Lynn Fielding, educator and co-author of “Annual Growth: Catch Up Growth” spoke to the Middlesboro Board of Education Monday night. He talked about his experiences as a board member and an educator in Kennewick, Washington, and emphasized the importance of direct instructional time in classrooms.
Superintendent Rita Cook first spoke about the annual Board Retreat, which was held on April 6, and said that board members used the planning session to prioritize, and to set educational goals within the school district.
According to Superintendent Cook, the district plans to implement numerous goals and “develop core values” within the district over the next several years — in order to provide students with the best education possible and to create a supportive community partnership.
She claimed that the Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD), within the next two years, will establish a reading model/program that supports the goal that ninety percent of all third-grade students will exit third grade reading on grade level.
In addition, the district plans to expand the use of technology by increasing student access to computers; by increasing the number of student performance-based projects increase school; and by increasing teacher usage of technology and distance learning in the classroom.
The MISD, according to Cook, also intends to increase school and community communications by reaching out to the community and families through publications, direct contact and visible engagement of district leadership.
As for the other goals, she explained that the district aims to promote and support teachers by increasing the numbers of highly qualified teachers in content areas, and by implementing programs and committees to increase district-wide understanding and cohesiveness of staff.
Cook added that increasing the numbers of diverse staff at all buildings within the district, and developing various types of communication with the community and parents, were also essential when attempting to provide students with the best educational experience imaginable.
The board then officially adopted the district-wide goals, and all approved the decision.
“From this moment forward, we will send these goals out to all our staff members,” said Cook. “We will be talking about them in different coordinating councils. We will be forming committees, and maybe ask some of you to help us come up with some action plans. We will try to put things in motion... And then, we will come back and check these core goals on a regular basis.”
Superintendent Cook then warmly welcomed representatives from the Elgin Foundation — a charitable organization from Knoxville, Tenn.
“I am so pleased tonight to have the Elgin Foundation here with us. We are very fortunate to have them as our guests,” expressed Cook. “I can’t say enough good things about this organization, and for all they have done for us and our buildings so far — with our after-school academy and the summer program we are going to have.”
“The Elgin Foundation has come to us and said, ‘We want to partner with the Middlesboro school district, and we want to help you reach your goals, as well,’” added Cook.
Cook said that the MISD recently submitted an application to the Elgin Foundation — as part of a six-year contract — in order to further develop additional partnerships with the organization for educational and health support within the area. Board members promptly approved the application, as presented.
Linda J. Vinson, Education Consultant for the Elgin Foundation, spoke about the Middlesboro school district and the foundation’s ambitions at Monday’s meeting.
“I am thrilled to be here. It’s been very fun to come to Middlesboro. You all are wonderful and your teachers are wonderful,” Vinson conveyed. “If the board doesn’t know it already, you have some of the best teachers I’ve ever had the privilege of working with.”
Vinson then stated that the Elgin Foundation strives to carry out the late B.R. Thompson, Sr.’s vision to give back to the communities from which he employed workers for his coal-mining businesses — including the counties of Bell, Clay, Laurel, and Leslie in Southeastern Kentucky.
She noted that for the past several years, the foundation has largely focused its efforts on providing dental and medical care to the most disadvantaged children in the counties it serves. But recently, she explained, the Foundation has expanded its focus to include education initiatives.
Vinson communicated that the Elgin Foundation is excited about creating an academic initiative that will address the needs of all the district’s children and schools.
“We need more time to catch our kids up. So we are asking for a hundred and fifty minute commitment from your schools to make sure that we can actually reach our goals, and get our kids there,” stated Vinson.
She spoke about the significance of direct teaching, educational remediation opportunities, and assisting teachers in assessment and test data — in which the foundation aims to help the district focus on, financially and so on.
“Our goal is to help focus good, positive attention on this part of the country,” concluded Vinson.
Lynn Fielding, educator and co-author of “Annual Growth: Catch Up Growth,” also spoke on behalf of the Elgin Foundation Monday night. He talked about his experiences as a board member and an educator in Kennewick, Washington, and emphasized the importance of direct instructional time in classrooms.
“Instructional time is worth its weight in gold,” Fielding maintained.
He discussed with school officials how to successfully put the focus on direct instructional time; how to use literacy coaches to enhance classroom instruction and develop instructional leaders; how to take charge with good governance and clear goals; and how much to increase direct instructional time for children who are behind.
“You must establish a clear line of sight, from where you are to where you need to go, as a district and by school,” said Fielding.
During his presentation, Fielding stressed the importance of reading to a child at least 20 minutes a day. Fielding believes that reading — however basic and fundamental it may seem — is the key to every child’s academic success, in school and beyond.
In other official school business, the MBOE addressed and/or discussed the following items:
• Charles Owens, Nicole Mike and Ginger Crawford were recognized for the Excellence in Teaching Award, as presented by Campbellsville University.
• Building reports were given by each district principal.
• Finance Officer Ava Wilder gave a budget update.
• Approved the minutes of the March 15th, 2010 regular-called meeting.
• Approved financial reports as presented from Middlesboro High School, Middlesboro Middle School, Middlesboro Intermediate School, and Middlesboro Primary School.
• Approved the cafeteria report, financial report, and the payment of monthly bills and salaries.
Adam Young is a Staff Writer for the Middlesboro Daily News. He can be contacted by e-mail at ayoung@middlesborodailynews.com.
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