From traffic flow to curriculum, the school year has started exceptionally well, said the superintendent of Troy City Schools.

“It’s one of the best starts of school I’ve seen in my 15 or 16 years in education,” said Dr. Lee Hicks. “Knock on wood, I hope the school traffic and all the programs keep moving in the direction we want them to move.”

Hicks invited the administrators from the three school campuses to update school board members during Monday’s meeting.

“I have to say, this is the first time in my 14 years on the board that I haven’t received a call complaining about traffic at the elementary school,” said board member Roxie Kitchens.

Teresa Sims, Troy Elementary principal, credited the work of the Troy Police Department and the patience of the parents who drop off and pick up students each day. “Last year (the police) came up with a new system for getting traffic in and out, and it’s been very smooth this year,” she said.

Aaron Brown III, principal at Charles Henderson Middle School, said students returned “wide-eyed, excited and eager to learn.”

“We have a wonderful group of faculty members who shared some great bonding time during our in-service,” Brown said. “And we’re excited about the new programs we have, especially the Confucius Institute, which is offered in partnership with Troy University.”

At Charles Henderson High School, the only hitch in the return to class has been scheduling conflicts and changes, said Brent Harrison, principal. “We’ve had a lot of students wanting to come in and change their schedules because of the new classes we’re offering,” he said. “They’re trying to get in AP courses or dual-enrollment or the honors classes.”

The AP program at the high school was expanded this year to offer AP English and science courses in grades 10-12, Hicks said. In addition, an on-campus dual-enrollment program being offered in partnership with Troy University already has more than 25 students enrolled.

“We were hoping to have 10, plus the seven students we had in global studies before,” Hicks said. “We’ve already had 20 students enroll in addition to the seven global studies students.”

English, history and Trojan 101 courses are offered on the CHHS campus, giving students an opportunity to earn college and high school credits simultaneously. Hicks said the courses are offered at a significant discount over the regular tuition rates.

In other business on Monday, the board:

• Accepted two resignations and approved one hire and three transfers. Dollie Miller Jones, CHHS counselor, and Holley Davis, Troy Elementary third-grade teacher both resigned. Calvin School was transferred from CHMS teacher’s aide to CHMS/CHHS music teacher. Michele Cole transferred from in-school support aide to third-grade teacher. And Jawara White transferred from CHMS teacher aide to in-school support aide. Jessica Hensley was hired as a teacher aide at TES.

• Approved the financial reports. Mickey Daughtry, CFO, said sales tax revenues for July 2015 were up approximately three percent over July 2014. Hicks said the closure of Walmart and Hibbetts Sports in wake of the Aug. 6 tornado would impact the district’s revenue.

“We know it will impact us, but right now we don’t have figures or estimates of how much,” Hicks said. “We have been in touch with the mayor and our state representative, Alan Boothe, to express how important that sales tax revenue is to the schools.”