NORTH SHELBY – Oak Mountain Elementary School was surprised with a grant that will allow school officials to showcase its commitment to developing leaders.

A $2,500 grant through FranklinCovey’s Leader in Me program was presented to OMES Principal Debbie Horton and the school’s faculty and staff during a faculty meeting after school on Monday, Aug. 14.

Pamela Baggett, education quality partner with FranklinCovey, explained that schools that purchased Student Leadership Guides during a promotional period were entered into a drawing.

Four winners received $500 grants, and then a drawing was held for a larger prize.

“Ms. Horton, your school was the grand prize winner,” Baggett said.

Dana Martin, supervisor of school improvement and federal programs for Shelby County Schools, and David Galvin, client partner for FranklinCovey, were also on hand for the presentation.

OMES will decide how to use the funds, and Horton said ideas have already been discussed.

The school has a Lighthouse Team committee composed of grade level teachers, special area teachers and administrators that meets regularly to maintain a focus on leadership development, Horton said.

The Lighthouse Team will discuss ideas and seek feedback from all faculty and staff.

A possible approach is to alter the outside appearance of the front of the school so that visitors know Oak Mountain Elementary participates in the Leader in Me program, Horton said.

Banners or flags that promote Leader in Me or “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

“Parents who drive through and wait in carpool can learn about the 7 Habits,” Horton said. “As people drive by the campus they will know we value developing leaders at Oak Mountain Elementary.”

Officials began discussing such a project during the previous school year but did not have the funds to move forward, Horton said and added that the project could now be completed by December.

“We want the outside of our school to mirror all the amazing things that are happening on the inside of our school,” she said. “This grant will allow us to show the community that OMES intentionally develops leaders in order to be prepared for their journey. Our mission is ‘Lead with Love, Encourage Excellence and Inspire Learning!’”