Jacksonville, AL – The Jacksonville City School Board convened on Wednesday, November 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Central Office Boardroom to conduct regular business and celebrate student achievements.
Student Recognition
The board honored outstanding students through the Soaring Eagles Award for August, September, and October. Principal of Kitty Stone/Jack Knox Elementary recognized students who demonstrated hard work, leadership, and positive impact:
August Recipients:
- Cooper Haynes (Senior) – Recognized for mission work in Honduras, organizing student-led Bible studies, and maintaining a 3.8 GPA while serving as FCA summer ambassador and FFA president
- Raven Willingham (Ninth Grade) – Honored for academic excellence with all A’s in honors classes, varsity cheerleading, and National Junior Honor Society membership
September Recipients:
- Kiagea Williams (Senior) – Acknowledged for maintaining a 4.0 GPA while participating in multiple sports, clubs including FBLA, Key Club, HOSA, and National Honor Society, and working part-time
- Jack Stickney (Eighth Grade) – Recognized for helping teachers and classmates, including caring for neighbors’ animals and delivering missed assignments to absent students
October Recipients:
- Sam Parker Wagner (Senior) – Honored for kindness, maintaining a 3.8 GPA, and involvement in varsity baseball, FCA, and National Honor Society
- Jackson Green – Recognized for positive attitude, assisting fellow students, travel baseball participation, and A honor roll achievement
Financial Report Approved
The board approved accounts payable and payroll for September 2025, totaling $1,543,531.43 across state, federal, and local fund sources. The combined bank reconciliation as of September 30, 2025, stood at $7,307,884.16. Board members commended the business office for accurate budget projections that closely matched actual expenditures.
Policy and Personnel Actions
The board unanimously approved new Board Policy 5.85 on Vaping Awareness, Education, and Prevention. Personnel recommendations for items 10A through 10C were also approved.
System Achievements
Superintendent Dr. Barber announced that Jacksonville City Schools received an A rating on the state report card for the second consecutive year. “For the second year in a row, we are ranked as an A school system,” Dr. Barber stated, crediting students, parents, faculty, and staff for the achievement.
Additional highlights shared during the meeting included:
- The choir and theater group’s successful performances, with the theater group’s production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” advancing to state competition
- A successful Town and Gown meeting that resulted in dirt donations from Jacksonville State University for playground improvements at Kitty Stone Elementary
- The football team’s playoff victory, securing home-field advantage for the second round against Coleman on November 14 at 7:00 p.m.
- Successful cheer and band competitions
- Math data meetings focused on improving 7th and 8th grade performance
- A financial literacy event hosted by the high school that educated students about real-world expenses including rent, insurance, and childcare
Next Meeting
The board confirmed its next meeting for Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. at the Jacksonville City Schools Central Office Boardroom.
The meeting opened with prayer by Pastor Trent Finley, College Pastor of Jacksonville State University, and concluded with board members congratulating all stakeholders on the system’s continued academic success.
