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The October 24 Linden Board of Education meeting began with brief reports from the principals of Linden High School and George. P. Austin Middle School.

LHS principal Antwone Motley was not present at the meeting, but submitted a written report that was read by Superintendent Dr. Timothy Thurman. IReady is being utilized by the LHS staff and they have completed 80 percent of the new pacing guides for the faculty and staff. Motley also reported that Homecoming at LHS was successful, and he praised the football team for qualifying for the playoffs.

G.P. Austin principal Walter Hampton was also absent from the meeting and his report was presented by Gwendolyn Rogers. Rogers said that report cards have been sent out and that staff is now preparing for winter iReady assessment. The middle school has also set up its problem solving teams and has completed its ACIPS (A Continuous Improvement Plan).

Rogers also said that the middle school is observing Red Ribbon Week which is a drug-abuse prevention campaign. An assembly was held at the school on Monday, October 24 and on Friday, October 28, officers from ALEA (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) will do a presentation to end the campaign week.

Under new business, Thurman said the Linden City School System is planning to move to district accreditation. At the moment, only the high school is accredited, but not the entire system. He said there are only about 6 or 7 school districts in Alabama that do not have accreditation. Thurman said that next Monday a representative from Cognia and four other districts will begin the process of getting the district accredited.

Cognia is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools throughout the United States and internationally.

Items approved by the Board:

• The Board accepted the resignation of Marsha Parsons as literacy coach for GPA
• The Board accepted the resignation of Dorothy Grace as intervention teacher at GPA
• The Board approved hiring Ankeishia Epps as parental involvement coordinator for LCS
• The Board approved hiring Jaunita Perterson as part-time special needs teacher at LES
• The Board accepted the resignation letter of Walter Hampton as Principal of GPA
• The Board appointed Ms. Gwendolyn Rogers as interim principal of GPA with a stipend to match current principal salary