The 2025-2026 school year is off to a great start in Elmore County! All our schools are bustling with staff and students settling into their schedules and routines.
I am proud to report that our chronic absenteeism rate has decreased from 20% to 12%, which means that 1,000 students are no longer considered chronically absent! Beginning August 1, we will participate in the Stay in the Game initiative, a partnership with Judge Ben Baxley and the Elmore County Juvenile Court to further reduce absenteeism in our schools. When students are in school, they learn. Attendance plus school equals lifetime success. Stay in the game – attendance matters!
The Focus Act, passed by the Alabama Legislature, goes into effect for the 2025-2026 school year. Under this law, students cannot use wireless communication devices in public elementary or secondary schools during instructional hours. Students must keep wireless communication devices turned off and stored in lockers, cars, or similar locations during school hours.
A student may use, operate, or possess a wireless communication device in a public school building during the instructional day only in circumstances approved by the school administration. Notifications were sent to families prior to the start of school. Students were instructed on the first day of school how they will be required to handle their wireless devices while at school.
The issue of school safety – physical and psychological – is a major focus. Physical safety involves protecting students from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, illegal substances, etc. Psychological safety efforts promote building trust among staff, students, and families and creating an environment that empowers students to report safety concerns.
Keeping our schools safe allows students to concentrate on academics and extracurricular activities, thus helping them to reach their full potential. Steps to improve school safety include our board-approved Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, a threat assessment process to help us manage safety-related situations on school campuses, and staff being required to wear photo identification badges while on campus.
Visitors must be checked in through the Raptor Visitor Management System and wear a printed photo ID badge while in the building. School resource officers (SROs) are in place throughout the system. Staff and students are always asked, “if you see something, say something” by reporting suspicious activity to school administrators.
Elmore County is committed to providing high-quality instruction in a safe environment and the necessary academic, social-emotional, and mental health support for our students and staff. Every Student Empowered – Every Student Succeeds.
Richard Dennis is the Superintendent of Education for Elmore County Schools. He is a 1983 graduate of Holtville High School. He served 21 years as a high school principal at Holtville High, Wetumpka High and most recently, Prattville High. He and wife, Leslie (also an educator) have three sons and a daughter.
