THS campus

The Thomasville City Board of Education heard a report March 21 from Nicole Knight, Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator for the Thomasville City Schools District.

It was the first report from a plan entitled “On the Way to an A.” The school system is working to earn an “A” grade on the state report card. Knight gave a snapshot of where students currently stand with reading and math and steps the administrative team is taking to improve scores.

Students in the school system are tested three times-a-year to monitor their progress.

Notably, at Thomasville Elementary School, there has been dramatic progress moving students to proficiency, Knight said. That progress in the last two school years has come utilizing the Savvas math program and specialized reading instruction.

The district administrative team plans to continue to collaborate with each school to revamp lesson plans, assessments, class schedules, materials and professional development for teachers. These needs were based on assessment data and feedback received from teachers and students.

There needs to be full implementation of the Savvas math program at THS, Knight said. That will begin with the next school year in August. Professional instructional coaches will be embedded with local teachers in April and May, and in the fall.

Math teachers from TMS and THS traveled March 23 to Elberta High School to see the Savvas program in action. Elberta has had the instructional coaches and the program for two years.

Special attention will also be given to Math and English Language Arts at TMS and THS, she said.

All schools will provide summer professional development in 2023. Computer science will be an emphasis for all schools during the summer.

Teachers will also receive help with standards based-lesson planning, Knight said. Students must be taught to analyze and discuss subjects, not just identify and memorize, she said. Students must be able to read complex text and understand conceptual math to be prepared for ACAP and ACT testing.

The school system also plans to move faculty into different schedules. “Not all of our staff is being used effectively and efficiently,” Knight said. “We have some amazing teachers that are not being used in the best way possible.”

In other action from March 21 meeting, Angelica Gibson, Chief School Financial Officer, have the financial report.

Accounts payable for February 2023 totaled $422,426.99, and payroll totaled $943,672.93.

• The board approved the THS cheerleaders attending cheer camp May 31 to June 3 at Auburn University.

• The next school board meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on April 25 in the THS library.