A local high school is in the top 10 in the state in terms of the percentage of students graduating high school.

There are only nine school systems in the state of Alabama that have a higher percentage of students graduating high school than Opp, unofficial numbers for Opp High School graduation percentages show.

Opp City Schools Superintendent Michael Smithart shared the raw numbers of graduation percentages for Opp High School, and comparisons to previous years.

“We turned in a report to the state last Friday that should calculate our graduation rate for the last school year,” Opp City Schools Superintendent Michael Smithart said. “We think that number is going to be 91 percent, which well exceeds the state average.”

He said he believes that number was 72 percent six years ago.

“We are doing what we’re supposed to be doing,” Smithart said. “We’re graduating students from Opp High School. We tell our teachers that it’s a K through 12 accomplishment. It starts in kindergarten, and they do a great job.”

In a breakdown of the numbers, Smithart said that black students are graduating at a 96 percent rate and students in poverty are at 84 percent.

“To be honest with you, that’s an accomplishment,” Smithart said. “It was only 57 percent three years ago.”

He also said 89 percent of the special education students graduated with an actual diploma, not just a certificate.

“One other statistic that just blew me away is there are 132 school systems in Alabama,” Smithart said. “There are only nine school systems in the state of Alabama that send a greater percentage of students to college than Opp City Schools.

“We can talk about winning football games and they had a great year, but this is what we’re supposed to be doing,” he said. “Graduating students and sending them on to colleges and careers.”

OHS Principal Ron Snell added, “not only are we sending a greater percentage by far, their need for remediation when they get there is less than everyone else.”

Smithart said he really wanted to applaud the teachers who are making this possible.

In other business, the council:

• approved a contract with Thermal Abatement Inc. to remove and dispose of asbestos containing materials, prior to the demolition of South Highlands Elementary School for $7,800; with the option to also remove and dispose of the hot water tank for $1,800;

• approved the lowest bid for demolition of South Highlands Elementary School with Complete Demolition at the bid price of $89,942; and

• accepted the resignation of Caitlin Pearce as math teacher at Opp Middle School.