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Florala middle school closing
Red Level School splitting; changes effective summer 2010
Published Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, the Covington County Board of Education voted 3-0, with board member James Prestwood abstaining, to close Florala City Middle School and to establish a Red Level Elementary School and Red Level High School.
In order to alleviate costs in the short term, interim superintendent Terry Holley suggested “a realignment of the Covington County School System.”
“I felt like we needed to look at every aspect — from my personal point of view — for any way to better improve things for the long term,” he said.
“The (2009-2010) budget is figured now with 6 percent proration. That figure could increase to as much as 10 percent, but in all likelihood we’re looking at 8 percent proration, and that’s on top of the 11 percent proration for this year.
“We can counteract that 8 percent proration with stimulus money, since we have some flexibility in the way we spend money because of proration,” he said. “That stimulus money is keeping us afloat, and we’re trying to stretch it as much as we can, but we’re looking at three to four years before the economy recovers and we match what we’ve lost.”
The two changes are effective immediately “on paper,” but physical closing of Florala City Middle School will occur in the summer of 2010, Holley said.
When asked why the Red Level and Florala schools were chosen, he said there were two different factors behind the decisions.
“First off the decision to split Red Level will be tremendous in regards to AYP,” said Holley, speaking of “Adequate Yearly Progress,” testing procedures in which schools must meet 100 percent of their federal No Child Left Behind goals in math, reading and attendance/graduation rates.
“By splitting the school, Red Level Elementary School can be considered as one school and Red Level High School can be considered as one school,” he said. “By doing it now, we can see the change reflected for next year’s funding.”
There will be no physical structural changes at the Red Level School. The elementary school will consist of kindergarten through sixth grade and the high school will consist of seventh through 12th grades.
Holley said the schools will lose the funding for half a principal but allow for a librarian at both the elementary and high schools.
As for FCMS, the school currently houses a student body of only 74 students, making the decision to close it a financial one. Ownership of the building is expected to revert back to the city of Florala, and FCMS students will be shifted to Florala High School at the beginning of the next school year, he said.
Regarding staffing at both Red Level and Florala, Holley said, “We’ll look at that come spring. Those that are tenured will have a job. It may not be in Florala, but wherever the need is at. As for non-tenured, we’ll look at those as usual and determine where the need is.”
Holley said a “number” of teachers are set to retire at the end of this school year, which will help in teacher placement.
The only question from the board came from Jimmy Rogers, who asked, “So now is the opportune time?”
Holley said, “I don’t know about this economy, but I do know that the things we do now affect what we as a system have in the long term and we’re going to do what we need to do to provide a quality education system for the children of Covington County.”
Comments
Posted by dixiemomma (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good decision, it makes sense.
Posted by swswilliam (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My child will enter the 7th grade next year in a high school environment. That worries me and all the other parents of 7th and 8th graders. It is my sincere hope that our BOE will take steps to ensure there will be a separation of 12 year olds from the 17 and 18 year olds...our kids are growing up too fast already. This needs to be a SERIOUS consideration.
Posted by concerned (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes it does make sense, but it is also very sad. Sad to see such an old beautiful building shut down, just to sit there and rot. I, as a lot of people in Florala, attented school there. I feel sure Mr. Holley did also. And what about head start, where will they go? I feel sure the city of Florala can't afford to keep it up. Maybe instead of renovating the old water board office they could just move city hall to the school, plenty of room for the police station also. I hope this is thought out really well by the council. They have plenty of time to consider options. Think, plan and ask questions council, this will be a major decision to be made.
Posted by starburst (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Perhaps it is time to consolidate the redundant city/county school systems & move on into the future.
Posted by jujaphillips (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 1:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the last 2 comments. Use the old Florala building to house several city services and perhaps the Head Start as well. With regard to consolidation of city/county system, look at the test scores. Students do best when in smaller schools within a smaller class than larger schools, even with smaller classes.
Posted by soccermom22 (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For the Red level schools, why put 7th graders with the highschool and not keep them in elementary for one more year? I went to school up north and when our middle school closed, elementary was k-7 then I went to High school in the 8th grade, I agree, I wouldn't want my 12-13 year old in the high school.
Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Finally, someone is starting to see that an administrative staff (1 principal for ~5 teachers), maintenance, and all the other expenses of operating a school that houses only 74 students (less than many schools have in one grade level) is a serious fleecing of America!
I understand parental concerns mentioned, but since all students ride the same buses, they are probably exposed to much more on a bus than in supervised school settings. Most "junior high" grades are in separate buildings or wings and have different lunch/ break waves/PE classes than high school classes.
I hope that the savings in Florala will not be wasted on additional administrative assistant positions with the separation of grades in RL.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Smaller classes are a great idea, but this is ridiculous. I have never understood why Covington County needed so many different school systems. Think of the redundancy. Why 5 teachers? Find three teachers with middle grades certification and each could teach all subjects to about 24 kids. Elementary teachers do it all the time. I realize that some grade levels may have more or less than 24 but 5 teachers for 74 kids is nuts. I currently teach 2 grade levels and have a total of 143 students. This is a serious waste of money. Not to mention the principal's salary. I manage to interact with every one of my students every day including the challenging ones; this principal should be able to talk with each kid for 6 minutes a day (7.5 hour day which is what my contact is for). Wake up, people.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on September 11, 2009 at 10:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL I just re-read my post. No, I don't think my teaching 143 students is a serious waste of money :-) Some, however, might agree with my original post.
Posted by Festus (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've never lived in Florala or Lockhart but I have many memories there. I did go to school at W.S.H. and Florala High School. About a year behind Mr. Holley.
I agree I would be concered about younger kids with 9-12 graders. We went 1-6 in the big building at W.S.H. and then to the jr.high building on the north-west side of the campus for 7-8. We had one principal,( Murry Johnson) for all 8 grades,maybe there was an asst. but if there was I never knew it. The best I remember there was 5 teachers and a coach, ( Ronnie Driver) at the jr.high. I feel sure there were more students then, than now in that end of the county.
I'm not sure what that building is used for now, but you know old ways are sometimes still good ways. Just a thought for a school and community I still hold dear.
Posted by borninandalusia (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 9:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAtidefan, you may want to stop writing comments b/c mostly you don't know what you are talking about. Lets take the first part of satement, too many school system, well now if you want to start consolidating school..lets see what name will we have "ANDALUSIA CITY SCHOOLS" YEP! B/C WE DIFINITELY WON'T CHANGE TO COVINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM. WHO WILL BE THE SUPERINTENDENT..DIFINITELY NOT TERRY HOLLEY!!! HE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH CLASS!! HE'S A GOOD OLE BOY AND WON'T FIT IN NOWHERE ELSE BUT in THE COUNTY! As for the number of students at FCMS, there are 85 students and this is a TORCHBERON school. These students have excelled with Mr Drish as principal. They have performed above average on states exams year after year. This school doesn't cost the system a dime. Next, you can't hire 5 teachers to teach all subjects at the middleschool....duhhh! Middle/secondary teachers are not certified to teacher but one subject area unless they have dual certification which you will not find too many teachers with this endorsement!! Therefore, you must have 5 teachers plus a P.E. teacher. Why don't you try teaching 7th and 8th students in a self contained classroom all day!
Posted by BigDog (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just so you know, borninandalusia, federal money follows the students. So the money going to those 74 (or 85) students at FCMS will now go to FHS. Your arguement regarding teacher certification is another good reason for the decision that has been made.
Any student in a class of ~12 students should be expected to perform better on state exams......they have lots more one on one time with teachers! However, we can't afford that luxury for one school when others in the county exceed 25 per class in many grades.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on September 12, 2009 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
borninandalusia: My point is that there is redundancy with so many school districts. I did not say that there should be one school district in the county. Alabama schools, as well as others, constantly scream about money. There are three superintendents in the county. I taught in a school district with 65,000+ students and there was one superintendent. Now, granted, there were assistants, but one superintendent. I don't have any preference as to the name given to any school consolidated or not. You have no knowledge about my teaching ability or career. So, perhaps you better stop posting about that which you have no information. I could be very happy and very successful teaching 7th or 8th graders all day in a self contained classroom. You don't know. How does this school not cost the district any money? No utilities bill, no pay for staff, or bus service? Someone is paying for the school to operate. It is possible to find teachers with certification to teach middle grades. The article stated 74 students and that is why I quoted that number. Gee, if Mr. Holley doesn't know how many students are in the school, how would I? BTW, you accuse me of not knowing anything... it is Torchbearer school not Torchberon.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on September 13, 2009 at 12:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I always try to correct my own mistakes. It is Torch Bearer. Two words.
I usually don't have much trouble with the space bar.
Posted by thepunk (anonymous) on September 13, 2009 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don,t have a child in school so i,ll leave the decisions up to the board and the parents.But you suppose the schools could start teaching common sense?There seems to be a lack of that in young people today.
Posted by borninandalusia (anonymous) on September 13, 2009 at 10:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WAtidefan: I didn'tquestion your ability to teach or your career, I could care less! if you are such this great teacher and could teach 7th 8th grade students in a self contained class and you have the certification well go apply for a job with CCS. I'll see there if you do!!!I'm not going to debate with you abt FCMS b/c you are on the outside looking in and you dont have the facts abt the school. Do some homework abt the school, then come back and debate with me. Anytime!! You would think that the supt would know how many students are enrolled but apparently he doesn't. Why don't you call the school and ask how many students are enrolled 858-3642 or 222-7571, another fact that you don't have!! Torchberon, torchbearer school you got my point, if not look it up! Apparently, you don't know what it is..you are more worried about spelling than what it means to be a torchbear school come on Ms educator!!! It's not a mistake when you correct yourslf....you see that you are not perfect! Don't try to correct someone when you don't know the correct spelling your dang self. Ms Educator! Check this out, then tell me if this school should be closed. it's not harming anything, if anything it has improved tremendously!! In order to be in the Torchbearer School category (i.e., a high-poverty, high-performing school), a school must meet all of the following, as applicable:
Identified as Meeting the Challenge School. Florala did!
Identified as Advancing the Challenge School. Florala did!
Identified as Exceeding the Challenge School. Florala did!
Have at least 80% poverty rate (percent free/reduced meals).
Have at least 80% of students score Level III or Level IV on the reading section of the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test.
Have at least 80% of students score Level III or Level IV on the mathematics section of the Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test.
Have at least 65% of students score in stanines 5-9 on Stanford 10 reading.
Have at least 65% of students score in stanines 5-9 on Stanford 10 mathematics.
Floaral has received over $20,000 dollars from the state for academic excellence!! FHS didn't, I wonder why! When these kids leave the middle they go over to high school and fail and drop out....I wonder why? You still want to debate, do your homework. see ya later
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on September 13, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
borninandalusia: I did research and am fully aware of what a Torch Bearer School is. It wasn't necessary for you to copy and paste the information. I would suggest, as I said in my original post, that smaller classes are a great idea. These students, their parents, and the community should be proud of what has been accomplished. In reality, all school districts must deal with a budget. Unfortunately, Alabama is, according to what I have read, in proration. So, it may be necessary to close some schools. That does not mean that this middle school could not be just as successful in another location.
I am a bit mystified as to why you are so angry with me. I did not attack you personally, did not make any derogatory remarks about the students, the staff, nor the school system. Again, I have never said that this school should be closed because of low performance. My opinions are based on economics. It is not pleasant at times, but it is reality. From your passionate, yet misplaced, anger directed at me it is obvious you care about this school and the students. Perhaps you and others will be able to work with the school system to find a solution that will allow the school to remain open longer than next school year.
I do appreciate the invitation to work in Florala. At this time, I prefer to continue teaching in my Blue Ribbon Award junior high school. Do your research.
Posted by CoonDog (anonymous) on September 14, 2009 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel pretty sure that Mr.Holley did not make this decision off the cuff or on the spur of the moment. I'm quiet certain that thought and research was done before a final decision was made. Remember that it was also agreed upon and passed by the Board, so it was not a one man decision. I think that we should just have patience a see how well this works out which I personally think it will benefit the students, teachers and the system. As for "borninandalusia" there is an old saying, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and let others think your a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on September 14, 2009 at 10:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good morning, I was gone for a few days and came home and the newspaper 'blogs' seem that Covington County School Systems's have gotten 'out of control'. I know Chairman Brother Clark is nearing 80 but he has always done an an outstanding job for the countys school system, for as long as I can remember. The school in Florala IS a county school, right? And not a city school? They closed it, built new gates at Straughn, and blamed it on Seth Hammett. Then boys shot up the area in Straughn but blamed it on them going to school in town? At least I can say the community is involved and 'does' care about all these schools, and what happens in the area from all I'm reading here, take away from Florala and give to Straughn and Red Level, is it a question of someone needing another Principals salary or what?
Posted by bamagirl07 (anonymous) on September 15, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know I am late on this, but to try to ease the minds of the concerned parents putting their children in a 7-12 grade school, I don't think you need to be concerned. I don't know what the kids are like in Florala or Red Level these days but I went to McKenzie and one side of the school is k-4 to 6th grade and the other half is 7-12. We didn't (and I am just speaking from my class's experience) had no problems when we entered the 7th grade. The classes got along. We had no problems. That's just my experience. Like I said, I don't know how these kids are today. LOL but I still don't think parents should worry overall with putting their 7th grader in there with a 12th grader. May even make things better...who knows.
Posted by live4today (anonymous) on September 19, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lots of concerns of putting kids together of different ages....Why are you not just as concerned for the younger Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd etc......going to school with 7th graders. Most kids are smart...most kids adjust...most kids do have the common sense to be able to function on their own at school....whatever ages they are around. These statements lead me to believe that the general thought is that all upper grade kids are a bad influence. Kids do not need to be coddled as some parents believe...most of the bad influences come from the extra activities/TV/video games/family members that kids are exposed to outside of school. Any older child in a school can be a great role model for the younger grades...and there will always be bullies/bad influences....even within the grade level. Children of all ages need to learn to handle tough situations. Real life experiences are how people learn to be adults....decent, hardworking, productive members of our society. When children are denied the abilty to learn to take care of themselves...they become whiney, "its not my fault", "what are you going to do for me", lazy members of society.
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