Morgan County Schools received a recommendation for re-accreditation from an AdvancedED review team during an exit report, which was shared with board members, central office staff and principals Nov. 19.

“The team recommends that Morgan County Schools be accredited,” announced lead team evaluator Cheryl Allread as she concluded an hour-long presentation in the Central Office Board Room.

The audience responded with a standing ovation.

“Let me remind you that we don’t have the authority to approve accreditation,” Allread pointed out.” That decision will be made by the AdvancedED Commission. You should be getting their decision and a complete report within 30 days.”

Allread said the team interviewed 204 individuals, including 23 stakeholders and 63 students, and logged 41,000 observations in 68 different classrooms. during its three-day visit.

“We appreciate the hospitality and support we’ve received during our visit,” Allread said. “We’ve worked hard, but you’ve brought fun and laughter to our job. It’s been a wonderful, positive experience.”

Noted as strengths of the school system were the following:

•The schools are committed to their vision: “Tomorrow’s Leaders Lead Today.” Qualified people are in every position.

•The governing board is a cohesive unit that operates responsibly, respects the autonomy of the administration, sets goals for high student achievement and effectively manages the day-to-day operations of the school system.

•The school system has implemented a system-wide advisory program whereby each student is well-known by at least one adult advocate.

Recommendations for improvement included the following:

•Employ a systematic long-range strategic planning process in the areas of budget, facilities and other strategic components that are regularly evaluated for effectiveness.

•Design and implement a system-wide plan to ensure a rigorous, challenging and equitable curriculum, and move to the next level for well-behaved students willing to learn.

“This is a very positive process,” said Morgan County Superintendent Bill  Hopkins Jr. “It not only gives us the opportunity to measure our past success, but encourages us to work in areas we need to improve on.”

If approved, AdvancedED re-accreditation will be for a five-year period, subject to annual reports reflecting improvements made.

Review team members were Cheryl Allread, lead evaluator, South Carolina; Sheneta Smith, associate lead evaluator, Muscle Shoals; Jeff Cornelius, Tuscumbia; Albert (A.J.) Nelson, Tuskegee; Donna Wear, Kentucky and Angie Dillon, Georgia.