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The Marengo County Board of Education meeting on October 28 began with a presentation of awards to three of the board members. Board members Freddie Charleston, Chester Moore, and Rayvell Smith were recognized for their academy achievements for the Alabama Association of School Boards. Charleston received Master 4th Year, Moore received Master 3rd Year, and Smith received Level 4.

For educational updates, K12 Instructional Leader Cathy Seale provided the board with a brief update on what’s happening inside the schools from an education standpoint. Seale reported that the Seniors Apply to College Application Week was a success and that 100 percent of seniors applied to at least one college. Career Tech/Coach Amy Ward worked collaboratively with school counselors to get as many seniors as possible to send in an application.

Ward is currently working with counselors to get 100 percent of seniors to complete their FAFSA. The FAFSA application process opened on October 1, 2020- through March 2021. At AL. Johnson, 35 percent of seniors have filled out the FAFSA, 40 percent have completed it at MHS, and 70 percent have completed it at SWHS.

Seale also touched on the Peer Helper Program in the county school system. The Peer Helper Program is a program meant to empower students to be emotionally, socially, behaviorally, and academically successful. Recently, counselors and teachers participated in training led by Thriveway Consulting. The schools have Peer Helpers selected and training of these helpers begins on November 16 at the central office.

Action Items:

• Approved financial reports for September
• Approved bank statement reconciliations for September
• Review proposed revised FILE: GAJ (Drug Testing of Designated Employees)
• Select 2021 Delegate Assembly member

The next meeting of the board will be held on November 17 at 4:00 p.m.