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At the January 27 Marengo County Board of Education meeting, K12 Instructor Cathy Seale provided the board with updates from the school system.

Seale began with an update on FAFSA completions at the three county schools. Completing the FAFSA is an ALSDE graduation requirement and Career Coach Amy Ward is working with school counselors to get 100 percent of seniors to complete their FAFSA.

Marengo County is currently 12th in the state for FAFSA completion at 45 percent. At A.L. Johnson, 8/15 seniors have completed the FAFSA, 5/17 have completed it at Marengo High School, and 36/42 have completed at Sweet Water High School. Seale is confidents that the schools will reach 100 percent completion.

The school system has partnered with the Liberty Learning Foundation to put together the Super Citizen Program for all 2nd and 3rd graders in the district.

The Super Citizen Program Resource Kit helps educators teach active civics through a 10-week experience that boosts engagement, retention and accountability in 3rd – 5th grade students. The process begins with a high-energy “Kickoff” performance (video or in person) and continues with video-led lesson-starters that walk educators through easy and exciting ways to reach the tech savvy generation in the classroom.

Lessons in American history, civics, financial literacy, character and career readiness are aided by expertly developed lesson plans and engaging digital resources. The Super Citizen Program Resource Kit includes the Authentic Liberty Replica, stickers, flags, Statue of Liberty Crowns, Statue of Liberty Fun Facts, enrichment reading books, and student workbooks to round out the immersive experience.

The kick-off event will be at Linden High Schools on February 10 at 9:00 a.m.

Planning for summer school has begun, and a “gathering input” ZOOM call for teachers/administrators was held on February 1. A survey will be sent out to employees to begin getting educators in place. After surveys have been completed, the committee will then work collaboratively to develop the instructional plan for summer school.

In March, surveys will out to parents/guardians for signing students up. In April and May, instructional teams will meet to prepare the materials and test students with placement tests. Also in May, Seale will meet with summer school teachers for professional development for implementing summer school schedules.

 Items approved by the Board:

• Approved financial reports for December
• Approve bank statement reconciliations for December
• Approved sale of John Essex property
• Approved sale of Coxheath property