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 2025.

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 2026.

Student Achievement

• The big news from Coosa County Schools for 2025 was earning a “B” on the State Report Card for the first time.

• Along with the above achievement, Coosa County Schools was featured in numerous print and broadcast media for achieving the highest percentage of increase in Central Alabama, with a 10-point increase on the state report card grade.

• Central Elementary School (CES) academic growth on the state report card increased 2.3%, recording a score of 96% in academic growth.

• CES student proficiency in English increased almost 7% from 2024.

• The percentage of third graders reading on or above grade level increased from 74% in 2023 to 91% in 2024 and to 93% in 2025.

• Central High School (CHS) increased their graduation rate by 24.6% on the state report card. Students now have multiple options for completing their high school requirements, whether it is in the traditional school setting, virtually, dual enrolling through Central Alabama Community College (CACC) or a hybrid of the options.

• CHS continues to offer our students the opportunity to dual enroll at CACC, earning both high school and college credit, at no cost to our students thanks to combination of funding from Senator Clyde Chambliss and Representative Ben Robbins, as well as grants.

• CHS increased their College and Career Readiness (CCR) rate by 9.7% on the state report card. In addition to a strong dual enrollment program with CACC, the re-opening of the Coosa County Career Tech Center in 2022 has also contributed to the increase in the CCR rate.

• Coosa County Schools cut their chronic absenteeism rate by half on the state report card. On campus attendance award programs have been implemented. In addition, Coosa County Schools entered into a partnership with the District Attorney’s Office to implement the Helping Families program to assist families experiencing chronic absenteeism.

• Graduating seniors received a combined total of $776,444 in scholarships.

• All graduating seniors passed the state mandated Civics Exam with an 88% school average.

• 52 Coosa County Career Tech Center (CCCTC) students earned industry recognized credentials such as ASE, Microsoft, Fiber Optics, Community Health, Asphalt Roller, Skid Steer or Bulldozer certifications.

• 24 CCCTC students were offered jobs in the automotive industry, education, health care, and manufacturing at the hiring fair.

• Two Coosa County Schools students won the district level Soil and Water Conservation contest.

• Central’s Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) team won first place in state competition for three years in a row, progressing to Nationals where they also received top honors.

• Central’s SkillsUSA team won first place at State and advanced to Nationals.

• Central’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team placed in state competition and progressed to Nationals.

• Life Skills students started a personalization business.

• The inaugural Central High School golf team competed in their first season.

• The inaugural Central High School dance team performed their first season.

• Reinstated track program at CHS after being dismantled a decade ago.

• For the first time in 10 years, the Central High School football team made it to the playoffs.

• Central Coosa boys basketball won the 2A Area Championship and the sub-regional playoffs.

• Central band members made Clay, Coosa, Talladega All-County Honor Band and colorguard received Best in Class at competition.

Staff

• Procured funding for additional teacher units.

• Continued staff appreciation holiday dinner, dancing, and door prizes.

• Procured funding to continue Summer Literacy Camp due to high degree of success.

Fiscal Health

• For the fifth year in a row, the Coosa County School District recorded a surplus of funds, the 2025 amount was $3,876,339.55, the 2024 amount was $2,422,440.67, the 2023 amount was $1,914,733.49, the 2022 amount was $1,102,432.00, up from $311,027.00 in 2021 and a deficit of $389,344.06 in 2020

• CCCTC was awarded $151,560.00 in grants. The grants covered training for employees, new equipment for CCCTC programs, and credentialing and certification testing fees for students.

• Coosa County Schools were awarded a total of $452,419.58 in grants covering the arts and College and Career readiness.

• All athletic programs are operating with a surplus of funds.

• All three CHS science teachers were awarded a Central Alabama Electric Cooperative Bright Ideas grant in coordination with Coosa County Schools. science coach.

• The $5 million Literacy Everywhere grant implemented over the course of four years has provided every student in K-12 books to build their home library, sponsored multiple parent literacy events, and provided books for classrooms, libraries, and community businesses and organizations which helped increase our reading scores as evidenced on the state report card.

Infrastructure and capital improvements

• Raptor security system updates.

• Updated cameras for all campuses.

• Security fencing added to enclose the back of the schools.

• Updating safeguard alarm system.

• Updating water treatment plant.

• Implementation of Frontline attendance log-in for staff.

• Life Skills learning facility opened at CCCTC and Life Skills students started a personalization business.

Parental Involvement, Communication and Community Partnerships

• Provided opportunities for students to take learning outside of the classroom, including visits to the Auburn University, Shakespeare Festival, Two Rivers Lumber, Berman’s World History Museum, World War II Museum in New Orleans, Auburn University, Alabama State House, Alabama Capital, Alabama Supreme Court, Samford University, Six Flags Math and Science Day, University of Alabama, WSFA TV.

• Partnerships with the following organizations provided students with an enriched educational experience: Alabama One, Accordia Health, AltaPointe, Central Alabama Community College, Central Alabama Extension Office/4-H, Coosa County Chamber of Commerce, Coosa County Farmers Federation Women’s Committee, Coosa County Probate Office, Coosa County Sheriff’s Office, Coosa County Soil and Water Conservation District, Children’s Policy Council, Girl Scouts, Limitless/Empowered to Conquer, and United Way.

• 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, expanded to include reading, math, and STEM, Summer Feeding Program, after school tutoring, after school STEM program, after school SAFE Pay to Learn Workforce Development, after school ACT Prep, 4-H, and Robotics.

• SAFE Workforce Development program invested more than $120,905.00 in our students and staff, utilizing the pay to learn model to provide after school and summer tutoring for the ACT and workforce skills instruction.

• The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sponsored and supported multiple events including the Angel Tree, Art Gala, Pumpkin decorating contest, and school dances as well as maintaining the PTO Facebook page.

• Alumni basketball and baseball players held athletic competitions to benefit their respective sports programs.

• Continued partnership with “The Coosa County News” to better communicate school news to the public on a weekly basis.

• Continued Coosa County Schools Weekly newsletter shared electronically with students, staff, Board members, and PTO to better communicate school information.

• Nine additional staff members earned CPR certification due to partnership with Goodwater Fire Chief

Plans for 2026

• $600,000 secured to build a new band facility which will be a dual purpose community storm shelter to include enclosing the walk-ways from the campus to cafeteria and gymnasium for increased security.

• Improvements to softball stadium, including installation of ADA-compliant hard surface for spectators, updated spectator seating, concessions, restrooms, and locker room.

• Adding an on-campus dual enrollment opportunity to earn welding certification through CACC, like the current dual enrollment nursing program offered to our students on campus.

• Adding a wrestling team.

• Build an ADA-accessible Outdoor Forest Classroom connecting the school to the current Outdoor Classroom, thanks to a grant from the Alabama Forestry Commission.