The report cards for each of the Butler County schools are now posted on the State of Alabama Department of Education web site, and the scores for all schools are average, ranging from C- to C+.

Dr. Mike Reed, superintendent of the Butler County School System, announced at the regular meeting of the Butler County of Board of Education last Thursday night that the report cards are now available. The scores for each school are tallied by adding up the individual scores of each student and then formulated to receive an average.

Very few schools showed improvement from last year and the scores were as follows:

Georgiana High School: 2001, C-; last year, C-;

Greenville Elementary School: 2001, C; last year’s score not available;

Greenville Middle School: 2001, C; last year, C+;

Greenville High School: 2001, C; last year, C;

McKenzie High School: 2001, C+; last year, C;

Robert L. Austin Elementary School: 2001, C; last year, C;

W.O. Parmer Elementary School: 2001, not available; last year, C.

The overall county performance average was a &uot;C&uot; and the overall performance of the state was a B.

However, according to the National Center for Education Statistics in Washington, D.C., average

scale scores in the subject of science for Alabama’s eighth graders have made slight gains. The scores compared to other science grades of eighth graders in the Southeast were similar, which is aiding in

closing the gap compared to students on a national level.

&uot;While these gains are encouraging, we still need an increased focus on science and other problem-solving skills in our schools. Preparing students and teachers with programs to help them succeed should continue to be our primary focus,&uot; said Alabama State Superintendent of Education Ed Richardson.

The test was conducted on Alabama’s fourth, eighth and twelfth graders, and key findings reflected that more Alabama students consistently scored at a higher level and that Alabama’s fourth graders scored above the Southeast average.

In other news, the Board of Education also presented Greenville Newspapers, LLC publisher Eric Bishop with a plaque, in honor of the newspaper being placed on the Alabama Education Media Honor Roll.

&uot;We really appreciate everything The Greenville Advocate has done for our schools, and we would just like to recognize the hard work,&uot; said Reed.

Pete Hamilton, attorney for the Butler County School System, informed the board that a public hearing will be held in Montgomery on November 28 in regard to the Lee v. Macon case.

In other news, the board also:

voted to terminate the contract of Bob Carty, who assisted in setting up computer networks for the Butler County School System for E-rate funding;

approved to advertise for and accept low bids;

approved the policies regarding the public’s right to know/freedom of information, and policies concerning visitors to schools.

The Butler County Board of Education will not meet during the month of December due to the holidays, but will resume in January.