[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6617661,"mediaKeyId","2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6","parentId",2839478,"title","Tuscaloosa board honors Paul W. Bryant boys basketball state champions and Sakura art winners","audioSeconds",808,"startMs",136000,"endMs",944000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6&start=136&end=944","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6/thumbnail_136000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6617661/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-board-honors-Paul-W-Bryant-boys-basketball-state-champions-and-Sakura-art-winners","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617661-ca51c1957d706076a6fdcee7a3c168e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133207&Signature=Aa-igOZt7oxk1FFXo~TtV4fwTJIhCoCYtWpbUGbitg064nOXAJRsJcjgjgWr1tPU49KR6hgx928fQCYtH654SV-RmoM7iGtuuN5FJ~UI4GJWX0EGln7RmUhWOc-oL7HKkqCkPbZtamdVamr-QY0Wk9tWbPU4MIZb8r74B18ocEfn5xtpZH5QCLrtpkG0qo96C~7j3VlAAeoU9Y61LE8nlmWssEgfBZw-OFnqBcTYDrLQ0qCk2TXT1kbZoGJjfXT5tYhK7Ov-HGzcY8Efm1VA0CjiZgnaZbRYSKXx8eKD4xNtBlbx7zB5rBvGEVhyYBlto95UwMD5FsDB8I7tMiPG5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City Schools, Alabama","date","2025-04-01T23:16:09.417Z","article","At its April 1 meeting the Tuscaloosa City Schools Board recognized Paul W. Bryant High School’s boys basketball team as Alabama High School Athletic Association state champions and accepted a presentation of student winners from the Sakura art contest, sponsored by Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International.

Coach and school representatives thanked the board and the community for support. In remarks to the board, the coach described the team’s season and praised the student-athletes’ combination of academic and athletic commitment: \"they were committed. They were dedicated. Not only are they great athletes, but they're great students,\" he said. The coach noted the team lost four seniors to graduation and that nine players would return next season, and he asked the community to attend a planned parade in celebration.

The board also received a presentation from Shelley, executive director of Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International, on the Sakura art contest, which celebrates Japanese cherry blossoms and global peace. Shelley told the board the contest drew more than 35 student entries from the city schools and displayed winners at the public library during March. She presented winners in elementary, middle and senior-high divisions and invited applause for students and art teachers.

Winners and highlights

- Paul W. Bryant High School boys basketball: The team and coaches were introduced and received a board recognition for winning the AHSAA state championship. Presenters identified players on the recognized roster and noted the program’s emphasis on defense, academics and community support. The coach introduced a subset of players present and listed remaining returning players and seniors; he said four of the 13 rostered players were seniors.

- Sakura Art Contest (Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International): Shelley presented winners across grade divisions and noted that Abigail Maldonado won first place in the elementary category and best in show for the city schools. Winners named during the presentation included Kylie Keane and Skyler (surname unclear) in elementary; Ava Thacker, Corey Pippen, Markayla Blair and Zoe Hill in middle school; and Avian Morris and others in the senior-high division. Art teachers accompanying winners were recognized.

The board paused for photos and a standing ovation for the honorees. The recognitions were ceremonial; no board policy change or vote was required to acknowledge the students and staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa City Schools Regular Board Meeting - April 1, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board recognized Paul W. Bryant High School boys basketball as AHSAA state champions and presented winners of the Sakura art contest hosted by Tuscaloosa Sister Cities International.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13593,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617664,"Tuscaloosa City Schools highlights growth in National Board Certified teachers; district expects record certifications",597,1251000,1848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6&start=1251&end=1848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6/thumbnail_1251000.jpg","/articles/6617664/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-City-Schools-highlights-growth-in-National-Board-Certified-teachers-district-expects-record-certifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617664-44e91137701733eee407d036afce5049/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133207&Signature=oY3cKDB3YBKMVaogv5BA5OJu0IogNDmUq7~6jgdOOWulcxQg1xr2Paw7R5YCA7xaZE3kgq3Yc4TmGuxgPwg3Hpz67bpULJZmxWpvQTWSAKZjxjc9ly~cSFUIYJMxb9UiGY88zduqaZvzF1Dk~hQ6T4Z-sHv-LBhNFqdWqtK7116RegT-AVRQ9P9xdpYxrX0xrc~dkwrbO8jEKSEcOZcdegvykWD0d5TjTHkDv6sRrx4bwyxNqH-Tr4HbFWISbjxJFNfYrhpb~0IwEGn03tCyib9TbL31dXC9QrBoD-uGGhse1H6-W60rLF8gDVuA1Y8uAskE2PBWTnnTj-nJmbdtzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tuscaloosa City Schools administrators on April 1 highlighted growth in the district’s National Board Certification pipeline and recognized teachers who recently completed certification maintenance or new certification.

Rachel Goggins, the district’s National Board support coach, told the board that board certification is a rigorous, voluntary process that requires portfolios, written commentaries and assessments. \"Board certification is a nationally recognized certificate akin to a seal of excellence in the teaching profession,\" Goggins said.

Goggins reported that the district currently counts 60 National Board Certified Teachers. She said TCS had eight teachers achieve certification in December 2024 and that, because of recent grant-supported supports and active candidate retention, the district anticipates between 25 and 30 teachers could achieve certification in December 2025 — a number local staff said would be unprecedented in Alabama.

Dr. Maxey, who addressed the board during the recognition, praised the district’s investment in teacher development and said the board and superintendent have supported certification efforts over many years. A board member also urged wider recognition of the district’s progress, saying the results should be celebrated publicly.

Why it matters: Research cited by district staff indicates students taught by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) can show incremental gains in learning; the district emphasized that supporting NBCT candidacies is part of its teacher-development strategy.

Details presented to the board

- Active candidates and certifications: The district reported 56 active candidates in the previous year and had 60 NBCTs at the meeting date. The district also reported nine teachers completed maintenance of certification this cycle.

- Recent certificants recognized (December 2024): Lisonbee Mudd (Central High School, mathematics, adolescent and young adulthood); Hannah Reed (Northridge Middle School, science); Candace Sparks (Rock Quarry Elementary School, literacy/reading/language arts); Lauren Hathcock Campbell (Central Elementary, exceptional needs specialist); Emily Foster (Werner Elementary, early childhood generalist); Caitlin Keating (Rock Quarry Elementary, literacy/reading); Rhonda Lane (Northside High School, English language arts); Alicia Ware (Northside High School, mathematics). The board pinned certificants who were present.

- Supports and funding: Goggins credited a Margins Center grant and district supports for increasing candidate numbers and retention in the certification process.

Next steps

District staff plan to continue supporting candidates; administrators said they will report back on certification totals after December 2025 scores are released.","District officials and a National Board support coach told the board that Tuscaloosa has 60 National Board Certified Teachers, reported a large pipeline of active candidates and expects an unusually high number of certifications in December 2025.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6617668,"Tuscaloosa City Schools board approves personnel changes, budget reserve policy and several contracts",0,69000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6&start=69&end=69","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2839478-6dcc069d546fe642b8e2588b3010b2b6/thumbnail_69000.jpg","/articles/6617668/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-City-Schools-board-approves-personnel-changes-budget-reserve-policy-and-several-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6617668-a0a494904420f9a9781aa28ec3d9dec0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771133207&Signature=Ca9oHU0dI7HANrlI5whZdtitGkjBZm9lz8b2NZw58QlLJTEng1avCGQeUCojj4JJ1fTHrQU6RRi5~qwLDHbZE64wLwzJVUpayE~LVEIPN1RAcWTfTAJ5eqzfDpBbQeAkl61f8DBfD-dvlmVo-tZ-8WGg8Pb7NtwociXO9Gi4FSwlJGiCJJlvTlNI3oBPn409cz6msxRk6e7wY7CnKOytefXOwXRCIphGiESo9qo7LGUSKuXND9eyX3raS8vs40rnOlY6o6QswM2kcm5ZjmTspoXiotzBGR8Diwr~wgkCRx4NGjtDy-Ep19BINqhERthefvbRDm1nSzZQehlHTA4Vbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education voted April 1 to approve a package of routine and operational items including personnel recommendations, a student-teacher intern compensation plan for 2025–26, a revised budget reserve policy, new contracts for bus GPS/tablet services and a position-control assessment, and a renovation contract for Stars Academy.

The actions were taken during the board’s regular meeting at which Superintendent Dr. Cameron presented the personnel and operational recommendations. The board voted in favor of the motions on each item; one supplemental personnel item (identified in the meeting as item 43) was approved with one abstention reported by the chair.

Why it matters: the approvals affect district staffing, transportation technology and facility work; the reserve-policy change establishes the district’s formal target for fund balance going forward.

Major board actions and outcomes

- Personnel changes (Agenda item 12A): The board approved the superintendent’s recommendation of retirements, resignations, new support personnel, reassignments and a supplemental list that included retirements, transfers and summer-learning staffing contingent on enrollment. The superintendent presented the supplemental list; the board approved it after taking a separate vote on a named supplemental item (number 43). The meeting record shows that the vote on the supplemental item passed with one abstention.

- Student-teacher intern compensation (Agenda item 12D): The board approved a program to pay up to 10 paid student-teacher internships for 2025–26 in exchange for a commitment to one year of service to the district, with priority for Tuscaloosa City Schools graduates and subjects in high demand (math, science, special education). The superintendent said the district has used the approach before and that it helps attract educators.

- Revision to policy 03/2002 (budget reserve) (Second reading, Agenda item 12C): The board approved amendments that consolidate the district’s reserve goal and policy into a single policy number. Finance staff said the state’s calculation for the official one-month reserve is performed annually on Sept. 30 and that the district will monitor its balance monthly to maintain the new 1.5-month policy target. As Finance lead Mr. Duke told the board, \"the calculation by the state of the official 1 month reserve requirement is an annual calculation and that's on September 30 of each year.\"

- AT&T GPS and data agreement for transportation (Agenda item 12D): The board approved a contract to provide tablets and GPS service for buses, replacing the district’s prior platform. Dr. Cameron said each bus driver \"will have a tablet\" and that the contract will save about $8,000 annually; the GPS also will support a parent-facing stop-finder app and substitute drivers.

- LeanFrog position-control assessment (Agenda item 12E): The board approved a contract with LeanFrog for a comprehensive review of position control across HR, finance and payroll. The vendor will conduct on-site mapping and deliver documentation to align budgeted positions with actual workforce costs; staff estimated a five- to six-month engagement starting late April or early May.

- Stars Academy renovation bid (Bid 2025-3, Agenda item 12F): The board awarded the renovation contract to the lowest responsive bidder, NC Morgan, at a total bid of $344,100. The district said the bid was $15,900 below the anticipated budget, with work slated to start April 22 and finish July 22.

- Motion to enter executive session (final business): The board approved a motion to go into executive session to receive briefing on district legal matters. Board counsel certified that the subject matter—pending litigation or matters imminently likely to be litigated—was appropriate for executive session. As counsel stated: \"I'm recommending the board go into executive session to discuss pending litigation or matters imminently likely to be litigated if the board follows a proposed course of action.\" The chair said the executive session was not expected to exceed three hours.

The board also approved standard procedural items earlier in the meeting, including the meeting agenda, prior meeting minutes and a consent agenda of operational items. No ordinances or long-term budget amendments were taken at this session.

Next steps and follow-up

Staff will implement the approved agreements (transportation and LeanFrog) and proceed with the Stars Academy renovations; the district will report progress through normal administrative channels. The executive session will be followed only by adjournment, per the board’s certification.

","At its April 1 meeting the Tuscaloosa City Schools Board approved personnel actions, a student-teacher intern pay program, a revised reserve policy, contracts for GPS/tablet service and a position-control review, and awarded a renovation bid; the board also voted to enter executive session on pending litigation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tuscaloosa board honors Paul W. Bryant boys basketball state champions and Sakura art winners

Tuscaloosa City Schools highlights growth in National Board Certified teachers; district expects record certifications

Tuscaloosa City Schools board approves personnel changes, budget reserve policy and several contracts