Education leaders tout successes; teachers, students recognized at State of Education luncheon
Apr. 16—HANCEVILLE — Capital improvement projects, STEM education and a higher focus on workforce development dominated the discussion from Cullman County education leaders during last week's annual State of Education luncheon sponsored by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce.
Each year, the State of Education luncheon provides school officials the opportunity to come together and discuss recent achievements, as well as their visions for the future. Friday, April 12, Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette, City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff and Wallace State Community College President Vicki Karolewics shared similar themes which made the case for a bright future for Cullman County students.
"We are so blessed that we have three school systems that all work well together to accomplish some great things," Barnette said. Barnette also highlighted local private schools as well.
Cullman County Schools
Barnette noted the district's improvement in its academic performance during the last several years which was evidenced by the 100 percent Growth score on the most recent state report card from the Alabama Department of Education. He pointed to the district's 97% graduation rate and 99% college and career readiness rates which he said represents the highest in the district's history. Barnette said he was excited to continue to improve on the already historic numbers.
"Our goal is simply that we want 100% in both of these categories. We want every kid who comes through our doors to graduate and we want them to graduate with a college credit and some type of tool in their toolbox, like a credential, where they can go out and do something," Barnette said.
Barnette also discussed the $45 million in capital improvements the district has made at almost all of its 30 campuses in the last several years. One area of these investments has been to cultivate a revitalized culture for the district's career technical and workforce development programs.
"Over the last few years we've invested over $10 million in our career tech world and we're expecting a lot more money to be poured in. We've revitalized it, we're making it exciting to go there and we are super excited about what we are doing in the workforce area," Barnette said.
The Cullman Area Technology Academy was one of two schools in the district recognized by the Councils for Leaders in Alabama Schools this year for its newly launched Lineman Program. The other was Parkside Elementary School for its counseling program spearheaded by Kim Crumbley.
Two new projects Barnette said were in development were a STEAM bus and bookmobile. He said more details on these would be available at a later date.
Cullman City Schools
Kallhoff also provided a breakdown of his district's ongoing construction projects which includes the most recently announced project at Cullman High School, a nearly 30,000-square-foot addition reserved for career technical programs. It was announced last month that a 5,000-square-foot area on the building's ground floor will be dedicated to a new Modern Manufacturing program through North AlabamaWorks.
Kallhoff said plans are currently to break ground on the project this summer.
"We are excited about that work and about breaking ground on that," Kallhoff said.
Kallhoff said Cullman City was one of only six districts in Alabama to earn all A's on the most recent state report card, which he said is partly attributable to being one of only four districts in the state with more than 20% of its staff comprised of Nationally Board Certified teachers.
"That makes a difference on outcomes. When you have Nationally Board Certified teachers with the content and what they went through to receive that status, there will be a difference on student outcomes," Kallhoff said.
Wallace StateKarolewics said WSCC is committed to supporting the area's high school students even before graduation. She said the college's most recent numbers show roughly 1,150 dual-enrollment students and its "fast-track" program which allows students to earn a college degree at the same time — or in some cases even before — they receive their high school diploma.
Karolewics, like Barnette and Kallhoff, also discussed capital improvement projects scheduled to begin this summer. She said six 1960's era buildings near the front of the campus were set to be demolished to make way for a new $35 million STEM Gateway Building. The facility will house all mathematics, English, humanities, speech and culinary arts programs.
"Those sad looking 1960's era buildings are going away, thank goodness," Karolewics said. "All first year students will be together in this building. That is the goal because that contributes to college completion."
A new $9.6 million dollar Automotive Technology facility will focus on the automotive industry's shift to electric vehicles and a $4.2 million expansion of the Machine Tool Technology building will place a larger focus on CNC and precision machining.
AwardsSchool leaders recognize the efforts students and teachers play a critical role in achieving their goals and accomplishments which is why Teacher of the Year and Student of the Year awards are presented during the luncheon each year.
This year's student winners were:
* Sophie Peetz — Cullman High School
* Breaze Freeman — CATA
* Vivian "Gracie" Moody — Vinemont High School
* Skylar Driver — Cullman Christian School
* Viktoria KeCicco — Saint Bernard Preparatory School
* Viannyey Maldonado — WSCC
Nominees were:
* Crimson Wright — Fairview High School
* Evan Freeman — Cold Springs High School
* Ellie Burks — Holly Pond High School
* Avery Flynt — Good Hope High School
* Logan Lisle -Hanceville High School
* Aaron Warren, West Point High School
* Skylar Driver — Cullman Christian School
* Viktoria DeCicco — Saint Bernard Preparatory School
Teacher of the Year winners were:
* WSCC — Jackie Donaldson
* Cullman County Elementary — Kristy Salazar (Parkside School)
* Cullman County Secondary — Lucretia Smith (West Point High School)
* Cullman City Elementary — Miranda Gunter (West Elementary)
* Cullman City Secondar — Cassie Bowen (Cullman Middle School)
