South Pike County School Board Welcomes New Member, Approves Personnel Changes and Contracts

The South Pike County School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 19, 2025, where board members officially welcomed Brian Caldwell as the district’s newest board member and approved a number of key personnel and contract decisions.

Superintendent Tanya Wilcher shared current enrollment figures, noting that while five students are exiting the district—two of whom were not currently enrolled—six new students will be transferring in.

Board Actions

During the meeting, the board approved the following items:

• Steve Martin’s assigner fee and additional compensation of up to $5,000 was approved (Motion by Alyssa Duggan, seconded by Cory Ballard; passed 6-0).
• After being initially tabled, revisions to the stipend schedule were approved (Motion by Barbie Baxter, seconded by Cory Ballard; passed 6-0).
• A purchase service contract with Chad Brinkley was approved (Motion by Barbie Baxter, seconded by Brian Caldwell; passed 6-0).
• The board adopted the Dawson Education Service Cooperative Representative Resolution (Motion by Cory Ballard, seconded by Brian Caldwell; passed 6-0).
• Resignations from Darren Horn and Nicole Martin were accepted (Motion by Alyssa Duggan, seconded by Brian Caldwell; passed 6-0).
• The retirement of Sarita McRae was accepted (Motion by Barbie Baxter, seconded by Wes Campbell; passed 6-0).

The board also approved several new hires to support district staffing needs:

• Monica Riley, Candy Hood, and Krista Milner were hired as elementary teachers (Motion by Cory Ballard, seconded by Brian Caldwell; passed 6-0).
• Chuck Lowery was hired as the new assistant football and track coach as well as Youth Sports Coordinator (Motion by Cory Ballard, seconded by Barbie Baxter; passed 6-0).

The board adjourned following the approvals, with plans to continue addressing policy development and staffing through the summer months.