First Day of A Challenging School Year

Mobile County School System Shaw High School A tearful return to class for some Mobile County students. School leaders say they could face more cuts.

by Diana Lucio

Published: Mon, August 10, 2009 - 3:32 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, August 10, 2009 - 3:43 pm CST

The first day of school came with some tears for a group of kindergartners at John Will Elementary. For many children it was their first time setting foot in a classroom.

The school's principal says the elementary school was awarded with the state's adequate yearly progress for this past school year.
The AYP measures whether students have met all their goals in reading and math.

The start of the school year also comes with a lot changes for the Mobile County School System. The newly renovated Shaw High School is one new addition. Students from the Clark School of Math Science and Technology are now combined with the Chickasaw School of Math and Science.

News Five caught up with Superintendent Doctor Roy Nichols during his tour of the campus. He is hopeful for the school year but says there are at least 4 schools feeling the lack of state funding this year.
"Teachers are used to getting several 100 dollars a piece for materials and supplies for the classroom. The state has cut that out so there's going to be some real challenges in those schools,"Said Nichols. He adds that the state is looking at a possible 8-percent proration this year.

That would mean more cuts for the school system. The school board could find out whether they are going to be affected as early as October.

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