Fine Arts night at the DCS school board meeting

The monthly Dothan City School board meeting was held Tuesday night. There were large numbers in attendance as many students were recognized and honored for various achievements throughout the year.

Starting the meeting off Brenda Guilford was nominated for vice chair of the school board and the motion passed.

The school board heard from Eagle board, which is a group of students who evaluate things that could be better in the school system alongside Superintendent Dennis Coe.

As well, the first class of the DCS University graduated and was recognized at the meeting. There were a total of 15 participants in this inaugural program.

The members of the Aspiring leaders program were also recognized.

Visual art teachers from Dothan Preparatory Academy, Highlands Elementary and Dothan High School recognized their students who have had success in the fine arts. The students’ accomplishments ranged from their work being on display at the local Wiregrass Museum of Art to winning contests and being on display in a congressman’s office.

Many accomplishments were celebrated last night, including the success of a group of students who passed the ACT in multiple languages, including sign language. These seniors will receive a medal of biliteracy to wear during graduation to honor their achievements.

The graduation schedule change was also discussed. On Monday of this week it was announced that graduation would be moved due to a forecast of rain.

The Dothan City Schools graduation ceremony has been rescheduled for Thursday at 7:30 PM at Rip Hewes Stadium. There will be handicap-accessible parking and wheelchair-accessible areas available. Coolers and wagons are prohibited and the Dothan City Schools Clear Bag Policy will be in effect for this ceremony. Overnight parking is also prohibited. The ceremony will also be live-streamed on the District Facebook Page.

The DCS school board also discussed they will possibly be receiving $7.7 million dollars that will be split up amongst security needs, maintenance and construction. As well there will be enough funds to put air conditioning on all the buses.

Website maintenance and updates were discussed as well brought to the board by Megan Dorsey. She requested a $1,000 yearly supplement for site and social media updates performed by staff members at each school.

Scott Faulk the DCS Director of Secondary Education Services discussed the new Code of Conduct for the upcoming school year. He briefly reviewed things such as school bus discipline, the parents right to know act, pending criminal charges, the Alabama youthful offenders act. The dress code in relation to constitutional rights and class III offenses and consequences. Faulk also mentioned that the uniform policy may be returning for the 2025 to 2026 school year.

District 6 board member Mrs. Aurie Jenkins raised a common concern about inconsistencies in the dress code and the enforcement of its policies.

It was discussed that the dress code is up to the discretion of the administration. Specifically, the section deeming clothes “too tight and too short” is vague.

The board voted to table the vote for the code of conduct to review further and discuss.

Four people came for public comments and chose to save their comments for executive session.

More information to come.