Special ed program, board members lauded at BOE meeting

The special education program, board members and a longtime employee were among those lauded at the Enterprise Board of Education meeting Sept. 29.

Enterprise City Schools’ Superintendent Dr. Camille Wright recognized each in her report to the board.

Wright said a recent review of the schools’ special education program by state level officials resulted in the highest scores of any district in the state. “Maybe ever,” Wright said in congratulating EBOE Special Education Director Joylee Cain and the special education staff. “We had a fabulous review. They just kept raving about what we are doing here.”

Wright said the special education department was rated not only on the instructors but also on how the students responded to the instruction. “I was just blown away by the comments we got from the group on how well our teachers were doing, the appropriate placements that we have and how much our regular teachers are doing to assist with special education students,” she said.

“The thing that got me the most,” Wright said, was when the lead reviewer said that if he had a special needs child, he would want them in the Enterprise City Schools. “It’s not me, it's the teachers, the staff, “ Cain said, after receiving a standing ovation from those present. “I am blessed.”

Wright also recognized board of education members for their recent achievements in Alabama Association of School Boards training. Dorothy Richardson earned Levels 1 and Level 2 certificates; Bert Barr earned a Level 3 certificate; Ross Cotter has completed Level 4 and will be recognized at the convention in December. “Not many board members make it to Level 4 so I’m very proud of that,” Wright said, adding that the board as a whole received the school board academy president’s award for outstanding commitment to AASB. “Thank you for what you do in making this the best school system in the state.”

Also lauded by Wright was system wide custodian Tony Miller, who will be retiring Nov. 1 after 31 years of service to the school district. “He has done so much for our school system,” Wright said. “He’s a district wide custodian so he basically worked at all the schools.

“Tony is our gate keeper at the ball games making sure that only the people who need to be in the elevator go in the elevator,” Wright added. “He does a great job and I really am sorry to see him go. I am really crazy about him and I wish him the best.”