State superintendent visits Macon's Alex II, discusses issues
State school Superintendent Richard Woods made Macon a part of his whirlwind helicopter tour of Georgia on Thursday, lauding Alexander II Magnet School's students and teachers about the school's National Blue Ribbon award.
"Today, you are a part of history in the state of Georgia," he said. "You really stand out."
Alexander II was one of just seven public schools in the state to win the honor for 2015, and it marked the second time in a decade that the school received the award. First Presbyterian Day School picked up a Blue Ribbon honor among private schools.
Bibb County Superintendent Curtis Jones also spoke to the students, along with board President Thelma Dillard.
Hearing compliments about their hard work from people other than their parents and teachers is important for students, said Bertha Caldwell, Alexander II's principal.
"It continues to remind them why they're here, why they come to school, what their goals are," she said.
PTA President Tera Edwards said the honor was "not a surprise" as a parent. Edwards has two students at the school: Lexi in kindergarten and Abby in the second grade.
"As a parent, honestly, this award just verifies everything that we already knew about the school."
Woods was also scheduled to visit Rosemont Elementary School in LaGrange, Davidson Magnet School in Augusta and Johns Creek Elementary School in Suwanee on Thursday.
It marked his third swing through Middle Georgia to interact with students and educators this school year after visits to Houston and Bibb counties in August.
"I'm impressed because I think you can't be in education without being with the people who make education happen," Dillard said.
Among the issues affecting schools across the state, Dillard pointed to the discussed changes in funding as the "No. 1 key issue." Beyond that, she pointed to Gov. Nathan Deal's Opportunity School District proposal, which, if approved by popular vote in November, would allow the state to take over schools that score below 60 on the College and Career Ready Performance Index.
"I just think that the opportunity for schools to change and achieve has to come from local," Dillard said.
Woods said that a change in the education funding formula could allow districts to receive a more fully funded budget.
As for the Opportunity School District, he advised parents and educators to stay up to date on the issue.
About half of Bibb County's schools scored low enough on the most recent CCRPI to be potentially rolled into the proposed district, while Alexander II notched an 89.8 out of a possible 100.
"I think my recommendation is to be informed," Woods said. "But for my job, it's to make sure no school ends up on that list."
To contact writer Jeremy Timmerman, call 744-4331 or find him on Twitter @MTJTimm.
This story was originally published January 7, 2016 at 9:43 PM with the headline "State superintendent visits Macon's Alex II, discusses issues ."