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Maxwell River Region partnership wins Pete Taylor award; eight Alabama schools named Purple Star schools
Summary
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Maxwell River Region Partnership for Educational Excellence received the Military Child Education Coalition’s Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award at the Alabama State Board of Education meeting on Aug. 13, 2022.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Maxwell River Region Partnership for Educational Excellence received the Military Child Education Coalition’s Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award during the Alabama State Board of Education meeting on Aug. 13, 2022, recognizing local and installation‑level collaboration to support military‑connected students.
"The Maxwell River Region Partnership for Educational Excellence was recognized by MSEC with a Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award in 2020 and again this year," said Doctor Jenda Grissett, who introduced the presentation. Grissett described the partnership’s two principal goals: identify near‑term ways to provide high‑quality public education options for military‑affiliated families and to serve as a catalyst for sustainable approaches benefiting the River Region.
A key component of the partnership is the Alabama Purple Star School program, launched in Alabama in 2021 with support from Air University and the Alabama Military Stability Foundation and administered with assistance from the Alabama State Department of Education. The Purple Star program recognizes K‑12 schools that meet criteria including a designated military liaison, student‑led transition supports, and professional development for educators on military lifestyle issues. At the meeting the presenters said eight schools across four local school districts in the Maxwell River Region were among the 53 inaugural Purple Star schools in Alabama.
Major General Henrich of Air University presented certificates to representatives from local districts and partner organizations. Those representing the partnership at the board meeting included David Smith, executive director of the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO); Tim Tidmore (Autauga County Schools); Richard Dennis (Elmore County Schools); Doctor Melvin Brown (Montgomery Public Schools); Doctor Keith Langford (Pike Road Schools); and Jennifer Holliday (Alabama Military Stability Foundation).
State Superintendent Eric Mackey thanked the partnership and emphasized the state's interest in serving military families. "The military community and the education of their children is part of our core mission," Mackey said.
Board members and guests posed for photographs after the presentation. The award recognizes local‑level projects and programs that support military children through partnerships among installations, districts and nonprofits.
Background: The Pete Taylor Partnership of Excellence Award, named for Lieutenant General H. G. P. "Pete" Taylor, honors collaborative local‑level projects that benefit military‑connected children. The Alabama Purple Star School designation includes criteria intended to ease school transitions for military families and requires district and school commitments to provide supports for military‑connected students.
