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Fairhope West principal credits 3-mil funding, attendance push for rise to 96 on state report card
Summary
Principal Jenny Bridal told the Fairhope City Council work session that 3-mill funds pay for intervention teachers, coaches and a social worker at Fairhope West Elementary, and that efforts to reduce chronic absenteeism helped lift the school's state report card score to 96.
Principal Jenny Bridal of Fairhope West Elementary School told the Fairhope City Council work session that the school used local 3-mill funding to expand services, and that a focus on attendance helped raise the school's state report-card score to 96.
Bridal said Fairhope West serves about 975 students in pre-K through sixth grade and that 3-mil revenue freed up foundational units so coaches could return to classroom teaching. "Fairhope West is definitely, a special, special place," Bridal said. She also credited a social worker funded by the millage, naming Christy Faulkner as the school's social worker.
Why it matters: Bridal told the council that attendance is a scored metric on the state report card and that reducing chronic absenteeism was a deliberate priority. She said chronic absenteeism dropped from about 12.5--12.7 percent last year to 5.7 percent after outreach and incentive programs for families.
Bridal gave specific classroom and outcome details. She said fourth grade was the largest class at about 23 students; first grade classes were about 15--17 students and the average class size generally runs "probably 17 to 21." Bridal said the school is a Title I campus. She also reported an increase in perfect-attendance recognition: "Right now, I think how Miss Sydney, how many? 52 ' students who have perfect attendance, who haven't missed a day. Up from 10 last year," Bridal said.
During a short Q&A, an unnamed councilmember asked about class size and whether the 3-mil allowed hiring additional teachers; Bridal said it allowed the school to stop using foundational staffing units for coaches and instead place those units back in classrooms. The councilmember also asked about performance metrics; Bridal said the school improved from a 95 to a 96 on the state report card and reiterated that attendance was a major driver.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational only. The council did not vote on school spending during the work session.
Bridal closed by thanking the council for the local funding and the opportunity to serve the Fairhope schools.
