City school board recognizes theatre department, introduces new coach

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Cullman City School Board Vice President Joey Orr; Cullman High School Theatre Director Wayne Cook; CHS Choir Director Sarah Jane Skinner; CHS Theatre members Jameson Inscho, Holli Rowan, Ava Fales, Domenico Brunetti, Bailee Henderson and Graham Waldrop; and Cullman City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff (Amy Leonard for The Cullman Tribune)

CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman High School (CHS) Theatre was recognized by the Cullman City School Board Tuesday evening for the group’s best-in-show performance at the recent Walter Trumbauer Theatre High School Festival at Troy University. 

“Cullman High School Theatre picked up a Best in Show Award at the 82nd Walter Trumbauer Theatre High School Festival at Troy University in early December,” said Cullman City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff.  “The group, directed by Mr. Wayne Cook and Ms. Sarah Jane Skinner, will now head to Lexington, Kentucky, on March 1-5 to compete in the Southeastern Theatre Conference, which is a first for Cullman High School.” 

Cook and Skinner were on hand, along with students who performed at the competition. The department is currently raising funds for the trip to Lexington and seeks the community’s help. Look for an article in Saturday’s paper to find out how you can be a part of their journey. 

Cullman City Schools Athletic Director Mark Stephens introduced the new CHS varsity football head coach, Danny Stiff. Stiff recognized Stephens as one of his mentors when the two coached together early in Stiff’s career. Stiff comes to Cullman after coaching tenures at Jacksonville State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Alabama and numerous high school coaching positions. 

New Cullman High School football head coach Danny Stiff at the Cullman City School Board  meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 17 (Amy Leonard for The Cullman Tribune) 

“This has been the endgame for us, for me to be a head coach,” shared Stiff, speaking of himself and his family. “We’ve moved 11 different times since we’ve been together. It’s been a whirlwind of all kinds of places and I’m glad we have a place to settle down. I couldn’t be in a better place from a community standpoint, from the city, from the school system having two young kids. I’m very excited about that. I’ve just very blessed and honored to be here.” 

In other business the following action and consent items were approved: 

  • Employee contract for head varsity football coach 
  • Contract with Susan Cooper and Sharon Kane to provide special education teacher services 
  • After-school tutoring contracts for Katie Free, Kristen Lang, Cresha Bradley and Julie Spradlin 
  • Acknowledgement of repair work on damaged property by State Auto Property and Casualty Company 
  • Salvage Tennant T-3 floor machine at Cullman City Primary School 
  • Salvage Title I books from West Elementary School 
  • Salvage technology equipment 

The following resignations were approved: 

  • Ashley Roberts – Classroom teacher at East Elementary School 
  • Lisa Martin – Special education teacher at Cullman City Primary School 

The following conditional employments were approved: 

  • Averie Harris -Special education teacher at Cullman City Primary School 
  • Dylan Sessions -Part-time special education instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School  
  • Kaidence Murphree -Extended Day instructional assistant at Cullman City Primary School 
  • Keisha Harris -Temporary general education teacher at East Elementary to fill an FMLA 

Miscellaneous personnel items approved: 

  • Amy Smith -Conversion of two sick leave days to on-the-Job injury days 
  • Summer Hampton -Unpaid leave for the following dates: Jan. 19, Feb. 9, March 16, April 6 and Feb. 27-March 10 (two-week window; only has to complete one week; not sure which week yet), two days of AMSTI training  

The following FMLA leaves were noted and all are subject to change pending physicians’ certifications: 

  • Lucera Lejarazo -FMLA Dec. 16, 2022 -Jan. 27, 2023 
  • Anna Kennedy -FMLA March 22, 2023 -May 8, 2023  
  • Brandi Outzen -FMLA Jan. 1, 2023 -Dec. 31,2023 (NTE the 12-week limit)  
  • Rylee Baker -FMLA April 14, 2023 -Sept. 8, 2023  

The next school board meeting will be Feb. 21 at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held at Cullman Middle School.