Marion County Schools

By Louis Mellini
Staff writer
MARION COUNTY — An Alabama law prohibiting transgender K-12 students from using the bathroom which aligns with their gender identity, while also prohibiting discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation, is now law and will be up for vote as a new rule for schools in the state this week.
While the law came into effect in April of this year, The Alabama Board of Education voted whether or not to implement the new law as a rule for schools in the state.

By Louis Mellini and
Luke Brantley
Staff writers
MARION COUNTY — This round of COVID-19 outbreak has seen a noticible uptick in cases among younger people throughout the nation, putting strains on school systems throughout the country.
Marion County Superintendent  of Education Ann West and Winfield City Schools Superintendent of Education Randy Thomley spoke to the Journal Record concerning the recent spread of COVID affecting their respective schools.

Marion County Schools’ seniors were awarded approximately $1,729,460 in scholarship money this year.
The amount is the collective pool of 219 graduating students across five high schools in the Class of 2021, including Brilliant High School, Hackleburg High School, Hamilton High School, Marion County High School in Guin and Phillips High School in Bear Creek.
At Brilliant High, 21 graduating seniors were awarded $428,000 in scholarships.
Thirty-nine seniors at Hackleburg  High were awarded a total of $155,520 in scholarships.

By Scott Johnson
Managing Editor

All students enrolled in Marion County and Winfield City schools will continue to eat free breakfast and lunch through the 2020-2021 school year, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Traditional and virtual students have been able to eat free meals throughout the pandemic year. That benefit will continue through May of 2022.

All students enrolled in Marion County and Winfield City schools will continue to eat free breakfast and lunch through the 2020-2021 school year, according to an announcement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Traditional and virtual students have been able to eat free meals throughout the pandemic year. That benefit will continue through May of 2022. According to local child nutritional program (CNP) directors, if a student is eating both breakfast and lunch each school day, this would translate to a $675 benefit.

Local State Farm Agent Mark Dearen has been appointed to the Marion County Board of Education.
The Marion County school officials met on Friday, Jan. 29, to appoint someone to serve in the District 3, Hamilton seat, replacing outgoing member Belinda McRae, who was elected last year to the State Board of Education.
The District 3 seat is already four years into the election cycle, meaning the position will be up for election in November 2022. However, qualification for the party primary elections will take place later this year.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Board of Education is seeking to fill an upcoming vacancy.
During the board’s meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19, members voted unanimously to accept letters of interest from those wishing to be considered for appointment to fill the District 3 seat currently occupied by longtime board member Belinda McRae.

HAMILTON - The Marion County Board of Education thanked Marion County School teachers during its meeting on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The board’s meeting took place during what the Alabama State Department of Education has declared “Thank Alabama Teachers Week,” which was observed the week of Nov. 16.
“Our teachers have had to go way above and beyond this year. It has been stressful and they have worked very hard,” West said.