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By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville City Council heard a report about the recent Arbor Day event during a meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Ralph Mitchell spoke on behalf of the Trussville Tree Commission about the event where there was a tree giveSee TRUSSVILLE, Page 5
Finalists for Trussville BOE seat announced From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The names of the five finalists for the Board of Education at Trussville City Schools were announced on Friday in a press release from the city. According to the statement, the selection of the finalists to participate in the interview process are Jason See FINALISTS, Page 4
Pinson council presents $60,000 check to schools By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
PINSON – Local school leaders received a $60,000 check from the Pinson City Council at a meeting on Thursday, March 2. The principals from Johnson Elementary, Pinson Valley High, and Rudd Middle schools were present to acSee PINSON, Page 4
Springville hold first hearing on redistricting, honors police officers By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
SPRINGVILLE – The Springville Council held its first public hearing on proposed redistricting plans Monday night, March 6. Copies of the proposed district changes and existing district See SPRINGVILLE, Page 7
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Trussville Council hears report on Arbor Day event
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Get To Know The Candidates: Trussville BOE concludes superintendent interviews By Crystal McGough Associate Editor
TRUSSVILLE – The Trussville Board of Education concluded its fifth and final interview for the position of Trussville City Schools Superintendent tonight, interviewing Dr. Holly Sutherland, who is currently current the Superintendent of Haleyville City Board of Education, Alabama, a position she has held since 2017. Sutherland said that she is the type of person who likes to challenge and grow herself professionally. She shared with the board her seven-point entry plan, which included rigorous and relevant curriculum instruction, employee expertise, accountability systems, financial resiliency and responsibility, community relations, school and student safety, and equitable opportunities for all students. “I think it’s very important to be a strategic planner, even with myself, and hold my-
By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
CLAY – The Clay City Council held its final scheduled meeting of the month, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m., at City Hall. There was no new business on the agenda but the Council was given an update on a recent raid conducted by Trussville Police Department within Clay city limits. See CLAY, Page 5
Dr. John Barge
Dr. Kevin Maddox
Dr. Bart Reeves
self accountable,” Sutherland said. “As you look through that packet, it’s just a way for me to hold myself accountable as I really get to know this district.” Speaking further on equitable opportunities for all students, particularly when discussing diversity in the schools, Sutherland said “diversity doesn’t always look the same.” Whether talking about race, culture, economic sta-
CENTER POINT – Like many cities in the Birmingham area, the city of Center Point has been struggling with debris pick-up services due to outside vendors ending the option. At the March 2
See CANDIDATES, Page 3
Dr. Holly Sutherland
Mr. Tony Willis
By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
Hewitt-Trussville students who have earned the high school's first biliteracy seals are front L to R: Molly Bruno, Kaitlyn Hardy, Katie Kalchik, and back L to R: Pryce Sewell, Sam McMahon, Ella Grace Young.
ing, speaking and listening in the language. “The plan after this pilot group is to test every spring in levels three, four and AP,” Cook said. She added the purpose of testing is to help students move toward earning the credential but also to get feedback from the test administrators. The feedback will help teachers learn where students can improve in areas of each mode
MARTY’S TRUSSVILLE
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of reading, writing, speaking and listening compared to results nationally and globally. The Seal of Biliteracy program was approved in Alabama in 2022. Alabama became the 49th state to approve the certification. Hewitt-Trussville enacted the program in January of this year. “Prior to Alabama adopting it, Vestavia piloted this
program, not through the state, they did it through the Global Seal of Biliteracy organization,” Cook said. “When they meet the state standards for earning the seal of biliteracy, they’ve also met the global seal of biliteracy standards for functional fluency.” The biliteracy program isn’t just for English speaking students taking a world language, students studying English as a second language (ESL) can also attain the certification. “I really like how it reaches out to kids who are bilingual, who may not even take a foreign language in school,” said Lisa Burroughs ESL teacher at Hewitt-Trussville. “They have the ability to show they have functional fluency in two different languages. They can take the test and add that to their credentials. “It encourages them to continue to build academic skills in their native language as well as English,” Burroughs added. See BILITERACY, Page 4
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Center Point facing complaints about debris removal fees By Terry Schrimscher For the Tribune
Six Trussville students earn biliteracy seal in pilot program TRUSSVILLE – HewittTrussville High School launched its pilot program for the Global Seal of Biliteracy in January and six students have already earned certifications for proficiency in a second language. “So far, we have piloted the program with students enrolled in AP Spanish Language and Culture,” said Molly Cook, World languages co-department head and Spanish teacher at the high school. “We have 12 students in that class and tested all of them,” said Cook. “Six of the 12 earned the seal credential.” Cook said some of the other students in the class could still earn the recognition later this semester. The students who earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy are Molly Bruno, Kaitlyn Hardy, Katie Kalchik, Pryce Sewell, Sam McMahon and Ella Grace Young. The students took the four-hour test Feb. 9. The exam measures proficiency in reading, writ-
Clay Council plans action after Trussville raid
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See CENTER POINT, Page 6
TCS Foundation raises more than $20K at 4th Annual Casino Night Special to the Tribune
TRUSSVILLE — More than $20,000.00 was raised at the Trussville City Schools Foundation’s (TCSF) 4th Annual Casino Night – for the second year in a row! The event-packed evening, hosted at Ferus Artisan Ales in the See FOUNDATION, Page 4
Leeds council approves budget amendment for police equipment, announces community cleanup By Nathan Prewett For the Tribune
LEEDS – The Leeds City Council met on Monday, March 6, where they approved an amendment to use See LEEDS, Page 7
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