Students in Escambia County will have two additional diploma endorsement options next school year following actions taken by the school board this week.

Escambia-Brewton Career Technical Center Principal David Lanier addressed the board Thursday afternoon asking for two endorsements to be added during the board meeting held in the Flomaton High School library.

“What I’m requesting of you today is to adopt the other two remaining endorsements,” Lanier said.

Currently, the school system offers two of the four endorsements offered by the Alabama State Department of Education for academic diplomas – the General Academic and Advanced Academic endorsements. Also available is the Alabama Occupational Diploma (AOD) for special needs students.

The two endorsements Lanier proposed adding would include the Career Tech and Advanced Career Tech endorsements.

“These endorsements were made available in May 2008 by the Alabama State Board of Education,” Lanier said.

Lanier added that the diploma endorsements still require students to pass all five parts of Alabama Graduation Exam. For the Advanced Career Tech endorsement, students will be required to take classes necessary for the Advance Academic Diploma before graduating.

The board unanimously approved the request making the two new endorsements available beginning in August when the 2011-12 school year begins.

In other business, the board:

• approved the 2011-12 School Code of Conduct;

• Chief Financial Officer Julie Madden reported that the school system has unreserved fund balance in its general fund of $11.2;

• OK’d Escambia County High School’s banking account to be moved from United Bank to First National Bank & Trust;

• approved the 21st Century Community Learning Center summer hours to be from 7:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at both Escambia County Middle and Huxford Elementary schools

• OK’d the non-renewal and/or transfers of personnel for the 2011-12 school year.

Following the meeting, a reception was held for retirees of the school system including finger foods, punch and a cake.

“This is a tribute to them and their character,” Superintendent Billy Hines said. “Thanks to their patience for working as long as they’ve worked, and for that, we are thankful.”

Those recognized included Barbara Bowens (38 years), Peggy Hobbs (16.5 years) and Patricia Taylor (29.5 years) from Escambia County High School; Yvonne Grissett (31.5 years); Vasroy Johnson (12 years) and Stan and Sandra Quimby (38 years each) from Escambia County Middle School; Ruth Harris (35.5 years) and Debora Woods (26 years) A.C. Moore Elementary School; Sandy DeFrancisco (8.5 years) and Carl Raley (17 years) W.S. Neal High School; Loretta Davidson (29.5 years) and Cynthia Jackson (28.5 years) W.S. Neal Middle School; Carolyn Jackson (40 years) Pollard-McCall Junior High School; Jimmy Burkett (19 years) and Johnny Wright (34 years) maintenance and Robert Quarles (10.5 years) driver’s education.

Each retiree received a plaque in appreciation of their service.