Board approves calendar for 2015-2016 school year

Ben McGee, standing at center, fields a question from a student at the Cyber Security Club meeting at Discovery Middle School. McGee works as chief scientist with Aleta Technologies. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – As the semester closes, school teams demonstrated their work to Madison Board of Education on Dec. 17.

From Discovery Middle School, teacher sponsors Julia West and Melissa Grayson introduced Cyber Security Club members. “Without the vision of Mayor Troy Trulock, this (club) would not have been possible,” West said.

Trulock engaged industry experts Ben McGee and Todd Grayson to advise the after-school club.

Mill Creek Elementary School’s LEGO robotics team presented their “Breaking Down the Walls” skit. Sponsor Sharon Harris said the team has qualified to advance to state competition.

Principal Jamie Hill commended the Columbia Elementary School Math Team for its time investment that has resulted in tournament awards.

The board approved the 2015-2016 school year calendar. To view the calendar, visit madisoncity.k12.al.us and click “School Year Calendars.”

Madison’s calendar has two differences from Madison County Schools’ calendar, now in evaluation, and Huntsville City Schools. Students in the county and Huntsville will be off the entire week of Thanksgiving. Students in the county and Madison will observe Spring Break on March 14-18, while Huntsville opted for a different week.

Director of student services Dennis James reported on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. The council is pleased with middle schools’ rotating schedules and high-school curricular options such as internships, along with college/career support from counselors.

On their ‘wish list,’ the council wants additional emphasis on computer classes for middle schools, application focus in classes, tutoring and physical education options. Another concern is work load distribution, citing cramming at semester’s end and ‘test-day Fridays.’

The board approved bids for janitorial services by Dakota Management for $43,272.14; waste management by Republic Services for $70,612.27; and site license agreement with ChessKid.com.

The board updated its Safe Schools Policy to prohibit “electronic cigarettes, vape pens, hookah pens … and any similar type of device designed to deliver nicotine, flavor and other chemicals via inhalation.”

Regions Commercial won the proposal for a 10-year loan for bus financing for $1,116,625 at 2.49 percent interest. The board approved October 2014 financial statements.