded the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) to all Monroe County Schools.

• Established Alabama Math Science and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) in three Monroe County Schools (MJHS, JFS, and Excel) with plans already approved to expand to Monroe Intermediate School for 2008-2009

• Partnered with ASCC for Dual Enrollment of qualifying high school students

• Expanded Special Student Services with exemplary state and federal review and monitoring

• Established Pre-Kindergarten programs in three Monroe County Schools

• Met Business and Industry Certification Standards in Career Technical Education Programs

• Expanded technology in all schools and central offices with the addition of the Monroe County Technology Center

• Maintained strong, successful athletic and other extracurricular programs

• Maintained Safe Schools Clear Status with all schools having approved Safety Plans and installation of school safety and security equipment

• Employed school nurses in all Monroe County Schools under the direction of system school nurse

• Led two successful campaigns for renewal and continuation of Countywide and Special District Local School Taxation

• Reduced locally funded teacher units from over 35 in 1999 to none at present avoiding impending deficit

• Maintained balanced budgets of approximately $30 to $38 Million for nine consecutive fiscal years (FY99 to FY08) with audits of highest rating (Unqualified Opinion) by Alabama Public Examiners

• Maintained the system reserve with no debt incurred

• Led system through 6.2 percent proration of state funds in FY2000 (loss of $1.2 Million) without incurring debt or depletion of system reserves

• Led transition of grade reconfiguration among county schools (Grade 3 from MES to MMS in 2000) and (Grades K-6 from FCES to FCHS in 2003)

• Established agreement with Clarke County Schools to serve students in grades 9-12 from Monroe Senior High School, maintaining Monroe Intermediate School (Grades K-8) in the Lower Peachtree Community

• Established permanent location and construction of facility for C.P. Carmichael County Alternative School

• Led over $10.5 million of construction and major renovations at county schools without incurring any debt

• Eliminated all portable classrooms countywide (From 22 in 1999 to zero at present)

• Led system through repairs and recovery from Hurricane Ivan in 2004

• Purchased 56 new school buses without incurring any debt. 100 percent of school buses currently in fleet renewal (Less than 10 years old)

• Received exemplary five year review of all programs and services by State Department of Education Comprehensive Monitoring Team

• Developed System Mission Statement/Goals and Objectives and expanded system Web site

• Worked to improve public, personnel, and, Board/Superintendent relations for continued success and progress of all Monroe County Schools and students

Along with the Mixons’ retirements, the board accepted the retirements of the following: Kathryn Blan, Title I teacher, Excel; Claudette Lamar, English teacher, J.F. Shields; Thelma McDaniel, second grade, Monroeville Elementary School (MES); Travis McIntyre, English teacher, Shields; Melba Pope, third grade, Monroeville Middle School (MMS); Joan Rhodes, fourth grade, J.U. Blacksher; David Wiggins, math and science teacher and bus driver, Blacksher; and, Rebecca Williams, business education teacher, Monroe County High School (MCHS).

Board members accepted the following resignations: Wanda Whitting, health-science teacher, Career Tech Center; Claire Wiggins, fourth grade, MMS; Derek Roberts, drivers education and English teacher and head boys’ basketball coach, MCHS.

Board members also approved the employment of Paul Gamble as a teacher and band director at MCHS and Monroeville Junior High School.

A request for a family medical leave of absence for Temesha Packer, lunchroom manager at MIS was also accepted.

Board members also approved a salary adjustment for Danielle Turner, a counselor at Shields, who recently received an EDS Specialist certification.