CCBOE adopts 2025-26 school calendar

The Covington County Board of Education adopted the 2025-2026 school calendar and approved six personnel matters during a regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Teachers will return from summer break for professional development on Monday, August 4. The first day of school for students will be Monday, August 11. Schools will dismiss for the Christmas holidays on Friday, Dec. 19, and everyone will return on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026.

Spring break will be held March 23-27 before students complete the school year on Thursday, May 21. The last day of school for teachers will be Friday, May 22.

During the meeting the board approved:

Resignation

• Kendall Williford as bookkeeper at Florala High School retroactive to Jan. 28
• Sydney Ray as pre-K auxiliary teacher at Fleeta Junior High School retroactive to Jan. 31
• Haley Shoemaker as custodian at Straughn Middle School effective immediately

Employment

• Emily Mitchell as pre-K auxiliary teacher at Fleeta Junior High School with effective date to be determined, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Jessica Jackson as bookkeeper at Florala High School with effective date to be determined, pending verification of new or existing background reviews
• Joseph Carter as assistant principal at Straughn High School with effective date to be determined, pending verification of new or existing background reviews

Carter will replace Alison Thomasson who retired at the end of January.

“I’m excited to have Joseph in this position. He has several years of administrative experience in our system, and he did a great job. I have confidence in him and look forward to working with him in this capacity,” Principal Matt Cobb said.

In other business:

• The board approved permission to bid child nutrition program equipment (serving line) in the cafeteria at W.S. Harlan Elementary School.
• The board approved a request from curriculum coordinator Nikki Guilford to adopt a complete list of science textbooks recommended by the Alabama State Department of Education textbook committee.
• The board heard a distribution of financial reports that have been reconciled to most current bank statements from chief school finance officer Ressie Gray.
• All board members conducted whole board training following the meeting.

The board set the next meeting date for Tuesday, March 4, noon, at the central office.