Coosa County’s State of the Schools, plans for 2025

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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 2024.

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 2025.

Student Achievement 

• Central Elementary School’s (CES) overall score on the state report card increased three points, recording a 94% in academic growth.

• CES proficiency in English increased 10%, math increased 4% and science increased 22%.

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

• Central High School (CHS) increased 8% in academic growth on the state report card at 96%.

• CHS implemented a Perfect Attendance Award program which helped cut the chronic absenteeism rate by 50% from 2023.

• iReady results (standardized assessment that measures student achievement in math and reading)

• At the conclusion of the 2024 school year CES had a 121% typical growth rate in reading (100% is the target growth rate)

• At the conclusion of the 2024 school year CES had a 106% typical growth rate in math (100% is the target growth rate)

• At the conclusion of the 2024 school year CES had a 36% increase in the percentage of students at the “Early On or Above Grade Level” in math

• At the conclusion of the 2024 school year CES had a 40% increase in the percentage of students at the “Early On or Above Grade Level” in reading

• At the conclusion of the CES Summer Literacy Camp, those students in attendance recorded a 134% growth rate in reading

• CHS reading: the percentage of students who were “Early On or Above Grade Level” increased 8% since testing at the beginning of the school year

• CHS math: the percentage of students who were “Early On or Above Grade Level” increased 14% since testing at the beginning of the school year

• Central Alabama Community College conferred five high school students their associate’s degree, four of which were from Central High School, at no cost to our students thanks to a combination of funding from Sen. Clyde Chambliss and Rep. Ben Robbins, grants and ESSER.

• Graduating seniors received a combined total of more than $2 million in scholarships.

• All graduating seniors passed the state-mandated Civics Exam with an 87% school average.

• 54 Coosa County Career Tech Center (CCCTC) students earned industry recognized credentials such as ASE, Microsoft, Fiber Optics, and Asphalt Roller and Skid Steer certifications.

• 29 CCCTC students were offered jobs in health care and manufacturing at the hiring fair, as well as a student being offered an apprenticeship.

• Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) team won first place in state competition for two years in a row.

• The JAG program earned the prestigious National 6-of-6 JAG Program Award.

• The Trailblazers robotics team won the Judge’s Choice Award and finished second overall at the UAB qualifier.

• Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team placed in the top three in the state competition.

• SkillsUSA team placed fifth among 104 teams at state competition.

• Earned Sportsmanship Award from the Alabama High School Athletic Association which recognizes a year of athletics without ejections or fine violations for sportsmanship.

• Cheer squad earned Superior rating at camp.

• Band, drum major, percussion, color guard, and majorette all scored Superior ratings at competition.

Staff

• Hired new head football coach

• Procured funding for additional teacher units

• Continued staff appreciation holiday dinner, dancing and door prizes

• Three Central Coosa educators attended Harvard University Institute on Family Engagement

Fiscal Health

• For the fourth year in a row, the Coosa County School District recorded a surplus of funds. The 2024 amount was $2,422,440.67, the 2023 amount was $1,914,733.49, and the 2022 amount was $1,102,432.00, up from $311,027 in 2021 and a deficit of $389,344.06 in 2020.

• CCCTC was awarded $256, 693 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 $1,111,619.58 in grants covering arts, literacy, College and Career readiness, gifted education, and capital improvements.

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

Infrastructure and Capital Improvements

• Security cameras were updated and installed to cover all campuses, including outdoor and event common areas.

• Installation of secure access to facilities for staff members using FOB technology.

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

• Upgraded flooring at CCCTC.

• Added “Cougar Pride” screening to the back of the visitor’s bleachers at Keith Bullard Stadium.

Parental Involvement, Communication and Community Partnerships

• The Literacy Everywhere grant provided five or more books to every student in K-12 to build their home library, sponsored multiple parent literacy events and provided books for classrooms, libraries and community businesses and organizations.

• Provided opportunities for students to take learning outside of the classroom, including visits to the Aveda Institute, Berman’s World History Museum, Master Builders Robotics team competition in New Orleans, Auburn University (Schools of Architecture, Education, and Transportation), Alabama State House, Alabama Capital, Alabama Supreme Court, Samford University, and Six Flags Math and Science Day.

• Partnerships with the following organizations provided students with an enriched educational experience: AltaPointe Health, Bridgeways, 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, and United Way.

• Initiated the “Helping Families” program in conjunction with the District Attorney’s Office, which helps families who struggle with chronic absenteeism and appropriate school behavior.

• Initiated Telehealth program in conjunction with Accordia Health in Rockford which provides an on-site nurse practitioner and tele-doctor for both students and staff to utilize for appointments and medication renewals.

• 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 $127,000 in our students and staff, up from $108,000 in 2023 using the pay-to-learn model to provide after school tutoring for the ACT and workforce skills instruction.

• The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) sponsored and supported multiple events, including an Art Gala, Rainbow Fun Run, pumpkin decorating contest, and school dances.

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

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

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

Plans for 2025

• The inaugural Central High School golf team will start competition in the spring.

• Updating safeguard alarm system.

• Updating water treatment plant.

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

• Implementation of Frontline attendance log-in for staff.