At a June 23 Crenshaw County Board of Education meeting, board members approved many items, including added clarification to school policies and the addition of new personnel. 

One of the changes to policy includes the revisions related to the FOCUS Act signed by Gov. Kay Ivey in May. The new legislation adds restrictions to the use of smart phones in Alabama public schools. 

Additionally, school policy was clarified to update paid parental leave guidance for Crenshaw County Schools (CCS) staff. The revisions align with the Alabama Public Employee Paid Parental Leave Act of 2025, which outlines paid parental leave for female and male public employees. 

“[The] FOCUS Act strengthens daily classroom experiences by limiting distractions and giving both students and teachers tools for respectful and safe technology use,” said Superintendent Ashley Catrett. “[The] Paid Parental Leave Act supports educators’ personal lives — contributing to healthier teachers and more consistent, quality instruction for students.”

The school board also approved new personnel for Crenshaw County Schools. 

Personnel additions include a head basketball coach, TC Elmore, for Highland Home School, a band director and elementary school teachers for Luverne School and more. 

Other items discussed during the Crenshaw County Board of Education meeting include the approval of bids for milk, bread, produce, supplemental items and lawn maintenance at CCS locations.

“The supplemental grocery bid is something new we’ve done,” said Ruth Bayman, the Child Nutrition Program Director for Crenshaw County Schools. “We wanted new items to put our breakfast in the classroom bags; individually wrapped items and we just couldn’t get that with our statewide procurement bid. We’ve been working to get a list of things we can purchase to supplement that, to help with summer feeding with individually wrapped items and new items and different things that are not always available to us.”

In other business, the board approved contracts for professional services to support finance and payroll, as well as approval for annual agreements for School Resource Officers at Luverne and Brantley schools. 

*The Board of Education approved salary and supplement schedules for state approved teachers, nurses and TEAMS teacher salaries, as well as local athletic and activity supplements.