Spanish Fort announces Citizens Academy, school initiatives and two new firefighters sworn in

At the Feb. 2 meeting the Spanish Fort City Council shared a series of community updates and conducted a brief swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Barber announced the city's third Citizens Academy, which will start March 3 and run five consecutive Tuesdays from approximately 6 to 8 p.m.; he invited residents to sign up. Junior City Council members will travel to Montgomery for a one-day crash course on state government and, on March 17, will observe county government to gain civic experience. School-commission representatives described instructional changes influenced by a recent June conference and the adoption of a "15-day plan" and spiral review aimed at improving student mastery in early units of the year.

Speaker 1 announced the Education Enrichment Foundation will hold a community fundraising event for Spanish Fort-area schools on March 28; the speaker was uncertain about the event's exact name and directed people to the foundation's social media or website for details. The city also announced the Spanish Fort Public Library would be closed Feb. 2–4 for shelf rearrangement and painting.

The mayor swore in two new firefighters, David Wyatt and Shane Larson, noting both graduated from Fire College in December; council members and staff welcomed them and thanked public-safety personnel for their service.

Finally, staff introduced a first-reading resolution to authorize a temporary administrative employee to assist during staff transitions; council will revisit that item on Feb. 23.