Morgan County will soon see a literacy bus driving around the community. The Morgan County Board of Education unveiled the bus at its Sept. 9 meeting.
What was once a rundown school bus is now a bright blue bus painted with images related to the theme “If You Give a Child a Book.” Project manager Auburn Bolton said the theme, inspired by the children’s book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, was voted on by elementary and primary school students.
Bolton also said the bus features an outdoor meeting space with an awning, flexible seating for small group instruction, televisions, internet, power sockets, air conditioning, and a parent resource center.
The bus, supported by the school system’s L4GA literacy grant and community partners, will bring literacy programs, books, and educational activities directly to the community. According to the school system, the goal is to enhance literacy and promote a love of reading.
This year, plans focus on collaborating with the Ferst Readers of Morgan County for read-a-louds at the daycare centers and events sponsored by the school system, library, and the Morgan County Family Connection. By next year, the school system hopes to open reservations to the greater community, partner with the Azalea Regional Library System for a mobile check-in/out kiosk, and give books to children as the bus travels throughout Morgan.
Susan Tolbert, the assistant superintendent for teaching and learning, thanked many community partners for making the literacy bus possible. Those thanked include: Mannington Mills for donating flooring; Ferst Readers for donating books and promoting the bus; Morgan County Family Connection for supporting the project; Brian Johnson’s engineering class for renovating the bus; Kaleigh Sidwell’s “Education as a Career” class for the overall design; BOE administrative assistant Brittany Duvall for marketing the bus; and instructional technology director Tiffany Markley for assistance.
Tolbert also praised Bolton for spearheading the project.
“A huge shoutout to Auburn,” Tolbert said. “He really took an idea and ran with it.”
In other business, on Sept. 9, the BOE:
• Received a report from athletic director Greg Thompson. He talked about recent renovations to the fieldhouse and baseball/softball complex, as well as the installation of the digital scoreboard at Bill Corry Stadium and new equipment in the weight room.
• Discussed the process for searching for a new superintendent, who will lead the school system after Superintendent Dr. Virgil Cole retires on May 31, 2025.
• Nominated Morgan County Citizen for the Georgia School Boards Association’s Beacon Award of Excellence, which recognizes educational journalism.
• Approved notice to hold public hearings to discuss the phasing out of Morgan County Primary School and Morgan County Elementary School. The hearings will be held on Oct. 14 and Nov. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the school system’s board offices, located at 1065 East Ave., Madison.
• Approved a contract with Mauldin and Jenkins for FY25 annual professional audit services.
• Approved technology items for surplus.
• Approved overnight field trips.