Jordan Barela/Times-Enterprise AVID Eastern Division Assistant Director Mervin Jenkins, left, speaking to the Thomasville City School Board on the AVID program. School board members David Cone, center, and Todd Bennett, right, listen on. 

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville City Schools could soon implement a program to better equip its teachers. 

The city school board heard a presentation from Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) officials, a teacher-training program that aims to improve student success. 

“This is a program that we are looking at for next year,” said Superintendent Dr. Laine Reichert. 

Figuring out if the program would be the right fit for the city schools, Reichert added, would be a “fact-finding mission.” 

Mary Childress, AVID program manager, asked board members to picture a memorable teacher. 

“Usually those people are pretty easy for us to recall,” Childress said. “All of us have had a great educator that’s impacted us.” 

AVID Eastern Division Assistant Director Mervin Jenkins said the program’s goal is to close the student achievement gap. Jenkins also addressed four areas — system, instruction, leadership, and culture — AVID identified for impacting student achievement. 

The school board did not take action toward the AVID program. 

According to AVID’s website, the program is a “global nonprofit organization dedicated to closing the achievement gap by preparing all students for college and other postsecondary opportunities.”

In other business, the Thomasville City School Board: 

• Approved extinguishment of school property tax liens on two properties, located on 805 Lester Street and 4th Street. 

• Approved Title I budget for fiscal year 2018. 

• Approved June 30 and September 30 financial reports. 

• Approved school board training plan, which is 15 hours for new board members and nine for veteran members. 

• Heard a report on the Oct. 3 combined facilities and athletic committee meeting, which focused on a possible drug-testing policy and Veterans Stadium renovations. 

• Approved initial review of school district’s policy manual. 

• Approved nominating the Times-Enterprise for the Georgia School Board Association’s Beacon Award. 

Reporter Jordan Barela can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1826.