Oakwood honors October students of the month

Oakwood Students of the Month, 4th grader Tori Neel and Sophomore Christina Hudson. Photo by Melissa Missildine O.I.S.D. Superintendent Richard Scoggin began his monthly report by announcing the high school and elementary students of the month. Sophomore Christina Hudson is an excellent athlete who loves hanging out with her friends and swears she really does like coming to school to learn. She has plans to go to college and become a nurse. Tori Neel is a 4th grader who is into 4-H and hanging out with her friends. She wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. Scoggin also announced that last month's high school student of the month, J.P. Hicks, is this month's Junior Rotarian. Seniors Randall Dunn and Dustin Hamill are two of Oakwood's students who are taking advantage of the dual credit program. They were in attendance as observers as part of the curriculum for their college government class.

Also in Scoggin's report was the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) Report. O.I.S.D. failed last year for the 2007- 2008 school year. This year, Oakwood's elementary and high school both met the standards for the 2008-2009 school year.

The attendance report came in at 95.58%. That covers up to October 22, 2009. Scoggin said this number is still slightly down due to the large number of students out with the flu two weeks ago that caused the school to shut down for three days. Currently there are 225 students enrolled at Oakwood. That number is down from the 230 enrolled last month.

The calendar may have some changes coming to it. The Varsity girls volleyball team will be going into Bi- District playoffs next week. The high school football team is doing well in District and has a chance to go on to the playoffs. If either, or both, of these teams advance to post-season play, the start of basketball season will be delayed.

Scoggin announced that his Thursday night, October 29, O.I.S.D. will hold Open House. It will begin at 6:00Pm in the high school auditorium. Then parents and students are invited to the cafeteria for ice cream and door prizes.

Early voting is going on at the administration building this week and Thursday will be the last late night available. The box will be available until 8:00PM for anyone wishing to vote on the school bond. Regular voting will be on November 3 as usual. So far, 122 early votes have been cast. At last election, a total of 387 votes were cast. According to Scoggin, such a high number in early voting is a very promising sign. Debbie Standford and Staci Rantala were nominated and approved to officially tally the early election votes and submit them to Leon County.

School Board President Mack Botard presented the minutes for approval and then turned the consideration of donations back over to Scoggin. On Friday, the Wal-Mart Warehouse donated $2500 to O.I.S.D. The first $500 is earmarked for school supplies. The rest was given to the discretion of the board. This donation was gladly approved.

Scoggin reminded the board that a "Team of Eight" training seminar was coming up on December 7.

Consideration and approval of casting O.I.S.D.'s Freestone Central Appraisal District Board of Director Ballots was also on the agenda. The board voted to cast all 28 votes for Mike Fuller, as they did last year.

The December school board meeting was moved to December 14 because of the holidays. The January meeting was moved to January 18 due to a scheduling conflict with a conference.