Foley City Council recognized teachers and school supporters during a recent meeting, highlighting educators credited with helping improve academic performance across Foley and Baldwin County schools.

At the council's May 4 meeting, teachers of the year from schools in the Foley feeder pattern were honored and presented with state resolutions signed by Gov. Kay Ivey. State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, sponsored the resolutions.

Teachers recognized included Angela Ingraham of Swift School, Brandy Richard of Foley High School, Kaitlyn Martin of Magnolia School, Kerry Becton of Mathis Elementary School, Michelle Dillon of Foley Middle School and Amanda Welsh of Foley Elementary School.

Each school in Baldwin County Public Schools selects a teacher of the year. From those honorees, a panel of judges chooses one elementary and one secondary educator to represent the district.

Members of the Baldwin County Board of Education and the Foley Education Advisory Committee joined city officials for the recognition ceremony at Foley City Hall.

Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city's partnership with local educators and the school system has played a major role in strengthening schools in Foley. The Foley City Council allocates $300,000 annually to support Foley schools through the Foley Education Advisory Committee, commonly known as FEAC. The Baldwin County Board of Education matches the city's contribution.

"This committee works with our school board," Hellmich said. "Our council helps support the schools to go to the next level. Each school has unique needs that other schools may not have. Our city works with the school board, and they provide part of the funding. This committee reviews the requests that each principal brings to help their school make progress so that these teachers may take advantage of it."

Hellmich said the collaboration between teachers, administrators, the city and the school board helped Foley-area schools achieve their highest state report card grades in recent memory.

"Because of the efforts of these teachers and our principals in the room and the school board, because it's all a team effort, our schools in Foley all achieved a B grade for the first time that I can remember," Hellmich said.

Several Foley schools posted significant gains on state report cards during the last three years. Foley High School's score rose 10 points from 70 to 80, while Foley Middle School increased from 68 to 81. Mathis Elementary improved from 79 to 83 and Foley Elementary climbed from 79 to 85. Magnolia School's score increased from 77 to 83 and Swift School improved from 78 to 82.