Dr. Ilean Richards, conservator for the Leflore County School District, says she is optimistic about the district’s progress after the 2016-2017 school year, which faced challenges of teacher shortages, gaps in student achievement and financial instability.
“This year, teacher retention is more solid, data sources are more readily available to guide school reform, and the financial picture is improving, which will allow for purchase of needed instructional resources and needed improvements to the district’s physical infrastructure,” she said in an email.
Consistency is a priority, and Richards said she hopes with a more stable and growing staff the schools will improve academically. This past year, all the schools had new principals, and only two are being replaced for the upcoming school year.
“Schools and principals will continue to adopt and implement proven practices to increase student achievement, to create safe and orderly environments, and to broaden partnerships to support our students’ social, emotional, and academic growth,” Richards said.
Three teaching and four paraprofessional positions had not been filled as of last week, but the teacher retention rate is stronger.
“Our teacher retention rate is much greater this year, which means we will have more teachers with greater expertise in our classrooms this upcoming year,” Richards said. “Teacher recruitment continues to be productive.”
Still, the district faces challenges of employing teachers who are appropriately certified as a result of new certification rules and the lack of people going into the education field, she said.
Last year, the district implemented a new method of recruiting that offered teachers a three-year non-renewal of their certificates, and it will continue the offer this year.
The district will also continue with a standards-based curriculum but add “supplementary curriculum measures to help remediate academic deficiencies, enhance students’ thinking and problem-solving skills,” Richards said.
One of these supplements will be a new independent reading requirement that will improve student engagement in reading text and above-grade-level reading. New music classes will also be added in addition to new band directors.
Changes to the district will also include a new roof on the main section of East Elementary School and the replacement of pipes, water fountains and desks at all schools throughout the year.
As for the district’s goals, Richards said she hopes to increase student achievement; create a more caring, safer and orderly school environment; improve parent and community involvement; and continue to build up staff capacity.
School will begin Aug. 2 for teachers and Aug. 7 for students.
•Contact Lauren Randall at 581-7239 or lrandall@gwcommonwealth.com.
