One Community. One Message. One Voice.

The "Yes We Can! Dothan" EDUCATION movement is a community, grassroots, citizen driven initiative designed to engage the citizens of Dothan, Alabama, in creating a unified voice and vision for Dothan City Schools, the children, and the families served.  It is not related to any politics or political group.

"Yes We Can! Dothan" is funded by the Wiregrass Foundation, the Education Foundation for Dothan's Future, Inc. and the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce.  "Yes We Can! Dothan" is patterned after "Yes We Can! Mobile" which has made significant improvements in their public school system.

"Yes We Can! Dothan's" work, in collaboration with Dothan City Schools, allows us to accomplish positive change and performance in the education of our children. This partnership is designed to foster improved achievement in children's standardized test scores, teacher performance and a culture of high expectations for all.

Bottom line is . . . . BETTER SCHOOLS.   BETTER DOTHAN.

IMPORTANT NEWS:

Very Important DCS Board Meeting on Monday, March 22 at 5:00 pm at Honeysuckle Middle School.  Dr. Nichols explained the funding and financial crisis facing our school system and our state.  At the work session on March 8, he made proposals on budget cuts.  Please make plans to attend.

Adopt-A-School! Dothan Update:

Upcoming Adoption Ceremonies:

Mon., March 22 - 5:00 pm - DCS System Adopter Ceremony at DCS board meeting

In case you missed it, here is a great article from the Dothan Progress regarding the Adopt-A-School! Dothan program:
http://www2.dothaneagle.com/dea/dothan_progress/news/article/adoption_program_revitalizes_community_interaction_with_dothan_city_schools/126403/

And, a great video from WTVY News 4:
Adopt a Teacher

"Yes We Can! Dothan" is a partner in revitalizing the DCS Adopt-A-School Program.  Needed are businesses, faith-based entities, clubs, organizations and individuals who would like to partner with our schools in a variety of ways. 

If you would like to sign up or receive more information on the "Adopt-A-School! Dothan" program, please contact Lavonda Gosselin, Adopt-a-School Program Director, at 334-671-7981, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or send a message on the "Contact Us" page of this web site.

We want YOU to participate in this re-vitalization of the Adopt-A-School program. 

Building a Better Community around our Schools!

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GET CONNECTED...

* * *  Check out & join the "Yes We Can! Dothan" Facebook Group which has over 600 members and contines to grow.   Join the group by clicking here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=528444774#/group.php?gid=60310565700

And, please join the "Yes We Can! Dothan" education movement which has over 2,200 supporters by sending your name and contact information through the contact page on this web site.  You will receive periodic updates.

And, please check out the new pictures in our Photo Gallery in School Visits!

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ADVOCACY GROUP UPDATE:

*  The 14th YWCD Advocacy Group titled, "Prospective Families" has been formed.  If you would like to be a part of this dynamic group, please contact Davis Bishop at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , send a message through this web site or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

"Yes We Can! Dothan" Advocacy Groups welcome new members.  If you would like to be involved with a "Yes We Can! Dothan" Advocacy Group, please let us know.  Advocacy Group meetings are posted on the YWCD Calendar of Events (click above to view).

These 14 advocacy groups are based on the nationally recognized "Civic Index for Quality Public Education".  These groups will work together over the next year to help with the main targets of "Yes We Can! Dothan" and be advocates for our schools in our community.

"Yes We Can! Dothan" Advocacy Group Members (revised 1/12/10):

Local Elected Officials:
Ex-Officio member - Tom Ziegenfelder
Chairperson - Denise Cutts
Group members -  Taylor Barbaree,  Terry Collins,  Carolyn Cook,  Kevin Dorsey,  Deidre Frith,  Margaret Green,  Harry Hall,  Robert & Leigh Ann Hewes,  Paul Lee,  Scott Parsons,  Forrest Register,  Mike Schmitz,  Tim Shirley,  Brandon Shoupe,  Pat Thomas,  Jansen Tidmore,  Trip Wheeless,  Gayla White

Acceptance and Inclusiveness:
Ex-officio member - Judge Rose Gordon
Co-chairpersons - Rob & Rabbi Lynne Goldsmith
Group members - Christy Aguirre,  Mechill Coel,  Scott Faulk,  Derrick Grider,  Sherry Lynn,  John & Ashley Perry,  Anika Pippin,  Erece Reese,  Greg Ruediger,  Jim Sanders,  Laurie Williams

Active Parents:
Ex-officio member - Libby Kritemeyer
Co-chairpersons - Andy & Lavonda Gosselin
Group members - Amy Brown,  Mary Byrd,  Chuck & Celeste Conner,  Jackie Culpepper,  Tami Culver,  Scott & Amy Davis,  Robyn Deacon,  Kevin Dorsey,  Terri Dovre,  Jannie Franklin,  Aisha Freeman,  Sharla Godwin,  Clint & Kandy Groover,  Brian Holman,  Leisa Jones,  Sandy Kaston,  Melody Lee,  Jimbo Loftin,  Allison Middlebrooks,  Patrick Newton,  Jennifer Peaden,  Jennifer Robinson,  Loretta Shapiro,  Ted Sheldon,  Nicole Spivey,  Terry Stansell,  Sharon Taylor,  Julie Turner,  Shawn Weed,  Charlotte White  & other school PTO Presidents.

Civic Organizations:
Ex-officio member - Morris Slingluff
Chairperson -  Debbie Trueblood
Group members - Sue Byrd,  David Duke,  Linda Garrett,  Joseph Johnson,  Jeanine Jones,  Barbara Minsky,  Liz Tiller,  Jamey Vibbert,  Donna Wade,  Charles Woodall

Faith-Based Entities:
Ex-officio member - Aaron Dickinson
Co-chairpersons - Sterling & LeeAnn Boykin
Group members - Christie Armstrong,  John Boss,  Barbara Bronold,  Randy Church,  Michell Coel,  Stacy Crunk,  Harriet Faulk,  Katrina Faulk,  Sherry Koogler,  Paul Ferrell,  Allan Fowler,  Joyce Hawthorne,  Beverly Higginbotham,  Melanie Hill,   Brittany Johns,  Sean Nix

Philanthropic Groups/Foundations:
Ex-officio member - Ann Cotton
Co-chairpersons - J.E. & Verna Saliba
Group members - Barbara Alford,  Cheryl Gibson,  George & Betsy Liddon,  Cliff & Helen Mendheim,  Sharon Lewis-Saliba

Continuous Improvement:
Ex-offico member - Matt Parker
Co-chairpersons - Wayne & Teri Prim
Group members - Davis Bishop,  Amy Bonds,  Steve Boyett,  Sharon Church,  Marc & Cindy Crews,  Vicki Davis,  Heather Diaz,  Robert & Betty Dickens,  Cynthia Green,  Rebecca Hall,  Karen Jackson,  Maria Johnson,  Phillip Kelley,  Harrison & Kelton Morris,  Barry Moss,  Jack Sasser,  Patricia Segrest,  Jeanie Solomon,  Neecie Tarrant,  Press Thornton,  Jansen Tidmore,  Velma Tribue,  Lawrence Ward,  Susan Warren,  Roy Watford,  Gayla White

Youth Involvement:
Ex-officio member- Rosalind James
Co-chairpersons - Northview SGA President - Haley Hart & Dothan High SGA President - Katie Andrews
Group members - Craig Bailey,  Butch Binford,  Tonya Bryant,  Stephanie Butler, Jake Colson,  Summer Creel,  Jeremiah Dalton,  Greg & Kendra Davis,  Dana Diaz,  Tolver Dozier,  Jeanette Doster, Amanda Gaster,  Shuntae Goodman,  Jarred Griffin,  Tamara Jackson,  Michael Jimentel,  Jaime Lewis,  Barbara Mitchell,  Morgan Moulton,  Altha Newman,  Beatrice Onadeka,  Sonya Price,  Dalton Stacks,  McKenzie Stewart,  Zhane Thomas,  Stephen Tsukuda,  Sudonna Ward,  Jemmie Watford,  Francina Williams, DHS & NHS SGA Sponsors & high school Club Presidents

Partnership with Higher Education:
Ex-officio member - Thomas Harrison
Co-chairpersons - Dr. Don Jeffrey & Dr. Linda Young
Group members - Stanley Aman,  Sara Andrews,  David Arrington,  Khamis Bilbeisi,  Bob Boyle,  Debi  Breedlove,  Tara Estes,  Gary Manfready,  Allison Moody,  Webb Reyner,  Kay Roney,  Linda Watson
- plus other Envision P-20 council members

School Board:
Ex-officio member - Lucky Martin
Chairperson - Wayne Prim
Group members - Donald Bowling,  Sharon Cole,  Jack Cook,  Gerald Crowley,  Barry Farmer,  Kay Hanks,  Alfreda Rogers,  Hugh Swicord,  Regina Taliaferro

Active Business Community:
Ex-officio member - Thomas Harrison
Co-chairpersons - Tracy & Cheri Knowles
Group members -Allan Bradburn,  Joe Chambers,  Jeff Coleman,  Chad Dykes,  Jim Freeland,  Michael & Letetia Jackson,  Linda Kelley,  Doug Mims,  Mason Morrow,  Ashley Newton,  Jessica Robinson,  Sam Robinson,  Jason Sharp,  Barbara Stripling,  Amy Vinson

Media:
Ex-officio member - Twyla Williams
Co-chairpersons - Patrick Walding & Teresa Wall
Group members - Cheri Chason,  Elizabeth Faulk,  Kellie Folger,  Shirley Henderson,  Rebecca Jordan,  K.W. Keene,  David McCormick,  Kyle Pearcy,  Angela Rigsby,  Chan Roark,  Brandon Shoupe,  Kim Smith,  Josh & Jessica Steltenpohl,  Regina Taliaferro

Better Funding. Better Schools:
Ex-officio member - Vince Edge
Co-chairpersons - Charles Buntin & Mike Manuel 
Group members - Greg Allen,  Ben Armstrong,  Betty Armstrong,  Cindy Blount,  Rick Byrd,  Robert Ferguson,  Pam Hardy,  James Kelley,  Paul Lee,  Larry Matthews,  Shea Mendheim,  Sam Nichols,  Martin Price,  Glenda Sanders,  Ben Slingluff,  Todd Weeks,  Mike West

*  NEW ADVOCACY GROUP - Prospective Families:
Chairperson - Davis Bishop
Group members - Boyd Clark,  Wesley Northcutt Edge,  Robert Hewes,  Whit Hewes,  Chani Hickey,  Tracy & Cheri Knowles,  Jennie Tucker Lee,  George & Betsy Liddon,  Ashley Griffin McGee,  Chris & Holly Mitchell,  Russ Parrish,  Warren & Brandi Reeves,  Press Thornton

*  If you would like to be involved in any of these advocacy groups, please let us know.  Either call Amber at 699-1031, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or send a message through this web site on the contact us page.


Working together, we can accomplish great things for our children, our schools and our city!