Vestavia BOE approves new Pizitz coding class, principal contract
During a March 25 meeting, the Board of Education approved a new Pirate Programming class at Pizitz Middle School as well as a principal employment contract for Dr. Tyler Burgess.
Pirate Programming is a semester/year-long class offered as an elective to sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders at Pizitz. Children are able to learn the basic concepts of computer science through drag-and-drop programming using iPads, Macs and Chromebooks. The class prepares students for computer classes at the high school as well as a myriad of careers that require digital literacy.
"We decided to expand to a full length elective because of continued conversations about coding and the large amount of student interest," said Pizitz Principal Tyler Burgess.
The Board also approved a principal employment contract for Burgess. Effective May 26, Burgess will become the new principal of Vestavia Hills High School.
"As we have been reorganizing, our process is to analyze what we are doing. We've looked at volume and demographics of our school system and made sure we chose the right person," said Superintendent Sheila Phillips. "I feel very comfortable with our decision."
In the other news, the Board:
- Recognized the Pizitz Middle School Robotics Team for their hard work throughout the year and success at recent competitions. The team will be heading to the world championships in April.
- Recognized visual arts students across the school district for excellence in the fine arts.
- Recognized members of the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation and their recent fundraiser, Dinner and Diamonds, which raised $74,000 for Vestavia City Schools.
- Approved an agreement with Lathan Associates Architects, P.C. in the amount of $300,000 for partial reroofing.
- Approved a contract with Johnny Hamilton Painting in the amount of $47,410 for systemwide painting. This agreement as well as the reroofing agreement with Lathan Associates will be part of summer projects throughout the school system.
- Approved members of the Textbook Committee.
- Gave an update on the Strategic Planning process.