Focus Class 28 visited Mill Creek Elementary School. Members are shown here in the school library for a session. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Mill Creek elementary and James Clemens high schools were on the April 19 itinerary for Focus Class 28 with Leadership Huntsville/Madison County.

Focus Class 28 is affiliated with the Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The Madison stops were part of their two-day, quick-start tour of local business, cultural, historical, educational and human service aspects of Madison County.

Madison Police Chief Larry Muncey welcomed the visitors at City Hall to load buses for their day in Madison.

Mill Creek students and teachers met for breakfast with Focus Class 28, who heard ideas to increase educational awareness and volunteering within the school systems, Mill Creek Principal Melanie Barkley said. Barkley presented an overview of the school and activities that the student population pursues.

After breakfast, a superintendents’ panel fielded questions. Participants included Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler, Madison City Schools; Superintendent Dr. Casey Wardynski, Huntsville City Schools; and director of secondary education Dr. Sandra Spivey, Madison County Schools.

“It was a privilege to share a small glimpse into Madison City Schools and let the leaders of our area hear all the great things that we have going on in our school system,” Barkley said.

The leadership group then toured James Clemens and conducted a “Public Engagement on Education” session with Madison County and private school teachers, principals and School Resource Officer Danny Pettus from James Clemens.

Focus Class 28 then visited Madison Hospital.

Back at City Hall, the group met in the Madison Police Department for the session, “Law Enforcement in Madison County.” District Attorney Rob Broussard, Madison County Sheriff Blake Dorning, Huntsville Police Chief Lewis Morris and Muncey participated in the discussion.

This session’s objective was to understand the criminal activity that public safety officials face daily and how local law enforcers collaborate.

Focus Class 28 is composed of a diverse group of professionals, including a Madison Fire and Rescue Department firefighter and representatives with the U.S. Army, software developers, politicians, educators, bankers, attorneys and clergy.