Although school is out and students still have a few more precious weeks before the first bell rings, we’re glad education is still on the minds of the Valley Grande City Council as they recently awarded $1,500 in grant money to Dallas County High School.

At Monday’s council meeting, $1,000 was given to Cathleen Johnson for a vegetable bed project she plans to install in an outdoor classroom. Library media specialist Amy Reeves received $500 for a program she plans to implement, “Catch the Reading Big!” which aims to increase reading achievement through literacy and technology for the 587 students enrolled at Dallas County High School.

It is our hope these programs will not only contribute to a better learning environment at Dallas County High School, but also serve as a catalyst for other area schools that are searching for ways to enhance education.

With several county schools recently named failing by the Alabama Board of Education, it’s important that school officials search for new ways to better the classroom — and this is an excellent example of our leaders taking steps in the right direction.