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Dothan board members say majority of students lag in reading, math and call for urgent action
Summary
Board members at the Feb. 17 Dothan City Schools meeting said roughly 60% of students are not reading on grade level and 78% are not meeting math standards, urging systemic, data-driven interventions and immediate action from district leadership.
At the Feb. 17 regular meeting of the Dothan City Board of Education, board member Taiisha Walton said the district "cannot return to 'business as usual'" and urged immediate, systemic action after presenting data that about 60% of students are not reading on grade level and 78% are not performing on grade level in mathematics.
"Students should not become 'collateral damage' in adult disagreements or delays," Walton said, arguing the district needs data-driven, sustainable solutions that address root causes including low literacy, unresolved trauma and student mental-health needs.
Dr. Franklin Jones, a board member, said he agreed with Walton and criticized the board's previous lack of substantive discussion about student achievement despite receiving report cards and external expert reports. "Student achievement is the board's primary responsibility and priority," Jones said, calling for renewed focus and action.
Vice Chair Brenda Guilford also addressed governance and fiscal concerns raised to the board, drawing attention to financial stewardship as part of supporting students. Guilford questioned the necessity of the board attorney's attendance at some committee meetings, noting his $300 hourly rate and asking whether such attendance had been formally authorized by the full board. Board attorney Dustin Fowler said he believed the chairman and another board member had requested his presence but could not recall who had specifically directed him to attend.
Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew and other staff emphasized this work will continue alongside planned professional learning and strategic initiatives the board approved during the meeting, including a district strategic plan for 2026–2030. The board set a follow-up meeting for March 17, 2026.
The board took no formal policy action on the achievement remarks at the meeting; Walton and Jones asked that the board prioritize concrete steps and follow-up on the items discussed.
