[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6073904,"mediaKeyId","2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13","parentId",2990066,"title","Board approves human resources report, renews principal contracts and introduces CTE principal appointment","audioSeconds",39,"startMs",2079000,"endMs",2118000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13&start=2079&end=2118","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13/thumbnail_2079000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073904/Alabama/Board-approves-human-resources-report-renews-principal-contracts-and-introduces-CTE-principal-appointment","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073904-4ab9039e86025665082677a8e9605b35/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120216&Signature=V6SIJ6SFoILMhDpRD5WfgxhyI5yeTXXlW2hUbQPEf1JQwDg5TCbGhLUiSfP7-gX~IueZfTSw5RaaFczq9YHA9cmCjs70yB60RBcOuyFm9eGRiL6Cmgrb4ATofyZh1oQacBSbEP6OCTcEkPK8wsGacdvLom~BWCcg9z6tMTxdE1nowbkAlGW1NAeW2rNm~gA8wOeyGa2s6T1G~Zl1G23NQ6pXdwgO2BD8gMnrgq52EmyHgFR7CkgCzNORG2Hk-OHQsW2n0EgnH4BLY8cvnfBArnnL09wA~KSRF0SDX4zdnmpkSWcTjEB8-wT~F74gkL-eASxomodlbtFcvwYV8Iz6EQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huntsville City Schools, AL","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — The Huntsville City Schools Board of Education approved the human resources report by voice vote at the April 8 meeting, advancing a set of personnel items including principal contract renewals.

During new business the superintendent recommended approval of the human resources report. A board member moved the recommendation and another seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote. \"All those in favor, say aye,\" the chair said; members responded, and the chair cast a vote in the affirmative. The motion passed.

Board discussion included recognition that several principal contracts were included in the report, with some principals moving off probationary status and others up for renewal. Board members expressed appreciation for the administrators whose contracts were addressed.

Also during the meeting staff introduced Zack McWhorter, identified as the district director who will continue serving as principal of the new Career and Technical Education (CTE) center; the presenter described McWhorter as a \"familiar face\" who will lead the CTE transition.

The board did not record individual roll-call tallies in the minutes for this motion during the meeting; action was approved by voice vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Meeting 04-08-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Huntsville City Schools Board approved the human resources report by voice vote; presenters noted several principal contracts up for renewal and introduced Zack McWhorter as continuing to lead the district's new CTE center.","taxTitle","Huntsville City Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13589,"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},6073910,"Technology department updates board on CIPA compliance, curriculum costs and new AI lesson-builder",179,1364000,1543000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13&start=1364&end=1543","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13/thumbnail_1364000.jpg","/articles/6073910/Alabama/Technology-department-updates-board-on-CIPA-compliance-curriculum-costs-and-new-AI-lesson-builder","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073910-015651b8abcf3ee8b6538df97c1cfc59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120216&Signature=QZOxAVAX88wpg-AUN9JGftzq1BEXF1NCj5m1ARNLrJqstAkLbLt2GNS0~u9fFKPIkxogIdd5iisgsYm5DCEcp4mWhF~N6oe~5ltMk5YYxOOzqYP8Hk4Daf3Z16fadt9oB1hg0Smi43L43ksQCHaIz6O5GibAu4B9R2SZaB9wUbsiTtp1Oe6GU5SXM0QrJ87Fk1ri15MGVwClbsOHfsceXiFpP3TBAPaZSBg47QL0BYGWsEH1ElLjK8wFD-VmgbrncEsMDhf35bYdwvaGN5fuJOUQ3jDJfEPFjlyyO9pi4ulGc7KzjVzz2pD78kHcX0CSM3YtBILxFWzxhbdCAB7hIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City Schools technology staff on April 8 reported progress on safety and infrastructure projects, described rising digital curriculum expenses tied to new adoptions, and previewed a district-built AI lesson-planning tool for teachers.

A technology presenter told the board the district has implemented measures to comply with the federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA), including device-level filtering (GoGuardian), DNS filtering for cybersecurity and content monitoring for student-created content (Gaggle). \"We have a device filter. It is installed on the student's device. So no matter where they are in the world, it's filtered,\" the presenter said.

Staff reported several recent deployments: a district-wide conversion to Gmail, installation of roughly 60 new copiers, and deployment of 1,838 VoIP phones so far. The presenter said VoIP deployments are ongoing and that remaining schools are scheduled in a follow-up wave; Columbia High School was finished earlier than planned because of prior phone issues.

The presentation included projected digital curriculum costs tied to recent adoptions. Staff said elementary and middle school adoptions raised projected costs: roughly $2.4 million for K–5 digital resources, about $800,000 for grades 6–8, and approximately $4 million for high school (the presenter described the year as a science adoption year), producing a multi-year total closer to $5 million for the current adoption cycle.

Staff also described instructional tools being deployed, including Instructure Canvas for high schools and a K–12 AI product marketed as Magic School to provide controlled student-facing AI. The technology team previewed Cora, the district's AI lesson-plan builder, saying Cora generates state-aligned lesson plans that reference district-adopted curriculum and that the district is piloting the tool with a handful of teachers. \"Cora is our new, AI custom lesson plan builder,\" the presenter said. The presenter said Cora is not yet ready for full release and that the district will work with instructional staff and selected teachers to vet content and integrate vetted plans into pacing guides and a lesson-plan repository.

Board members asked about scope and safety controls for Cora; staff said the tool references district textbooks and curricular units rather than unrestricted web content. Staff also noted summer work will accelerate intercom and additional VoIP deployments when school buildings are less occupied.

No formal board action was taken on the technology items during the meeting.","Technology staff reported on district CIPA filtering, recent deployments (VoIP phones, Gmail), rising digital curriculum costs and a new AI lesson-planning tool called Cora; staff also described monitoring tools and phased VoIP deployments across schools.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073914,"District details Excel Prep Academy program to help students make up credits and accelerate graduation",192,694000,886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13&start=694&end=886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13/thumbnail_694000.jpg","/articles/6073914/Alabama/District-details-Excel-Prep-Academy-program-to-help-students-make-up-credits-and-accelerate-graduation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073914-950b0e6974db75a3ce52fb0f3d6b8359/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120216&Signature=Ah4nshKwabWzB85jAYrHTO1UP8oxFkzNaMVyoaJQXdYQliF8rumAwRqHeX0tONQHd830rGEPLQ26aE3ACzVeuTyIICrSaC0H49aVx82Utzr2Z4Hyt0cvAlU3AJ5~SVOFiZmyCWKfBDFas5aCXAxQqsfrTyi2ThRc0dhyidtMWje34IzIgxsNDRxFE60E~h5dUAU91IyMXbG9DTcciZRftOKblLtwQKQb4sX~ZZF9nnHkg5FD2iNDMFZMdR505yv~qABk3lJjUq9TncIaZfqNogV-XEWjbZa2S0vMVoKNlt6rft0o66Va-zJUYSJTcXEBUiPr8OIiqfMPoT4AZTTUMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City Schools administrators presented details April 8 on Excel Prep Academy, a district program that targets high school students who need to recover unearned credits or who want to accelerate toward graduation.

Melissa Lindsey, who led the presentation, described Excel Prep as a blended-learning program located at 2800 Poplar Avenue on the Apollo campus. \"Excel Prep Academy's primary objective is to provide high school students with a comprehensive educational experience that not only remediates unearned credits, but also accelerates their learning,\" Lindsey said.

The program serves students in grades 9–12 and targets students with two or more unearned credits; students who wish to graduate early may also apply. Students attend from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; transportation from the home school is provided to Excel Prep, and parents are responsible for transportation to after-school extracurriculars at the home school. Staffing includes a program administrator (identified in the presentation as Hovette Dixon), four content-area teachers and shared services such as nursing, special education, mental-health therapists, counselors and security.

Excel Prep uses a digital curriculum platform (Accelerate Education) and a blended model where teachers work with small groups. Lindsey said class sizes are planned at about 12–15 students with an enrollment goal of roughly 60 students next year. The district also identified partnerships for career exposure, including Drake State and visits to local employers and institutions. Lindsey said the program began in fall 2024 and that early graduates from the program were celebrated at a December ceremony; she said 8 students graduated through Excel Prep in that December celebration and about 20–24 students were expected to graduate in May.

Recruitment begins April 15 and runs through May 16, with a parent meeting scheduled for May 19 at 3:30 p.m. Applicants will be notified by phone, email and mail between June 1 and June 6. An open house is planned for July, and classes would start in August. Lindsey said teachers and counselors will reach out directly to identified students and families and that the program will set up a recruitment table at summer school registration.

Board members asked whether students using Excel Prep to accelerate would follow the same timeline as students using it to recover credits; Lindsey said yes. A board member asked how the state's alternate diploma pathway (which reduces some math and science requirements beginning with next year’s seniors) affects students; staff said the alternate diploma takes effect for next year’s seniors and may influence individual students' needs but did not provide additional policy details.","Administrators described Excel Prep Academy’s structure, eligibility, scheduling, partnerships and recruitment timeline; program aims to support students with two or more unearned credits and also those seeking to accelerate graduation.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073918,"Huntsville City Schools board hears plan to add Alabama Seal of Biliteracy to student transcripts",120,330000,450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13&start=330&end=450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2990066-bbe11bc81f5bf3bbce879050a81c3a13/thumbnail_330000.jpg","/articles/6073918/Alabama/Huntsville-City-Schools-board-hears-plan-to-add-Alabama-Seal-of-Biliteracy-to-student-transcripts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073918-6fb7d4338f54badd1bf39e77fcbbc410/orig.mp4?Expires=1771120216&Signature=TV-JDBA82PGOjLQpWeQ1irnFEUC01vbXlEGv5xieEijK73JMWMEbQsjGEAm1MkooWKdf57FmQrSFy-yBj4UZdBkAgLiLxrgZIQN7koyoAcmGY8XLmJ2Qh6Z7GGmnX6D6-UEHy53C29wnj0uBwgeAFK7bCBzVMELP61uzbsiPgH7YQ0kRk4Uy2OYc4I8b2pFhhQXZUEBmp-hwzsfILI0SLzq5ZEb6Vd4UGr3IHioa4mm0WhTb1yJv5~~DMYZjdfYiFztmo0t5Nt-EwmBSfnYXGPx4IHTqGZsKY72zC~1CbyLuvJkIansDFdu-iwTUNPp2L2FvuER9Amt7Cv6K2Q8elQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City Schools staff presented a plan April 8 for the district to offer the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy on student transcripts, outlining eligibility, testing options and a timeline that would begin local promotion after state approval.

The proposal, led by Tamara Robbins, ESOL coordinator for Huntsville City Schools, said the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one additional language. \"The Alabama Seal of Biliteracy is based on solid research highlighting the advantages of mastering two or more languages,\" a member of the district's biliteracy team said during the presentation.

Under the district plan presented to the board, four requirements must be met for a student to receive the seal: successful completion of high school graduation requirements; proof of English proficiency under Alabama state requirements; demonstrated proficiency in a world language (including American Sign Language); and submission of an application and application fee. Staff listed several accepted assessments for demonstrating language proficiency, including the ACT for English and Advanced Placement and STAMP tests for world languages.

If the board approves the local plan, staff will submit it to the Alabama State Department of Education for final approval. District presenters said promotion of the program would begin in May and continue through the summer into the next school year, with the first local cohort of students to be recognized the following February. Staff estimated an administrative cost of about $60 per student and proposed stipends of $500 each for two mentor teachers to handle documentation and test administration.

Board members asked whether other districts already use the state seal; presenters said Madison City Schools and Vestavia Hills do. Staff did not specify the amount of the application fee or total expected number of participants for the first year.

The board did not take a formal vote on the seal plan during the meeting; presenters asked for questions and indicated they would submit the approved plan to the state once the board acted.","District staff proposed adopting the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy, outlined eligibility requirements, timeline and estimated per-student costs; plan requires state approval before local implementation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves human resources report, renews principal contracts and introduces CTE principal appointment

Technology department updates board on CIPA compliance, curriculum costs and new AI lesson-builder

District details Excel Prep Academy program to help students make up credits and accelerate graduation

Huntsville City Schools board hears plan to add Alabama Seal of Biliteracy to student transcripts