ACS applies for new magnet school; Name to be determined

Albertville City Schools Board of Education members, from left, Sandy Elkins, Bobby Stewart, John Gladden, and Melissa McKee give approval to apply for a new magnet school. The State Department of Education must give approval for the new school. Not shown is board member Annie Furrer.

Daniel Taylor | The Reporter

After months of planning, the Albertville City Schools Board of Education officially submitted its application to the State Department of Education to create a magnet school.

‘We’re excited about submitting the new school application to the state department. Certainly exciting times for Albertville City Schools,” ACS Superintendent Bart Reeves said during last Thursday’s meeting.

Reeves said the magnet school, which is planned to go in the new Career and Technical Education building at the high school, would include a career and technical academy and have the potential to offer more focus areas. He told board members the new school’s official title could be determined later and did not have to include “magnet” in the name.

Snead State Community College president Joe Whitmore spoke at the board meeting, expressing his excitement about the new school.

“We’ve always had a fantastic relationship with Albertville City Schools, and we appreciate that and all the partnerships. This is exciting,” he said. “... This is exciting for us to continue our partnership, and we look forward to that in the future. I think this is a great thing and sets a great example for the community and, most importantly, for the students.”

Whitmore said he was currently working on an application to Snead’s governing board to allow the college to teach “100% of any program” offered at Albertville’s new magnet school.

Assistant Superintendent Todd Watkins said he expected to see a lot of interest in the new school and anticipated significant academic growth.

“I think it’s a great thing for our students. I think to be a leader in not only the state but partnering with our junior colleges, I think there’s going to be a lot of people interested in this new model of education that’s going to really focus in on passions for kids.”

Reeves said next steps would include surveying parents and potential students for their interest in the magnet school, which will need at least 250 enrolled.