Baldwin County School District Launches 'Baldwin Reads' in Partnership with Fouts Brothers

Superintendent Kristina Brooks with Fouts Brothers' co-owner Heather Edens and project manager Kaycle Jacobs.

Tuesday, September 23rd, marked an exciting new chapter for Baldwin County students as we officially launched the Baldwin Reads Program, a game-changing initiative that's about to transform how our children experience the magic of reading. This comprehensive Reading Excellence Initiative extends beyond traditional classroom instruction to cultivate a genuine love of reading that will serve students throughout their lives. The initiative is part of a partnership with Fouts Brothers’ co-owner Heather Edens, and is being managed by Kaycle Jacobs.

Reading IS a Superpower – And We're Here to Help Students Unlock It

BCSD celebrated the launch with a school-wide pep rally at Lakeview Academy (LVA) featuring

community partners distributing books: Communities In Schools, LVA PTO, Family Connections, and Ferst Readers.

There were also amazing performances by the LVA Drill Team and Baldwin High School Cheerleaders and a special appearance by Baldwin High School Braves football players

Principal Cory Roberson announced a slate of fun, motivating incentives to boost at-home reading and participation in Accelerated Reader (AR) quizzes that reinforce deep comprehension and critical thinking. Incentives include meals, class parties, “pie-the-principal” fun, and special field trips.

How Baldwin Reads Works: Three Pillars of Success

Baldwin Reads introduces a student-centered model built on three core components:

1) Tiered Incentive System

Students progress through achievement levels and earn recognition as they meet reading milestones—celebrating growth and motivating continued effort at every stage.

2) Monthly Book Donation Program

Every month, new books go directly into students’ hands, with a 2025–2026 emphasis on 4th grade. This ensures access to engaging, age-appropriate reading—regardless of economic circumstances.

3) Community Partnership Network

Local businesses, organizations, and volunteers unite to champion literacy—creating a county-wide culture where reading is celebrated and supported.

“We’re not just teaching students to read; we’re building a culture where reading is celebrated,” said Erica Ingram, Curriculum Director. “When our community rallies around literacy, we send a powerful message that education—and our students’ success—is a shared priority.”

Early Momentum & Measurable Goals

Teachers report rising excitement and strong participation during the program’s first week. At LVA, students have already checked out 1,000+ books, pushing toward the first schoolwide goal: every LVA student reads one book by the end of fall break.

District-wide, BCSD is encouraging as many students as possible to surpass one million words read this school year.