schools

The Fayette County Board of Education approved personnel items and contracts during its June 13 meeting. All board members were present for the meeting.

Fayette County Schools appear to be near or above the state’s averages on key indicators for the recently released 2021-22 “report cards.”

The new school year for students within the Fayette County School System begins on Monday, Aug. 8. Fayette County Superintendent Jim Burkhalter said that teachers and the administrative staffs of the schools have been working hard in an effort to open schools in a traditional and normal fashion this year, following disruptions the past two years due to COVID restrictions.

An email alleging a bomb threat to the Fayette County School System on Monday, Nov. 30 has caused a complete shutdown of the school system pending further investigation of the incident. Fayette County Superintendent of Education Jim Burkhalter issued the following statement on Tuesday, Dec. 1. “I received an email Monday morning concerning a threat to the schools. After consultation with the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s office, we decided to dismiss the schools. The buses were back and ready to transport the students home at 10 a.m.

According to Superintendent Jim Burkhalter, school got off to as normal a start as possible in a year that has been dominated everywhere by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are off to a great start,” said Burkhalter. “Teachers, students, and staff are practicing the guidelines provided by the CDC and Governor Kay Ivey. Masks are being worn by everyone in grades two - 12. Social distancing is being practiced to the best extent possible. The schools are doing an excellent job in teaching our students in the safety protocols that are being implemented.

Although their senior seasons did not finish as planned, the students at Berry, Fayette and Hubbertville survived the COVID-19 pandemic and have made it to graduation. Help celebrate this momentous accomplishment with them by purchasing a copy of our May 20 edition with our annual commemorative graduation section.

The Fayette City Council distributed $5,000 to each of the three public school within the city during its Feb. 11 meeting. Councilwoman Linda McCraw was absent with all other council members present. Representatives from Fayette Elementary School, Fayette Middle School and Fayette County High School each accepted a check from the council, totaling $15,000 to the three schools. The money was appropriated to the schools in this year’s budget, contingent on funds being available.

The Fayette County School System improved its ACT scores and academic indicators for the 2018 school year, according to recent figures released by the state board of education. After trailing the state average in both 2015 and 2016, Fayette County saw a dramatic increase in 2017 and increased that score slightly in 2018.

Governor Kay Ivey announced Friday, Aug. 3 the 200 schools selected as official Alabama Bicentennial Schools. Ivey was joined at the announcement by superintendents, principals, teachers, students, and administrators from the selected schools along with legislators and other dignitaries from across the state. Fayette Elementary School was one of the schools selected as an Alabama Bicentennial School.

Russell Dubose, human resource director for Phifer Wire, spoke to the Fayette City Council during its July 24 meeting about the partnership that local industries are making with schools to help train skilled workers. Dubose said that Phifer has been a part of the Fayette community for more than 10 years and looks forward to its continued growth in the area following its current expansion into the former Arvin building. He said the company’s decision to expand to Fayette was a wise choice.