Felicia Jones has been the organization’s executive director since its inception in 2005 and was a member of the initial planning committee, which convened in 2003.

The foundation does not conduct any community service projects on its own. Rather, it serves as a funding source for other non-profit agencies already in existence that are already doing work in each of the following 12 counties: Bullock, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter and Wilcox counties.

However, the foundation conducts training and development workshops aimed at making each non-profit participant stronger in its community, including Community Awareness Grant Seekers Workshops.

“One of our founding board members David Wilson from Auburn noticed there were lots of philan- thropic dollars coming into our state, but none of them were coming into the Black Belt,” said Jones, referring to the current president of Morgan State University. “Auburn conducted research that said donors did not see a vehicle or institution that has credibility or that had the wherewithal to handle this level of funding.”

Black Belt Community Foundation Felicia Jones stands outside of the foundation’s offices in Selma, Alabama.

Jones, a Sumter County native, said donors were fearful of corruption and mismanagement of their dollars.

“We have tried to establish credibility that the Black Belt Community Foundation can handle these donations,” said Jones, who has a background in accounting and auditing.

“We’re looking for community-based organizations to apply for grants. If they don’t have a non-profit status, we ask them to partner with another non-profit organization to serve as its fiscal agent,” Jones said. “We don’t tell people they have to have their own non-profit status because that cost money, especially if they can partner with another agency. This also fosters more community collaborations.”

Jones, a Sumter County native, said donors were fearful of corruption and mismanagement of their dollars.

Jones said the applica- tion is simple. It only includes three or four questions. To apply for a grant, visit www.black belt- found.org or call 334-874-1126 or 866-874-1126.

Barbara Thompson, Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools

By Barbara Thompson, Superintendent Montgomery Public Schools

For those who have long waited for a high school in East Montgomery, the wait will soon be over!

Park Crossing, Montgomery Public School’s newest high school, is on schedule to open to students this August, and with that opening come high expectations for a contemporary, vibrant learning environment.

Opening a new school is always exciting and I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to open four in Montgomery.  Every opening is unique and reflects positive growth in our community.

Building new schools takes collaboration by a number of entities ─ city, county, local businesses and parents ─ and Park Crossing is another tangible example of Montgomery’s support for public education.

I’m also happy with the board’s approval of Robert Smith as the school’s principal, and Jake Jackson as assistant principal.  Mr. Smith has worked as a teacher, coach, athletic director, and assistant principal for MPS for over a decade. His most recent assignments were as assistant principal for both Loveless and Booker T. Washington magnet high schools.

Mr. Jackson is a veteran educator with 19 years of service to MPS. His background includes several positions as assistant principal including Chisholm Elementary and Jeff Davis High School. I am confident that Mr. Smith and Mr. Jackson will do a great job. Their dedication to students and their enthusiasm is infectious and that’s just what is needed to launch this new school.

Park Crossing is a neighborhood school. The 54 acre campus has bike paths and wonderful green spaces. I think people will be pleased with the design and functionality of this state-of-the-art school and the way the architecture blends in with the surrounding community.

The 165,000 square foot building’s unique design will make the delivery of a technology-infused curriculum possible. Students can view sporting events in the gym from the cafeteria area where a snack bar can be set up.

A student area within the media center will also provide opportunities for study and reflection. Each learning community contains a tiered platform seating area that provides a theater-style classroom and stair access between floors.

The school will open with about 400 students in grades 9 and 10. This “gradual opening” is a proven technique used around the United States that allows the school to develop a unique culture and provides students who are already juniors and seniors committed to their current high school the opportunity to complete their studies at their home school.

The 11th grade will be added in 2014 and seniors in 2015. The school will ultimately have around 1,200 students. An additional pod or wing may be added in the future (if needed) to bring the capacity to 1,600.

The proposed Park Crossing zone would be located in the eastern half of the county. The line would run north from the Montgomery/Pike county line along Hobbie Road to Woodley Road  then northeast  to the Troy Highway then northwest to Taylor Road then north to Taylor Road then north along McLemore Road to the northern Montgomery/Elmore county line.

I encourage those who are interested in learning more about the zoning for this school to attend a public hearing on April 9 at 11:30 a.m. in the auditorium of the Central Office, located at 307 S. Decatur St.

This is an artist’s rendering of the new Montgomery high school. Park Crossing High School will open for the 2014-2015 school year.

Jackson, who was drafted in 2006 by the Minnesota Vikings in the sec- ond round also played with the Seattle Seahawks in 2011 before joining the Bills in 2012.

“My family is from here so I always come back home in the off- season to spend time with my fami- ly and friends,” Jackson said, explaining why he was in Montgomery at his alma mater, Alabama State University, working out. “But you’ve got to get some work in at some point. I trust Coach (Richard) Moncrief. He’s been coaching me for a long time. So, when I’m home I try to get some work in with him.”

Moncrief, a former ASU and University of Alabama at Birmingham quarterback coach, was offensive coordinator at Sidney Lanier High School when Jackson came there as a sophomore.

“I met Tarvaris when he was a 14 year old. The first time I saw him he had big strong arms and I remember saying ‘God if  you let me keep him for three years, I promise not to mess him up,’ ” Moncrief said. “At the time he was a baseball player, a basketball player and a football player.”

Jackson said the two have been working on footwork and consistency in his throwing.

“Once we get the footwork park down, everything else will come together,” Jackson said.

Moncrief, who played quarterback for Clemson University, said he and Jackson have always had good chemistry on the field.

“He was so special to me that I immediately put him in my jersey number: No. 7 as a ninth grader,” Moncrief said. “I’m convinced this will be his first year as an All-Pro quarterback. He has prototypical size, the smarts for the game, he’s very intelligent and he has a tremendous arm.”