THOMASVILLE — On March 28, the Thomasville City School Board of Education listened to a presentation regarding the VSU Instructional Program and dealt with other business during their regular work session and board meeting.

During the work session, Board Chair Kejar Butler invited Tiquilla Futch to speak to the board in regard to the recent work she’s done with her class at MacIntyre Park Middle School.

Futch, who is currently pursuing an educational leadership degree at Valdosta State University, said her semester goal required her to share with the board her recent activities in her College Prep class.

“My task this semester is to present something from our instructional programs at MacIntyre Park Middle School,” she said. “So, tonight, I will be sharing with you some of the phenomenal things that we do in the class that I teach, known as College Prep.”

Existing for 5 years under a different curriculum system, Futch said that when the school district changed their system, there was a request to keep the class that became College Prep.

“We asked if we could keep it and just change the name, that’s how we got College Prep,” Futch said. “The whole basis behind this class is to get students thinking about college.”

She said the class aids students who have little understanding of college gain a better idea of what it entails and what skills are required for it.

“We provide them the support that they need and give them those skills they need to be on the road to higher learning one day,” she said.

Futch said that the class teaches students important things such as character development. ownership of learning, speaking and listening, writing skills, critical thinking skills, collaboration, note taking, time management and other important skills in higher education.

Sparking interest in the students, Futch said, the class also included taking field trips with the students to local colleges, including VSU, Albany State University and ABAC.

During the regular board meeting, the board was also acknowledged by the community in honor of the recently passed board appreciation week.

Butler said that they watched a video of local students sharing their gratitude for the work of the volunteers in the board alongside posters and handmade cards.

“From the board perspective, we greatly appreciate all the time, the effort, the teachers and staff put into educating our students and this time of year, we really appreciate the students taking the time to make posters to let us know they appreciate what the board members do,” she said. “Every single board member is a volunteer, a lot of our board members are parents, so we’re here because we all want the best thing for our students. We greatly appreciate everything they’ve done to make board appreciation month; we’re very grateful.”

Other business handled during the meetings included approving the minutes of past called meetings, approving the February 28, 2023 financial report given by Kimberly NeSmith, chief financial officer, before the board entered into executive session regarding the approval of personnel recommendations. Upon exiting executive session, the board voted to adjourn the meeting.