Decatur board hears details on first day of school

Photo by Mike Eckels Kelly Harkin, Decatur Middle School teacher, briefs and welcomes sixth through eighth grade students to the opening day of the 2014-15 school year Aug. 18. This marks the first return of students to the middle school since the fiscal distress closure in 2009.
Photo by Mike Eckels Kelly Harkin, Decatur Middle School teacher, briefs and welcomes sixth through eighth grade students to the opening day of the 2014-15 school year Aug. 18. This marks the first return of students to the middle school since the fiscal distress closure in 2009.

DECATUR -- With the opening day of the 2014-15 school year complete, the Decatur School Board heard from the new elementary and middle/high school principals on the success of the first day of classes Aug. 18. One member of the board was absent.

Darleen Holly, board vice-president for five years, tendered her resignation from the board on July 24 to allow her husband Doug to take the position of transportation and maintenance director for the Decatur school system vacated by Sherman Robinson, who held the job for 37 years. Ike Owens, board president, expressed his gratitude for Darleen Holly's service to the Decatur school system.

"I really appreciate Darleen for the job she did while she was on the board," Owens said. "She was one of the first ones to step up and wanted to help after the fiscal distress ended. I just wanted to publicly acknowledge her efforts and the help that she gave us in that time."

The school board focus shifted from the Holly story to the first day of classes for the 2014-15 school year.

Superintendent Jeff Gravette, after tallying enrollment numbers from Northside Elementary, Decatur Middle and High schools, reported to the board that 505 students attended the first day of classes. This was down by about forty students from last year.

"We expect to see the enrollment numbers climb in the next two weeks," Gravette said.

The first day of classes at the high school and middle school saw teachers and students ready to get back to the task of learning. For first year Decatur principal, Toby Conrad, the enthusiasm and willingness to dive in and move ahead made for a smooth transition.

"I would like to give a round of applause for our teachers," Conrad said. "They are motivated staff. We have come a long way since the fiscal distress and the teachers are proud of what we have accomplished in the past five years. Every time I'm needing something, the teachers go out of their way to help."

Conrad singled out a few of the teachers that go to great length to help the kids. But Conrad was quick to point out that the entire faculty and staff of both the middle and high schools all deserve credit for a successful opening day.

"Mr. Garner -- the man is amazing -- he should have a red S on his chest as far as I am concerned," Conrad said. "He will bend over backwards to do anything for the kids. Every time I needed something -- I feel a little bit lost with that learning curve so great coming from Kansas to Arkansas -- everybody chipped in, saying, 'I can do that; I can help with this.' I just wanted to let you know what a great staff you have here."

During the first assembly of the school year, Conrad praised the students' dedication to learning over the past few years. In fact, the students of the Decatur school system have done so well that the 2013 class had the highest ACT composite scores in Benton County, better then Bentonville, Rogers, Siloam Springs, Gentry and Gravette. This news was well received by the student body, so much so that they broke out into thunderous applause.

When the doors opened for the first time in five years at Decatur Middle School, the students walked through the halls to their new classrooms with a new-found sense of pride. At last the sixth though eighth graders had a sense of identity all their own. No longer were they just little kids as they were at Northside. Nor were they looked down upon by the high school kids. They were "Decatur Middle School" students. This made the transition to their new surroundings fun and exciting.

For Northside Elementary principal Cary Stamps, his first day as a school administrator was one he will always remember. The transition back into school for most students was a smooth one. This was made possible through the support of the many parents that attended the open house Aug. 14. Stamps reported that 225 parents and student attended that opening event for Northside Elementary.

"I echo Mr. Conrad's sentiments about the teaching staff here in the Decatur school district, particularly my staff," Stamps said. "They worked very hard all day -- and anything I needed help with, they were there. At the end of the day, I praised their dedication and told them it was time to go home."

Once again, another school year began on a positive note. For the Decatur School System, the hard work and dedication to their students were reflected in the smiles on the kids' faces.

General News on 08/27/2014