Superintendent reports stadium signage, sets district goal of 96% attendance and shares early enrollment snapshot

The superintendent reported that new signage and official lettering for Tyler Tidwell Stadium at Heflin Field are now in place and thanked board member Chris Adamson for his work on the project. The superintendent said the signage was funded entirely by donations.

The superintendent also announced a district attendance goal: "We're really striving for '96 by 2026," meaning a 96% overall attendance rate for the 2025'6 school year, and said the district will share reminders and resources on its website. "We can't teach them if they're not in the classroom," the superintendent said.

On enrollment, the superintendent presented preliminary counts from a September 3 hard count compared with October 1, 2024 figures used for finance. The district reported total student enrollment of about 8,170 students, an increase of roughly 14 students compared with the prior year. The high school showed the largest growth with an increase of 77 students, putting it above 2,300 students. Elementary schools combined were down by 123 students; intermediate, middle and high schools showed increases. The superintendent and trustees noted that other nearby districts have seen declines and that the district's overall enrollment is steady.

The superintendent also noted early signs of circulating illness and urged families to keep sick children at home to limit spread. The board acknowledged a correction to the consent agenda item listing a Deer Creek High School varsity and JV travel date: the cheer team (listed as "palm trip" on the agenda) will travel for competition from February 4 through February 10; the date on the consent agenda listed February (the competition date) and the board noted the travel dates were from Feb. 4'10.

The superintendent's report concluded and the board moved on to recognitions and the consent agenda.