The City of Andalusia is conducting a municipal election today, Tuesday, August 25, 2020. 

There are only two races on the ballot: Council District 1 and Council District 2. Only voters who live in those districts will be voting. 

In District 1, incumbent WIll Sconiers faces Joe Nix.

In District 2, incumbent Kennith Mount faces Michael Veasey. 

If you do not know which district you live in, call 334-428-1143 for assistance. 

The Will Coleman Center officially got a new name Tuesday when the Andalusia City Council approved a resolution changing the name to the Will Coleman – Richard Robertson Center.

Mayor Earl Johnson announced the council’s plans to make the name change when Robertson was honored at the center earlier this month. The long-time Andalusia High School coach had run special programs for 49 years when he retired this year. He said then he was retiring not because he wanted to, but because his daughters insisted. 

Council members each expressed their personal thanks to Robertson, who attended the meeting. 

Councilman Will Sconiers said he remembered participating in programs as a youngster. 

“It was his way or the highway,” Sconiers said of Robertson’s rules for participation. “We cannot thank you enough for your service.” 

Councilman Kennith Mount served on the faculty of Andalusia High School with Robertson. 

“When I went to work at Andalusia High School, Coach Robertson was already here and had already made a name for himself,” Mount recalled. “Mr. (Oscar) Zeanah advised me to get to know one teacher, and that was Coach Robertson because he was already a leader. I am even more honored to count Richard as my friend.” 

The Resolution, No. 2020-30, reads in part, “Whereas, Coach Richard Robertson served as Director of Special Programs at the Will Coleman Center for many years; and

“Whereas, through this service Coach Robertson positively influenced and shaped countless young program participants; and

“Whereas, the Andalusia City Council desires to memorialize Coach Robertson’s name on the facility where he worked so many years in the education and physical development of young people and children.  

“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the mayor and city council of the City of Andalusia, that the Will Coleman Center now be known as the Will Coleman – Richard Robertson Center.”

The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday agreed to provide funding for an Andalusia City Schools/LBW Community College initiative designed to give Andalusia High School students a head start for college. 

Effective in the current academic year, Andalusia City Schools will cover the cost of one dual enrollment class per semester for high school seniors. If funding is still available after all interested seniors have enrolled, the program is open high school juniors and sophomores.

Dual enrollment classes allow high school students to simultaneously earn high school and college credits, and ease the transition from high school to college. High school sophomores, juniors and seniors with at least a “B” average are eligible for dual enrollment in both academic and technical programs. But while the state funds the technical classes for high school students, until the city agreed to fund this program, parents had to pay tuition for academic classes. 

The council agreed to provide up to $100,000 for tuition, which would cover two academic classes per year for about 100 students.

At least one academic dual enrollment class will be taught on the AHS campus each semester, Superintendent Ted Watson said, including college-level English and math classes. In the semester that began this weeks, AHS students enrolled in dual enrollment can complete English 101 and English 102. Students may also take academic classes on the LBW campus, or in LBW’s online program. Transportation is available for students to take classes on the Andalusia or Opp campus, Watson said. 

But the benefits don’t end there. Dr. Chris Cox, interim president of LBW Community College, said the college will match the funding provided for seniors, offering free tuition for two classes for participants who enroll in the fall semester following their high school graduations. 

“We will match the investment,” Cox told the council. “We believe it will be of great benefit to students.” 

Watson first presented an outline of the plan hatched by the two education leaders to the council in July. Each year, the school system presents a plan for using the proceeds of a half-cent education sales tax to the council. 

Cox said that research shows that a student who completes a dual enrollment class while still in high school is more than two times as likely to complete a degree program. 

“This is huge for the city, and I believe will become a model for the state before it’s done,” he said. 

Cox said LBW wants to take not only the top students, but also students who might be struggling. 

“If they take a college course and see that they can do (college work), that could be huge for them,” he said.

Cox said taking the classes also could help high school students with college admissions.

“For colleges that may not allow them in on their ACT score alone, they could go as transfer students,” he said.

A problem that began with flash flooding earlier this year is about to be repaired. 

The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday awarded a $155K contract to Grady Ralls and Sons for repairs to Pinewood Road, a portion of which has been closed since flash flooding caused a break in a 12-inch water main and washed out part of the road. The water line was repaired, but the street repairs were put on hold while the city sought Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Public Works Director Glynn Ralls said FEMA funding was not available for the project, as the flooding did not result in a disaster declaration. Attempts to secure DOT funding for the project also were not successful. 

Earlier this month, the council agreed to let bids for the project. Grady Ralls and Sons was the lowest of four bids offered for the project.