While I am very excited about these scores, we also know that we’ve still got a lot of work to do. I will not shy away from that. We still have eight schools that are classified as ‘priority schools.’ While that is less than the previous report card, our goal is to have zero schools on the priority list next year. I know our staff is more committed than ever to making that goal a reality.

However, even in the list of priority schools, there are success stories to tell! I look at Center Point High School. Two years ago, they scored a 59. Now, they are three points away from a “C.” Again, we are moving in the right direction. We are meeting the challenge. What we are doing is working!

You can take a deeper dive into the report card on our Inside JEFCOED Podcast.

As we go through the rest of this school year, I’m looking forward to working with our two new board members. Mr. Walter Curry (District 1) and Mr. Glenn Durough (District 2) were both sworn in Thursday after being elected by voters on November 5th. Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Mr. Curry and Mr. Durough to the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Finally, November is Thank Alabama Teachers Month. I cannot say thank you enough to our educators here in JEFCOED. They pour so much into our students on a daily basis. It takes long hours to do what they do, and they are very much appreciated. If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to check out our facebook page and leave your favorite teacher a note of appreciation.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. If you are traveling, please be careful. I will see everyone on December 2nd, as we get right back to work!

All the best,

Dr. Gonsoulin

Click Here to go inside the report card numbers on our latest edition of Inside JEFCOED.

November 25th - November 29th - Thanksgiving Holidays (Schools Closed)

December 2nd - Students Return to Class

December 20th - Last Day of Semester, Final Day of Class

December 23rd - January 3rd - Mid-Year Holidays

January 8th - Student Return to Class

We are thrilled to announce the development of a state-of-the-art Automotive Training Center at Shades Valley High School! This facility will serve as a hub for hands-on learning, preparing students for high-demand, high-paying careers in the automotive industry.

"I'm excited for what the future holds for these young people, knowing that what we’re doing here in Jefferson County Schools can help them carve out a better life for themselves and their families one day. I’m excited because I know many of them will remain in Jefferson County and fill a void in this community by using their unique skill set that they’ll learn in this new building," said Dr. Walter Gonsoulin, Superintendent.

The automotive industry is booming, with top technicians in Alabama earning $75k+ annually. This facility will enhance learning opportunities and help meet the growing demand for skilled technicians across the region.

Automotive Facility Highlights:

• 18,100 square feet, designed by Lathan Architects
• 7 service bays, 6 automotive lifts, 3 welders
• A large paint booth
• A car wash detailing station
• Full range of tools and machines

Programs Offered: Automotive Service and Collision Repair

Impact: Open to students from Shades Valley and Clay-Chalkville High School, with approximately 200 students already enrolled annually.

Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart, Jr., shared his enthusiasm for the project: "With this new automotive education facility, students will have the opportunity to gain training and capitalize on high-wage jobs right here in our community."

Congratulations to Jefferson County IB School for being named a Platinum member of the AP 2024 School Honor Roll!

• 100% of JCIB seniors took at least one AP Exam during high school
• 95% of JCIB seniors scored a three or higher on at least one AP Exam
• 52% of JCIB seniors took five or more AP Exams

The 2024 AP School Honor Roll also recognizes JCIB with the AP Access Award for providing all students the chance to participate in AP, including students of underrepresented populations.

Do you have a student entering grades 6-11 in Fall 2025 who might be interested in this award-winning program? Check out our next JCIB virtual informational meeting on January 9th at 6:30pm to see what the program is all about (Link below), or watch the November 19th meeting that was live streamed on JEFCOED TV!

JEFCOED TV will begin televising Boys and Girls basketball games in December!

Shades Valley @ Pleasant Grove - 6:00pm & 7:30pm

Mortimer Jordan @ Gardendale - 5:30pm & 7:00pm

Hoover @ Clay-Chalkville - 4:30pm & 6:00pm

Center Point at Fultondale - 6:00pm & 7:30pm

Click Here To Watch

or Download the JEFCOED TV App

on Roku, Amazon Fire, or Apple TV

Jefferson County Commissioners presented a proclamation to Jefferson County School Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin for having been named Alabama/Schneider Electric 2025 Superintendent of the Year. In addition, Dr. Gonsoulin was also one of the individuals to earn the Dr. Jack Hawkins Leadership Award.

The Ad Design program at Gardendale High School has officially opened its new Satellite Studio! This cutting-edge audio/video room is equipped with industry-standard gear, perfect for creating professional quality videos and podcasts. The new studio allows students to gain hands-on experience and develop skills that will prepare them for careers in this growing industry. Huge thanks to the City of Gardendale, Gardendale First Baptist, and the JEFCOED Career Tech department for making this possible! Check out the video to hear all about the studio from Ad Design Teacher, Daniel Branum!

Throughout November, our Exceptional Education students have visited Oak Mountain Lanes to participate in friendly bowling competitions! Bowling is a lifelong activity that everyone can enjoy, and adaptive equipment ensures all students have the chance to participate. These events bring our students together with their school peers to form unified teams that play and compete side by side. Together, everyone has a blast!

2nd graders at Bryant Park wrapped up their unit on Greek mythology in style! Each student dressed as their favorite Greek god or goddess and created a prop representing their unique powers. Have a look at Ms. Breana Hughes' 2nd Grade class.

Travel the world without leaving Jefferson County? That's exactly what happened at Grantswood Community School's 2nd Annual International Food Festival! Families brought flavors from Peru to Vietnam, Austria to Venezuela, and so many places in between. This incredible event felt like a big international family dinner, one of the many reasons Grantswood is such a great place to be!

Shades Valley High School art teacher and local artist, Ashley Culwell, has once again amazed us with her latest creation, "With You." This vibrant sculpture is the 18th addition to the iconic Vulcans on Parade series. It celebrates the spirit of camaraderie within the Birmingham Rugby Club.

Check it out: 4625 Valleydale Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35242

"My goal was to visually represent the loyalty and commitment that defines the club," said Culwell. "Rugby is more than just a sport—it's a family. I wanted "With You" to resonate with every member of that family."

Ms. Culwell's dedication to her students and the arts is inspiring, and we're honored to have her as part of our JEFCOED family!

Scan the QR code or click here to start registering for Before and After School Programs through the Jefferson County Schools Community Education Department.

Why work for JEFCOED? Eligible Exceptional Education employees could earn up to a $4,200 supplement during the 2024-2025 school year!

Click Here To See Current Openings - https://bit.ly/4c3t7uh

Supplement amounts are paid based on job classifications. All eligible positions will be paid the $3,000 JEFCOED Supplement. Certain positions are also eligible for an additional state supplement.

Eligible positions and annual supplement amount are listed below:

• Special Education Classroom Teachers - $4,200*
• Speech and Language Pathologists - $4,000**
• Psychometrists - $3,000
• Educational Diagnosticians - $3,000
• Autism/Behavioral Support Specialists - $3,000
• Occupational and Physical Therapists - $3,000
• Audiologists - $3,000
• Adapted Physical Education Teachers - $4,200*
• Transition Work Instructors - $4,200*
• Teachers of the Hearing/Vision Impaired - $4,200*

*Includes $1,200 State Supplement

**Includes $1,000 State Supplement

Supplements will be paid in equal installments over 12 months beginning in September 2024. Supplements are only guaranteed for the 2024-2025 school year, and are subject to annual review. Only full-time benefited exceptional education employees in one of the above job classifications are eligible for the supplement.

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