JACKSONVILLE, AL — The Jacksonville City Schools Board of Education met July 22 at the district’s Central Office Board Room, where members received updates on academic initiatives, reviewed financial matters, approved several operational recommendations, and discussed priorities for the upcoming school year.
A major focus of the meeting centered on efforts to strengthen mathematics achievement across the district.
Curriculum Coordinator Melissa Wilson outlined several initiatives planned for the 2026-27 school year, noting that while detailed analysis of spring ACAP assessment data will be presented at the August board meeting, district leaders have identified improving math proficiency as a priority.
Among the initiatives discussed were the addition of part-time instructional specialists at Kitty Stone Elementary School and Jacksonville High School to provide instructional coaching and math intervention, expanded professional development through partnerships with AMSTI and OMI, classroom coaching cycles for teachers, administrator participation in instructional support, and implementation of a new K-8 math intervention program called “Do the Math.”
Superintendent Dr. Micheal Barber also shared an overview of the district’s proposed strategic plan, which will be presented for board approval at a future meeting after members have additional time for review.
Barber also previewed the budget presentation he plans to deliver to the City of Jacksonville, highlighting district accomplishments alongside financial challenges facing public education.
Among the accomplishments noted were the district’s academic recognition, scholarship awards earned by graduates, student success in athletics and extracurricular activities, military enlistments, and college and career readiness efforts.
Barber also discussed concerns regarding education funding, including declining sales tax collections, long-term projections for the Education Trust Fund, and the impact of reduced revenue growth. He explained that the district will again request $180,000 in city funding and continued support for two School Resource Officer positions, noting that city funding helps support programs including STEAM education and school safety initiatives.
Following the superintendent’s report, the board unanimously approved:
- The 2026-27 Jacksonville City Schools supplement schedule.
- Acceptance of the 2026-27 milk bid awarded through the Oxford City Board of Education as part of the Northeast Alabama Child Nutrition Consortium.
- Acceptance of the 2026-27 supplemental grocery bid awarded through the Colbert County Board of Education cooperative.
- Personnel recommendations presented as Items A through L.
The board also confirmed its next meeting for Thursday, July 30, at 5:30 p.m. During closing comments, board members expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming school year and welcomed the district’s new administrative assistant before adjourning the meeting.
