Dr. Vic Wilson, Hartselle Schools Superintendent, speaks to one of the student guests at the State of the Hartselle City Schools Address breakfast meeting in Hartselle October 19.| Clif Knight

Customized education gives HCS students step up in life

Clif Knight

Hartselle Enquirer

Customizing and personalizing education is the approach Hartselle City Schools are taking to prepare their students for success in life, Superintendent Dr. Vic Wilson told 100 education, business and political leaders at a State of the Hartselle City Schools Address breakfast meeting October 19.

“Some day I may need a surgeon and I want to know they have been well trained,” he pointed out.

“Hartselle High School has four National Merit Semi-finalists and 38 AP Scholars. That’s amazing,” he noted. “Student ACT scores are above the state and national average and we have the first students in the state to pass the Praxis.”

Wilson also talked about how the school system is partnering with Decatur City and Morgan County systems as well as local colleges to offer students dual enrollment classes.

“We have 22 students enrolled in welding classes, 17 in EMT classes, seven in auto tech and JROTC and seven Morgan County students enrolled in AP classes,” he said.

Wilson reported a record enrollment with a FY 2016-2017 operating budget of over $20 million in anticipated revenue and over $19 million in expenses. The school system shows a reserve of over $6.5 million.

Students served in leadership roles at the meeting: Gabrielle Stout welcomed guests, Ty Bragwell led the Pledge of Allegiance, Maggie Anderson sang the National Anthem and Maisie Waynick gave the invocation;

Cole McClendon introduced the keynote speaker, James Horner introduced School Board Chairman Randy Sparkman and school principals were introduced by Sawyer Tapscott, Mary Frances Itsede, Trammel Hurley, Russell Murphy, Olivia Patterson and Cody Tapscott.

Serving as greeters were Laura Lundy, Katie Sloan, JD Pflueger, Logan Brown, Jayden Shekell, Addie Saunders, Reid Ellis, Brody Wade, Hallie Bone and Eric Stephenson.

The annual event was sponsored by Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce with the assistance of Redstone Federal Credit Union, Modern Woodmen, Corum’s Building & Farm Center, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Hartselle Enquirer, Aramark, Hartselle Sporting Goods, Eddie Preuitt Ford, Drake Eye Center, People’s Bank, Cadence Bank, Hartselle Utilities, RJ Young and Lowe’s.