By Haley Mitchell Godwin

On Feb. 27, 2023, the Crenshaw County Board of Education (CCBOE) held its regular meeting at 5:30 p.m in the school’s central office. The meeting was attended by board members, school officials, students, and members of the public. The meeting’s agenda listed several items including next year’s Whole Board Training with the Alabama Association of School Boards, and the Southeast Gas Give Back to Schools 2023 initiative through which all county school band programs will receive approximately $2,800.00 each. 

The CCBOE passed a resolution declaring the month of February as Career and Technical Education Month. Sherri Claybrook also read a proclamation declaring February 2023 Career and Technical Education (CTE) month.

Dodd Hawthorne, Superintendent of Crenshaw County Schools, expressed his gratitude toward Mrs. Ashley Catrett, Career Tech director, and all the career tech teachers. Hawthorne praised them for their dedication and hard work in providing the students with opportunities they would otherwise not have, including the ability to explore various career options and gain valuable skills that will serve them well in the future as well as the chance to compete on state and national levels.

“Think about Amber Majors, from the Highland Home JAG program, and the opportunities she’s had to rub shoulders with our elected officials in Washington, D.C. as the JAG state vice president,” Hawthorne said “Thank you, Mrs. Catrett, and thanks to all teachers with career tech. I am excited about all we have going on and hope the growth continues.”

Catrett highlighted some of the Career Tech program’s successes, particularly the various state and national competitions where students have the opportunity to showcase their abilities, grow and gain confidence. 

“Career Tech is so very diverse,” Catrett said. “Not only are we providing students with the skills and the content knowledge that they need to move on into the workplace or into post-secondary education, but we’re also providing them with opportunities to serve in leadership roles, to serve their community, and to hone in on the skills they feel are most important to them both in the classroom and through various happenings as well as through state and national competitions.”

The 2023 district and state competition season started at the end of January with the Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) district competition where 11 students qualified for state, followed by the Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) state competition in February that produced 3 national qualifiers. 

The Future Teachers of America (FTA) attended a state conference earlier this week and other Crenshaw County Career Tech conferences and competitions on the agenda include Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state conference to be held March 9-10, Future Farmers of America (FFA) district competition on April 6, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) state conference set for April 20-21, and the FFA State conference happening June 7-9, and more. 

Following the Career Tech showcase, all the superintendent’s recommendations passed, including the approval of a project to replace the flooring in the Luverne Elementary building and the approval of the 2023-2024 School Calendar. Additionally, personnel recommendations were approved, including three resignations, one medical leave and one maternity leave.

Wendy Rogers of Highland Home addressed the board regarding her son, a senior at HHS, being sent to alternative school for the duration of the school year. The board heard her plea, but took no action during the meeting.

The next regular meeting will be held on March 20 at 5:30 p.m at the school’s central office.