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Teacher says STEAM classes funded by 3‑mil tax helped raise Spanish Fort science scores
Summary
A fifth‑grade teacher told the Spanish Fort council that the STEAM program — supported by the local 3‑mil ad valorem tax — has coincided with higher ACAP science scores and greater student engagement.
Missy Harper, a fifth‑grade science teacher at Oakville Elementary School, told the Spanish Fort City Council that weekly STEAM classes have helped improve her students’ science performance and engagement.
“My name is Missy Harper, and I'm a fifth grade science teacher at Oakville Elementary School. . . . So the kids absolutely love the program,” Harper told the council, describing hands‑on STEAM lessons for third through sixth graders.
Harper cited rising results on the statewide ACAP science test and said her school’s science scores were well above the state average. “I believe the state average is at, like, 39%, and Rockwell is at is at 68%,” she said.
A representative of the city’s 3‑mill committee explained the tax’s purpose to new attendees: “The 3 mill money is the additional, ad valorem tax that was voted in several years ago, and it's paid with your tax bill every year.” The speaker said the additional funds have supported programs across the local school feeder pattern and credited the money with contributing to higher test scores at elementary, middle and high school levels.
Council members did not take formal action on the remarks; the comments were made during the public‑comment portion of the meeting.
