Monroe County Board of Education recently held its 73rd Annual Spelling Bee on February 6th on the campus of Coastal Alabama Community College.  Twelve students vied for the title of spelling champion and vocabulary champion. These students advanced to the county bee after winning the spelling competition at their respective schools.

The picture shown are all the school bee winners who advanced to the district bee:

Front Row, left to right: Endya Banks (MES), Pierrce Miller (MES), Tessa Torres (JUB), Alaija Cook (MMS), Garrison Gary (EHS) Back Row, left to right: Riley Jay (JUB), Kylee McMillian (MMS), Auri Finklea (JFS), Tatum Wilkerson (JFS), De'onte Taite (MIS), Amilla Richardson (MIS), Branson Gessner (EHS)

Monroeville Middle School 5th grader Kylee McMillian spelled the word b-y-g-o-n-e to win the spelling competition.  JF Shields 7th grader Tatum Wilkerson gave the correct definition of the word annulment to win the vocabulary competition. McMillian will represent Monroe County in the state spelling bee, which will be held in Birmingham on March 22nd.

At the conclusion of the bee, everyone was treated to refreshments from Sharon's Cakes of Excel and Mrs. Teresa's Homemade Treats of Monroeville.  This year's bee was sponsored by the Monroeville Kiwanis Club and the Monroe County Education Foundation. Melvin Preyer, MCBOE Spelling Bee ​Coordinator, would like to congratulate all of the students that participated in this year's competition. He would also like to thank the school sponsors, bee officials, parents, Coastal Alabama Community College, Doug Moorer Trophies & Plaques, Monroeville Kiwanis Club, and Monroe County Education Foundation for making this year's competition a success.

Monroeville, AL – Coastal Alabama Community College is set to host College Night on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at the Monroeville Campus. The event will take place in Room 104 of the Science Building at 6:00 PM and is open to all high school seniors and their parents.

Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from current Coastal Alabama students, explore the college’s academic programs, and receive guidance on financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Additionally, assistance with completing college applications will be available.

The event aims to provide valuable insights for students preparing for their transition to college life. It will be held at 2800 S. Alabama Ave, Monroeville, AL. For more information, interested individuals can contact (251) 575-8274 or (251) 575-8351.

This is an excellent opportunity for students and parents to gather important information and take the next steps in their higher education journey.

Several students from our district are currently interviewing for the Southern Pine Electric Youth Leadership Program, an opportunity for high school juniors to develop leadership skills and learn about electric cooperatives.

Nominees participate in Cooperative University, where they engage in leadership activities, safety demonstrations, and a behind-the-scenes look at cooperative operations. Two outstanding students will be selected to represent Southern Pine at the Mississippi Youth Leadership Workshop and the Washington, D.C. Youth Tour, where they will meet peers from across the country and explore government in action.

We are proud of our students for pursuing this opportunity and look forward to seeing their leadership journey unfold!

Pictured from Left to Right: Jackson Millender and Paisley Brooks from Excel High School, Zy'Eryian Smith from J. F. Shields High School, Jayce Pugh and Ava Woods from J. U. Blacksher High School, Jaylen Nord and Kahlie Huff from Monroe County High School.

The Monroe County Board of Education is seeking an experienced and dedicated leader with a strong background in driving student success to become its next superintendent. The board also is seeking a candidate who:

• Is visionary and goal oriented
• Creates a good working environment for all employees
• Is skilled in making data-driven decisions
• Demonstrates ability to improve student achievement
• Prepares students for college and careers
• Effectively leads an administrative team

All applications will be taken through Frontline, AASB’s online application system, by visiting Applitrack.com/alabamaschoolboards/onlineapp

In an effort to promote student engagement and foster open communication within Monroe County Public Schools, the Superintendent's Student Advisory Group has been established, bringing together a diverse group of high school students to represent their peers and contribute to important discussions regarding school policies and initiatives.

The advisory group, consisting of students from grades 9-12, aims to amplify student voices and ensure that their perspectives are taken into account in the decision-making process. During their recent meeting, members of the advisory group engaged in conversations surrounding transitioning from middle school, school pride and involvement, ACT preparation, and preparedness for work and college.  They also completed a survey to share their perspectives regarding school safety, high expectations, and academic resources. Their commitment to addressing these vital topics will help the school district create positive change. The meeting climaxed with a discussion of the survey results and the group being introduced to the school district’s Strategic Plan.

Superintendent Shehan has expressed support for the group, emphasizing the importance of student involvement in shaping the future of the district. “Our students are our greatest asset, and their insights are invaluable,” said Shehan. “The advisory group is a fantastic opportunity for them to take an active role in their education and community.”

The Superintendent's Student Advisory Group serves as a reminder of the power of student voices in our educational system. By encouraging open dialogue and collaboration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. Superintendent Shehan would like to express his appreciation to the Central Office Staff for organizing and helping lead this collaborative opportunity with our students.  Also, he would like to thank the Monroe County Education Foundation for providing breakfast for the students.

Monroe County Board of Education held its Summer Learning Camps from June 3rd-June 27th.  The camps are planned according to the requirements of the Alabama Literacy and Numeracy Acts.  Students were engaged in fun instructional activities over the past 4 weeks that helped them grow in their foundational skills in both literacy and numeracy.  Additionally, students enjoyed other extracurricular activities throughout this month of learning.

This year's Summer Learning Camps ended with a community fun day at Kid's Corner and the Splash Pad in Monroeville on Friday, June 28t for the students that met the attendance goal for the month. The fun day was made possible by the City of Monroeville and Monroe County Education Foundation .  Monroe County Board of Education would like to thank its district office staff, school administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, and community volunteers for being champions for its students this summer.  Teamwork made this year’s summer learning experience one to remember.

Thanks to the hard work of our school administrators, reading specialists, and teachers at Monroe County Board of Education, 91% of our 3rd graders are on or above grade level in reading this year. This is a 17% increase from Spring 2023. We are in line with the state...Way to go, Monroe!!
Also, the state lowered the cut score by 17 points ( from 452 to 435) for 3rd graders to be considered on or above grade level. Monroe County 3rd graders would have been at 84% in Spring 2024 if the cut score had remained at 452, which is still a 10% increase from Spring 2023. Again, we are moving in the right direction.
Let's GO MONROE!!

Twenty-two students in  sixth and seventh grades  from Monroe County Board of Education recently attended Space Camp at the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL during their week of Spring Break. Our students were able to launch rockets, work with teammates on a Space Mission, solve design challenges, and travel to the edges of the Universe in a live planetarium show at this world famous STEM enrichment program.
Additionally, students graduated from Space Camp at the conclusion of the week.  Students on Team IO from Monroe County won the "Outstanding Team Award".  The school system's curriculum leader and teachers worked collaboratively with Space Camp staff to plan and organize this rewarding experience for its students.
Monroe County Board of Education is grateful for the vision of Representative Anthony Daniels, who serves as minority leader in the state House of Representatives. Thanks to his vision, our students had an experience of a lifetime where they learned valuable leadership skills. School system leaders are proud of its students for their accomplishments while in Huntsville. Pictured below are Team IO and Team Europa from Monroe County Board of Education.