Good News About the Lake County School District

Ok, I tend to focus on School District drama, problems, fiscal mistakes and problems here, but occasionally, we need a balance.  School District Board Member Cindy Barrow provides a good description of good news in her periodic email newsletter, so here it is... you might email her and get on her email list if you want more news.   

Like Barrow describes, the teaching side of the District seems to be working well, and they are improving FCAT and No Child Left Behind ratings. 

But it is my opinion that the management and non-instructional side of the District needs improvement by using more professional management reports, budget formats and methods to ensure spending decisions are based on businesslike analysis rather than emotional or "vague" data.
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This message is from Cindy Barrow, Lake County School Board Member, District 3.  This message contains my thoughts and opinions.  This is NOT an official message from the Lake County School Board.  Your correspondence is welcome.  Please e-mail me at:  [email protected].  Your Lake County School District is an "A" rated district!

Dear Citizens:

Tonight, I am writing to tell you about the future of Lake County Schools!  In 3 months, we will have a new Superintendent of Lake County Schools.  My experiences with Dr. Moxley have already been delightful and collaborative.  Dr. Moxley is busy meeting with our staff county wide and as she is also working on her management plans for the future.  The board will be meeting with Dr. Moxley in a retreat setting on Saturday morning, August 23.  We are not wasting any time to start the planning process!

On Monday, WE WILL BE CELEBRATING our "A" district status with our students as they walk through our doors for the 2008-2009 school year.  Our teachers will also be welcomed back as they have not formally celebrated their HUGE contribution to our "A" district status.   In south Lake county, East Ridge Middle School will be opening their new doors to students.  Two weeks ago, I had the pleasure of touring the school with our Facilities Director, Mr. Gary Parker.  Our new Principal, Charlie McDaniel has quite a new "play toy" with several bells and whistles that are a result of the continuous technology improvements and lessons learned from building other new schools in Lake.  Mr. Parker is a phenomenal professional and continues to out do himself with each and every new project.  I am very excited for Mr. McDaniel and East Ridge Middle School to join district 3.

In other news, our School Board, the Education Foundation, the County Commissioners, Representative Alan Hays, and Senator Carey Baker attended the ribbon cutting last Thursday for the new Lake Hills School.  This school is the glowing pride of our district as it is now the educational home to our most special students -- those with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.  This school reflects the values of our community and will attract students from across the state as we have technology and supports that are unmatched for these children in any other facility in the central Florida region.

I am happy to tell you that a few Assistant Principal moves were "changed back" in the positive direction for two schools in district 3 (Saw Grass Bay and Clermont Elementary School).  I am thankful that stability has been restored to these schools.

Tomorrow morning, the South Lake Chamber will be hosting their annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast.  Kudos to these folks who have consistently supported our teachers.  This year, our teachers will be in need of continuous support as our economy will have many parents in situations where they can not fund the necessities of their children's education (such as field trips).  Please notice that I said that field trips are a necessity!  Children have to be taken out of the artificial classroom environment for some valuable life lessons to be learned.  It is my hope that we can start a community fund to support children whose parents can not pay the fees for field trips or aftercare services.

I also want to thank the Lake County Education Foundation for their back to school back pack fairs.  They were held across the county for children in need!  What an awesome job they did in giving away hundreds of back packs.  Thank you Carman Cullen and the Foundation!

I want to conclude this update my telling you about the exciting "Elementary Mentorship Program" that I have been invited to launch with a group of wonderful caring inter-disciplinary professionals.  Three elementary schools will pilot this program in hopes that we can develop a successful plan and spread the program to all of lake county elementary schools in Lake County.  Grassy Lake Elementary School, Minneola Elementary School, and Lost Lake Elementary School, will be launching a mentoring program for our children in greatest need.  Prospective mentors will go through a brief training program, and will be asked to spend at least two lunch periods a month with a child in need.  The ultimate goal is to provide children with a positive role model and to give them hope and direction for their future.

If you are a person with a few hours time to give and want to make the BIGGEST difference to our future, please consider volunteering to be a mentor.  The newest research in human behavior and happiness demonstrates that WE, the givers, receive tremendous benefits from the sharing of our time in volunteer efforts to help other human beings.  If you want to stay mentally "fit" and happy -- please share the biggest gift that you have and that is YOUR TIME.  Please contact me at the address provided above if you can volunteer or contact me at 352-874-4741.  Please forward this message to all of your friends and associates!

Most Sincerely,

Cindy Barrow, Lake County School Board Member, District 3 - an "A" school district!

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