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By Fred Guarino
The Lowndes Signal
The Lowndes County Board of Education received an excellent evaluation for its school superintendent and saw HIPPY Heroes (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) recognized at its regular June board meeting Thursday.
The board also learned of the need for new lighting poles at the Central High football field that could result in some “home” games being changed to “away “games this coming football season.
And the board reinstated a student into the school system.
Dr. James Wright, a consultant from Professional Development Services LLC recognized Lowndes County Public Schools for not having any failing schools and a graduation rate, last reported of 83 percent, which is up from a low in the lower 60’s over the past 10 years.
He pointed out that Boyd served as chair science course of study development team, which culminated October 2015 with a presentation to the State Board of Education, and was recognized by the governor for his work with the Black Belt Education Foundation, which he chaired for seven years, resigning this past October.
Wright said Boyd received an average score of 3.7 out of 4 from the school board and an average score of 3.5 from supervisors, school administrators, etc.
He said area of work for Boyd include problem solving and collaboration.
Wright said, “Overall Dr. Boyd has done an excellent job.”
JoAnne Shum, director of the Lowndes HIPPY Program recognized three HIPPY Heroes.
She pointed board members a report that showed that with only two parent educators, Lowndes County HIPPY made 990 home lesson deliveries and “not one single parent dropped out of the program.” And according to the report, “100 percent of the children passed the Kindergarten Readiness Test.”
She also said the group received national accreditation.
She recognized Boyd, Jason D. Burroughs, assistant school superintendent in charge of operations/child nutrition program, and Dr. Benitha D. Mathews, district technology coordinator/supervisor of Library Media Program.
She also recognized Sen. Hank Sanders, who serves as the Lowndes County Board of Education attorney, saying, “He has to fight the barbarian hordes off… to try to make sure we stay in the budget.”
Boyd said Pioneer Electric Service in the Mosses area did an inspection and found that light at the Central High football field did not meet their standards, which will require the light to be taken down for new light poles to be erected.
He said the process for approval by the Alabama Building Commission takes time, and the erection of the new poles will be expensive. However, he said the school system will work to get this done as soon as possible.
He said, “We will do our very best to get the lights on and get them set up before football season.” But said, the principal has been notified that some early games this season may have to be moved to “away” games.
Boyd recommended that a student who had been indefinitely suspended be readmitted to the school system.
He said the student met all requirements including 40 hours of volunteer community work, voluntary drug treatment, a letter from the parent, the student and counselor.
Boyd reported that a fiscal integrity review of the Lowndes County Head Start program did not show any citations.
He said on Aug. 1 the Institute Day program will be held for professional development at the Calhoun School.
Boyd said the school system’s goal is to have every child graduate and there are two summer programs, one at Hayneville Middle School with 148 students and one at Lowndes County Middle School with 97 students in Fort Deposit, both including breakfast and lunch.
Both programs, he said, are free to public school students with the one at Lowndes County Middle School funded by the 21st Century Program and the one at Hayneville Middle School funded through District Court Judge Adrian D. Johnson, the Lowndes County Commission and Title I.
Boyd also said 13 students are working this summer in minimum wage jobs.

Kayla McCovery asked the procedure by which teachers are terminated and the reason for no driver’s education classes.

Boyd said information about why a particular teacher was released could not be revealed. However, he said as to driver’s education, with students being able to take classes online, the demand for the classes is not high.

Boyd presented the board  with policy changes and two new policies regarding child abuse and virtual school for action at next month’s board meeting.

And the board did go into executive session to discuss the general reputation and character of individuals, but took no action.
In other matters the board approved:
* Contracts for extended use of the Hayneville Middle School gym by the Student Tutorial Enrichment Program and with Helping Hands Therapy for occupational/physical therapy for the 2016-2017 school year for select students.
*A unified lease agreement with Canon for copiers for schools.
*The 2016-17 board meeting schedule.
*An FY 2017 funding increase grant application for Head Start.
*The April 2016 financial statement, profit and loss detail report and check detail report for Lowndes County Head Start.
*The revenue and expenditures report, financial statement and payroll register for April 2016 based on reconciled bank statements.
*Personnel report.

The next board meeting will be July 14 at 7 p.m. at the central office.