I have enjoyed reading the opinions in this column for several years, but I have never shared my opinion in this forum. Over the past week, there have been numerous posts on the success of various school districts and the opinion of their priorities. First, I truly hope no one is rating districts by the new state grading system. I will be polite and say it is a flawed system at best.
My daughter attends Lakeside Middle School and LMS was the highest achieving building on our campus, was named a Top 10 Middle School in the state, and awarded a bonus grant through the Arkansas Department of Education based on high test scores. However, LMS is designated a C school. I am not suggesting that all public schools are performing at the same levels, but this system does not make the "grade" in my opinion.
I have also read many opinions on neighboring school districts and determining their main priorities. It has recently been suggested Lake Hamilton School District values athletics over academics. I cannot agree with this opinion based on my prior experience as an employee of the Lake Hamilton School District. I spent three years coaching and teaching biology in the district and can say that my building leaders were more interested in my knowledge of cellular respiration than my ability to break a full court press. The expectations placed on teaching were very clear. I know that was 10 years ago, but some of the building leaders at the time are now district administrators. Lake Hamilton is known statewide for their band program, AAIM status and their agriculture offerings, to name just a few of their nonathletic programs.
Lake Hamilton, as well as other county school districts, emphasizes athletics, which I also support. Athletics is where I developed many of the leadership traits that define me as an administrator. This is an area where young people develop work ethic, character, sportsmanship, how to deal with adversity, and finally how to handle success and failure with dignity. I was reminded this past year, while coaching my fourth- and sixth-grade girls' basketball teams, of the invaluable life lessons that can be taught through athletics. Many times these skills are not being taught in the home. Many of our most famous and successful leaders will share that athletics helped to shape them as leaders. It is a valuable piece of our overall goal of building successful graduates at Lakeside.
I have a unique advantage to see many of the wonderful things that are happening in the Garland County schools and I know many of the educators in these districts. I feel we are truly blessed with great schools and caring educators in our county. I think one thing we, as public educators, fail to do is let our community know about all the wonderful things that are happening on a daily basis. Our district leaders speak regularly about how we can improve opportunities for our students, but realize it is a target that is ever changing. I applaud my colleagues at Lake Hamilton and all surrounding schools for the many opportunities they offer to the kids of Garland County. Because at the end of the day, they are not Lakeside students or Lake Hamilton students, they are OUR FUTURE.
Assistant Superintendent Bruce Orr
Lakeside Public Schools
Editorial on 05/03/2015