West Green Elementary reports construction progress and reading gains

Amy Bynum, speaking on behalf of West Green Elementary, told the Coffee County Board of Education on July 24 that construction of a new West Green school is progressing and the district is tentatively planning a December move into the facility. "The walls are up, the bricks are put up," Bynum said, praising summer work on the D wing, painted bathrooms and floor updates.

Bynum highlighted student achievement data from spring assessments, saying 61.7% of students showed typical or high growth in reading from fall to spring and 60.1% showed similar growth in math. She noted a 34% increase in the share of fifth‑grade students reading on grade level or above compared with the prior year. "That's what we work towards — showing growth every year," she said.

Bynum described staffing changes and additions: two pre‑K teachers, three teachers in most grade levels (four in first grade), an extra ESOL teacher and an additional inclusion teacher. She said the school earned recognition from the state superintendent for exceptional literacy growth and was named a National Showcase School for student engagement.

The principal also reviewed family engagement and community partnerships, including annual events such as a senior walk, a show choir, a "treat street" event and a bicycle giveaway sponsored by a local church. She thanked staff and named community members who supported parking‑lot repairs and other summer projects.

The board acknowledged the presentation and placed the minutes for the previous meeting on the consent agenda for later approval. The West Green update was informational; no formal board action was taken on-site beyond acknowledging the report.