Administrators react to state report cards

School administrators have known for weeks the results of their report cards from the state. When the state Department of Education released them to the public last week, the only surprises were to the public.

Reaction ranged from "I couldn't wait to gloat" to acceptance ("This is what I thought it would be") to administrators' seeing the grades as a challenge for improvement.

Central High
Central High was one of the few districts to receive an A grade for both the elementary and the high school.

"It's always great to be sitting on top," Superintendent Bennie Newton said. "I'm very, very happy."

"We make quality use of teaching every day, plus the relationship between the community and school is wonderful," he said. "All that adds up to an A."

Duncan
Duncan Superintendent Sherry Labyer wasn't satisfied with any of the grades for the Duncan schools. The high school and middle school both received B's, while grades at the elementary school level were two B's, a C and two D's.

"I know we work hard (educating students)," she said. "My question is are we focused on the right thing?"

She said the schools are using all types of experts to produce the best results and will not only be focusing on the students scoring in the lowest quarter but also the higher-scoring students. "Our focus is on the individual student," she said.

Assistant Superintendent Glenda Cobb agreed, saying the school needs to nourish the whole child.

"I'm determined, not defeated," Labyer said.

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