Greene County School Superintendent Dr. James H. Carter, Sr., Board Vice President Dr. Carol P. Zippert, Board President Leo Branch, Board Members Carrie Dancy and William Morgan display AASB President’s Award plaque received at the AASB District 7 Meeting.
Greene County Board of Education was one of seven school boards receiving the Alabama Association of School Boards President’s Award presented at the AASB Fall District 7 Meeting held Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Hotel Capstone in Tuscaloosa. This award recognizes school boards which have had at least 60 percent of their members attend three or more AASB School Board Member Academy courses, and all members have met their state mandated training requirement in the last year.
AASB Academy year runs from July to June 30. The award presentation was based on attendance for the 2015-2016 Academy year.
“This award, which is given at AASB Fall District meetings recognizes school boards which, as a team, have committed to improving their boardsmanship skills,” stated Sally Smith, AASB Executive Director.
The AASB Fall District workshop focused on ways school systems can effectively handle student behavior problems. The presentations focused on the components of a positive student behavior discipline system.
School Board Meeting September 19, 2016
Superintendent James Carter expressed grave concerns regarding the results of the system’s ACT Aspire reading assessments. He explained that current assessments indicate that the system’s 3rd graders reached a 20% gain in reading but in 4th grad and up there is a steady decrease in reading gains. “This is unacceptable and we are doing something about it now. We need to talk across the district; we need consistent collaboration among teachers across the grades in addition to other measures,” Carter said.
The superintendent also remarked that the Alabama Reading Initiative may be on the way out. This year the state provided reading coach funding for only one grade level. Carter stated that the system currently has some federal and local funds to support additional reading coaches.
According to Dr. Carter, all school systems must adhere to the mandated training around child abuse prevention. “In accordance with the Alabama Erin’s Law child abuse must be reported to authorities and all teachers and support personnel must participate in the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Instructional Program,” he stated.
Other initiatives Superintendent Carter remarked on included:
* Child Nutrition Program, through Coordinator Makane Morrow, secured a $15,000 grant to enhance breakfast menu.
* The school system is continuing its Early College Articulation Agreement with local universities.
* System will institute school uniform re-cycling program.
* ACT tutoring and mentoring program to begin in October.
* Health Science classes will collaborate with Greene County Health Systems for student on-site instruction.
*System will initiate Suicide Prevention Program as well as Task Force on Youth Violence.
*Parents day scheduled for October 10 – full day just for parents to visit schools and collaborate with teachers.
The Board approved the following personnel items:
* Resignation of Ms. Shaneka Hopson, Health Science teacher at Greene County Career Center, effective September 5, 2016.
* Job Abandonment of Ellanise Hines – Science teacher at Greene County High.
* Employment: Demilia Tyree – Science teacher at Greene County High; Sondra Terry Green – Part-time Health Science teacher at Greene County Career Center.
* Pay increase for Miguel Catlin, Long-Term Sub Mathematics, pending passing the Praxis Exam.
* Fixed Assets/Inventory Control: Leon Dowe Jr., Central Office 2016-2017 academic year. LaTanya Cockrell, Central Office 2016-2017 academic year; Sharon Washington, Central Office 2016-2017 academic year.
Administrative Services approved by the board:
* Settlement agreement between Kenneth and Ayanna Crawford and the Greene County Board of Education.
* Contract with West Central Volleyball Officials Association for volleyball officials at Greene County High School for 2016 – 2017 school year.
* Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and The University of Alabama UA Early College Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit.
* Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Uniquely Different for School Consultant Services for 2016 – 2017 school year.
* Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Assistive Technology Associates for the purpose of Assistive Technology Evaluations for 2016 – 2017 school year.
* Acceptance of $15,000 school breakfast mini-grant from AASA, The School Superintendents Association.
* Allocation from Fleet Renewal for purchase of two buses.
* 2016 – 2017 Capital Plan.
* Bid Submitted by Newell Paper Co. for Copier Paper for FY 2016 – 2017 (Only Bidder)
* Job Description for System Athletic Director and permission to appoint a person to become Athletic Director for the entire school system commencing with 2017 – 2018 school year.
* Cafeteria equipment and lunchroom tables at Carver, Paramount, and Eutaw Primary be declared surplus and removed and sold from Child Nutrition Inventory.
* Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
* Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mr. Leon Dowe, CSFO.
Instructional items approved by the board:
* The Greene County School System will improve the ACT Aspire scores by 2.56 % for 2016 – 2017 school year.
* The Greene County School System will improve the ACT College entrance exam by 2%.
* The Greene County School System will continue to enhance school safety for all students.
* The Greene County School System will increase the graduation rate by 5% over the next two years
* The Greene County School System will decrease the dropout rate by 5% over the next two years.
* The Greene County School System will improve Parental Involvement by 8% over the next two years.