1. By Dr. Douglas L. Ragland Superintendent 2004-2007 Superintendent Major Accomplishments and Goals for Greene County Schools

2. Adequate Yearly Progress The Greene County School System made Adequate Yearly Progress for the third consecutive year by accomplishing this feat in 2006. Adequate Yearly Progress is the state’s highest level of assessment for school systems. This standard had only been in place for three years and we mastered it throughout its existence.

3. Educational Ruler Greene County School System adopted the Alabama State Board of Education’s Educational Ruler to ensure (1) Safe and Disciplined Schools, (2) Highly Qualified Staff, (3) Challenging Curricular, and (4) Emerging Leaders. Educational Excellence has been exemplified, as a result of the application of the Educational Ruler, in the Greene County School System.

4. Meeting the Challenge Schools Eutaw Primary and Paramount Junior High Schools were named as Meeting the Challenge Schools and received $8, 500.00 each and a formal resolution from the Alabama State Board of Education. This award signifies academic excellence for schools whose population consist of 80% or higher poverty levels, meeting statewide and national academic standards.

5. Personnel During my tenure as Superintendent of Greene County Schools, the personnel was as follows: Total Staffing: 225 Employees Professional qualifications are as follows: Bachelor’s Degree: 64.5 Master’s Degree: 33.9 Educational Specialist Degree: 4.6 Earned Doctorate Degree: 1 All instructional aides certified and highly qualified for 2005-06 95.35% percent of teachers were highly qualified for 2005-06 Professional Development was deemed a high priority One National Board Certified Teacher in the district in 2006, with the goal being to have National Board Certified teachers in every school by 2007 First-ever Recruitment Plan created for Greene County Schools with the goal being to recruit the best personnel nationally.

6. National Board Certification In the 2006-07 school year we made history in the Greene County School System by having a teacher successfully pass the rigorous tests and achieve National Board Certification Our goal was to have at least 2 teachers per grade school to become Nationally Board Certified annually until all schools achieved 100% National Board Certified teachers.

7. Newly Hired Personnel During my first year as Superintendent of Greene County Schools, the following vacancies were filled and the personnel in each one contributed immensely to the district’s success: Technology Coordinator Chief Financial Officer At Risk Coordinator Parental Involvement Facilitator Maintenance Supervisor.

8. Financial Success Officially released from state financial intervention by the Alabama State Board of Education at its state board meeting on Thursday August 11, 2005. Local Tax Referendum passed with a majority vote (91%) on January 23, 2007. Successfully lobbied for a one cents sales tax granted by the Greene County Commissioners in the amount of 300,000 for 3 consecutive years. This brought a total of $900,000.00 of discretionary funds to the district.

9. Finances Greene County Schools had an operational expense budget of approximately 4 months at 4.3 million dollars in 2007.

10. Finances Successfully prepared, maintained, and supervised a 14,000,000.00 million dollar budget throughout my tenure.

11. Finances  14 mills of property tax  Over 3 million dollars generated from advalorem taxes  Two 1 cent sales tax appropriations generating over $600,000 dollars  Approximately one million from Bingo Funds at Greene Track  Approximately 35,000 from satellite dog racing at Greene Track State Funding: 51.7% Local Funding: 23.8% Federal Funding: 23.1% Other: 1.4%.

12. Finances Raises for personnel were made effective July 1, 2006, by the Greene County Board of Education. The timeline that the raises were distributed to employees was based on the following: 12 month personnel-July 10 and 11 month personnel-August 9 month personnel September Approval of these raises was indeed indicative of financial progress and stability in the district.

13. Academics Greene County High had 59% of its students attending 4 year higher education institutions after graduation. Greene County High had approximately 30% of its students attending the Alabama College System. Greene County High had approximately 3% of its students attending the armed services. Greene County High had approximately 7% of its students going directly into the work force. Greene County High had approximately 1% of its students undecided as to what they will pursue after graduation.

14. Awarding of Advanced Placement Initiative Grant Greene County High School was awarded an Advance Placement Initiative Grant on October 12, 2006, by the Alabama State Department of Education in the amount of $7,200.00 in the following areas: English (Advanced Placement English, Literature and Comprehension); Math (Advanced Placement Calculus) and Social Studies (Advanced Placement U.S. History).

15. Partnership with Shelton State Community College Greene County High School developed a partnership with Shelton State Community College to provide free scholarships to students seeking to attain Associate Degrees and areas of specialization in Certificated Programs after successfully completing a cost free Focus Industry Training Program for 5 weeks.

16. Stillman College Partnership The Greene County School System developed a Dual Enrollment Partnership with Stillman College in allowing students to take courses in English and Math and receive credit for them while in high school.

17. Tuskegee University Partnership The Greene County School System developed a Training for Math and Science Teachers Partnership in professional development with Tuskegee University Faculty and Staff.

18. Scholarships Over $1,000,000.00 in total scholarship monies for the class of 2005 at Greene County High School. Over $800,000.00 in total scholarship monies for the class of 2006 at Greene County High School. 1.8 million over 2 years.

19. Accreditation All schools in the Greene County School System were accredited by SACS CASI, the regional accreditation agency for universities, colleges and K-12 schools in 2005. This was the first-ever accreditation for the schools in the district.

20. Accreditation Greene County High School successfully passed its SACS/CASI Accreditation review on April 19, 2006.

21. Accreditation Eutaw Primary School met all SACS CASI Accreditation Standards and received its Accreditation from the SACS CASI Review team on Thursday, December 8, 2005.

22. Accreditation Carver Middle School met all SACS CASI Accreditation Standards and received its Accreditation from the SACS CASI Review team on Wednesday, November 30, 2005.

23. Accreditation Paramount Junior High School successfully renewed its accreditation in May, 2005.

24. Career Technical Education Business Industry Certification Committee from the Alabama State Department of Education certified Greene County Schools Peter J. Kirksey Career Technical Education Program in the following areas: Business/Marketing Cosmetology Health Science Agri-Science Agri-Technology

25. Career Technical Education Business Education/Carver Business/Paramount Automotive Technology Family and Consumer Science Cooperative Education 100% of the Career Technical Programs were certified according to Business Industry Standards in 2007.

27. Maintenance During my tenure as Superintendent of the Greene County Schools, there were no substandard classrooms in the district, and all physical plants were maintained to ensure safety and a conducive environment for learning.

28. Professional Development Teachers, Administrators and support personnel were encouraged and offered ongoing professional development opportunities locally, statewide, regionally, nationwide and internationally.

29. National Board Certification We set a goal to have at least two teachers per school annually to achieve National Board Certification.

30. Capital Improvements Five Year Capital Improvement Plan of approximately 4 million dollars approved in September 2005, and over 2.3 million dollars of improvements were done for the 2006-07 year including roofs, flooring, fencing lighting, parking, restrooms, and athletic renovations.

31. Capital Improvements Capital improvements at Eutaw Primary and Carver Middle Schools totaled 1.4 million dollars in 2004-05.

32. Alabama Reading First Initiative Eutaw Primary School was awarded the Initial ARFI-grant funding in the amount of $600,000.00 and two additional sub grants for $400,000.00 totaling $1,000,000.00.

33. Comprehensive School Reform Carver Middle School was awarded funding in the amount of $95,000.00 in 2004-05, and $60,000.00 for 2005-06 for the Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) Grant, which was researched-based, and geared towards the Middle Schools that Work concept.

34. Technology Competitive Grant The Greene County School System was awarded a total of $110,000 in Technology Competitive Grants in December 2004 and 2005 and $55,000.00 in January 2007.

35. E-rate Grant The Greene County School System was awarded an E-Rate Grant in the amount of $85, 469. 90 for the 2006-07 school year.

36. Child Nutrition Improvements As a result of prudent use of commodities, $288,000.00 was awarded to the child nutrition program by the state to upgrade equipment in the kitchens at all schools.

37. Certified Nursing Assistant Program A partnership was developed with the Greene County Hospital and Peter J. Kirksey Career Technical School in an effort to secure employment for graduates of the Certified Nursing Assistant Program.

38. Children’s Policy Council A partnership was developed with the Children’s Policy Committee to create a new Greene County so that the students and county will be ranked at the top and not the bottom. Emphasis on Parental Involvement was designated as a top priority in this partnership.

39. Academics/Extra Curricular Greene County Students successfully competed in the following activities: Science Fair Math Tournament Future Business Leaders of America County Spelling Bee State Spelling Bee Area, District, Sub-District, and State 4A Basketball Champions for 2004- 05. Statewide Band Competition(1 st place) Magic City Classic JROTC Partnership with Mercedes in attaining internships There were 3 former graduates from this internships employed in the Mercedes plant and one current student in the program in 2006 Overall we had 8 students to go through this internship.

40. Academics/Extra- Curricular Goals Students scoring 26 or above on ACT 99%Attendance Rate All schools meeting AYP Academic and National Merit Scholars 0% 4 year dropout rate Every child passing all portions of the AHSGE Every child reading on grade level by grade 3 Teaching the Whole Child in meeting his needs academically, socially, physically, emotionally, and through extra-curricular activities Foreign Languages offered at all schools (ACCESS) Football, Basketball, Band, and Cheerleading offered at the middle and junior high schools in addition to the high school.

41. Alabama State Spelling Bee Desmond Garner, 7 th grade student at Carver Middle School competed in the Alabama State Spelling Bee on Saturday, March 11, 2006, in Birmingham and placed 6 th out of 65 students. This is the best ever performance by a student representing Greene County in the state spelling bee.

42. Dr. Douglas L. Ragland’s Goals Presented to the Children’s Policy Council All students reading on or above grade level All students successfully passing all parts of the AHSGE All students scoring at proficient levels on SAT 10, ARMT, and Writing Assessments Reduction in dropout rate to equal 0% by 2006 Students attaining national merit scholarships, academic all American scholarships, athletic scholarships Students scoring at least 26 or above on ACT Advanced academic curriculum offered in grades k-12 such as gifted education and foreign languages 100% parental involvement Dual enrollment with higher education

43. Dr. Douglas L. Ragland’s Goals Presented to the Children’s Policy Council 98-99% attendance Meeting the needs of the whole child academically, socially, physically, and via extra-curricular events Local, state, regional, and national championships in debate, forensics, oratorical, spelling bee, math, geography bee, band and science, competitions to name a few High percentage of students entering higher education High expectations and the belief that every child can learn and behave.

44. Professional Development 100% of teachers and administrators in the district with advanced degrees was set as a top priority.

45. Parenting Days Parental Involvement was exemplified greatly in the district with excellent attendance at all schools for the Statewide Parenting Days in October, 2004 and 2005, and the Annual Parent Orientation Days in 2005 and 2006.

46. Technology Development of Greene County Schools website at (www.greene.k12.al.us)www.greene.k12.al.us We were one of the first of 81 school districts whose websites were listed on the Alabama State Department Of Education website in 2005 Financial data available at (www.greene.k12.al.us).www.greene.k12.al.us

47. Highly Qualified Personnel The Greene County School System had 95.35% of its teachers highly qualified and certified in their respective fields and 100% of teacher aides highly qualified according to No Child Left Behind and state requirements in 2007.

48. Comprehensive Monitoring Successful Alabama State Department Comprehensive Review conducted in February 2005 in the following areas: Instruction, Finance, Professional Education Personnel Evaluation, Federal Programs, Special Education, Technology, Child Nutrition, Career Technical Education, Transportation, Prevention and Support Services.

49. Dynamic Indicator Basic Early Literacy Skills DIBELS scores for Eutaw Primary and Paramount Junior High ranked above many affluent school systems in the state in 2005.

50. Organizational Chart Reorganized the district for fiscal and academic accountability.

51. Basketball Championship GREENE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL - 2005 ALABAMA STATE CLASS 4A HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS.

52. Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments Released from State Financial Intervention on August 11, 2005 Local Tax Referendum passed with a majority vote (91%) on January 23, 2007 Reorganization of district for fiscal and academic accountability Over 1.9 million awarded to district in academic grants (reading, math, science, technology) Greene County High School was awarded an Advance Placement Initiative Grant on October 12, 2006, by the Alabama State Department of Education in the amount of $7,200.00 in the following academic core subject areas: English (Advanced Placement English, Literature and Comprehension) Math (Advanced Placement Calculus) Social Studies (Advanced Placement U.S. History) Greene County Schools had 95% of teachers deemed Highly Qualified in 2007according to the state standards of the No Child Left Behind Act One teacher achieved National Board Certification during 2006-07school year Successful Comprehensive Review conducted by the Alabama State Department of Education First-ever state championship in Athletics (Boys Basketball) Placed in the top 6 in Alabama State Spelling Bee out of 65 counties competing.

53. Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments School System met AYP Status every year All schools accredited by SACS/CASI 100% of Career Technical Programs achieved Business Industry Certification 89% of Greene County High School Graduates attend Higher Education Institutions (59%- Four year, 30%-Two year) Over 1.8 million scholarship monies awarded to Greene County High School Seniors from 2004-06 4.3 million surplus Passage of a multi-million 30 year tax referendum with over 91% of the voters supporting it Successfully lobbied for a one cents sales tax granted by the Greene County Commissioners in the amount of 300,000 for 3 consecutive years Attained a minimum of 4 months operating expenses The Greene County School System was awarded an E-Rate Grant in the amount of $85, 469. 90 for the 2006-07 school year.

54. Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments Increased Community and Faith – Based Involvement Aggressive Recruiting Plan for Personnel Development of Consistent Code of Conduct in holding students and parents accountable Development of first-ever Greene County Schools Website First-ever parent orientation days at each school prior to opening of school in an effort to foster communication and promote teamwork Instructional partnerships for students and teachers at Shelton State Community College, Stillman College and Tuskegee University Recipient of $30,000 grant for Homeless Children and Youth Program for 2006-07 school year from the Alabama State Department of Education Eutaw Primary School received a formal resolution and $8,500.00 for being named a Meeting the Challenge School, which is symbolic of academic excellence Paramount Junior High School received a formal resolution and $8,500.00 for being named a Meeting the Challenge School, which is symbolic of academic excellence Carver Middle and Paramount Junior High Schools received together $200.00 for excellent, creative and talented art work submitted by 4 th graders at each school for the enhancement of art education at the respective schools.

55. Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments All classrooms were rated standard or above standard Updated Transportation Fleet and great safety rate Over 3.7 million spent in building improvements All Strategic Plan goals met (curriculum, technology, capital improvements, teacher certification, and parental involvement) Decrease in projected dropout rate from 49% in 2003 to 20% in 2004, to 15% in 2005 Stable enrollment.

56. Homeless Education Recipient of $30,000.00 grant for Homeless Children and Youth Program, awarded by the Alabama State Department of Education for the 2006-07 school year.

57. Eutaw Primary/UAB Partnership between UAB and Eutaw Primary for Visual Screening designed to capture and treat vision deficiencies in enhancing student achievement.

58. School Report Card Attendance- 96.2% Spending per pupil-$7, 771.72= A- Business Industry Certification- 89%= B Mills Equivalent-24.17-(14 mills for schools).

59. Greene County Schools Mission In Greene County Schools we plan to have a world class school system by educating every child fully, serving every stakeholder immensely, and consequently ensuring the optimal success of our children, parents, and community at large. We will be known as Greene County Schools: Tradition of Excellence and Pathway to Success, thus leaving no child, no parent, and no community behind!!! Remember, Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM).

60. Conclusion “Coming together is the beginning Working together is progress Staying together is success.”