Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Governor Robert Bentley Announces 331 Turn Lane & More

Today Governor Robert Bentley announced plans for a road project at Highland Home School. The primary purpose of this project is to alleviated school traffic congestion and increase the on-campus delivery and pick-up capacity.   The near $200,000 project will be funded entirely by the State. (Tune in to WSFA and WAKA tonight for more.)
Safety First
Yours Truly gives the explains to Governor Bentley
the need to provide for a safe entry and exit.
The Governor  makes the announcement from the
Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport in Greenville.
 
Chairman of the Crenshaw County Commissioner Ricky McElwain, Yours Truly, Representative Charles Newton, and County Engineer Benjie Sanders
Moreover, on Thursday, May 15, 2014, yours truly met with members of the Seventh Division and its Engineer, Mr. Mike Griffin.  The team's recommendations were as follows:
  • The Alabama Seventh Division would create a southbound turn lane on U.S. Highway 331 onto the New Bethel Church Road.  
  • The Crenshaw County Highway Department would refurbish a portion of the New Bethel Road.  
  • Highland Home School's drive at the entrance from New Bethel Road (near the Press Box) would be widen to the girls’ weight room. An area from New Bethel Road, to the gym, behind the ag shop and in front of the school, would be re-striped. 
We are most appreciative of the Governor Bentley, Director Cooper and the State for their generosity.

Turn lane denoted in orange on U.S. Hwy. 331,
New Bethel Road denoted with white turn signage,
and HHS pattern for drop-off and pick up
denoted with orange and white striping
Persistence and Patience Pays
On November 8, 2013, yours truly requested a meeting with Governor Robert Bentley regarding the traffic congestion near Highland Home School.  The request was given to Mr. John Cooper, Director of the Alabama Department of Transportation,

On December 5, 2013, I preempted the meeting with the Mr. John Cooper with a letter first thanking him for taking time to meet with officials from Crenshaw County regarding the U.S. Highway 331 construction project near Highland Home School. The following project information was given to Mr. Cooper.
  • Highland Home School has an enrollment of nearly 800 students in grades preschool through 12.  School population increased 5% between the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 school years. 
  • There are 75 employees at Highland Home School.
  • There are 11 regular bus routes at Highland Home School. 
  • Approximately 50% of students ride private vehicles.
  • Depending on the occasion, there may be over 1,000 persons on campus.
  • Nearly all persons exit through one egress, including, but not limited to, all buses twice daily. 
Item of Concern- Safety
There is limited line-of-sight: Entering 331 from the school exit, line-of-sight on a clear day is 0.25 miles to 0.5 miles. A similar issue exists for patrons of:  Dollar General, First Citizens Bank, Citgo, BP, It Don’t Matter Restaurant, and ACME Propane. There is no turning lane. Vehicles back-up on U.S. Highway 331 both prior to school beginning and ending. Depending on the time of year, the traffic back-up can exceed 1 mile. Traffic congestion is everyday and seasonal. U.S. Highway 331 is a main thoroughfare to vacation destinations.  Beyond the day-to-day safety concerns and difficulty, spring break traffic escalates the hazardous conditions. Recent daily traffic totals are 6,018 below Highland Home School and 4,806 above the school.  However, these totals are not inclusive of the volume between County Road 68 and Alabama Highway 97, of which it is suspected to be traveled considerably more than other areas. The school and its classrooms are in close proximity to U.S. Highway 331. Relevant to the south end of the Office Building, brick to asphalt distance is 75 feet. Relevant to the north end of the Library Building, brick to asphalt distance is 73 feet. Sidewalks are adjacent to the asphalt with no buffer.  The speed limit within 75 feet of the school is 55 miles per hour for 90% of the school day.  On Tuesday, November 26, 2013, there was an accident with a bus and a northbound commuter in front of the school.  While principal of Highland Home School, I witnessed an accident between a southbound transfer truck and a student pick-up.  A student was ejected from the rear of the truck onto U.S. Highway 3331. Fortunately, there were no fatalities in either case.  A gas main that serves the entire community is adjacent to the sidewalk.  It bears mentioning that the Crenshaw County Board of Education has used local resources to provide a school resource officer for the past several years to assist with traffic control.

Item of Concern- Economy
Crenshaw County is home of 3 Hyundai suppliers:  SMART LLC employs over 700, Dongwon LLC employs over 300, and Chowel LLC employs over 100.  All of the aforementioned have planned expansions this coming year.  SMART, Hyundai’s largest automotive parts supplier with a capacity to produce parts for 400,000 cars per year, ships via 150 trucks per day.  It is estimated that per the automotive suppliers, more than 200 trucks use this highway daily.  Crenshaw County’s agriculture, forestry and related industry attributes over $200 million to the county’s economy employing nearly 1,800 persons.  Of this economy, over 96% is ascribed to the poultry and egg commodities.  Timberland accounts for nearly 80% of the surface land area of the county.  It is estimated that 10% of all traffic volume in the Highland Home community is credited to trucking.  Tourism is a vital source of income.  The Alabama Department of Tourism estimates that travelers spend $9 billion dollars annually. In 2010, over $662 million of state and local tax revenues were generated by travel and tourism activities.  The shortest route from Montgomery to the beach is via U.S. Highway 331.  From Montgomery to: Santa Rosa via U.S. Highway 331- 154 miles (predominantly 2 lane), Panama City via 231- 181 miles (all 4 lane), Pensacola Beach via Interstate 65, 113, and U.S. Highway 29- 173 miles (combination 2 and 4 lane),  and Gulf Shores via 65 and 59- 188 miles  (all 4 lane).

Those involved in the efforts were as follows:  Senator Bryan Taylor, Representative Charles Newton, Senator Dick Brewbaker, Robyn Snellgrove- President and CEO of the Crenshaw County Economic Industrial Development Authority, Ricky McElwain- Chairman of the Crenshaw County Commission, Gary Sport- Administrative and of Human Resources General Manager SMART AL, LLC, Steve Sanders- President of the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce, and Benjie Sanders- Crenshaw County Engineer.  On behalf of the students, parents and staff of HHS, we thank you all!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Crenshaw County Relay for Life Huge Success

Crenshaw County's Relay for Life raised more than $50,000 this year!  It is great to see students give back to the community. Thanks to Mrs. Tracy Baines for the great pics below.
Members of LHS Band Perform National Anthem
LHS Relay for Life Team
LHS FFA String Bands Performs 
FFA Sponsor Matthew Pippin Picks the Banjo
DJs and Emcees: Daryl E. and William Simmons
Hyun Roh Quotes from Memory Pi to the 500th Digit
Tania Oliver and Ascia Brown Mitchell Show Dance Moves
Ashlynn Kilpatrick Clogs
Maranda Bottoms and Jamilyn Wright Dance
Madison Keener Sings
Thompson Sisters Sing for the First Time


Year End Awards!

What a year this has been…and it is not quite over.  So many good things have happened!  I quickly perused the August to May events per the blog to reminisce, just for a moment.   We have written nearly 300 blogs in that time period and now have over 150,000 global reads.

What were the biggest events of 2013-2014 School Year?  You decide.  Here is my short list.  I apologize if I missed yours.

August
  • Naming of David Lowery Stadium
  • New Turf and Lights at HHS Football Field
  • LHS PTA Opens Playground
  • Implementation of the iLearn Initiative
September
  • ELA Meeting Nights
  • ARMT+ Scores Highest Ever
  • PASS Grant
October
  • Edgenuity Awarded to CCPS
  • Local Politicians Visit Schools
  • Pink-Out
November
  • All Schools Make Playoffs
  • Keep the Change
  • Trambauer Festival
December
  • Initial Choir Performance
  • Chamber Parade
  • Drama Presentation
  • Preschoolers Perform
January
  • Two Schools Host Four Tournaments
  • Welding Grant
  • Highest Graduation Rate of Any County School System
  • Weather to Go or Not To Go
February
  • Pre K Grants to Continue
  • HHS Dresses for Success
March
  • Aspire Rally
  • CTC Initiative Announced
  • Fine Arts Grant
  • County Science Fair
  • Drug Dog
  • BHS Girls Repeat
  • LHS Boys Runner-Up
  • Career Expo
April
  • Bryant Jordan Awards
  • Math Tournaments
  • Spelling B Tournament
  • CNP Review
May
  • BHS Wins Softball Title
  • CTC Approved
  • Hyundai Suppliers to Provide CTC Teacher
  • Fine Arts Exclusive
Ok, so you have had an opportunity to review. Take time now to go back and look at the blog to see if I missed something.  Here are my 2013-2014 best of year happenings:  

Biggest Surprise:  Grant receipts-  I thought all of the grants were gone…not so.  To date- we have now secured 59 grants for more than $4.5 million.  Incredible!!!  There are a least 4 mentioned above. 

Game Changer:  Creation of a Career Tech Center-  There is no doubt that beginning next year, students will have an opportunity of a lifetime.

New Comer's Award:  (After much deliberation with myself, I concede a tie.)
#1 Crenshaw Forward and Career Expo-  This initiative paved the way for the CTC.
#1 Crenshaw County Fine Arts Program.  We danced and we sang and we acted and we danced and we sang and we acted…..you get the idea.

Most Watched: The Choir’s Opening Christmas Number-  Who were those kids?  When did they practice?  They were ours and they never practiced as a group!  Yes, I just watched it again and so can you:  Choir Performs for the First Time.

Longest Season:  Any….you pick one, fall, winter or spring.  We went the max in all but the fall season and fell short by one game.  We love our sports, in case you did not know.  We earned two State titles this year and with any sort of luck, we could have won more.

Biggest Moment:  Shep Brings It!  You had to be there to understand. WOW!  

Greatest Achievement:  (I could not pick just one.)
#3 Highest ARMT+ Scores Ever
#2 iLearn Initiative- Only 20% of systems have such.  All students grades 9-12 have take home devices.

#1 Highest Graduation Rate of Any County School System in the State.  No fluke or prevarication here, just a pile of terrific students and teachers doing things the right way!

One final thanks to those who sent news for me to post in the blog.  There would be no or little blog without your support of our students.  Kudos to You!

Huntingdon Signees

Last week, three LHS students signed agreements with Huntingdon College.  Left to right:  Luke Boyd- Offensive Tackle, Zane Jones- Deep Snapper, M.J. May- Offensive Tackle.  Joining in the photo opportunity is Principal Greg Pittman.  Congratulations to these fine students and all of this year's seniors.  

HOSA Happenings


On Friday April 11th , HOSA hosted a Lifesouth blood drive at LHS. Thirty-five units of blood were donated. One unit of blood can save three lives.

On Wednesday April 16LHS HOSA conducted a roadblock from 7:00 AM to 7:45 AM to benefit Relay for Life.  The group raised $400.

On Thursday April 24, 10th-12th grade Health Science students from BHS and LHS who are enrolled in the second or third level of Health Science could become CPR certified. 20 students were certified by the American Heart Association guidelines by Nurse Michell Crowe from HHS.

On April 29th & 30th HOSA students from HHS, BHS, & LHS job shadowed in area healthcare facilities.  
Cassidy Catrett and Corbin Knott in the Lab
 Max McDougald with Dr. Sanders
On Wednesday May 7th HOSA members donated 78 pounds of poptabs to Amanda Hall who is related to HOSA member Mallory Gomillion for her family to stay in the Ronald McDonald House while her newborn was hospitalized. This is an ongoing community service project where Luverne School students bring in poptabs throughout the year.
Box House and Pop Tabs
Congratulations to all of our HOSA students and Mrs. Becky Cornelius.  We look forward to bringing the HOSA opportunity to all of the students of Crenshaw County.