The Orange Beach School Board held their second meeting of the year on Thursday, Feb. 9.

Members of the board discussed and debated several action items from the official meeting, including the Numeracy Act and amendments to several board policies.

Superintendent Randy Wilkes introduced a proposal that would allow 12-month employees to shift to a four-day work week during the summer break, which would require them to work 10 hours a day as opposed to eight.

Robbie Smith also spoke, presenting more information about how the district plans to incorporate the Numeracy Act, which became state law in April 2022.

The district will require 60 minutes of targeted math instruction per day for elementary students to ensure they are proficient in math by fifth grade.

Smith said this will be a long-term plan and that there is a goal to hire math coaches by 2027-2028 to individually tutor students.

Requirements for candidates will include:

• Three years of service in math education
• A certificate in early childhood education/special education
• Minimum of five years in early childhood education/special education

The Numeracy Act will also require summer learning for fourth- and fifth-grade students who are deficient in math.

The summer program will consist of 40-70 hours of timed math problems and solving and will begin Summer 2023.

The invitations for the program will be extended to those who are deficient in math first, but students looking for extra help will also have the option to attend.

EARLY GRADAUTION

Early graduation was discussed at the work session. As proposed, students in grade 12 wanting to graduate early at the end of first semester must meet the following requirements:

• GPA of at least 2.75, earned minimum credits as described in board policy
• Earned minimum credits as described in board policy
• Earned at least one credential, as approved by the Alabama State Department of Education
• Not missed more than 10 days during any class in the first semester
• No disciplinary actions pending
• Met any other requirement deemed necessary by the Superintendent of Schools

TUITION FOR NON-RESIDENTS/GRADE LEVEL CAPS

It was discussed to allow out-of-city and out-of-state students attend Orange Beach schools with the following tuition rates:

• Non-residents will be charged $1500 per year, with an additional $1500 per student in the same family.
• Out-of-state students will be required to pay an additional rate of the average daily membership as determined by Alabama  law. 
• Annual $100 application fee, families must apply each year
• Maximum of 80 students in K-3
• Maximum of 100 students in 4-6
• Maximum of 110 students in 7-12
• Residents of Orange Beach will always be accepted, despite grade caps

GRADE ACCELERATION

• Beginning in eighth grade, students can earn up to two high school credits per year.
• Students can take these courses through Access, collegiate, extended learning opportunities
• Students may not accelerate using edgenuity courses and non-accredited schools/agencies.
• Students must earn at least an 80 in each course to receive credit, credit recovery will not be available for students who do not have an average of 80 or higher.

CHECK IN/CHECK OUT POLICY

• Maximum of four check in/check out parent notes per semester.

Discussion topics will be voted on upon the second reading at the next meeting, to be held on March 9.

*Some topics may not be voted on, if they require more consideration from the board.

*Correction:  The following sections contained an error and have been corrected as of 2/20/2023:

• Grade Acceleration
• Tuition for non-residents / Grade level caps