Big News for a Small Town

As you may recall the North Bolivar School District, 3 schools with 890 students, was taken over by the state last November for pitiful test scores. We were ranked as a level one priority, which can be translated as, "It doesn't get any worse than this." Our superintendent was fired and replaced with a conservator to oversee all affairs. An interim superintendent was appointed and all freedom had been stripped from the teachers. Our daily instruction was formatted to help increase test scores. Stress levels were high but the school community bonded together under strenuous conditions for the benefit of our students.

Ever since we completed state exams last May everyone has been anxiously awaiting our new school level. Rumors abound. Particularly in a small community the rumor mill churns at an astonishing velocity. The rumors have been coming through the grapevine, by way of little birds chirping, and of course daily water cooler talk. While impossible to take any of the talk as completely legitimate, word was that scores are up, things are looking good, and we will be starting off the year on an upswing.

Today at 6:30 pm a town meeting was scheduled at the Shelby Middle School Auditorium. The centerpiece of the meeting was Dr. Hank Bounds, State Superintendent of Education, who would be delivering our new school level. Unlike the first time Dr. Bounds was at the school, people were smiling today. Good news was in the air.

After a series of speakers and selections played by the high school band Dr. Bounds came to the podium. He had three Vanna White style assistants on stage holding placards of the previous school levels; Brooks Elementary - level 1 priority, Shelby Middle – level 1 priority, and Broad Street High School - level 3. Amidst a hushed crowd Dr. Bounds looked at the signs, looked at the crowd, looked at the signs, looked at the crowd…then like the magical letters of the Wheel of Fortune the Vanna Whites turned the placards to reveal...BROOKS - LEVEL 4, SHELBY MIDDLE - LEVEL 4, BROAD STREET - LEVEL 3!!!!! AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!!!! STANDING OVATIONS!!!! CHEERING!!!! HOOTING!!! HOLLERING!!!

Mr. Cooper breaks out in dance and calls out the good job cheer. All participate, "GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! (clap, clap) G-O-O-D J-O-B, GOOD JOB! GOOD JOB! (clap, clap)"

This is all tremendous news. We will be starting the year on the right foot. Everyone is proud of each other and the overriding feeling amongst administrators, teachers, and the community is positivity. We must continue this hard work and collaboration to ensure an enriching and engaging academic experience for our students. Higher test scores do not mean that the problem is solved but that we are moving in the right direction. As our conservator said, "The district did not need to be turned around but picked up and moved forward." Congratulations to all, we need to keep moving forward.