By Donna Williamson
Opelika Observer
The Opelika City Schools’ Board of Education recognized Opelika High School seniors Weldrin Ford and Rakavius Chambers at its Tuesday meeting. Ford was recognized for being a 2017 Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Achievement Award winner (Class 6A-Region 3). Chambers was recognized for receiving the Franklin D. Watkins Award, Bryant-Jordan Larry D. Striplin, Jr. Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Award (Class 6A-Region 3) and the 2017 NFHS Heart of the Arts Award (Section 3).
Nancy Olaveson, child nutrition director, presented information on the 2017 Summer Feeding Program, which is sponsored by Opelika City Schools and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program offers free summer meals and will be in operation June 5-July 21 Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Summer Feeding Program will be in two locations, which have yet to be determined. “The Summer Meal Program feeds all individuals up to 18 years old, regardless of where they reside,” Olaveson said.
Jean Miller, assistant superintendent of curriculum, presented information related to the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) grant that Auburn University is applying for. If Auburn is awarded this grant, Opelika City Schools will be a part of it.
According to Miller, this would be a seven year program, which would begin with next year’s sixth grade and continue with them until one year beyond graduation. Miller said that to participate, a school must have a 50 percent or more poverty rate, but the program would still be open to all students. “All of the free opportunities are what sold us on this,” she said.
In other business, the board:
-approved a bid of $34,900 from TNT Maintenance and Painting for the exterior painting of Opelika Learning Center
-approved a bid of $56,707.77 from Total Landscaping for lawn care for Opelika City Schools.