By By ANNA M. LEE Assistant Editor
The Escambia County School Board met Thursday to discuss several items of business, including the State Board of Education's School Report Card for Escambia County.
The county's tax effort recieved a "D" from the state board, which Superintendent Melvin Powell attributes to the lack of oil severence and overall lack of tax money in the county.
The evaluation did not take into consideration the 10-mil ad valorem tax that was passed last year, so the grade in this area should improve with the next report card.
For the second year in a row, the county's career technical program received an "A" from the State Board of Education, and graduation exam scores for the county are up.
One area for improvement is the use of technology in Escambia County classrooms.
As a part of that improvement, the county school system has created two new Technology Audio/Video Specialist/Technology Technician positions. The positions will be partly funded through an Enhancing Education Through Technology grant of $55,000.
Also at the meeting, Powell acknowledged Gov. Bob Riley's proclamation naming March Community Education Month.
Donna Revel, attendance and community education coordinator for the county school system, was recognized for her appointment to the state's community education board of directors for the southern region.
Other actions taken at the meeting were: