AROUND THE AREA

FUMC tower gets new roof

The First United Methodist Church bell tower went up in flames on May 4, 2021, when Alexander City was rocked by high winds and lighting.

Multiple fire crews joined forces with the Alexander City Fire Department, dumping water into multipe access points to contain the fire to the bell tower, which is just under 100 feet tall and about 24 feet wide. Crews worked tirelessly and eventually were successful in smothering the fire.

On Aug. 5, 2021, almost exactly three months after the fire, the bell tower received a new roof symbolizing the revitalization of FUMC and maintaing the church's promise of building back better. ~Staff report

Raise the Roof

Top Left: The FUMC tower was removed for the new roof to be lifted on by a crane; Top Right: The crane lifts the new roof; Bottom Left: The new FUMC tower roof is stable and in place.

Schools waive out-of-district fee for 2021-2022

Alexander City Schools announced July 21, 2021 that the school district will waive the out-of-district fee for the upcoming 2021-2022 school year.

All out-of-district enrollment fees that have been collected up to this point will be refunded. Consistent with longstanding practice and board policy, certain students residing outside the area served by Alexander City Schools may attend the schools of the district. Out-of-district enrollees must meet the following criteria: n Their educational needs can be met within the existing instructional program by existing employees and within existing facilities; n Their prior disciplinary record is free from class ii or above infractions as defined by the Alexander City Board of Education’s code of conduct; n Students must not accumulate more than four unexcused absences during the school year; n Students must not receive an average lower than a C+ during the school year in any class; n Their continued enrollment will be contingent upon their adherence to the Alexander City Board of Education’s student code of conduct, and any violation of this code of conduct at a level ii or above will result in withdrawal from the system; n Out-of-district students seeking to enroll in a school in the school system must live with their biological or adopted parents or their guardians/custodians; To protect the educational interests of students residing within the area served by the school district, the board may, at its discretion, limit or discontinue enrollment or attendance of students who reside outside the area served by ACS. Refunds will be issued and mailed to the address listed on the tuition receipt for families that have paid fees for the upcoming school year. ACS does not provide transportation for any out-of-district students.

Any questions regarding registration, out-of-district enrollment, or tuition payments should be directed to the district secretary at 256-329-6552.

~Staff Report