Andalusia City Schools recently launched a new Web site and changed Web hosts in an effort to be more cost effective, Superintendent Ted Watson said Thursday.

“We came across a Web opportunity that is more cost effective and user friendly,” he said.

The new site host is “School in Site,” the same site host used by Covington County Schools and numerous other systems throughout the state.

Watson cautioned that site construction is ongoing and asked for patience as school system officials work to finish the new site.

“The Web site isn’t fully completed yet,” he said. “It will remain a project throughout the school year.”

Earlier this year, ACS was recognized by the Alabama School Connection as having one of the top 10 city district Web sites in the state.

ACS’s Web site came in fourth after Madison, Huntsville and Vestavia Hills and was followed by Decatur, Jasper, Albertville, Florence, Hoover and Russellville – all school systems larger than ACS.

Watson said the new Web site will still include the same information the previous site did, and that he thinks it will be just as effective.

“The main goal of the Web site is to communicate,” he said. “It’s nice to win those awards, and (communication) is why we won those awards.”

The state department of education requires all systems to maintain a Web site containing monthly financial reports and check registers for the district.

The Web site features tabs that include information about the Board of Education, business and finance, child nutrition, federal programs, health services, information technology, special education and transportation.

There are also tabs linking to each school’s Web site, parent information, news, calendar and a directory.

The Web site also includes a place for parents and the community to sign up for the NotifyMe notification system where they can choose to receive an e-mail or text message about a board meeting, employment opportunities, newsletters and school closings or early dismissal.

For more information, visit the Web site at andalusia.schoolinsites.com.