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By Staff
School system is major city asset
Editor,
The Aug. 28 Decatur Daily editorial concerning the national academic rating of Auburn University and The University of Alabama at 38th and 50th, respectively, prompts this letter.
I totally agree that if these universities' football rankings were consistent at this level that alumni fans would be outraged, demand new leadership and become involved to improve the status.
Academic excellence should be demanded K through 12 and in colleges as well as post college continuing education. Such will assure that our children are keenly competitive nationally and globally and that our nation continues world leadership. Knowledge is power.
The Hartselle City School System serves as an example toward this goal. Through exemplary leadership and community and local government support, Hartselle schools, for many years, have been consistently recognized statewide for both academic excellence and athletic prowess.
Following are some of the achievements by our school system, which served to illustrate this:
Academics
Consistently ranks in the state's top 10 percent in statewide achievement tests
Students perform above the state and national average on the ACT
50 percent of graduates score higher than the national average on the ACT
80 percent of graduates enter college
Athletics
Hartselle's school athletic programs are recognized statewide having won 20 state championships in varied sports during the past 21 years
This successful balance in academics and extracurricular activities didn't simply happen. It is the result of exemplary leadership and qualifications within the school administration including the school board, administrative staff and faculty.
Equally important has been dedicated support by city government, parents and the community as a whole. It is interesting to note that our school system is ranked first, percentage wise, in the state of Alabama for dedicated local revenue, and that city government contributes 14 percent of its total annual budget to the school system.
How thankful we should all be that Hartselle is preparing its children to go forward in life with an outstanding high school education.
I have also come to realize in promoting economic development in the Hartselle area that our school system's outstanding reputation is our city's major asset. It is largely responsible for attracting new residents with children to our city and is a prime factor considered by potential new businesses.
Please take the time to thank those responsible for making our school system one of the best in Alabama.
Robert C. Francis Jr.
Chairman
Hartselle Development Board
United Way fundraiser a success
Editor:
The United Way is all about helping others in our community. Our community came together to help the United Way! The city of Hartselle would like to say a big thank you to the businesses and individuals who helped sponsor our United Way luncheon fundraiser on Aug. 25 at The Depot. Our sponsors included the following:
Ace Body Shop, Inc.
Coldwell Banker Team Hartselle Real Estate
Corum's Building Supply
Bob &Dixie Francis
Genesis Construction, Inc.
Kathy Goodwin
Kentucky Fried Chicken
Mack's Paint &Body Shop, Inc.
The Par Group, LLC
Whitt's Barbecue
We would also like to thank the businesses and individuals that purchased lunches! We collected $1,185.00 to be given to the United Way! Thank all of you for making our first fundraiser a great success!
City of Hartselle Coordinators
Robert Finn – Police Department
Chad Johnson – Fire Department
Wayne Jones – Public Works Department
Staci McCormick – Park &Recreation Department
Susan Seibert – Department of Development
Coaches set a good example
Editor,
As I was exiting Ogle Stadium Friday night I could not help but notice football players, coaches and cheerleaders from both Hartselle and Austin congregated in the middle of the field unified in prayer. Even though through the years the Hartselle and Austin football game has been known as a heated rivalry, it is good to know when the game is over everyone can still remain friends.
It is reassuring to know our coaches have enough class to stand together no matter what the outcome of the game may be. I just want to commend Coach Godsey and Coach Norwood for the great example they show these students.
Jimmy Summerford
Hartselle