Autauga County students start new school year
Students start the 2025-2026 school year at Marbury High School – Photo from WAKA Action 8 News
Action 8 News was at Marbury High School where Autauga County School Superintendent Lyman Woodfin helped greet students starting the new school year.
Today was the first day of classes for all Autauga County Schools, except for Prattville High School. Students there return on Monday due to construction inspections delaying the start of class.
Woodfin, Marbury High School principal Jimmy Lansdell, faculty and staff greeted the freshman, sophomores and juniors students as they arrived and went through metal detectors and gathered in the gym.
That’s where students learned about Alabama’s new statewide FOCUS Act, which bans students from using smart phones and other wireless devices inside public schools. Gov. Kay Ivey signed the new law in May.
Lansdell told students that the law also applies to smartwatches, earbuds, headphones and similar devices.
The students were told that the devices need to be turned off and placed in a bookbag, gym bag or locker. Students are allowed to use them after school on the bus line.
For seniors, the day started with a parade as they were escorted by the school resource officer onto campus. It’s become an annual tradition as seniors drove onto campus. The 124 seniors were also treated to breakfast.
