As I reflect back over the past four years it provides some time to celebrate. It was an honor to succeed the late Danny Brown. Danny was an outstanding person and educator. He laid a framework for the school district that the board and I tried to build upon.
His first priority was instruction and school climate. Two of those initiatives were Thoughtful Education and Capturing Kids Hearts that continue to impact our culture. Over the past 4 years to provide reflection and willingness to be transparent the district has received national accreditation from AdvancED SACS. In 2011, the Commissioner of Education asked school districts to sign the Commonwealth Commitment to reach an established goal for College and Career Readiness by 2015. We were asked to increase from 29% to 65% and this year we surpassed the 50% mark towards that goal. Next year the district will begin to implement PBIS (Positive Behavior Instruction Supports) to continue fostering a positive school culture.
Danny emphasized the improvement of facilities and laid the groundwork. In 2008 as he retired major renovations were completed on the middle and high school buildings. Encouraging community involvement, he had the layout for the softball and soccer fields prepared. Since that time both fields were readied and put in use and this year both softball and baseball could play under the lights. He pushed for funding for the elementary school renovation. This effort continued with the courage of the school board to pass the recallable nickel and with the community’s generous support a new cafeteria will open this fall. Mr. McCallon and the board will have over 3.5 million in funds to begin Phase 2 of the elementary renovation project.
Finances were a concern as Mr. Brown encountered a significantly smaller balance than projected when he became superintendent, he started a slow and steady process to rebuild the balance. Last year, we ended with the largest balance in the district’s history. This will allow Mr. McCallon and the board breathing room over the next two years as funds are stagnant at best and will probably be reduced. They have a balance to spend down and get through it without drastic action. Not much money to do anything new. During the past few years when many districts have cut employees’ days and salaries and number of employees, our board has managed to maintain and provide slight pay increases.
I think Mr. Brown would agree with me that the future looks bright with Randy McCallon’s leadership as superintendent! From Mr. Brown to Mr. McCallon, There are no problems, only opportunities.
Tags: danny brown, randy mccallon
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