LOXLEY, Ala. — With the creation of three school-level executive principal positions, The Baldwin County Board of Education hopes to increase continuity between elementary, middle and high schools and provide more individual attention to the issues concerning each level.

This “reorganization proposal” motion, brought before the Board by Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee at a special meeting on Monday morning at the Loxley satellite location, and passed unanimously by board members, will eliminate the need to fill the position vacated by Assistant Superintendent JaNay Dawson and will leave Eddie Tyler as the remaining assistant superintendent.

Also outlined in the meeting agenda, other anticipated personell moves will eliminate three locally funded assistant principal positions resulting in a $367,000 total savings for the county.

These positions will be advertised and filled by Lee in the coming weeks from “a role model principal at each level” and even though “it would be a loss to the school from which the person is selected, it would spread their expertise across the county to bring about systemic improvement,” the proposal stated.

The proposal goes on to say the positions will be “providing professional development for principals, points of contact and assistance to solve building level problems and provide me (superintendent) with oversight and evaluation. Each executive principal would be responsible for the success and operation for the schools within their area of responsibility.”

Terry Wilhite, BOE Communications Director, said these three individuals would also be responsible for Driver’s Education and High School Athletics as well.

They would have approval and veto authority over school initiatives and be leaders of school level teams, work collaboratively to find the best placement for funds and resources, according to the proposal, and work together to make sure each school was on the same page with each other.

Lee said there will be no additional cost in creating these positions, only a reallocation of resources, and he will be using a portion of the savings to support these positions that include setting the salaries “at a level just above those they will supervise and will be reimbursed for mileage as they travel to schools daily.”

In other Board business, Lee made two administrative appointments by naming Anthony Sampson director of Human Resources for the Board of Education and Michael Vivar transportation coordinator for the county. Vivar is currently Central Baldwin Middle School principal and is replacing Jimmy Nazary, who retired this year. A replacement for Vivar has not been named yet, according to Wilhite.

A motion was also passed to rename the Sea, Sand and Stars science complex at Orange Beach Elementary School the “Steven W. Baker Sea, Sand and Stars” in honor of Baker, former Orange Beach principal, who passed away earlier this year. Board member Angie Swiger and Orange Beach Elementary School Principal Jonathan Ellis brought the request before the board.

In a letter addressed to the Board, Eliis commented the renaming “would not only pay tribute to a dedicated educator, but also aid in the healing process for this faculty and community.” Swiger thanked the Board for its’ support in this matter and said it was very important to the school community and the citizens of the Orange Beach community

“They will be thrilled with this and it will mean a lot to the family and everyone involved,” Swiger said.

Motions were also passed concerning leaves of absences, retirements and resignations, transfers, new employment as well as extra work for extended periods. Board member Robert Callahan Jr. voiced concern over the late date of these retirements and resignations and asked if replacements could be found this close to school starting.

Lee assured Callahan there were plenty of applicants left to choose from and it was not an issue of concern at this time.

Lastly, a motion was passed granting Board finance chairman Norm Moore a 30 minute finance meeting prior to the work session scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 17. The session will now begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Loxley satellite location.