By John Simpson

Reporter

The Decatur County Board of Education met Thursday, Nov. 10, for their monthly meeting. It was business as usual for the board, a short action list was quickly moved through with no major decision made.

Over the past five years, Bainbridge High School has upped their graduation rate. In 2016, the graduation rate at the high school topped 86 percent.  Not only is that 5 percent higher than the state average for 2016, but it is up 14 percent from the 2012 graduate rate from BHS.

Along with graduation rates being higher overall, Bainbridge also grades 76.7 percent of special needs students. A rate that is significantly higher than the state average, which falls under 50 percent.

However, what stole the show was the presentation of the essay contest winners from West Bainbridge Elementary. The young students lined up in front of their board to present their essays. K-2 students Kourtlynn Bryant and Julianna Siler read their essays which outlined what they are thankful for, while 3rd-4th grade students Brianna Edwards, Hallie Donalson, and Olivia Friner read their essays which state what Thanksgiving means to them.

Another student honored for achievement was 8th grader Corbin Austin, a member of the State Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. Also the middle school Cookbook Committee, a girls group that meets before school, presented their cookbooks to the board.