Chambers County Board of Education honors achievements
BY KADIE TAYLOR
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — At the May 13 Chambers County School Board Meeting, the board recognized a Purple Star School, 2025-2026 retirees and students who have received an associate’s degree while attending high school.
Fairfax Elementary School was recently honored by the state superintendent as a Purple Star School, a program designated to support and educate military-connected children.
“These families move every two to three years, and students face unique hurdles from varying graduation requirements to emotional strain for parents being deployed,” said Fairfax Principal Lauren Dabbs. “The purple in the name represents the blending of all military branches into one unified mission, which is supporting these families during transitions. At Fairfax, our Veterans Day Program has long been one of our most impactful traditions. Year after year, we have heard from speakers about the sacrifices that these families make while our service members are out protecting our country. The purple star program ensures these families are being taken care of while they're here at home.”
The Chambers County School Board honored 10 retiring teachers with a plaque:
• Jennifer Allen
• Courtney Corbin
• Samuel Eddie Daniel
• Terrence Darden
• Vicky Davidson
• Ellen Emfinger
• Tammy Hughley
• James Mark Lisenby
• Janice Oliver
• Rodger Walker
The board recognized two students who were graduating with an associate's degree from Southern Union Community College alongside their high school diplomas.
“Our school district is happy to celebrate and recognize two remarkable high school seniors who achieved the extraordinary feat of earning their Associate's Degree from Southern Union State Community College alongside their high school diploma,” said director of student assessment, counseling, high school, TEAMS and mental health Fran Groover. “This dual feat highlights the incredible dedication and academic rigor these students embrace to get a head start on their future. Dr Weldon was very proud to see our school district specifically recognized during the Southern Union commencement ceremony, noting that having our students stand among college graduates while still in high school is a testament to the strength of our schools and the dedication to learning that was instilled in these students.”
The recognized students were:
• Katelyn Jackson, who graduated with her associates in Science and will be attending Trevecca Nazarene University to major in Religion with a career goal to join the Air Force as a Religious Affairs Airman.
• Kathleen Taft, who graduated with her associates in Science and will be attending the University of Alabama to major in nursing with a career goal to become a travel labor and delivery nurse.
Yuri Brooks, a parent of a Chambers County Schools student, approached the board with concerns over bullying on her child’s bus, requesting a formal investigation into the situation.
In other business
• The board voted to approve the amended agenda for the May 13 meeting.
• The board voted to approve the minutes from the April 22 meeting.
• The board voted to approve the personnel changes.
• The board voted to approve revisions to the Chambers County Board of Education Sick Bank Guidelines.
The board approved a motion to enter executive session to discuss pending litigation.
