LANETT — On Thursday afternoon, the Lanett City Board of Education heard a report on cyber security in the classroom and how the system is trying to stay ahead of the game and to prevent students from falling victim to online predators.

Technology Director Katrina Goss had a power point presentation on the threats presented by phishing and what can be done about it.

People have to be extra careful these days with both computers and smart phones. “Don’t open unwanted emails. You can be hacked that way,” she said.

On the national level, the Children’s Internet Protection Act of 2000 protects children from would-be offenders.

“Work stations are monitored in the schools,” Goss said. “We have an acceptable use policy when it comes to the internet. The internet opens all kinds new worlds, but kids need to be web wise and safe,”

Media specialists are trained to be skilled in Internet safety.

Teachers are kept up to date no how they need to be careful when using the Internet.

The board presented Lanett High head football coach Clifford Story a plaque in recognition for his Panthers being the 2017 Class 2A state champions.

“He not only can coach football, he also does a great job of keeping a bus fleet in good shape,” Superintendent Phillip Johnson said, referencing a letter the school system recently received from Chad Carpenter, transportation administrator with the State Department of Education.

Lanett had 12 school buses to go through a routine inspection.

“No buses were found to have any major deficiencies,” Carpenter wrote. “We want to thank you and your maintenance staff for their continued efforts to provide safe buses for the students in Lanett City Schools.”

In addition to being the head football coach, Story is also the system’s athletic director and transportation director.

In his report to the board, Johnson said that he anticipated having to hire to more elementary teachers next year based on growth at W.O. Lance Elementary School.

“As of today, there are 605 students in pre-k through the sixth grade,” Johnson said.

On March 31, the system had an ending balance of a little over $1.4 million. Total revenues have increased from this time last year by close to $55,000.

Johnson said he was pleased for a ring ceremony to have taken place at Lanett High on Thursday. Members of the varsity football team got rings as a reward for having won the 2017 2A state title. It was the school’s first state title in football since 1963 and the fourth one overall.

Since 2010, Lanett High has won three state titles in boys basketball, two in track and one in football.

Johnson reported that some Lanett High students recently visited Auburn University, Clark-Atlanta University and AUM.

“This is the season for college shopping, and we are providing as many opportunities as we can for students to tour post-secondary schools,” he said.

Educators who will be retiring at the end of the current school year will be honored at the May board meeting. This year’s Lanett High Prom will be taking place at West Point Depot on Saturday, April 21. This year’s baccalaureate service will take place on May 20 and graduation on May 25.