Etowah County Schools

Congratulations to Southside High School's Mr. Jason Russell on being named Alabama's Outstanding Biology Teacher! We are incredibly proud of Mr. Russell and grateful for the impact he makes in the lives of his students each day.

🏆 Congratulations to Southside High School's own Mr. Jason Russell! 🏆

We are thrilled to share that Mr. Russell has been selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Biology Teacher Award for Alabama! He received notification this morning and will be formally recognized at an awards luncheon during the National Association of Biology Teachers' annual conference in Dallas, Texas later this year.

Mr. Russell's passion for science, dedication to his students, and commitment to excellence make him truly deserving of this prestigious honor. Through his work teaching AP Biology, Honors Biology, and Biology, as well as sponsoring our Teen Science Café, he inspires students to explore, discover, and achieve at the highest levels.

We are incredibly proud of Mr. Russell and grateful for the impact he makes every day in the lives of our students.

Congratulations, Mr. Russell! Your Southside High family is celebrating with you! 🧬🔬🎉 🐾Etowah County Schools

In observance of Juneteenth, the Etowah County Board of Education will be closed on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

A heartfelt thank you to Buffalo Rock and Ken Eidson, Franchise General Sales Manager, for their generous $7,500 donation to support our summer programs!

We are grateful for community partners like Buffalo Rock who invest in the success of our students and schools. Your generosity and commitment to education make a lasting difference in the lives of the children we serve.

🚨 Strengthening Safety Across Etowah County Schools 🚨

The Etowah County Board of Education is taking another important step to enhance school safety through advanced communication technology.

All Etowah County Schools are transitioning to a new standardized radio communication system designed to improve daily operations and strengthen emergency response capabilities across every campus.

During emergencies, traditional communication methods can become unreliable due to overloaded cellular networks or incompatible equipment. This upgraded system ensures seamless communication between schools, administrators, and emergency response teams when it matters most.

The new technology will also allow the Superintendent and central office personnel to instantly connect with any school campus upon arrival — providing faster coordination during emergencies, evacuations, or reunification efforts.

This upgrade marks Phase One of a comprehensive initiative focused on improving safety, security, and communication throughout all Etowah County school facilities.

💙 The safety of our students, staff, and families remains our highest priority.

A BIG Congratulations to Josie Hammond on being selected as a member of the Peer Helpers PLUS Student Panel for the 2026-2027 academic year. She is 1 of 9 students selected from across Alabama and Texas to help shape and strengthen the program as a student leader on this team. We know you will represent Gaston well in this awesome opportunity!!

📚Alabama Summer Reading Challenge📚
Students entering Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2026–2027 school year are invited to participate in the Alabama Summer Reading Challenge as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday!
Between now and August 1, 2026, students are encouraged to read six books of their choice and track their progress using the attached reading log forms.
Students are also invited to share what they learned about the United States through a written reflection or drawing focused on America’s history, culture, people, and spirit.
Follow this link for the forms:

Governor Ivey Launches Annual Summer Reading Challenge for Alabama Students Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday - MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday announced her 2026 Summer Reading Challenge, inviting Alabama students entering kindergarten through eighth grade to celebrate a patriotic summer through reading as America prepares to mark its 250th birthday. The challenge encourages students … Contin...

ECBOE Summer Hours
Beginning Monday, June 1, 2026 - Friday, July 31, 2026, the Etowah County Board of Education will be open Monday-Thursday 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and closed on Fridays.

The Etowah County Board of Education will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.

As we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country, we wish everyone a safe and meaningful holiday weekend.