2022 State of the Schools
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Special to the News
In the tradition of presidents, governors, etc. we would like to report on the State of the Schools in Coosa County for 2022.
Thanks to the hard work of students, staff, administrators, board members, and family and community members, the Coosa County School system is proud of the progress made in the following areas. We are happy to report that the state of our schools is strong, and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our schools in 2023.
Student Achievement
- Re-opened Coosa County Career and Technical Center: programs include nursing, with instruction provided by Central Alabama Community College with students earning dual-enrollment credit, auto shop, computer science, and family and consumer science
- Started Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) program at Coosa County Career and Technical Center
- Head Start pre-K program opened in the west wing of the former Central High School building
- Central High School gained 6% points on the state report card: the Coosa County school district scored 94% in academic growth up from 81%
- iReady diagnostic results
- elementary school reading: the percentage of students who are on or above grade level increased 22% since testing at the beginning of the school year
- elementary school math: the percentage of students who are on or above grade level increased 15% since testing at the beginning of the school year
- high school reading: the percentage of students who are on or above grade level increased 8% since testing at the beginning of the school year
- high school math: the percentage of students who are on or above grade level increased 2% since testing at the beginning of the school year
- 89% of graduates were Career and Technical education completers, up 6% from previous year
- Graduating seniors passed the state mandated Civics Exam with an 82% school average
- Dual enrollment at Central Alabama Community College expanded to provide more class choices and credit opportunities
- Continued the following programs outside of normal instructional time, at no additional cost to families, aimed at increasing student achievement: Summer Learning Camps with transportation provided, Summer Feeding Program, after school tutoring, STEM, SAFE Pay to Learn Workforce Development, ACT Prep, 4-H, and Robotics
- Reestablished an annual Science Fair
- Every student received basic school supplies gift box
- Every student received at home student libraries at no cost thanks to the Literacy Everywhere grant
- Central Elementary reinvigorated Accelerated Reader (AR) program to incentivize reading
- Students won awards at various state and regional competitions including 4-H Livestock Skillathon and Quiz Bowl, First place Rookie Award for Robotics team, All-County Band, Honor Band, and Superior Band rating, Boys Basketball 2A Champions, First place in Alabama Stock Market Game for southern region, JV football recorded an undefeated season
Staff
- Staff members received premium payment of $500
- Staff appreciation holiday dinner, dancing, and door prizes
- Hired new head football coach and baseball coach
- Hired new assistant principals at both the Central Elementary and Central High schools
- Added a director of the Coosa County Career and Technical Center to our staff
- Added a Career Coach to our staff
Fiscal Health
- For the second year in a row, the Coosa County School District recorded a surplus of funds, the 2022 amount was $1,102,432.00, up from $311,027.00 in 2021 and a deficit of $389,344.06 in 2020
Infrastructure and capital improvements
- Informational marquees installed at both the Coosa County schools main campus and Career-Tech campus
- New light poles installed at the entrance to both Central Elementary and Central High School, as well as the flag pole, and the teacher parking lots for added security and safety
- Fencing installed at the Coosa County Career and Technical Center for added security and safety
- Upgraded flooring in band room from plywood to carpeting
- Resurfaced running track at Keith Bullard Stadium
- Resurfaced floor at Central gym
Parental Involvement, Communication, and Partnerships
- The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sponsored the first Rainbow Fun Run, National Day of Encouragement, reestablished Field Day, Christmas play, Fall Festival, Pumpkin decorating contest, and school dances
- Continued partnership with the Coosa County News to communicate school news to the public on a weekly basis
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- Created Coosa County Schools Weekly Newsletter email campaign which is shared with students, staff, PTO, and board members
- Revamped school and district websites
- Partnerships with the following organizations provided students with an enriched educational experience: Limitless groups, Coosa Upward Youth Sports, Central Alabama Community College, Bridgeways, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Central Alabama Extension Office/4-H, United Way, Coosa County Sheriff’s Department, Goodwater and Kellyton Fire Departments
- Parent training on reading with their children provided by Literacy Everywhere grant team
Plans for 2023
- Expansion of the Summer Literacy Camp to include both reading and math
- New field house at Keith Bullard Stadium (ADA compliant)
- Renovation of flooring and new bleachers at the Joe N. Belyeu gymnasium
- Security barriers added to the entrance of both Central Elementary and Central High schools