DOTHAN: On Monday I, Rickey Stokes, filed a complaint against the Dothan School Board for violations of the Alabama Open Meetings law. In my opinion they have consistently violated the Alabama Open Meetings Law. And last night’s board meeting, I really believe that Board Members Brett Strickland, Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford were admitting that.
First understand, this is not about “who” they selected the person for Superintendent. I have not researched him. In fact I learned that he had never been a superintendent at last night’s meeting.
First, when the board first voted on the qualifications for Superintendent no member of the board or then School Superintendent Dennis Coe admitted to drafting the qualifications. The qualifications, different than those in the past, limited to only persons with a doctorate. So if no member of the board drafted the qualifications, how did they appear?
In Dothan Commission meetings to add a item to the agenda it takes unanimous approval. When the board selected who they wanted as Superintendent, Board Member Brett Strickland made a motion to hire an out of town attorney to negotiate the contract. The item was not on the agenda and unanimous consent was not given to add it to the agenda. Furthermore the board had a lawyer on retainer.
There has been a 4 to 3 very contingeous time on the school board. School Board Member Melanie Hill, who has been very rude at the meetings, ran faster than a football player to school a touchdown in her leaving the meeting. She has appeared to feel she does not owe an explanation to the people for anything she does.
Past pattern and practice of the Dothan School Board is they have had to pay past Superintendent’s large sums of money when they terminated the contract. And they had to pay the new Superintendent while paying the terminated. Some of those are Dr. Edwards, Dr. Leon Hobbs and Tim Wilder.
The election is August 5. Board Members Brett Strickland, Melanie Hill and Amy Bonds are not seeking election. Scott Childers is not seeking re-election as Chairman but is seeking D4, unopposed. Aurie Jenkins is seeking re-election in D5 and is unopposed. School Board members Franklin Jones and Brenda Guilford are seeking re-election and have opposition. However is elected will take office in October.
REALITY: There will be 4 new board members, for sure, without a doubt. Depending on Jones and Guilford, if they are not re-elected there could be even more new board members on the Dothan School Board.
The four board members, Strickland, Hill, Jones and Guilford, as discussed last night are attempting to give the new Superintendent a five year contract of an annual salary of at least $ 285,000.00 plus. According to their discussion last night the one they have selected has never been a Superintendent before.
Based on the past pattern and practice of the Dothan School Board, if this person does not work out in two years and the board terminated the contract, they would have to pay him $ 285,000.00 plus for the next three years for doing nothing and pay whomever they hire as a replacement. And this board has been doing things, in my opinion, in violation of the Alabama Open Meetings law.
We have heard for years education needs more money. We have the lowest property taxes and education needs more money. Do they really need more money with the past pattern and practice? The City Manager in Dothan has only a three year contract at $ 225,000.00 plus. Why a five year contract which puts the contract a year after the next election which means the contract would end in year 2030.
NOW TO THOSE CLAIMING RACIAL: The complaint has nothing to do with the person chosen. The only thing I know is he is from Athens Georgia. I could care less his color, just do a good job managing the education of the students. So those claiming racial, SHUT UP! This is not about the person, it is about the process and the board making decisions that lock this new board into a five year contract. It is not fair to the citizens of Dothan Alabama.
CV 2025-54 by Rickey Stokes on Scribd
