Linda Watson, interim superintendent of the Pine Bluff School District, says she has some fresh ideas to bring to the local classrooms. That’s worth an “amen” after looking at the Arkansas Education Department’s list of low performing district schools.
Pine Bluff High School, Jack Robey Junior High School, Belair Middle School and Oak Park and Greenville elementary schools are among 48 the state has designated as the lowest performing schools in Arkansas.
Watson has agreed to remain in the interim position through the end of the 2012-13 school year, and any improvements are welcome.
The former superintendent of the Little Rock School District indicated during a recent interview that her past experience will serve her well, noting both the Pine Bluff and Little Rock districts have a high percentage of students in low socioeconomic status.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Some of the same problems that exist in the larger district exist in the Pine Bluff district. Watson wants to see crucial reading skills improved and increased access to pre-kindergarten. Preschool teaches students the skills that they need to do better in the first and second grades and build a foundation for their education.
The graduation rates must improve. Older students who are struggling can be placed in an accelerated program to obtain their diploma. The students must be prepared to go on to college or to enter a skilled trade.
That’s Basic Education 101. Add highly qualified teachers eager to teach all students to Watson’s vision list, in addition to cleaning up Jack Robey’s reputation for discipline problems.
No one has said it will be easy. The task means enrolling students, parents and the business community in her vision to help turn the district around. It’s called investing in our future.
Library plans
The trustees of the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System are wise to begin looking now for a future location for the main branch.
The search may mean the three-story library will remain where it is on the east side of the Pine Bluff Civic Center, relocate to an existing building or involve construction of a new facility.
The system also includes branches at Altheimer, Redfield, Watson Chapel and White Hall. Its collection includes 190,000 books, videos, DVDs, audio-cassettes, microfilm and other materials.
The trustees recently approved an appropriation of up to $25,000 for a technology consultant to conduct a review of the facility’s library system and recommend upgrades.
The Pine Bluff Library was established in 1913 as a public library association with the help of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. An interlocal agreement was reached in 1979 between the City of Pine Bluff and Jefferson County to create the library system.
With the library’s 100th birthday approaching, it may be time to roll out a present for all residents of Jefferson County.
No casino here
A proposed constitutional amendment by a Texas businessman that would allow casinos in seven Arkansas counties, including Jefferson, was ruled ineligible this week for the November general election ballot because it did not meet a signature requirement.
Signatures for another proposed constitutional amendment that would allow casinos in Crittenden, Franklin, Miller and Pulaski counties are being reviewed.
We have not been impressed since the start of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery that Jefferson, with one of the highest poverty levels in the state, has consistently ranked No. 2 month-after-month in lottery ticket sales.
A casino would only drain more money from the local economy.