The Andalusia Board of Education on Thursday accepted the retirement resignation of head football coach and AHS teacher Trent Taylor, but immediately hired him on a coaching only contract basis.

Superintendent Ted Watson said state retirement rules say that a retired school system employee must take at least a week off before returning to work part-time.

“February will be that month,” Watson said. “He will resume his head coaching duties officially in March.”

Watson said retirement rules also cap the amount a retired employee can earn at $31,000. That is the approximate amount of his current coaching supplement, Watson said.

Watson said Taylor’s plan is to be on campus for the third block weightlifting class, and for athletics. It has not been determined whether he will continue in his role as athletic director.

In unrelated personnel issues, the board:

• hired Holley Wingard as special education teacher.

• hired Leigh Ann Jones as a special education bus driver

• hired Tyler Wilson as an AHS assistant baseball coach, to be paid by Athletic Boosters.

• granted Cassie Battey, AES 6th grade science teacher, a leave of absence.