Fairhope, Alabama
BALDWIN SCHOOL LIAISON NAMED
Local School Board Representative Bob Callahan introduced Dr. Stephanie Harrison who has been appointed the Baldwin County school system's liaison to the committee which is studying ways the city may be able to assist local schools (financially and otherwise). Harrrison is the county's secondary coordinator (grades 7-12); and a former assistant principal at Fairhope High School.
Callahan: "Dr. Lee appointed Stephanie ... an exceptionally talented person ... in my opinion."
CALLAHAN IDENTIFIES PROBLEMS
Callahan identified 3 primary areas of concern that "keeps me awake at night worrying about our children."
1) Lack of pre-schooling. Callahan said a significant number of children are arriving for kindergarten unprepared. He suggested the old K-1 center could be used for this purpose.
2) Insufficient technology (computer) training at the elementary/intermediate school level. Callahan said the city could help install wireless internet access to establish a self organizing learning environment rather than just the traditional computer labs.
3) Lack of vocational training in high school. Callahan called this mostly a "boy problem" and mentioned aerospace, health sciences and technology fields as examples. Callahan said currently if a student at Fairhope High wants to take a vocational course "you have to get on a bus and go to Robertsdale."
Callahan also mentioned deficient arts and music programs (lack of funding for teachers) but suggested having the city hire teachers was not feasible due to complex tenure laws. (The possibility of volunteers providing the services was mentioned though.)
AEROSPACE TECHNICAL SCHOOL PROPOSED
Callahan and Bob Higgins, Vice President of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, brought up the possibility of establishing an aerospace technical school at the Sonny Callahan airport that could be a joint project between community colleges, the Airport Authority, the Baldwin County School System and the city. The facility would cost about $2.5 million according to Higgins.
Callahan: "We're interested in a partnership ... beneficial to all the folks in Fairhope ... especially the children."
NEXT MEETING SET
Chairperson Karen Mullins set the next meeting for 4:30 PM, April 16th with a meeting-goal of evaluating the data submitted so far, appointing subcommittees to study specific areas of interest, and determining focus to "pin down what we want to address."
BALDWIN SCHOOL LIAISON NAMED
Local School Board Representative Bob Callahan introduced Dr. Stephanie Harrison who has been appointed the Baldwin County school system's liaison to the committee which is studying ways the city may be able to assist local schools (financially and otherwise). Harrrison is the county's secondary coordinator (grades 7-12); and a former assistant principal at Fairhope High School.
Callahan: "Dr. Lee appointed Stephanie ... an exceptionally talented person ... in my opinion."
CALLAHAN IDENTIFIES PROBLEMS
Callahan identified 3 primary areas of concern that "keeps me awake at night worrying about our children."
1) Lack of pre-schooling. Callahan said a significant number of children are arriving for kindergarten unprepared. He suggested the old K-1 center could be used for this purpose.
2) Insufficient technology (computer) training at the elementary/intermediate school level. Callahan said the city could help install wireless internet access to establish a self organizing learning environment rather than just the traditional computer labs.
3) Lack of vocational training in high school. Callahan called this mostly a "boy problem" and mentioned aerospace, health sciences and technology fields as examples. Callahan said currently if a student at Fairhope High wants to take a vocational course "you have to get on a bus and go to Robertsdale."
Callahan also mentioned deficient arts and music programs (lack of funding for teachers) but suggested having the city hire teachers was not feasible due to complex tenure laws. (The possibility of volunteers providing the services was mentioned though.)
AEROSPACE TECHNICAL SCHOOL PROPOSED
Callahan and Bob Higgins, Vice President of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, brought up the possibility of establishing an aerospace technical school at the Sonny Callahan airport that could be a joint project between community colleges, the Airport Authority, the Baldwin County School System and the city. The facility would cost about $2.5 million according to Higgins.
Callahan: "We're interested in a partnership ... beneficial to all the folks in Fairhope ... especially the children."
NEXT MEETING SET
Chairperson Karen Mullins set the next meeting for 4:30 PM, April 16th with a meeting-goal of evaluating the data submitted so far, appointing subcommittees to study specific areas of interest, and determining focus to "pin down what we want to address."
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