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.
Meet Phillipe Kirksey — Candidate for Dothan City Commission, District 2
Phillipe Kirksey is a dedicated husband, father, educator, and longtime resident of Dothan, Alabama. After proudly calling Dothan home for the past 22 years, he is excited to announce his candidacy for the Dothan City Commission, representing District 2. At 43, Phillipe brings a wealth of experience in public service, law enforcement, and education. A graduate of Headland High School (Class of 2000), Phillipe pursued higher education at Troy University, Wallace Community College, and Chipola College. He holds an Associate of Science equivalent in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration with a concentration in leadership, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Phillipe is a 21-year veteran of law enforcement, having begun his career with the Houston County Sheriff’s Office in 2004. He went on to earn certifications in law enforcement from the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Certification. His dedication was recognized early when he received the 2010 Most Outstanding Law Enforcement Student of the Year award, followed by the 2017 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award. Currently, Phillipe holds a teaching certificate in Criminal Justice Operations and serves as an instructor at both Chipley High School and Vernon High School in Washington County, Florida.
As the son of Sgt, Carl W. Kirksey, a 30-year U.S. Army veteran and longtime Houston County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant, Phillipe spent his formative years living in diverse communities around the world — from Fort Rucker, Alabama, to Fulda, Germany, and Fort Lewis, Washington, to Fort Polk, Louisiana. These experiences shaped his appreciation for diversity, resilience, and community service.
Phillipe is proudly married to Sadie Kirksey, a University of Alabama alumna, respected entrepreneur, and former 16-year City of Dothan magistrate. Together, they have four accomplished children:
Jordanne Daniels Edwards is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Tuscaloosa and a licensed clinical social worker.
Jordan Kirksey is an active-duty U.S. Army serviceman currently deployed overseas with the 63rd ESB-E, HHC Company.
Maisie Kirksey is an honor student and standout soccer player entering her junior year at Houston Academy, and has been accepted and plans to attend Howard University in the Fall of 2027.
Elijah C. Kirksey is a rising fifth grader at Kelly Springs Elementary School, an honor roll student, and an enthusiastic participant in the Houston Academy Raiders youth football program.
Phillipe Kirksey is committed to serving the citizens of District 2 with transparency, integrity, and vision, focused on public safety, economic development, and strengthening community ties. He believes in building a Dothan where every family can thrive.
DOTHAN: A Jackson Mississippi corporation was putting together a debate for the candidates for Dothan political office. Election is August 5.
RSN had been invited to be there and connect into the livestream. And the Jackson Mississippi man was going to have his logo spread all behind the candidates. And RSN was happy to show his logo during the debate.
With less than 12 hours until debate RSN has been notified that the Jackson County Corporation will not allow RSN to connect to the livestream. Which means with less than 12 hours we have to get mics, lights and equipment and have a packed day already. And when we do this Jackson County Corporation logo will still be featured behind the candidates.
And the questions asked will be from someone who can not even vote in Dothan.
So RSN was UNIVITED to what we thought we were going to be involved in and RSN knew we would not be even mentioned on only this Jackson Mississippi Corporation would be.
RSN is not intimated by this Jackson Mississippi Corporation at all and had no problems sharing the debate which featured their logo. But no time to get equipment so you can hear the questions from the Jackson Mississippi Corporation to the people seeking office in Dothan Alabama.
GRACEVILLE FL: Attention citizens of Graceville Florida. It has come to the attention of RSN your Mayor and City Council, without warning to you the citizens of Graceville Florida, are attempting to disband the Graceville Police Department.
There is a meeting at 5:30 PM today at Graceville City Hall where the issue is expected to be discussed and/or voted on.
Rumor is a Jackson County Deputy will be available in the morning and evening but no local police department to serve and protect the citizens of Graceville Florida.
Graceville Police is dedicated to serve its citizen’s. And to do so without public input SHAME SHAME SHAME on your elected Mayor and Council. It seems they do not care to inform you, the people who elect them.
HOUSTON COUNTY: 3:25 PM. Houston County Commissioner brags about being transparent. Yet look at their one page agenda with no attached documentation and then look at a City of Dothan agenda with all of the documentation. Then you decide on transparency.
Without any discussion in an open Administrative Meeting, Houston County Commissioner brags about Chairman Brandon Shoupe has proposed to the Houston County Volunteer Fire Chief President Jason Reneau about Houston County purchasing the fire association building. The preliminary price was around $ 120,000.00.
The building was constructed when Kenny Givens, now deceased, was President of Houston County Fire Chief Association.
Houston County gave the association the land. It is not clear how the property is deeded.
It is RSN understanding that Houston County wants the building for the Sanitation Department. The proposal is the fire association can meet in the Dothan-Houston County Emergency Management Building. Houston County has to pay around $ 130,000.00 a year rent for EMA to be in the building. When the original rent was decided there was a 30 year note on the City of Dothan-Houston County 911 building. That note was paid for in 5 years.
Just being TRANSPARENT for the commission. Because for this price and idea to be floated there has probably been some out of the sunlight discussion between commissioners.
DOTHAN: 6:31 AM. Dothan 911 dispatched Dothan Fire Engines to 717 South Range Street to a structure fire at 717 South Range Street. At the time of dispatch kitchen fire, smoke visible.
Dothan Fire Engines 1 ( Central ), Truck 1 ( Central ), Dothan Fire Engines 4 ( Southside ), Dothan Fire Engine 5 ( Eastside ), Battalion Chief from Central Fire Station, and Rehab from Lakewood rolled.
On arrival this was a residential structure, duplex apartments, smoke and flames visible. Dothan Fire did a primary and secondary search making sure no one was inside. An offensive attack was done and by 6:47 AM Dothan Fire announced under control.
NOTE: The fireman change shifts at 7:00 AM. This fire was 29 minutes from off duty time and a working structure fire. This happens a lot with wrecks and medical calls. But you emergency service staff rolls and renders services without regard to time to get off. They stand by … time to work to save lives and property,.
