By Barry H. Hendrix
Vickie Morris, Thomasville City School Superintendent, thanked the Thomasville City Board of Education for its support as the school system has earned an ‘A’ grade from the State Report Card for the 2024-2025 school year.
The school board meeting was held Nov. 18 in the Thomasville High School Library.
“This is an achievement that reflects the combined efforts of many people,” Morris said, “but it began with you. Your leadership, your expectations and your support have created the foundation that makes success possible across our schools. You all entrusted me with guiding your school system, (and) gave me the tools and the support needed to get this job done.
“I am honored to be a part of such an accomplishment in three short years. This ‘A’ is not the result of a single program or initiative. It is the product of strategic planning, consistent investment, high quality instruction, and a shared commitment to putting students first. It demonstrates strong performance across key academic areas: academic achievement, academic growth, graduation rate, college and career readiness and the reduction in our chronic absenteeism.
“At this point, we have 2,000 less absences than last year because of our Truancy Council,” Morris said.
“Our teachers and staff deserve tremendous credit. They are working hard every single day. They plan, they teach, they attend professional development, they encourage, and they are doing everything they can to help our students to grow one-at-a-time.
“Our building administrators have led with focus and determination,” the superintendent said, “and our students have risen to meet our expectations. This is by far the best administrative team that I have ever worked with. They are united, they are focused, and they are all moving in a common direction to make TCS the best school district in the State of Alabama.
“I also want to emphasize this: the direction and the stability provided by this board have been critical. Your decisions, whether it was related to curriculum, personnel, policy, or resources have helped create a culture where excellence is not only expected, but you support it.
“We should absolutely celebrate this accomplishment,” Morris said. “It affirms the progress that we are making as a school system, but it also presents us with a challenge. We must continue to grow, not be satisfied, continue improving, and keep our students at the center of every choice that we make.
“So tonight, on behalf of our students, our staff, I want to thank each of you for your leadership and support that you have provided. This ‘A’ belongs to the whole town of Thomasville, the students, the community, the families, the educators and the school board. I look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead – because the best is yet to come.”
In other actions for the Nov. 18 board meeting, Morris announced that Tiffany Shamburger has resigned as a member of the school board. She has served on the board since June 2022. The Thomasville City Council will begin the process of appointing a new board member.
• Financial reports for September 2025 and October 2025 were approved. For September, payroll totaled $935,369.84, and accounts payable totaled $881,112.38. For October, payroll totaled $938,585.67, and accounts payable totaled $513,796.71.
• The only item to approve on Personnel Actions was the employment of Melvin Calhoun, as a Substitute Bus Driver, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
• The board approved the option of Saturday School classes for seniors at Thomasville High School.
• The board held an executive session to discuss a Board Matter. No vote was taken after the session.
• The next meeting of the school board will be at 5 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the THS Library. The public is invited.