28-01-2025
County schools benefit from ‘Helping Schools' car tag program
Members of the Calhoun County Board of Education were spreading the word about the Alabama Helping Schools car tag program.
The Helping Schools tag is an additional $25 on top of the annual fees and taxes, and each year afterward it costs $20. Out of that, $16.50 goes to the designated school.
During the 2023-24 school year, for instance, participants in the Helping Schools program raised $1,683 for Weaver High School, $1,534 for Alexandria High and $1,485 for Saks High. Other schools that raised more than $1,000 were White Plains High ($1,402), Ohatchee High ($1,320), Wellborn High ($1,138), Saks Elementary ($1,187), Alexandria Elementary ($1,072) and Pleasant Valley High ($1,006).
Tracy Brazier, the principal at Weaver High School, was unaware his school raised the most money through the Helping Schools program. However, he was pleased.
'We are a family-oriented community and very supportive of the school,' Brazier said at the Jan. 16 meeting. 'The money does help us out in our general fund. We are not a Title 1 school, so we rely on fundraising, and we greatly appreciate the community's support.'
'Anything that will help us improve teaching or learning,' said Derek Cobb, the principal at Alexandria High School. 'It's always a good thing to get that money and use it. We purchase classroom supplies, materials and resources.'
The total raised for all the Calhoun County System's schools in 2023-24 was $17,406 which includes almost $300 from people living in other counties.
'We board members would really appreciate the support and we know the teachers would. It helps all students,' Boardmember Mike Almaroad said.
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Superintendent Tony Willis urged residents to take part in a survey that asks each person to choose the priorities they wish for the board address. He expressed his hope that everyone in the county would take the survey even if they have no direct interest in the schools.
'We are embarking on a five-year- strategic plan for our district. This is not Tony Willis's plan or any of these seven men on the board's plan, but it asks what does the community want? What are our goals and what do people expect from our schools? The only way to really get that is to get feedback from our people,' Willis said.
The seven-question survey asks each participant to prioritize different aspects of education, such as athletics, academics, career preparation, etc.
One question asks: 'What are the greatest challenges or issues our school system will face in the next five years in order to provide a quality education for all students?', while another asks, 'What should the financial priorities be for our school system over the next five years? '
The survey can be found at:
Weaver Elementary School will get a new roof
The board said it would replace Weaver Elementary's roof with funds from Alabama's Advance & Technology Fund.
'The A&T money is additional money we get in some years and can be used on capital projects,' Willis said. 'Anytime we can use state funds to repair our facility and make the environment better for our students, I am pleased to do so.'
