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Photo of two DHS Class of 2026 Graduates. I red banner across the top of the graphic contains white text that reads: "Free College Application Week October 5-9, 2026"

Alabama Free College Application Week is October 5–9, 2026

October 1, 2026

Seniors, It’s time to take the next step toward your future! During Alabama’s Free College Application Week, participating colleges and universities waive application fees, allowing students to apply to college at no cost!

3 Steps to Participate

Choose Colleges: Select 4-year universities or community colleges from the official participating list.
Apply & Enter Code: Apply on the official college website portal and enter the promo code at checkout.
Submit Transcripts: Request your high school counselor to send your high school transcript after applying.

4-Year Universities & Application Fee Waiver Codes:

The University of Alabama (Automatic via UA portal)
University of Montevallo (No code needed)
University of North Alabama (Always free to apply)
For the following institutions use code FALL2026 when applying
Auburn University (Direct Auburn portal only)
Samford University (CommonApp & direct portal)
Troy University (Troy online application)
University of South Alabama (Enter code at checkout)
University of West Alabama (UWA online application)
Faulkner University (Direct online application)
For the following institutions use code ALCA2026 when applying
University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH online application portal)
Alabama A&M University (Apply via AAMU portal)
Alabama State University (Apply via ASU portal)
Tuskegee University (Apply via Tuskegee portal)

All 24 Alabama Community Colleges are always 100% free applications

Bevill State Community College
Central Alabama Community College
Drake State Community & Technical College
Ingram State Technical College
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Northwest-Shoals Community College
Snead State Community College
Wallace Community College (Dothan, Selma, & Hanceville)
Bishop State Community College
Chattahoochee Valley Community College
Enterprise State Community College
Jefferson State Community College
Marion Military Institute
Reid State Technical College
Southern Union State Community College
Calhoun Community College
Coastal Alabama Community College
Gadsden State Community College
Lawson State Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College
Shelton State Community College
Trenholm State Community College

Important Application Reminders:

Institutional Portals: Most fee waiver codes apply specifically to individual college website portals (e.g., The University of Alabama and Auburn require applying directly on their site.)
Transcripts: Request that your high school counselor send your high school transcript after completing your applications.
Strict Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CDT on Friday, October 9, 2026

Dothan City Board of Education Approves Proposed Salary Increases for More Than 1,000 Employees

September 25, 2026

The Dothan City Board of Education has approved a plan that would increase pay for approximately 1,092 Dothan City Schools employees, including teachers, support staff and school and district leaders. The Board approved the new salary plan during its September 22 Special Called meeting. The pay increases will take effect once the district secures sustainable funding to support the plan. The Dothan City Board of Education is seeking to secure this funding specifically from the City of Dothan.

Under the new plan, teachers would receive an additional 6% pay increase on top of the 2% increase funded by the state. This would place Dothan City Schools’ standard teacher pay approximately 8.65% above the state salary schedule. The plan would also increase pay for Teacher Excellence and Accountability for Mathematics and Science (TEAMS) teachers and make adjustments to several other certified employee salary schedules.

“Every student in Dothan City Schools deserves to learn from a fully certified, highly qualified teacher who is equipped to help them reach their full potential. We are fortunate to have dedicated educators serving our students every day, including teachers working under alternative and temporary certification pathways who are doing admirable work while meeting the needs of their classrooms. Their commitment deserves our recognition and support” said Dr. Garrick Askew.

Dr. Askew also stated “At the same time, our current staffing reality makes clear that we must strengthen our ability to recruit and retain fully certified teachers across our district. Decades of experience in the field and extensive education research both evidence the impact of fully certified teachers on student achievement. Competitive compensation is an essential component in Dothan City Schools’ efforts to provide a fully certified teacher in every classroom. By investing in our educators, we are investing in stronger instruction, improved student achievement, and the future of the Dothan community. I look forward to working collaboratively with our city leaders to identify sustainable funding that will help us deliver on that commitment to every child.”

Support employees would receive at least a 5% pay increase, with the average increase estimated at approximately 7.6%. The plan also makes several changes designed to better align pay among similar positions across the district. Some of those changes include increasing school bookkeeper pay to match school secretary pay, creating separate pay levels for school clerical aides and teaching aides, updating technology specialist pay and increasing starting pay for bus drivers to $92 per day. The plan also updates pay for certain school and district leadership positions based on the new teacher salary schedule.

“The proposed salary increases represent an important investment in the people who serve Dothan City Schools every day,” said Board Chairman Dr. Julie Mullins-Turner. “Strengthening compensation supports employee recruitment, retention, and morale while helping provide the stability and instructional excellence necessary to advance student achievement across our district.”

The proposed salary increases represent approximately $3.8 million in additional employee pay for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. When benefits and other related costs are included, the total estimated cost to fully fund the plan is approximately $4.63 million annually.

“The success of Dothan and the success of its public schools are inseparable,” says District 5 Board Member, Ashley Davis. “An effective school system depends on schools that are fully staffed with highly qualified teachers, and competing for those teachers requires a strong partnership with the City. I look forward to seeing our City leaders’ commitments to public education become a meaningful investment in our students.”

“We know that teaching is challenging, and our educators are working in an environment where teacher burnout is a very real concern. We still have much work to do to show our teachers that they matter and that their dedication and hard work are truly appreciated,” said District 1 Board Member, Brenda Guilford. “This pay increase is a good starting point as we continue throughout the year to focus on the well-being of our teachers, staff, and students and provide continuous support through strong leadership. As a Board member, I want our teachers to know that we hear them, we value them, and we are committed to continuing this work. “

“Coming from three generations of educators, I understand the dedication this profession requires and the financial challenges many face. With rising costs and increasing demands in our schools, competitive compensation is more important than ever,” said District 3 Board Member, Taiisha Walton. “I fully support securing additional funding for salaries because investing in those who serve our students is an investment in their success.

While the Board has approved the new salary schedules, it is pending the identification of sustainable funding. The Board has authorized Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew to begin discussions with the City of Dothan (and any other potential partners) to identify funding that can support the raises now and in future years. Once sustainable funding is secured, Dothan City Schools will determine the implementation date and provide affected employees with information about their individual pay.

We invite the community to review the full Teacher, Certified, Support, and Leadership Schedules for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 by visiting tinyurl.com/26-27SalarySchedules

Graphic announcing Jerry Lee Faine Elementary Turnaround Incentive Program. Educators at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary can earn up to $12,000. Jerry Lee Faine Elementary and Dothan City Schools logos are displayed.

Dothan City Schools Approves Turnaround Incentive Program for Jerry Lee Faine Elementary Educators

September 23, 2026

The Dothan City Board of Education approved a new performance-based incentive program Tuesday, Sept. 22, that will provide eligible Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School educators the opportunity to earn up to $12,000 in supplemental compensation while supporting the school’s continued turnaround efforts. The Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School Turnaround Incentive Program is a one-year, results-driven supplemental compensation program for the 2026-2027 performance year intended to reward educators for measurable student achievement and academic growth while strengthening instructional continuity, employee attendance and staff retention at the school.

“This program is an investment in our students and in the educators who take on the important work happening at Jerry Lee Faine,” Dothan City Schools Superintendent Dr. Garrick Askew said. “Strong, consistent instruction is essential to improving student outcomes. This gives us another tool to reward educators for that work while attracting and retaining talented teachers who want to make a meaningful difference for students.”

Eligible instructional employees can earn incentives based on verified student performance measures associated with their position, grade level and content area. Measures include i-Ready Inform Reading and Mathematics growth for students in grades K-3, Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) proficiency, and academic growth for applicable students in grades 3-5. For eligible general education, special education and gifted teachers, performance incentives range from $500 to $750 per student, per applicable content area, based on established student achievement and growth benchmarks. Instructional coaches and interventionists may also earn incentives based on applicable grade-level performance measures. Eligible employees can earn an additional $500 attendance incentive by maintaining at least 90 percent attendance during the applicable 2026-2027 employment period. Altogether, the program establishes a maximum of $12,000 in total incentive compensation per eligible employee for the performance year.

The new program adds to other financial incentives currently available to qualifying educators at Faine, including a $3,000 hiring and retention bonus to eligible, fully certified teachers at Faine Elementary, Girard Elementary, and Beverlye Intermediate. DCS also offers a $6,000 incentive to eligible, fully certified special education teachers at all schools throughout the district. Both incentives require a three-year employment agreement. Dothan City Schools hopes the combination of performance-based compensation and existing incentives will help recruit and retain highly qualified educators who are prepared to contribute to Faine’s continued improvement.

“We want educators to know there is an opportunity at Faine to be part of a team doing meaningful work and to be rewarded for the results of that work,” Askew said. “For educators who are ready to embrace that challenge and help students reach their full potential, we want them here.”

The Alabama State Department of Education reviewed the Turnaround Incentive Program and supported the proposal contingent upon local Board approval and completion of appropriate legal review. The program is funded through available and allowable Governor’s Turnaround funding and does not create a permanent salary supplement or ongoing benefit. Incentive awards will be calculated following the conclusion of the performance year using official student achievement, growth, instructional assignment and attendance data. Payments are subject to final verification, program requirements and available funding.

Dothan City Schools currently has teaching opportunities available at Jerry Lee Faine Elementary School. Certified educators interested in learning more about available positions and financial incentives are encouraged to contact JLF Principal Ms. Marketa George at marketa.george@dothan.k12.al.us for additional information.

Courtney Starling smiles in front of a dark background.

Dothan City Schools Welcomes New K-12 Instructional Math Specialist

September 9, 2026

Dothan City Schools welcomes Courtney Starling as the district’s new K-12 Instructional Math Specialist. Starling was approved by the Dothan City Board of Education during its September 8 regular meeting.