The Clinton County Board of Education held a special called meeting last Tuesday, January 30, with all board members present, as well as new superintendent Wayne Ackerman on hand.
Although the meeting was held two days prior to Ackerman assuming official duties, the over one hour session involved discussion on school district needs and vision for the future.
After approving the meeting agenda, which included only two items of business, the board first approved Ackerman as Co-Treasurer/Bond Treasurer and Secretary to the Board at no extra salary. This is a standard procedure for incoming superintendents.
Board members and the superintendent then launched into a discussion of district needs and vision for the school system, setting somewhat a list of priorities they would like to see addressed and eventually accomplished.
Board Chairwoman Leslie Stockton opened the floor for discussion among board members to discuss their priorities.
Board member Bobbie Stone began the discussion, reading from a list of items she felt were most important for the district to improve upon, beginning with test scores. Her concerns also included attendance/enrollment numbers, construction initiatives and the current instructional curriculum put in place by interim superintendent Boyd Randolph and how to build on those initiatives.
Superintendent Ackerman said that in general terms, a three percent gain in testing would be good growth, “but for those students who are behind, more has to be done.”
Ackerman said he would be meeting with principals on continuing the processes put in place already and getting their input.
Stone also said the district needed to create a culture to help boost morale among teachers, administrators and staff. “They need to feel they are being supported,” she said.
Board member Ronald Albertson inserted, “teachers need a leader that will lead.”
Board member Jeremy Fryman added, “…for teachers struggling, we need to find out what can we do to help them.”
The new superintendent assured the board he would address teachers’ needs.
Stockton also said the district needed to find ways to support new teachers, with one way possibly being from outside sources or mentoring.
“Morale is pretty low, coming out of COVID-19,” Fryman noted. At one point he also inferred teacher salaries were too low.
Board members also agreed that working closely with the Clinton County Retired Teachers Association, which has been an active organization locally, may be helpful.
“Money (salary) is important, but they (teachers) also need support,” said Stone.
Board Vice-Chairman Gary Norris then asked what would happen if Foothills Academy closes.
Superintendent Ackerman said there were options in that situation, and staff there would be kept somewhere in the district to aid students.
(A separate article on Foothills Academy can be found on page 1.)
Fryman also suggested alternative or additional classes students may be interested in, such as engineering, that may help retain students.
Superintendent Ackerman said the district should recognize all students and “make them feel valuable.”
Other issues touched on, and some to be addressed in the future as well, include the constant need for additional SRO’s (School Resource Officers), athletics, and more.
The board also agreed the district should follow the instructional processes put in place by Randolph during his tenure as interim schools chief and follow that path.
Stone recommended outlining the priority needs of the district that were discussed and allow the new superintendent to study those issues and come up with his own solutions and later work out details on how to implement solutions with the board in the coming months.
It was noted the process to make the school district better and more efficient would take time.
Superintendent Ackerman also stressed, prior to the adjournment of the meeting, a need for “community transparency” to keep everyone informed on what is going on within the school system.
A “meet and greet” type community meeting to introduce the new superintendent to local officials, organizations and the public is being planned, with more information to be announced later.
The next regular meeting of the school board is scheduled for Monday, February 19, at 5 p.m.