DCS continues to ‘raise the bar’ for student opportunity

The Dale County School system has the highest test scores ever, more construction projects and the highest financial reserves in decades.

“And we will continue to raise the bar to create more opportunities for success for our students,” said

Dale County Superintendent Ben Baker.

Baker is midway into his first term as superintendent of the seven school, 360 employees, 3,400 student system that operates with a $33 million annual budget. “Very rewarding and very busy,” he said as he reflected on the past two years.

 “I have worked daily to fulfill my commitment to put students first in all my decisions in running the day-to-day operations of the school system,” Baker said. “The goal of my administration is to create a well-rounded student ready to be a good citizen and a successful college student or a productive member of the workforce.”

Baker said he started his term with a focus on finance. “I am proud to have three consecutive years of operating the system under a balanced budget,” he said. “I think this is a remarkable accomplishment because the system has made great investments in construction projects and technology.”

The school system has invested $1.5 million remodeling South Dale Middle School, $2.2 million remodeling and and adding to Long Elementary School and Long High School, $2.1 million in additions at Ariton School and $1.1 million in additions to Midland City Elementary School. 

Other major projects include classroom renovations at Newton School, a complete Science Lab renovation at Dale County High School, a new Ag Barn at Dale County High School, HVAC improvements at Midland City Elementary School, a new metal roof on Ariton School and upgrades to athletic facilities and lunchrooms on all campuses.

Baker said his goal is to have a state-of-the-art chromebook for each student in kindergarten through 12th grade is at 76 percent. One of the schools in the system is already at 100 percent of the Chrome Book Initiative, he said.

 “These projects were funded by refinancing high interest bonds, grants and reduction of wasteful spending,” he said.

Baker said he is appreciative of the partnership with the Dale County Sheriff’s Department, the Dale County Commission and the Dale County District Attorney which provides full time School Resource Officers in each of the schools.

Baker said he is also proud of the after school programs provided by a 21^st Century Grant through the Boys and Girls Club that provide opportunities for students after school.

Baker applied for and received a grant through the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education’s Office of School Readiness to establish the first PreK classroom in the system. Midland City Elementary School received the grant. “It will have a profound impact on student achievement,” he said, adding that he hopes to have a PreK program in each community within the next two years.

Other partnerships include collaborating with Wallace Community College and Enterprise State Community College to provide dual enrollment academic and career tech classes at the three high schools, he said.   

“Very pleased” is the way Baker said he is of the school system’s 89 percent on the Alabama Department of Education’s report card. “This was the highest score compared to other school systems in Southeast Alabama,” Baker said. “Four of our seven schools received an A on their report card.” 

Ariton School’s score of 95 percent and Long High School’s score of 94 percent were two of the highest scoring schools in the state, Baker said, adding that Dale County High School had a 12-point increase.

“The Dale County Board of Education purchased the old National Guard Armory building and 30 acres of surrounding land on Highway 231 in Ozark to develop a Career Tech Academy,” Baker said. “The Career Tech Academy will be an asset in teaching students needed skills to fill local technical and special skill jobs in the Wiregrass.”

Golf and track programs have been added to Dale County High School and Long High School won two state championships in baseball and one in softball. Ariton School has started a beginner band with 50 students participating. Coaches and sponsors of extracurricular were given their first pay raise in years, Baker said, adding that the credit for the successful programs goes to the dedication and hard work of the coaches and student athletes.     

“The biggest challenge that I have faced in these two years is the legal battle to prevent Dale County tax money from being diverted to other counties,” Baker said. “The Dale County Board of Education had to file suit against the Alabama Department of Education, Enterprise City Schools and Dothan City Schools because of a 2017 order from the Alabama State Department of Education diverting tax money collected in Dale County to surrounding counties.”

Baker said he is most proud of the development of the Superintendents Advisory Committee comprised of students from each of the seven schools who meet quarterly with Baker to discuss school issues from a student’s perspective. Guest speakers at the meetings have included Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson, Thirty Third Judicial Circuit District Attorney Kirke Adams and Dale County District Judge Stan Garner Jr.    

Baker said he visits one of the system’s schools daily and credits the success of the schools to the central office staff, the school administrators and teachers, support staff and bus drivers. “I am thankful for their hard work and dedication and the great culture of learning that they create,” he said. “I love working each day to provide the best for the students and employees of Dale County and doing it in a manner that protects the taxpayer’s investment.”