School staff visits Rotary…..Septembefest a success…recent visit by District Governor
Louisa, KY — Steve Montgomery, President of the Louisa Rotary Club, opened the Oct. 1st meeting Thursday after the Pledge, Prayer, and the club’s Four Way Test were read.
Superintendent, Dr. Robbie Fletcher who was present along with several Lawrence County school administrators, spoke to the group about the school’s recent test results. “Drive up Bulldog Lane and see our banners” he said proudly.
Five years ago the Lawrence County School District was near the bottom compared to the rest of the state in test scores. “In 2012, changes started to be seen” Fletcher said. He applauded former Superintendent, Mike Armstrong, for setting things in motion for improvement. “He got the first letter,” referring to state notification of improved rankings.
Fletcher thanked teachers, administrators, students, parents, and staff at the central office for getting them to where they are now, mentioning Rhonda Colvin, Vernon Hall, Edris Humphrey, Sharon Parsons, and Cassandra Webb, Chief Academic Officer who spearheaded the grant which became a model for the state, initiating successful changes in programs used for improvement.
Fletcher reported results for each school beginning with Fallsburg Elementary (Stuart Cook, Principal) which went from a 17th to 30th percentile, Louisa Middle School (Tommy Castle, Principal) increasing to a 42nd percentile, Blaine Elementary (Principal, Shaun Jennings) which increased into the 57th and 59th percentile from two years ago, Louisa East Elementary School (Mary Hall, Principal) which increased from the 28th to the 78th percentile. At Louisa West Elementary (Debbie Delong), 1/3 of the readers were behind two years ago with 44% reading at grade level. Last year they increased to 66%, and now 89% of students are reading at grade level.
Of over 700 elementary schools in the state, the Lawrence County District had the 23rd highest gain in scores. Of high schools that increased rankings, Fletcher said only three were higher than us; Lyon County, Knox County, and Bullitt County East.
Fletcher saved the best for last he said, announcing that LCHS ranked in the 90th percentile, and is now a ‘distinguished school.’ “We beat every team in the district, we are district champs in state testing, higher than Boyd, Greenup, Raceland, Sheldon Clark, and Johnson Central.
Fletcher said Lawrence County is right behind the two schools that always stand out in our area; Paintsville City School and Paul Blazer (Ashland). “We are .2 points away from Paintsville and .4 points away from Ashland.” Overall, Lawrence County scored in the 80th percentile in 172 districts, with the 8th highest gain.
Again, Fletcher thanked everyone who got the district to where it is now. He also mentioned they would have the opportunity to get trainers, free of charge, to help students become “globally career ready.” “We want to make sure every kid has the same opportunity for quality education, no matter where they live, whether it’s up Yellow Creek, Webbville, or downtown Louisa.”
MORE ROTARY NEWS…
Recently, Rotary District Governor, Cindy Legg, visited the Louisa chapter, member Joyce Burton celebrated a birthday, and Steve Lycan, with Lycom Communications, suggested the club start a Facebook Page and Twitter account.
Sales from the Rotary’s Bahama Mamas and hash at Septemberfest yielded around $6,000. A special thank you went out to all members who helped with the booth, and especially to Willa Cook who oversees the fundraiser. Money raised goes back into the community for a variety of projects.
Announcements at Thursday’s meeting included the upcoming Nightmare in the Square event Oct. 30-31 in downtown Louisa, and the LCHS ‘Pink Out’ football t-shirts for breast cancer awareness now available; $12 short sleeve, $18 long sleeve.
The meeting then adjourned. The next Louisa Rotary Club meeting will be Thursday, October 8, at 12:00, at the First Baptist Church.
