17-05-2025
Anniston school board approves JAG program to combat dropouts
ANNISTON — The Anniston Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the Jobs for Alabama's Graduates (JAG) program, a statewide initiative aimed at supporting at-risk students and reducing dropout rates.
The decision, made during the board's formal meeting, secures $75,000 to $80,000 in state funding for a JAG instructor and an additional $10,000 in startup costs for the district. The program will launch in Anniston City Schools in the coming academic year.
'This is a program that has saved countless lives in Alabama over the years,' said Dr. Craig Collins, education administrator at the Alabama State Department of Education and state JAG coordinator. 'We titled our presentation 'Let's Do the Math' because when you break it down, the real cost of dropout rates is staggering.'
Joined by longtime state JAG director Mandy Nichols, Collins detailed the program's targeted approach to students facing academic and socioeconomic barriers. He cited statistics that roughly 2,500 students drop out of high school annually in Alabama, costing taxpayers an estimated $292,000 per student over their lifetimes — more than $3.5 billion over five years.
'The consequences are enormous,' Collins said. 'If we do nothing to help students graduate, our communities suffer, our workforce suffers, and most importantly, our youth suffer.'
The JAG program identifies students dealing with five or more of 33 recognized obstacles — including poverty, homelessness, and parental incarceration — and supports them through daily, dedicated contact with a trained adult. JAG classrooms focus on 87 core employability competencies in a flexible, student-centered environment.
'I love it,' Superintendent Dr. D. Ray Hill said. 'It's good for students who need that extra attention.'
Collins shared a personal account of witnessing generational poverty in his hometown of Troy. 'These numbers aren't just statistics,' he said. 'I've seen five generations living in housing projects. I'm not talking about 'those people'—I am one of those people. That's why this matters.'
The vote capped off a meeting largely focused on celebrating student and faculty achievements. The board honored Anniston High School's boys and girls track teams for continued state-level success since 2021. Coach Lisa Howard received a plaque recognizing her leadership.
'Track is not the easiest sport, but they came out and they gave it their best," Howard said. 'We have two of our young men here that's a part of our team, they also competed in the Special Olympics.'
Hill praised her record of consistent excellence. 'I've only been in a couple of districts where we've had what I call a repeat winning coach,' he said. 'We're going to do something a little bit larger.'
Howard will receive a bonus, and the board plans to help purchase championship rings for the team. Board President Robert Houston added that he will treat the athletes to dinner in celebration.
The meeting also recognized participants in the Anniston City Schools Leadership Development Seminar Cohort and the student-led broadcast crew from Randolph Park Elementary. Anniston Middle School teacher Samuel Green showcased creative work from his gifted students, including animated cartoons.
In other business, the board approved several field trips, including summer football scrimmages for Anniston High, a ninth-grade transition program for eighth graders, and a gifted student trip to Majestic Caverns.
