Greene County Democrat

Tag: Donny Jones

  • Greene County School Board looks to restore Modern Manufacturing curriculum; Superintendent reports on academic progress

    At the regular monthly Greene County Board of Education meeting on September 16, 2024, the board heard a report from Donny Jones, Director of Alabama Works on ways the school system could restore the Modern Manufacturing program. This program prepares high school students to enter technical job fields, related to the automobile industry in the state.

    Donny Jones indicated that this program was now operating in 34 school systems in the state and as coordinated with the needs of industry, such as Mercedes Benz, Honda, Hyundai, and Toyota around the state. Students get the basics of manufacturing including safety, work ethics, hand-tools, fixtures and gauges, basic measurement, critical thinking and leadership. They can also take electives in specific technical areas, like welding, robotics and industrial maintenance, as a dual degree student at a two-year community college, like Wallace Community College in Selma.

    The dual enrollment provisions allow local student to finish high school and a two-year community college program at no tuition cost to them. Donny Jones said,” We do not want our rural students to leave their home communities. We encourage them to live in their home communities. We help them to get the training needed to take high paying jobs with local industries.”
    Superintendent Corey Jones said he was working closely with Alabama Works to bring the program, which builds on past program to Greene County by next school year.

    Superintendent Jones continued with his report on progress in the three
    branches of the Greene County school system. He noted that the Eutaw Primary School had received a $1,050 grant from Blue Cross-Blue Shield to teach children shapes. Robert Brown Middle School received $4,500 from Representative Curtis Travis for match coaches. The school also had a successful grand-parents day in September. The Greene County High School received a grant of $ 8,021.20 from Representative Curtis Travis or a September 8th ‘college fair and help on the career tech programs.
    Superintendent Jones went on to discuss academic proficiency in the school system. In Eutaw Primary, the grade 1 to 3 increased reading proficiency from 17% to 32% and math proficiency from 15% to 18%. For Robert Brown Middle School, reading proficiency went to 3.3% and math proficiency to 3.8%, leaving room for continued growth. For Greene County High School, reading proficiency was at 5.8% and math at 2.7%, as measured by the ACT test, a college admissions test. Jones commented that “many school system were trying to get a different test, than the ACT, to measure proficiency in the high school populations.

    The Board went into Executive Session to discuss employment, policy and legal matters. After the session, the Board approved the following recommendations from the Superintendent.

    On Personnel Service recommendations, the Board approved:
    Employment for the 2024 – 2025 school year
    Samon K. Sanders – Mental Health Coordinator – GCSS
    Zaddrick Smith – Physical Education Teacher – EPS (RECALL)
    Vernon Strode – Lead Maintenance – GCSS
    Lorissa Holder – Biology Teacher – GCHS

    On Administrative Service items, the following were approved:
    Five Year Capital Plan for the Greene County School System

    Contract between Greene County Board of Education and Corey Morton to serve as technology assistant and provide technical support for the district

    Proposal from Vector Security to replace door station units at RBMS in the amount of $8,940

    Estimate from Darden Communications Consultants INC for transportation communication system and monthly subscription for school buses in the amount of $10,613.60

    Proposal from Criterion Consulting LLC for Administrator Evaluation Support Services for the 2024 – 2025 school year

    Quote from Imagine Learning for purpose prep program for Alternative School curriculum

    MOU between the Greene County and The Foundation for the Art and Science of Learning (FASL) for Teams Improving Practice to provide professional development and consulting services to the district for teachers

    Science Textbook adoption committee 2024 – 2025

    Renewal terms 12-Months @ 4.10% for CD at Synovus Bank

    Quote from Divot Assets to perform Fixed Asset Physical Inventory Services District Wide in the amount of $12,710 for FY 2024

    Payment of all bills, claims, and payroll

    Bank reconciliations as submitted by Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO

    Robotics in the Black Belt Partnership Agreement between Greene County Board of Education and Black Belt STEM Institute

    The summary financial report from Mrs. Marquita Lennon, CSFO indicated:

    General Fund Bank Balance $5,264,125.63
    *reconciles to the Summary Cash Report
    * Accounts Payable Check Register $2,487,446.07
    * Payroll Register $935,563.94
    *Total gross pay, to include employer match items
    * Combined Ending Fund Balance: $7,104,088.20

    Total Local Revenues from property and sales taxes, and Amendment 743 (bingo) was $154,160.77.

    After these reports and motions, the meeting was adjourned.

  • West Alabama Works holds meeting to open AIDT Training Trailer at Greene Co. High School

    JOB Fair.jpgOver 150 mostly young people attended Tuesday night’s kick-off meeting for the AIDT Training Trailer, located at 14223 U. Highway 11 South, in front of the Greene County High School.
    People were present to register and sign-up for classes and training to prepare for work in Greene County and surrounding counties in the West Alabama Black Belt.

    Classes will be provided for Certified Nursing Assistant (CAN) for entry-level work in the healthcare field. Classes will also be available for GED studies leading to a high school equivalency; Ready To Work training and certification in “work keys” which will lead to employment in the growing Alabama automotive industry; computer skills and other skill areas.
    Donny Jones, Chief Operating Officer for the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce and Director of West Alabama Works, said the AIDT Training Trailer will be in Greene County for the next three months, “to provide free testing and training for local residents who are willing to commit their time to acquire new skills and certification. At the end of this process, there are real jobs in the area but employers want to know if you have the skills and attitudes to fill and keep these jobs.”
    “This is the opportunity of a lifetime and the chance to transform families and change communities. We are building a career connect system to provide you the entry level skills and credentials you need to work in the future business and industry” said Jones.
    Jones explained that the Ready to Work program provides soft skills for people, interested in working in Alabama. These soft skills include team building, attitudes toward coming to work consistently and on-time, safety including avoiding drugs and alcohol on the job, basic math, precision measurement and other skills. People who faithfully attend this five-week program receive certification that they can present to employers when seeking a job.
    The CNA training for the healthcare field will be an eight-week training leading to basic certification to work in nursing homes, hospitals and other health care facilities.
    Persons attending the kick-off were able to register with West Alabama Works about their interest in training. They will be called back for more in depth testing and a recommended training curriculum to meet their specific needs. Persons who missed the kick-off can still register at: http://www.westalabamaworks.org or come by the AIDT trailer on Highway 11 at the Greene County High School.
    The Region 3 Workforce Development Council, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, formed West Alabama Works to lead workforce development efforts throughout West Alabama. The regional workforce development system facilitates and implements a comprehensive, coordinated, seamless workforce development system for the region and supports workforce training activities
    In the development of this mobile training unit, West Alabama Works is partnering with the University of West Alabama, Greene County Industrial Development Authority, Greene County Board of Education, Greene County Commission, Shelton State Community College, and AIDT to meet community needs. As Gary Nichols, Chairman of the West Alabama Works Steering Committee notes, “This will help individuals in the region prepare for new and existing job opportunities. We’re here to generate meaningful results.”