From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville City Schools (TCS) Board of Education (BOE) Board President Kathy Brown released a statement through the “In The Loop” on behalf of the TCS BOE.
TCS (Photo by Hannah Curran)
“I would like to thank the Trussville community for your time and attendance at the Special Called Board Meeting of September 30, 2022,” Brown stated. “We deeply and humbly apologize for all the emotional and mental distress experienced by our students, parents, and staff. It is painful, and we want to work towards healing, and that includes every single student.”
Brown stated that the safety of TCS students and staff is the Board’s top priority.
“We not only want our students to be safe, we want them to feel safe. If a student does not feel safe, they cannot learn,” Brown stated. “The Board of Education was deeply moved by your concerns.”
She explained that the Board will walk through the process together of increasing communication to faculty, staff, students, parents, and the community, review its special education program, and a comprehensive assessment of its safety protocols.
“Thank you for your support and consideration as we address these issues moving forward,” Brown stated.
At the Special Called Meeting, the Board of Education approved a 60-day leave of absence for Dr. Pattie Neill.
Related Story: TCS Superintendent placed on 60-day paid leave of absence: ‘Communication and transparency is key’
According to Brown, the Board will meet within the next week to name an Interim Superintendent. Notification of the special called meeting will be sent once a date/time has been confirmed.
As the Board’s first Action Item, all Board of Education Members now have individual email addresses. They are listed below:
- Board President Kathy Brown – kathy.brown@trussvillecityschools.com
- Board Vice President Kim DeShazo – kim.deshazo@trussvillecityschools.com
- Board Member Mark Sims – mark.sims@trussvillecityschools.com
- Board Member Sherrye Tolbert – sherrye.tolbert@trussvillecityschools.com
- Board Member Steve Ward – steve.ward@trussvillecityschools.com
The TCSBOE@trussvillecityschools.com address will also remain active should you need to send information to the full Board of Education.
“We thank you in advance for your willingness to share your thoughts and ideas with us as a Board,” Brown stated. “Please look for additional communications in the coming week. Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with us at the special called board meeting [on Friday, September 30].”
