Three Pickens County Board of Education Members Voted Against Terminating Incarcerated Employee Serving Federal Sentence

BY DONNA BAIN

Staff Writer

The Pickens County Board of Education held its monthly meeting on January 14, 2026, at Re- form Elementary School. They were greeted by students welcoming them into the school.

Under Community Reports, Paulette New- berns, a representative from the Pickens County Training School Alumni Association, spoke to the Board ask- ing for permission to erect a historic marker on the grounds of where the Ladow Center or Central Office sits, where the old Pickens County Training Center once was. The Pickens County Training School was one of 6 African American Rosenwald Schools that were built in 1916. It had a rich history of educating African American students here in Pickens County during the Jim Crow era. They want to place a marker where the building once was. The Pickens County Training School Alumni Association will pay for the marker. The Board voted to approve this project with a motion from Board member Frankie Spencer and a second from Board member Gene Dawkins.

The payroll and financial summaries were ap- proved with a motion from Board member Dawkins and a second from Board member Susan Estes.

Superintendent Shawn McDaniel rec- ommended that the Board approve to pay the state mileage rate of .725 cents per mile. This was approved with a motion from Board member Sam Wiggins and a second from Board member Dawkins.

Superintendent McDaniel recommended that the Board approve the West Alabama Therapy Contract Addendum for special adaptive group physical activity. This will provide occupational therapy and physical therapy for students. This was approved with a motion from Board member Estes and a second from Board member Dawkins.

Superintendent McDaniel recommended that the Board allow the Capital CD to be renewed after they have found the financial institution with the best interest rate. This was approved with a motion from Board member Wiggins and a second from Board member Dawkins.

The personnel recommendations included hiring Kimberly Lathan in Aliceville, termination of bus driver Antonio Lanier, and the resignation of maintenance staff member Aaron Lathon. Superintendent McDaniel recommended that these personnel recommendations be approved. Board Chairman Annie Jackson asked that the Superintendent allow the Board to vote on each one separately. The hiring of Lathan in Aliceville was approved with a motion from Board member Spencer and a second from Board member Estes. A motion was made by Board member Wiggins, and the second was made by Board member Dawkins to approve the termination of Lanier. Board members Estes, Spencer, and Jackson opposed this request. This allows Lanier to continue receiving insurance and retirement while in prison. The resignation of Lathon was approved with a motion from Board member Estes and a second from Board member Spencer.

Superintendent McDaniel presented Board members with certificates in appreciation for their service to the school system because it is School Board Appreciation Month. The Board was also presented with snacks and food to celebrate.

Board Chairman Jackson asked to discuss the zone variances in executive session. Attorney Ray Ward certified that the Board go into executive session. The motion was made by Board member Estes, and the second was made by Board member Dawkins.

The next scheduled Board of Education meeting is February 18, 2026, at Aliceville Elementary School at 9 a.m.