Students and staff honored; East Limestone designated Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School

Two Limestone County high school students who attended the Alabama Governor’s School and a teacher awarded a National Board Certification scholarship were recognized during the superintendent’s report, and the board also marked East Limestone High School’s Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School revalidation and announced school leadership changes.

Briggs Brown, a rising senior at East Limestone High School, and Addison Norwood, a rising senior at Elkmont High School, addressed the board about their summer experiences at Alabama Governor’s School. Briggs Brown described participating in a magazine publishing class that included digital design, photography and a visit to a Birmingham studio. "I got to show my creative flow of ideas and execution through digital design, photography, and editing," Briggs told the board. Addison Norwood said she attended a legal seminar led in part by a U.S. district judge and described mock trial work and courtroom visits as formative experiences.

The board also recognized Dr. Britton Anderson, a teacher at West Limestone High School, as a National Board Certification scholarship recipient supported by the National Space Club (described in the presentation as a local nonprofit that promotes U.S. space leadership and astronautics). The superintendent described National Board Certification as a professional certification intended to retain and recognize accomplished teachers.

East Limestone High School was noted as a two-time Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School after meeting criteria across nine categories including student focus and support; school organization and culture; rigorous curriculum and instruction; technology integration; professional community; leadership and vitality; family and community partnerships; and indicators of success. The board welcomed Laura Root as East Limestone’s new principal and acknowledged other school leaders in attendance.

The meeting also acknowledged incoming administrators: Marty Bennett was introduced as the new principal at Clemens (start date the following day) and Miss Brooks was recognized as an incoming assistant principal at East Limestone. The transcript does not include a separate public roll-call vote for these recognitions in the excerpt provided.

Board members and the superintendent thanked the students, staff and principals for representing Limestone County at state programs and for their professional achievements.