BY WIL CREWS
SPORTSCREWS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA —
Alexandria Torbert, senior at Opelika High School, was recognized Tuesday by the Opelika City Schools Board of Education for her role as national secretary of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).
“This is a first,” said Opelika City Schools Superintendent Farrell Seymore. “In addition to this, she is just an outstanding student and I think it is certainly worthy to recognize her. She does a great deal and does it with distinction and brings a lot of great distinction upon our school and school system. So, we are happy to recognize her. Certainly we are very proud of Alexandria and how she has represented herself, her family and our school system in a positive way.”
Alexandria was elected to the role in the beginning of the 2022-23 school year, and previously served as both secretary and president of the local and state chapters of FBLA.
“First of all, I just want to thank everybody in the community,” Alexandria said to The Observer when she recognized by the city of Opelika in August of 2022. “I have to give glory to God, because I would not even be national secretary or even be here without Him.”
Torbert went on to thank Opelika City Schools, Seymore and Opelika High School Principal Kellie Fischer at Tuesday’s night’s meeting. Torbert said that upon graduating this spring she hopes to attend Harvard University and pursue law. For more information on Torbert and her active role in FBLA and various other organizations: opelikaobserver.com/ohs-senior-elected-fbla-national-secretary/.
Additionally, at Tuesday night’s meeting, the school board approved a bid of just over $123,000 for the insertion of handrails at Opelika High School’s football field. This action was taken in response to numerous community concerns regarding the safety of Bulldog Stadium that have been expressed over the years. Assistant Superintendent Tiffany Yelder said the estimated completion of the project is April 2023.
IN OTHER BUSINESS:
– The board approved minutes from previous the previous meeting Jan. 24
– The board approved consideration of personnel recommendations
– The board approved considerations for out of state field trip requests
– The board approved the revision of the cheerleader and mascot constitution for Opelika Middle and High Schools
– The board heard the consideration of a memorandum from Pam Fourtenbary, assistant superintendent of curriculum, for review of a German language and information technology textbooks for Opelika High School
– The board heard the monthly financial report for January 2023
– The board heard the monthly child nutrition report for January 2023
– The board met for an executive session.
The next Opelika City Schools Board of Education meeting will be March 28, at 4:30 p.m. at 300 Simmons St. in Opelika.
SCHOOL TAX SPECIAL ELECTION
The city of Opelika issued a statement Tuesday night regarding the special election for the school tax renewal.
The unofficial results have the tax passing with 1194 voted for the tax renewal and 80 votes against it.
Dr. Farrell Seymore, Superintendent of Opelika City Schools and Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller were both pleased with the results.
“On behalf of Opelika City Schools, I want to personally thank our community for voting to renew the 11-mill property tax,” Seymore said. “The renewal of this tax will ensure that our schools receive strong community funding to benefit our students for another generation.”
The Opelika City Council will hold a special city council meeting on March 7, noon at the Municipal Court Building at 300 MLK Blvd in Opelika. This special meeting is called to canvass the returns and declare theresults of the February 28, 2023, Special Municipal Election. The meeting is open to the public.
