The Selma Times-Journal

Rhonda Abbott, deputy director of the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), approached the Dallas County Board of Education on Monday and requested the schools’ presence at the first ever Kids Day.

Kids Day, set for Sept. 28 at Selma Mall, is an opportunity for students to “be ready” for inclement weather, said Abbott. City and state emergency personnel will set up booths, and a tornado simulator will be on site.

“The kids will be able to go in and feel what it would be like to be in a tornado,” Abbott said of the simulator.

Abbott also requested the board have faculty members train with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which teaches basic life saving techniques. Abbott later said the EMA recently received funding for a Teen CERT program, and wants to implement the program at area schools.

Abbott thanked the board, Superintendent Dr. Fannie Major McKenzie and school faculty for taking the necessary precautions when severe weather strikes.

“They are on top of weather when weather’s going on and they do take care of our children,” she said.

In other business:

Dr. McKenzie presented an Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) certificate of achievement to Board Member Peggy Williamson, who recently earned Level I status. Fellow Board Member William Minor has been named to the AASB Master Honor Roll. He will be recognized at the AASB Conference in Perdido Beach on July 30.

Southside High School PTO President Bruce Holmes presented a Superintendent of the Year award to McKenzie, praising her for always listening to parents’ concerns.

McKenzie read

the

schools’ bus inspection exit report from the Alabama Department of Education. Only three buses were reported to have deficiencies and those will be fixed, McKenzie said. The report also stated the system should hire two additional mechanics to accommodate the bus fleet.

The next board meeting is set for Monday, July 23 at 6 p.m. at the board office, 429 Lauderdale St., Selma.