WCSD superintendent ready for start of school

One by one, the toasts kept coming as the Watson Chapel School District convocation drew to a close Wednesday.

Superintendent Keith McGee stood in the middle of a human circle lining the walls of the Watson Chapel High School cafeteria, all with glasses of grape juice in mid-air.

“Here’s to a caring, passionate, outstanding staff,” he said.

“Here’s to a healthy, prosperous new year,” a faculty member chimed in.

“Here’s to a new mindset and breaking education barriers,” another said.

“Here’s to family.”

“Here’s to first-year teachers.”

There’s a reason McGee, hired away from the Helena-West Helena School District last month, toasted his new faculty and staff.

“People matter,” he said. “You value your own people. Love on your people. Grow your people and build capacity.”

It’s that moment of unity McGee hopes the teachers, principals and other employees will draw from in hopes of turning around a school district that is receiving Level 4, or “directed” support, from the Arkansas Department of Education. Four of the five WCSD campuses were graded F and another D in the fall 2023 release of the Every Student Succeeds Act ratings.

A district in which 50% or more of its students are “in need of support” after statewide testing the previous school year can receive Level 4 support. Level 5 is the most severe stage of support and can result in state takeover.

Wednesday’s convocation marked the first day of professional development for WCSD employees in the 2024-25 school year. The first day of classes is Aug. 19, but McGee said he is studying how the Pine Bluff School District is handling its new year-round schedule, which began for students July 31.

“I would have liked to have started the upcoming week,” McGee said. “I think we want to spend more time of instruction before kids are tested.”

In addition to reviewing policies on individualized education plans, student confidentiality, social media and the Freedom of Information Act, McGee used the convocation to allow employees to give their feedback on past experiences. Given the many changes and challenges the district has faced, the feedback may have been more of a cathartic experience.

“There was a lot of hurt that some people needed to let go,” McGee explained.

Pressed about where the hurt came from, McGee said he didn’t ask. McGee is the fourth WCSD superintendent since 2018 and third new one since 2021. He is succeeding the retiring Tom Wilson.

McGee has come at a time the district has nearly completed the first of a two-year accreditation probation from the Arkansas Department of Education for violating student record-keeping standards. Watson Chapel earlier this year enlisted the help of Bailey Education Group to lessen the risk of any further findings from the state education department.

But to Kerri McNeal, the director of student support services, McGee brings a new energy to Watson Chapel.

“It is positive, motivational and inspiring,” she said. “He has set the tone to create a mindset of achievement and family. He wants me to work hard, to be a team leader and make sure I’m doing the best thing for kids.”

Patricia Oates is facing a challenge going into the new year. She has 168 students on her class rolls and she’s teaching several courses from English to introduction to education to interpersonal communication to creative writing. But Oates said she’s excited to break out into different courses and to be teaching in Watson Chapel.

“This is my community,” said Oates, who is going into her seventh year in the district. “I live less than 2 minutes from my classroom. I raised my kids in the community.”

McGee’s arrival is, as Oates characterized, a major thrust forward. Where there’s new blood, she explained, comes new energy.

“New energy is infectious. It’s a positivity I haven’t seen in a minute. Everybody is working together. We can’t go anywhere but up.”

Already Watson Chapel is seeing upward movement of a sort. In the background of Watson Chapel High School is construction of a new campus to come in 2026. It will be one of two new high schools scheduled to come that year to Pine Bluff.

The WCSD also has a new security director in Efrem Elliott and new athletic director/football coach in Steven Heard in place. Both recently worked in the Pine Bluff School District.

McGee is expecting other key hires during Monday’s monthly school board meeting.

“I’m very grateful to be with an amazing staff and amazing colleagues of the Watson Chapel School District to help elevate this district to a higher level,” he remarked.