2 BALDWIN REGISTER SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 New leadership, bold challenges frame next term d Baldwin County well-run campaign won a sales nel and teachers. Two schools economists concerned that will be filled with meetings tax vote — a rare feat in the closed and others remain un- the Deepwater Horizon oil dis- with students, teachers, ad- Public Schools state — and public support der review for possible elimi- aster will drastically alter the ministrators, community lead- seems to be solid as a new su- nation. sales tax revenue crucial to ers and education foundation students excel despite perintendent takes the reins. Superintendent Faron Hol- the system’s recovery and members as all the stakehold- ongoing financial There are still steep hills to linger left more than a year services for 27,000 students. ers help forge goals for the fu- climb, board members ac- before the end of his contract Despite the financial strug- ture of the system. crisis knowledge, but many educa- as school board members gles and cutbacks to popular Lee said he’s already seen tion foundation members say asked county commissioners and successful programs, “a great system, and one with a spirit of change and hope to call for a 3-year, 1-percent Baldwin students continued great potential to be even bet- By CONNIE BAGGETT ter.” Staff Reporter has taken hold. sales tax. In a referendum to excel, placing among the After years of spending on some called nothing short of top performers in the state Increasing enrollment. De- new buildings and adding stunning, voters overwhelm- and nation in technology com- clining revenue. School clo- teachers with local revenue ingly approved the tax that petitions and earning Interna- ON THE COVER sures. Massive layoffs. plentiful thanks to a thriving was expected to add $25 mil- tional Baccalaureate Those issues clouded the tourist industry, the economic lion annually to public diplomas. Photo by past two years for Baldwin downturn thrust the county schools. The tax took effect Lee, who comes to the Bill Starling County Public Schools, but re- into crisis mode like many June 1, and school officials county from Washington Christopher Andreoli, newed public support and a other systems in the country. hoped the anticipated money County Schools in Abingdon, Kristy Barber, Taylor change in leadership have offi- But here, analysts say, the would bring the system out of Va., has praised local students Culliver, Jessie Minter cials believing the two can blow was multiplied because deficit and allow rehiring by and the system here as a and Cameron Morris, help refocus the school sys- state funding for schools mid-July or August. place already respected in the from left, represent the tem with creative solutions comes from sales and income In a split vote, school board state, with high expectations multi-faceted students while maintaining its track re- taxes. Local funding comes members hired Alan Lee as for improvement. He said his who can be found on any cord of excellence. largely from sales taxes, too, the new superintendent for philosophy is to change the campus in Baldwin The school system strug- leaving Baldwin no way to Baldwin County Public way people think about edu- County. All five are gled through unprecedented make up the shortfall. Schools following a less-than- cation, making learning more students at Baldwin declines in revenue, the loss Local and state funding de- smooth national search. Lee relevant to real-world applica- County High School in of their superintendent in the clined by $61 million over two started work here July 1, tions and making schools Bay Minette. wake of financial crisis and a years, forcing hundreds of lay- plunging into meetings with more service-oriented. wave of public criticism. But a offs including support person- other elected officials and Lee said the coming months Christ the King Catholic School Kindergarten – Grade 8 Music • Art • Technology Lab • Library 1503 Main Street Foreign Language • CYO Sports • Promethean P.O. Drawer 1890 Boards • Extracurricular Opportunities • P.E. Daphne, AL 36526 (251) 626-1692 Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [email protected] Nationally Recognized Discipline With Purpose School ctheking.org Member of the National Catholic Education Association 0164959401 Bay Images Trophies & Awards Plaques • Trophies • Medals • Nametags Signs • Acrylics • Personalized Gifts Come see us for all your Fall Sports Awards 626-0044 • 26091 Equity Dr. • Daphne, AL SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 BALDWIN REGISTER 3 A MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT d Greetings to the students, nity residents will support teachers and principals when they are expect- parents and staff of Baldwin ing more learning from every student and expecting every student to be suc- County Public Schools cessful. We as a school system, in Baldwin County Public turn, have a duty to be cer- Schools are known across tain that we operate in the our state to be very good. highest professional mode Dr. Chancellor D. McLemore • Dr. Jacob J. Baker and make our decisions People who have resided based upon service to our here and then moved to community and its children. other parts of our country Over the course of the next equally admire them. The months, I will be seeking your Dental number of people who con- input and ideas on which im- tacted me directly or indi- provements need to come rectly to extol the virtues of first, and then look for your Care our schools has impressed support in the hard decisions me. Lee that invariably follow. for the Dr. Hollinger, Mrs. Daw- Baldwin County Public son, the board, and all the parents de- Schools are blessed to have outstand- voted to providing an outstanding ing professionals, and my job is to Entire education are to be commended. It is help them provide an education to all humbling to be asked to work in Bald- of our students that is second to none. win County. Again, I am excited to work with Family! Beginning my new job as superin- our community of students, parents tendent is exciting for me, for I know and professionals. I welcome your in- that there is unprecedented communi- put on taking our schools to the next ty support for the schools, and that is level of achievement. the greatest strength of the system. Alan T. Lee, It means that parents and commu- Superintendent 20% Off* Group wants big changes New Patient Cleaning d Education education associations of the “Yes We Can Bald- in Baldwin County came win County” initiative. Exam & X-Rays *with this ad coalition seeks together last fall as the The coalition served Baldwin County Educa- as the steering commit- community input, tion Coalition, their en- tee behind the “Vote support for new thusiasm for supporting Yes” campaign for the and improving the coun- temporary 1-cent sales campaign ty’s schools was un- tax referendum, and dur- Offering relaxing sedation matched. ing that time committee By JESSICA SAWYER Today, that same members heard much dentistry for your comfort! RIGBY group is poised to from the public during News staff change the long-term di- the work on that vote, rection of education • Friday appointments available for your convenience When the individual with the implementation See Change Page 8 d • Providers for most insurances Call the friendly, professional staff ABOUT THE SECTION Contributors include Douglas Coker, Connie at Riviera Dental Care to schedule Baggett, Jon Hauge, Lesley 0165018001 Special thanks to Farrey Pacey, Daniel Boyette your back to school check up today! Tina Covington, Jessica and Dawn Hoover. Sawyer Rigby and Terry Wilhite Section edited by 251-943-3368 Jean Lakeman Helms, Jessica Section designed by Sawyer Rigby, Marc Anderson www.rivieradentalcare.com Natasha Helton and Jackie Byrd 198 Cty Rd 20 West • Foley, AL 36535 4 BALDWIN REGISTER SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2010 Dual enrollment program grows d New career and the opportunity to do something or in the summer. like that,” said D’Agati, who Qualified students may also get technical program helps earned college credits while at- permission to leave the high tending classes at South Baldwin school campus to take college high school students gain Center for Technology. “It also courses during regular school needed workplace skills gives you the opportunity to get a hours. In some cases, a student good job right out of high may even be able to attain an as- school.” sociate of arts or equivalent de- By LESLEY FARREY PACEY gree shortly before or after high Correspondent A different program school graduation, building early on long-term education goals. By the time Matthew D’Agati FSCC and the BCBE have long offered academic dual enrollment Courses include anthropology, graduated from high school, he photography, art history, already had earned a college-level programs to eligible high school students, allowing qualified stu- electronic publishing, criminal welding certificate. dents to enroll in college classes justice, criminal law and proce- The Lillian teen graduated in concurrently with high school dure, English, ecology, geogra- May from Foley High School a few classes. Those students receive phy, western civilization, days before he racked up 20 col- high school as well as cost-free hospitality management, political lege credits during two semesters college credit for academic science, paralegal studies, legal of his junior and senior years of courses, allowing them to jump- research and writing and social high school. The credits satisfied start their college education. psychology. requirements for his welding cer- For credit toward their high Students who want to enroll in tificate from a new career and school diploma and college de- academic dual enrollment must technical dual enrollment pro- gree, students taking part in aca- have completed the 10th grade, gram offered by Faulkner State demic dual enrollment may take have a 3.0 or better GPA and com- Photo courtesy Matthew D’Agati Community College and the Bald- classes at either the high school plete a dual enrollment packet FSCC President Gary Branch presents Matthew win County Board of Education.