A new direction for the Ag Academy at Goshen High School and a new academy at Pike County High School led the Pike County Board of Education meeting Monday.

Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County School, said the Ag Academy will begin offering an associate degree in agri-science in 2015-2016 with the support of Auburn University, Wallace College in Hanceville and Enterprise State Community College.

The continuing plans are to offer students, who graduate from the Ag Academy, the opportunity to return to the academy for three semesters to earn a bachelor’s degree in agri-science, Bazzell said.

“We are very excited about this program where students can earn both an associate degree and a bachelor’s degree at the Ag Academy,” he said. “We are also excited about the new academy that we will offer at Pike County High School next school year.”

Bazzell said PCHS will be the site of the school system’s Performing Arts Academy. The performing arts program will be implement through a partnership with Troy University.

“The performing arts program will be the fourth associate degree offered through the Pike County Schools,” Bazzell said. “The Aviation Academy is the model for the program so it’s already in place.”

Associate degrees will be offered in drama/theater and art and jazz band and choral music. The Performing Arts Academy will open with from five to 10 students.

Bazzell said the four associate degree programs offered in the Pike County School System are the Business and Finance Academy, the Aviation Academy and the Performing Arts Academy at PCHS and the Ag Academy at Goshen.

In new business the board;

* Approved the nomination of Jimmy Hollis by Board Member Wyman Botts for the County Board of Equalization with the term to begin October 2015.

* Approved permission to provide an activity bus to Pike County Chamber of Commerce for the Junior Ambassador trip April 16.

* Approved permission for the Goshen High School Junior Varsity Scholar’s Bowl to participate in the 8th Annual Junior National Academic Championship May 23-25 in New Orleans. The board will provide $500 to assist with registration fees.

* Approved permission for the Pike County High School Scholars’ Bowl Team to participate in Small School National Championship April 24-26 in Atlanta. The board will provide $500 to assist with registration fees.

* Approved permission for two Sophomore First in Flight and Leadership Academy students to participate in the Ambition program at the Naval Air Base in Pensacola, Florida July 19-24 or July 26-31.

* Approved permission for the Pike County High School Junior ROTC, 10 cadets and one instructor to attend the 2nd Cycle for the JROTC Junior Cadet Leadership Camp at Fort McClellan May 21-June 4.

* Approved permission for a select number of Pike County High School JROTC cadets to attend training at Fort Benning, Georgia April 24.

* Approved permission for the Goshen High School JROTC, 10 cadets and one instructor to attend the JROTC Cadet Leadership Challenge at Fort McClellan May 26-30.

* Approved permission for six students and two advisors to participate in the 2015 Alabama SkillsUSA Competition in Birmingham April 21-23.

* Approved permission for Julie Simmons, TPCT, to attend the Spring STE Director’s Conference in Orange Beach, April 21-25.

* Approved permission for Anita Grant and Shantell Rouse, Pike County Elementary School, to attend the CLAS Summer Conference in Montgomery June 16-17 and the MEGA Conference in Mobile July 20-24.

* Approved permission for Dr. Mark Head, Dr. Donnella Carter and Pamela Franklin to attend the CLAS Summer Conference in Montgomery July 14-17.

* Approved permission for Dr. Mark Head and Stephanie McCall to attend the MEGA Conference in Mobile July 20-24.

* Approved permission for PCHS drum line to attend competition in Columbus, Georgia May 16.

* Approved permission for Major Calvin A. Morris to attend the JSOCC Training in Fort Knox, Kentucky, May 11-15 and the JROTC Summer Conference in Jackson, Mississippi, July 6-9.

In Personnel action, the board:

* Accepted the resignation of Sara Stephens, Alternative School, effect May 29, 2015.

* Accepted the resignation of Tracey Layton, Goshen Elementary School, effective March 6, 2015.

* Accepted the resignation of Edward Robinson, TPTC, effectively immediately.

* Approve non-renewal of a certified employee.

* Approved superintendent’s recommendation concerning discipline of certified employee.