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Posted on 04/11/2003 11:43:51 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Red River schools may soon turn a corner Vickie Welborn / The Times Mansfield Bureau
Posted on April 11, 2003 COUSHATTA - Red River schools Superintendent Kay Easley wasn't surprised Thursday when she saw her system on the very bottom of a statewide list comparing district performance scores.
But she and others believe the system, struggling in the recent past with school consolidation and turmoil involving her and the School Board, soon will turn a corner.
Easley has known since May the ranking would be low. "When you have a minus 9 and all you have is one school, you know what you're facing. But the way I look at it, the verdict is still out. Hopefully, when the new test scores come out in May, you'll see our scores go up."
Red River is among five parishes suffering the largest decreases in K-8 performance scores, with Red River at the bottom of all 66 school systems with a minus 9.2. When the high school scores are factored in, the parish moves up to 61st statewide.
Problems in the parish's education system are not new. The past few years have been the most tumultuous in recent memory.
A 1998 vote to consolidate all schools came to fruition almost two years ago with the high school being moved into renovated buildings on its former campus. The elementary school, which houses kindergarten through sixth grade, opened at its new location more than a year ago. And the junior high moved into its new facility last year.
The upheaval caused some exodus of students and teachers.
Parents unhappy with the consolidated campuses that house about 1,500 students put their children into the parish's only private school along with a new church-based school that opened in the fall. Some even are attending schools in other parishes.
The administration also has been distracted with controversy related to School Board members' actions. The board last year often was at odds with Easley and her decisions. Last spring, the board even voted to get rid of the superintendent by voting not to renew her contract. That action landed some board members in court, where a judge determined they violated the state's open meetings law.
"The last couple of years have not been normal," Easley conceded.
But there's been a difference this year. "This year has been smoother ... because we have more cooperation and the community is working together."
For the first time in many years, the parish has more certified teachers than non-certified educators. Recruitment of even more is a top priority. And students finally are settled in one location.
Easley is confident the next student reporting period will show improvement because of the intensive staff development that's taken place this school term. "I do believe you have to expect more, and this year we have emphasized expectations."
No school day passes without teachers in the K-6 school doing their part to improve student achievement, Red River Elementary School Principal Karen Squires said. Reading programs, particularly in preschool and lower grade levels, are a major emphasis.
"You've got to get them reading before they do anything else," Squires said.
School Board member Jessie Webber of Coushatta is confident the staff will address the deficiencies. "I know our teachers are working very hard. We're going to do all we can to strive to get better."
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