State School Superintendent Tommy Bice said the Selma City School System is showing signs of improvement. The state board voted unanimously back in February of this year to intervene within the school system amid alarming reports of academic problems, guidelines not being followed and allegations of sexual misconduct between a teacher and a student. Dr. Bice said February the school system has undergone some major changes for the better. Dr. Bice believes a new Selma City Schools superintendent could be named in early 2015.
Bell Nomination
State School Board member Ella Bell has been named as Vice President of the board for the upcoming term. Bell represents District 5 which includes the Montgomery Public School system. Dr. Bice said Bell is the perfect choice for this role because she is truly a champion for public education.
Safety Violations
Federal labor officials have issued safety violations to a construction company after two men working on a Montgomery freeway overpass fell to their deaths. Officials from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Tuesday that R.R. Dawson Bridge Company in Bessemer didn't provide workers near the edge of the bridge with required protection from fall hazards. Two worker fell about 90 feet from the overpass in January. Labor officials say the company also exposed workers to fall hazards and failed to inspect employee fall protection systems before use. Labor officials have proposed $54,500 in fines for the company.
Guilty Plea
An 11th person is planning to plead guilty in a dog-fighting investigation that stretched from Texas to Georgia. Edward Duckworth of suburban Atlanta filed court papers Monday in Montgomery saying he want to plead guilty. A federal judge is scheduled to take his plea Wednesday. Ten other defendants from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas have already pleaded guilty and are set for sentencing in August.