The Greene County Democrat

Tag: August 15

  • School Board hears plans for JAG project; receives State testing results for accountability grades

    The Greene County Board of Eduction met in regular session Monday, August 15, 2022 with all board members in attendance. As part of his report, Superintendent Dr. Corey Jones brought on staff directors to give various program summaries.

    Ms. Teresa Atkins, Director of the Greene County High School Career Center, gave a summary report on the Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) project. The school system was funded $65,000 in support of the project.
    Ms. Atkins reported that the Greene County School District is excited to launch the JAG Program at Greene County Career Center.  Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) identifies and provides educational support and success strategies for Alabama’s at-risk students.  “JAG-eligible students have been partnered with our Educational Specialist, Mrs. Shamyra Jones who will mentor, equip, and provide the support needed to graduate and succeed after high school.  JAG is unique in that it serves students often overlooked,” she stated.
    Greene County School System received a start-up grant off $10,000 and a continuous grant of $55,000 to support the implementation of the program. According to Ms. Atkins, the system may request a larger JAG grant for next year.
    Ms. Marshae Pelt, At-Risk and Testing Coordinator, presented the board with an overview of accountability regarding the State Testing results. The grades that are tested, referred to as accountability grades, include 3rd through 8th, tested through ACAP and the 11th grade utilizing the ACT Test. Ms. Pelt presented charts indicating student scores in Math and Reading from State Testing administered in March 2022.
    Ms. Pelt presented an overview of the state assessments that at least 98% of students participated in during Spring 2022. Students in grades 2-8 participated in the ACAP Summative mandated assessment. At least 97% of students in the 11th grade participated in the ACT assessment, which included subjects: Math, Reading, English, and Science. Although various grades participated in the Science assessment, all students participated in the English/Language Arts and Math assessments.

    Superintendent Jones shared how instructional coaches should be an asset in ensuring that teachers understand the data and provide professional development and professional support as students continue to demonstrate achievement growth.
    Superintendent Jones gave an update on the schools enrollments to date and in comparison to the previous enrollments at opening of school. Eutaw Primary has enrolled 264 scholars so far this school term compared to 296 at the start of the 2021 school term. Robert Brown Middle School has enrolled 342 compared to 321 for the previous year; and Greene County High has enrolled 261, compared to 253 for the previous year. This year’s total enrollment to date is 867. Last year’s opening enrollment was 879. Dr. Jones stated that he receives daily reports on student enrollment and expects enrollment to increase.
    The board approved the following personnel items recommended by the superintendent.
    Employment – 2022-2023 School Term: Sarah Crawford, 2nd Grade Eutaw Primary School; JaMiyiah Smith, 5th Grade Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School; Ephraim Russell, Band Teacher, Greene County High School; Howard Crawford, In-School Suspension Teacher, Greene County High School; Alanda McEwen, Counselor, Robert Brown Middle School;
    Resignations: Leanita Hunt, 6th Grade English Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective September 2, 2022; Monquelle Wigfall, Special Education Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective September 9, 2022; Katoya Quarles, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Robert Brown Middle School, effective August 31, 2022.
    The board approved authorization of the following employees to work concessions and ticket booths for the 2022-2023 school year: Latanya Cockrell, Traci Hunter, Sara Brewer, Twelia Morris, Sharon Washington, Mary Henderson, Wanda Gaitor.
    The board approved the following administrative items recommended by the superintendent.
    * Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll.
    * Bank reconciliations as submitted by Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO.
    * Contract between Greene County Board and Criterion Consulting, Administrator Evaluations, Support Services for 2022-2023 school term.
    * Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Southern Regional Education Board/School Improvement, for 2022-2023 school term.
    * Contract between Greene County High School and Alabama High School Athletic Association Officials, to Officiate each football game; Approval of out of State Travel for Paula Calligan to attend Cosmetology Conference in Miami Florida.
    * Contract between Greene County Board of Education and The Washington Consulting Group, LLC Training for New CNP Director.
    * Contract between Greene County Board and Alabama Association of School Boards, Reorganizing/Reformatting of Policy Manual.
    * Contract Agreement between Greene County Board and the Greene County Ambulance Services to provide emergency Medical Services during football Games.
    Ms. Marquita Lennon, CSFO, presented the Financial Snapshot for July 31, 2022, including the following: General Fund Bank Balance – $2,936,667.68; Accounts Payable Check register – $854,065.40; Combined Ending fund Balance – $5,228,808.86; Total Local Revenue – $187,055; Operating Reserve – 5.14 combined general fund reserve; 2.91 cash reserve. All bank accounts have been reconciled.

  • Absentee Ballots available now Tuesday, August 15, statewide primary elections scheduled for U. S. Senate seat

    _81877350_026263473-1“There is a major special statewide election coming up in Alabama in less than two weeks that most voters don’t know about”, said Lorenzo French, Chair of the Greene County Democratic Executive Committee.
    Every registered voter, in both parties – Democrat and Republican – can vote on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 – at your regular polling place, in the primary for the U. S. Senate seat vacated when Jeff Sessions resigned to become Attorney General. In most counties there will just be this one contest on the ballot.
    There is a crowded field of candidates in both parties to fill this position. Luther Strange, who was appointed to the position by former Governor Robert Bentley, leads the Republican field, which also includes former and disgraced Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore and Mo Brooks, Congressman representing the Huntsville area.
    In the Democratic primary there are six candidates. Former U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama, Doug Jones of Birmingham, leads the race. Jones is best known for prosecuting and winning the conviction of two of the bombers of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, who killed four innocent young girls on a Sunday morning in 1963. Jones has been endorsed by the Alabama New South Alliance, Alabama Democratic Conference and other labor and civic groups.
    If no candidate wins 50% plus one vote in this first primary, a second primary between the top two qualifiers will be held on September 26, 2017. If there is a second primary, Alabama law now requires you to vote in the same party you chose to vote in during the first primary. This was done to prevent crossover voting where voters from one party were trying to affect the choice of the other party to benefit their party’s candidate.The Special General Election for this United States Senate seat will be held on December 12, 2017. “Our voters must pay attention to these dates, or they will miss an important election,” said French.
    The last day to register to vote in this special election was Monday, July 31. Voter registration will re-open from August 16 to September 15, 2017 for voters to participate in the second primary.
    Absentee Ballots are available now from the Circuit Clerk’s office in the Courthouse. Persons who will be out of town, serving in the Armed Forces, attending college out of town or are sick and incapacitated may apply for an absentee ballot to vote. Thursday August 10, 2017 is the last day to apply for a regular absentee ballot.
    Absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in person by Monday, August 14, 2017. More information on absentee voting is available from the Circuit Clerk’s office or call 205/372-3598 or 372-6907.
    In its last session, the Alabama Legislature changed the conditions for convicted felons to restore their voting rights. The law has clarified which offenses involve moral turpitude and which do not.
    Persons convicted of crimes not involving moral turpitude, who have served their time and paid all costs and fines will have an easier process to restore their voting rights. Former felons needing assistance in restoring their voting rights may contact Lorenzo French at 334/872-1355