[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6386959,"mediaKeyId","2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59","parentId",2117389,"title","Board approves human-resources and professional-service agreement reports by voice vote","audioSeconds",45,"startMs",4291000,"endMs",4336000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59&start=4291&end=4336","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59/thumbnail_4291000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6386959/Alabama/Board-approves-human-resources-and-professional-service-agreement-reports-by-voice-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386959-1a3ad81d7576236479c1a70c7f819e70/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764202&Signature=lwZZHJm6uKs1mFyKTKa0iGHyvnvFeRNgYtcIPOY2-x~rf~80StxG6ACdZjW5hc4KJME0cB5ddGHQ5vY8OBs6S3FBOCox3RDZZWab9tEhyRAcfz-Lgxbls74ZI42x-TJwN6LkcFD2aTsvhRy2Kv04TMYuNZQPiOCWdpuuw7X59uf46Lziiluxb~G4Xywdm8AuIIv7SEvDw-5JMfdk9G92fQbuYRCVhbrs4j9MyLQWns4MdkZjjzEmyw3Mf2NXMZdTIJhbXYmNjOhdKki0-TsZXC3nBIdugYn32-J0wALTXsqNF-yA-~oALOnVvRF3TBYitZG4JyLmopFzlF-pfVa47Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Huntsville City Schools","date","2025-01-07T00:00:00Z","article","During the Jan. 7 Huntsville City Schools work session the board took two routine consent actions by voice vote.

The superintendent recommended approval of the human-resources report; a board member moved and a second was recorded. A voice vote followed: “All those in favor, say aye,” and the chair cast an affirmative vote; the chair announced the motion passed. The superintendent then recommended approval of the professional-service agreement report; again a member moved and another seconded, and the board approved the motion by voice vote.

The audio record does not name the members who moved or seconded each motion, nor does it record a roll-call tally. The motions were passed on the record and the chair declared each motion carried.

Ending: Both routine reports were approved by voice vote and recorded as passed; no additional details or further board direction were recorded on these items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOE Work Session 1-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","At the Jan. 7 work session the Huntsville City Schools Board approved the human-resources report and the professional-service agreement report by voice vote; movers and seconders were not named on the record and vote tallies were not specified.","taxTitle","Huntsville City Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13589,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6386964,"Huntsville City Schools plans May 22–23 graduations at Von Braun Center; two-day rental estimated at $52,085",157,606000,763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59&start=606&end=763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59/thumbnail_606000.jpg","/articles/6386964/Alabama/Huntsville-City-Schools-plans-May-2223-graduations-at-Von-Braun-Center-two-day-rental-estimated-at-52085","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386964-360e49f1614bf104cff9ce6c89e33f71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764202&Signature=ndwvbhCmmQpoJN5NLpQ3co9v5gLc5HoISG~snl9psVT9AEoUMeWt8SKHS3itFbETpJLJ1J2s6obvPIEv0g39rfOgwwT~ShslxS8cm0CU5tKZfT0gDh6NUovtFchvDDhcebZx-Kb5O9ZR9CJj6Dnud6pG-hB3N03eA9waIohiDsMVeMWQM13rpYmDAV-~5xuQ9nuFOXiWuSCidaqXPhNan6vFOCLMIN9o2PMvHw~qr1CwZQgzOjLngZd90oKipC~l2Ca7wAYdeVBD0V8uNeQPde~f6K5IMwmY1LWlMigEnK8SycD0lNkxvootjRBFlJUz8Mc4MM5P7rsGlZjx1KgddA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Jan. 7 Huntsville City Schools work session, staff reviewed the district’s graduation schedule and an agreement with the Von Braun Center for two days of ceremonies on May 22–23, 2025, with a total estimated rental and production cost of $52,085.

The presentation listed times and schools by day: May 22 — Artemis Virtual Academy at 11:30 a.m., New Century at 1 p.m., Lee High School at 3 p.m., and Huntsville High at 5:30 p.m.; May 23 — Jemison at 1 p.m., Columbia at 3 p.m., and Grissom at 5:30 p.m. The agreement covers facility rental for two full days and production services including internet, power, technicians, event security and guest services; the district’s presenter said the total cost will change only if the district requests additional items.

Board members asked how the agreement compared with the prior year; the presenter said it was roughly $2,000 higher than the previous year and that the contract includes a discounted partner rental rate. One board member noted that the district receives free parking at the venue. No vote on the contract was recorded during the session; the item was presented for information and questions.

Ending: Staff said they would proceed with the agreement as described unless the district requested additional services that would raise the price.","District staff presented the planned May 22–23 graduation schedule and details of a rental agreement with the Von Braun Center priced at $52,085 for two days; board members asked about year-over-year cost changes and partner discounts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6386969,"Huntsville City Schools earns 85 federal score; leaders outline steps to raise proficiency, attendance",0,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59&start=706&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2117389-86d9e3f94dfc86e3d1d176692d29bb59/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6386969/Alabama/Huntsville-City-Schools-earns-85-federal-score-leaders-outline-steps-to-raise-proficiency-attendance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6386969-9c19a9f4d486fe096c6d5aff59dd6324/orig.mp4?Expires=1770764202&Signature=ILw1baEfJCRqEErWqR83EpOKFQx4BWe8xVeEkS9PWRBH4wobBT0lRTfPxCCcBAazIK-92eJ5N9nzmi5I9WyV5CL11GJnKgP763U15hA~HzHQFvYLUIwUOg-cXK0~1p7ztcvHukXiNQP0CGbuJ2kAEdsgCqZ3NONpzfgBFLZgfgm3DdxevdCnS73Y9yxMr-3Gr6aU4YbvDkUKLNdJTxFTvX07wNTSzsR9gaRhrG8k7bzsZUwOXejAw9LTkf~uBK7pjqX1bWbZZA6l8NlN1A9d6L2netN53Mti7qheuiYY8IV2h3yYH-u~AuH7w9IgR1vdt1OYiWrTNvC6UKPugEXX1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Huntsville City Schools work session on Jan. 7, district staff presented the systemwide report-card results — an 85 on the federal report card and an 86 on the state report card — and laid out how the scores are calculated and where leaders plan to focus improvement efforts.

The presentation, led by Mr. Buckner (staff member), explained that the district score is built from six indicators: academic achievement (20% at high schools), academic growth (25%), graduation rate (30% for high schools), college and career readiness (10%), chronic absenteeism (10%), and progress in English-language proficiency. Mr. Buckner said differences between the federal and state scores stem largely from how English-language learners are counted (three years in a U.S. school for the federal report, six years for the state), and noted that the report card uses ACAP (grades 3–8) and the ACT (11th grade) as the primary assessments that feed achievement and growth measures.

District leaders emphasized why the components matter. Mr. Buckner said chronic absenteeism is measured as students missing more than 10% of the school year (about 18 days) and that low attendance and missed testing days can cost schools points. He described the English-language-learner (ELL) measure as triggered only for tested subgroups of 20 or more students, with a benchmark that will rise from 56% to 58% the following year. He also explained the ACAP alternate assessment applies to a very small special-education subgroup and is excluded from scoring if it exceeds 1% of the population.

Why it matters: the district’s score is the public measure parents, community members and partners see each year and factors into perception and school-level supports. Mr. Buckner told the board that a one-point district increase requires roughly a 5% lift in academic achievement — which, he said, can translate to one additional proficient student per class on average across the district.

Board and staff discussion focused on three recurring themes: attendance, math proficiency, and supports for English-language learners. Several board members and staff credited recent work on attendance — including an attendance task force and added social workers — with measurable improvements. Mr. Buckner and other administrators said attendance matters not only for the absenteeism indicator but because students cannot learn if they are not present.

Math proficiency drew sustained attention. District staff said math is the largest area of weakness and described efforts underway: convening a math task force, adding math coaches in schools, reviewing pacing guides, updating textbooks and improving professional development so teachers understand ACAP-style questioning. Administrators and some board members argued that stronger, grade-level Tier 1 instruction and expanded Tier 3 intervention (intensive catch-up supports) are essential. Mr. Buckner noted the district has had open interventionist positions it has struggled to fill.

Several board members pushed for clearer, tactical plans and for district leaders to list specific investments that would move the needle. One board member noted the district’s general fund and federal funds total about $320 million and said that, while resources matter, parent engagement and student effort on tests are also critical to results. District leaders also said data issues — students changing names or ID numbers when they transfer — can obscure whether departures should be counted in a school’s graduation cohort.

The presentation included school-by-school results: 10 schools scored an A, 12 scored a B (four of them at 89), 12 scored a C, 9 scored a D (priority-school designation), and 0 schools scored an F for the second consecutive year. The district’s overall score of 85 is the highest in its history, and staff highlighted individual gains including one school that scored a perfect 100 and several schools that raised their letter grade.

District staff outlined specific supports they say they are providing to schools: additional on-site coaching, assistance administering labor-intensive ELL assessments, more frequent principal check-ins, and targeted support for schools that slipped. Administrators described efforts to avoid “pouring too many voices” into a school at once and instead to coordinate supports so principals receive actionable help.

Board members and staff repeatedly stressed the role of parents and community in improving outcomes: increasing attendance on testing days, encouraging students to take assessments seriously, and participating in school-based organizations. Mr. Buckner said academic growth and achievement are distinct — growth shows how much a student rises year-to-year, while achievement measures whether a student meets grade-level proficiency — and the district must improve both.

The board asked for a follow-up that would present a clear set of priorities and the funding needed to reach an A districtwide. Mr. Buckner said a plan exists and he would return with a more focused presentation showing the concrete steps and numbers required to reach higher letter grades and district goals.

Ending: District leaders described the score as progress but said substantial work remains on math, Tier 3 interventions and ELL supports. They asked the board and community to continue supporting attendance and to help ensure students are present and prepared on testing days.","At a Jan. 7 work session, district staff explained how the state and federal school report cards are calculated, flagged math proficiency and English-language learner progress as top priorities, and said improving attendance and targeted Tier 3 interventions are central to raising the district score from 85.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves human-resources and professional-service agreement reports by voice vote

Huntsville City Schools plans May 22–23 graduations at Von Braun Center; two-day rental estimated at $52,085

Huntsville City Schools earns 85 federal score; leaders outline steps to raise proficiency, attendance