June 21—PRICEVILLE — Two schools received $10,000 each from the Priceville City Council last week and principals plan to spend the money on computers, an arts program and character development projects.
Shane Hopkins, principal of Priceville High School, and Ashley McCulloch, principal of Priceville Junior High School, accepted the checks from the community during their regular meeting at City Hall.
“We appreciate everything you all do for us,” said Mayor Sam Heflin. “You all do so much for the community and the schools; we just appreciate it.”
According to City Clerk Shannon Weissend, the city gives money each year to the three Priceville schools: the elementary school, middle school and high school. The schools send request letters about what the schools need, and the city responds with money from the general fund, the clerk said.
Hopkins said he can upgrade the computers in the school’s Access lab.
“It’s too early to say how many computers will be purchased, but we have a lot of students taking Access courses and using our computers here at school, so we want to make sure we have up-to-date computers,” he said. Hopkins.
Having modern computers is fundamental in the learning process, he said.
“It helps with the courses they take,” he said. “Having a new and updated computer only makes it more convenient for students when they take those Access courses.”
Some of the money he receives will also be used for teacher professional development. The middle school, high school and elementary school are all members of the Hope Institute, an organization that teaches teachers to cultivate character in schools. The schools send teachers to Hope workshops and get guest speakers to talk to students, Hopkins said.
“The City Council money pays for that registration, which pays for the guest speakers and also to train our teachers,” he said.
The school, located at 2650 N. Bethel Road, includes students in ninth through 12th grades.
McCulloch will use the money for the Priceville Junior High arts program, speakers and incentives for students.
“Next year, our plan with this earmarked money is to support our arts program,” she said. “We fund that program, and the teacher has done a great job. We’ve been able to build a very good foundation for the arts program. The money will also give us the opportunity to bring in some speakers and do some school-wide incentives and some of the things we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.”
Some of the money will be paid to the Hope Institute and will be used for new books, several speakers and some school-wide incentives for the character education program, she said.
The school, located at 317 Alabama 67, includes students in fifth through eighth grades.
— jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361
