A major portion of the regular meeting of the Monroe County School Board on March 4 was spent discussing reversing the present policy of requiring varsity athletics in an after-school setting only.
Superintendent of Education Scott Cantrell said, “I have something I want to say concerning this, and I also have our three principals here tonight to tell their end of it. Before they speak though, when I asked you to let me come in December and start early that was one of the things I did. I went to each elementary and high school and I sat down and interviewed each of the principals. We talked about a lot of different things. Things they liked, things they didn’t like, things that didn’t affect them either way. One thing that kept recurring from each of these gentlemen and what they were hearing from their staff members was the policy that was passed two years ago requiring all athletics to be after school. When we sat and talked about it, they asked me to look at it, and I told them I would. I wanted each of them to have the opportunity to share their concerns.”
Van Pearson, principal of Hatley High School said, “Academics is number one at Hatley. It is our number one goal and our number one target. It is what we are there for. I believe to have a well-rounded program that you also need an athletic program to go along with that. It needs to support the academic side of school. It builds our school spirit and keeps our kids motivated.”
Pearson had recently attended the education summit in Jackson,where most of the school districts were represented with school administration, teachers and students. One of the questions asked in the small groups was “Why do kids stay in school?” The students said that kids stay in school when they are involved in hands-on activities. They like to be involved where they can see results. They like to be involved in athletic programs because they could see what was going on and had a relationship with their coaches. In answer to the question of “Why do you not stay in school?” The answer was because they were not involved in some type of activity on that campus. They didn’t feel like they were a part of the school. They, for whatever reason, got behind academically, got behind with their grades and it caused them to lose ground.
“Athletics makes you part of the school because you belong to a program. In my opinion, it should be part of the school day to make a well-rounded program,” Pearson said.
Pearson said when he was interviewing prospective coaches or teachers they would tell him they understood Monroe County schools did not participate in athletics during school and had practice after school. When he tells them that’s correct, he hears time and time again that it is hard to build a program like that.
“We can’t compete with the other schools that are practicing during school because we don’t have the time to prepare.” he said. “I’m not standing up here telling you that having athletics during school is going to create a bunch of state championships. I’m not going to be that naive to say that. I feel that athletics needs to be part of our academic day and I don’t want it to affect our campus or any other campus in Monroe County. But, I think it can be in the best interest of our students if it is part of our daily goal.”
Hamilton principal Mark Howell told the board he agreed with Pearson.
“I do want to say the plan that Mr. Cantrell has is a very good plan. It allows the Advanced Learning Center (ALC) to remain with the advanced classes and also the vocational center. It is very important that we keep these classes. Education has got to be our number one priority,” Howell said. “But, there again athletics play a tremendous role in a school setting. They give us a tremendous source of pride at Hamilton. You can tell that by looking at our facility. It is not more important than athletics by any means.”
He also told the board since Coach Ray had resigned he was actively interviewing coaches. He had interviewed four and talked to four more on the phone.
“Just like Mr. Pearson said, invariably when we come to that point in the interview where we ask them if they have any questions, all of them but one so far has said they understand we do not have an athletic period,” said Howell. “The second question is is there a possibility that Monroe County will get an athletic period. I feel like that is going to be an issue when we go to hire coaches.”
Howell also expressed his concern about the band program due to the after-school athletic practices. He said he had talked to the coaches on numerous occasions about this.
“As a many of fact, I talked to them again today and they told me we were only talking about three or four kids at the most that are in band and athletics,” he said. “They can go to band and we will work out practices around when they come back. I think that is something we need to consider in the jest of things. There again, I think this is very important to our athletes and students as a whole.”
Smithville’s principal Sam Wilson was the last principal to speak to the board. He said he concurred with the other principals.
Wilson said, “We have between 80-100 kids involved in athletics of some sort. I will use football for an example, it’s usually at least 3:45 p.m. before they get on the field for practice. By the time they get home after practice, it is 8:30-9 p.m. before they can set down with their family or schoolwork.
“I would like to see our kids that participate in athletics, they are already giving up their time, and yeah, I know it’s voluntary, but just like they said about the dropouts get them involved whether in a club, band, or athletics. We need to focus on our kids.”
He said they deserved the right to be able to take advanced classes and go to vo-tech, to make good grades and be prepared to go to college, and also experience extra-curricular activities in a way that they won’t be penalized.
“Under the plan that Mr. Cantrell has proposed, no one should ever have to make a choice between athletics and a class of interest,” Wilson said. “At the same time, at least at some point in the day I would have all of my kids back on campus. I like that very much.
“On the days we have to take extended trips for athletic programs. Those are district games and we have no choice to make these trips. If we had a 50-minute period built in at the end of the day, this would eliminate the need to miss a class or part of a class for athletic trips.”
He also stated that with their basketball team, they are basically working right now with one hand tied behind them. He said if schools do not have a period during the day to practice basketball, they can’t start until October. Everybody Smithville plays start practice in August. Wilson said he didn’t think that was fair to their students.
“Take the coaches out of the picture. I’m talking about students. I want my students to be able to be on the level playing field whether it is in any sports, math, band or chorus,” said Wilson. “I want them to have the same opportunity as everybody else has got.”
Cantrell said he was not going to stand here and try to pull the wool over the board’s eyes.
“Everybody knows that I played ball in high school, played ball in college, and coached ball for 17 years. It doesn’t mean that just because I was fortunate enough to get elected your superintendent that I have just forgot that, he said. “I know, it is important to a lot of kids. It is also not important to a lot of kids. I understand that, too. I also know how sports got a bad reputation. I know that too. I surely do.
“What we are recommending, and each of these guys have said about it being my proposal or whatever. It is our proposal. Mr. Loague and Mr. Dickerson are not here tonight. We have met three or four times about this and Mr. Loague has said it will not effect him at all. Mr. Dickerson said the same. So the schedule we have, that is the one thing I told them I would try to work with them and we will have a presentation for our board, but we have to go there with nothing they can chew a hole in because we will not pit our athletic program against an academic class. We are not going to do that.”
The board was told that a freshman this year would have to have 5 1/2 electives in order to graduate. Four of those electives can be band or P.E.
“I am not the new superintendent who still thinks he is a football coach. I would not have allowed these three guys to talk me into it,” Cantrell said. “Academics are the most important. I am here to ask you to consider this plan tonight.”
Board president Mickey Miller said, “I appreciate the work on this. I have heard arguments back and forth both ways. I have a child who is still in school, and we all want the best opportunity for our child. I feel we are wrong now. I’m for ALC and vo-tech. We now have P.E. buildings and gyms. I think both boys and girls can now practice.”
“Mr. Cantrell, your proposal is disappointing to me. If classes are moved back to the individual schools and the enrollment is not there for ALC, it can’t survive,” Board member Barry Thompson said. “Thirty-eight students participated in biology II for the first time. Visual art is the second largest class at ALC. Monroe County has never offered art before, now lots of students are interested in it.
“The kids are like sponges. They are soaking up the courses at ALC. That’s why we are here. From year one to year two at ALC, there was a 28 percent increase. There are 622 students at ALC for fall and spring. In 2006, there were 505. Instead of people talking it down, we should be asking what can we do to be the Tupelo of Northeast Mississippi.”
Thompson said Monroe County should be offering more rigorous curriculum.
“Winning is about the talent and the coach. When we start practice is not about winning or losing,” he said. “This thing tonight, are we going to vote for athletics or academics. Everybody in this room knows it is about that. We believe strong in academics in this county. Eight years ago, there were 88 students at the vo-tech center. That was not enough. There are now 300 students there.
“No way, no how will I vote for changing the after-school athletic policy. To get the schedule we have, it took changes. Adults have been complaining and gripping. To have progress, you have to change. We could give them that watered-down education in Monroe County. We need to step up with confidence and courage.”
Cantrell said, “The principals were asked if they did or did not offer social studies elective on their campus. We offered every one of those courses.We have great labs at each school. These principals, that is one thing they wanted, some of their classes back. They want to keep kids on campus with them some time during the day.”
“We are not going to allow the superintendent to take away the classes we currently offer,” said Thompson.
“What if we have added some in their place?” Cantrell asked.
“Again, that is a conversation for another night,” Thompson said.
Cantrell said the subject had been brought up at the meeting that night.
“I brought up what you said,” Thompson said. “You are moving these classes. The key word is offer.”
Cantrell said he would like to move those courses, and again Thompson said the key word is offer.
“Offer and participation are two different things. We’ve got participation at the ALC.” Thompson stated. “You all don’t want more enrollment, you want less enrollment at the ALC. You can’t close it with 622 going.”
“First of all, let me answer this. There is no dastardly, evil plan to close our ALC. I think that is what is thought. There is no plan to phase it out.” Cantrell said.
“It was to close the doors every day at noon, yes, sir or no, sir,” said Thompson.
“It was. It was. It was. To get the kids back on campus. What people don’t know is that I went to ALC and talked to each teacher personally,” Cantrell said. “The ALC and Vo-Tech with three blocks there like we have now would not interfere with our eight periods.”
Thompson said it wouldn’t interfere, but when athletics were put back in the school day the students were not going to be allowed to do everything they were allowed to do now.
He said, “Right now, when you have academics from 8 a.m. to 3:18 p.m. they are taking what they want to take without any interruptions from athletics and they know that. The key word is offer. If we offer, and don’t have enough to sign for a class, because that is what is going to happen, you are not going to have enough students sign up. You don’t have enough students to offer Spanish I and Spanish II. You don’t have enough students to offer art at Hamilton, Smithville and Hatley.”
“Nobody has given this process a chance to work. Everybody is dead set that I have got those principals and they are trying to get it closed,” Cantrell said. “Nobody has given me the courtesy of allowing my leadership style to work. To me, that is the way leaders win. You involve the people in your school.”
Thompson said it depended on what Cantrell’s initial approach was.
“When your initial approach is we are going to shut the doors at noon. What am I supposed to think, Mr. Cantrell?” he asked.
“You are supposed to think, ‘’Here is what I suggest, Mr. Cantrell. Here are my concerns.’ Then I would listen and I would say that I hear what you say and I would write it down and then I would go back and then we’d draft another proposal.” Cantrell said.
“I’m not a work session. These people have not been involved in anything we have been shown tonight. Just yourself and the five administrators. From what I understand, just yourself and the three administrators primarily,” Thompson said “So you brought it to us tonight and we have a decision to make. You set the ground work, not us.”
Cantrell said all he asked of the board tonight was to reverse the policy on the athletics during the day. He said what’s wrong with the schedule if they offered three blocks on everything at the ALC and vo-tech.
Thompson told Cantrell it was just like he had said earlier that once you put it back in the school day it is just like erosion. Little by little it was going to eat it further and further back. He said the whole goal is somewhere in the coaching Bible it says it’s a sin to teach a class after lunch. He said he hadn’t seen it, but it was in there somewhere. He didn’t know who wrote it, but somebody wrote it and everybody sounds off on it.
“You have not had me before,” said Cantrell.
Thompson said, “Yes sir, that is correct. It is absolutely correct.”
“It’s not going to be one of those deals where we let them have two planning periods and P. E. class and all that. That will not be done. That is why I am here to make sure that is not done. They would have to get by me without me knowing because that will not happen. I assure you that,” Cantrell said. “Their coaches will be in that classroom. I know it has been done before. I have been one of those coaches that was allowed to do that.”
“Are you saying the previous administration didn’t want it to happen either? Are you saying the people previously in your spot just let it go on?” asked Thompson.
“I am saying it might not have been a big deal. I’d say it was a big deal or we wouldn’t be having this discussion tonight. If it does happen, they will be in trouble, okay. I don’t know what that means to you, but the principals will be in trouble. They are going to do what they are supposed to do. That’s what they are hired to do,” Cantrell said. “As far as the scheduling, you have not seen the rest of it. You have not. That does not have anything to do with the eighth period for band and athletics. Not one thing. It is a whole separate discussion. If we took 20 minutes out of the middle of the day, it would be a time that the kids are wandering around the face of the earth.
“P. E. and band are classes. They are electives. They are what kids want to take. We are not trying to pull a slick one on you. We are not. That is when those high school kids will be there. They’ll be there that eighth period. They will already have taken seven academic classes during the day, which will allow them to graduate with 30 credits right there. We have a full schedule for them, I assure you.”
Cantrell continued that they will not hinder children from taking classes. The classes that are there have their master schedule set up.
“I told them to go ahead and do that. We teach a lot of classes now with five in it, all over the county. We do. We have the staff in place to do that. We are not trying to cut out individual electives or anything like that. That is not our goal,” he said. “Our goal is to offer what we have been offering. Actually, I know there has been a science course added on campus Because they do have the staff to do that. Science and biology II.”
Cantrell said he wished all kids could take art. With the new program, art would be first semester at ALC and second semester they would have art at Hamilton the first six weeks, second six weeks at Hatley, and third six weeks at Smithville.
Thompson asked why they were reducing the art in the spring at ALC.
“Again, that is not a finalized decision. That’s just a way I knew with the staff we presently have to offer art there and also offer it to our elementary schools,” Cantrell said. “It not to get art out of our ALC. Not at all.”
Thompson then asked about Spanish.
Cantrell said that Spanish is three blocks first semester and three blocks second semester. He said in tenth honors English, his goal was to keep the tenth graders off the road as much as possible.
“English II is the hardest test we give. We asked Mrs. Forbus and Mrs. Higginbotham if they would like to travel to the schools and we could offer an in-school tutoring program for our toughest test for one semester. After we talked about it and I thought about it, and they talked with me about it they said why not let them come to us in that third block one semester and teach our tenth grade honor kids and the teacher that was teaching honors English could now tutor her kids,” Cantrell said. “Then second semester if we needed to offer another class, back at ALC we could. Also since they are English teachers and both writers, they could write grants. There is a lot of money out there. They are good at that. That’s what they like and that’s what they do. I think both of them would be good at that. I haven’t talked to them about that, but I think that might be something they could do for our district.”
He also said some people would be moved. Mr. Threadgill would be teaching a history class,and Mrs. Forbus and Mrs. Higginbotham would be moved one semester. Nothing had been changed at the vo-tech.
“That’s why the original proposal was put out there. We’re not trying to pull a slick one on you. Trying to close something you worked hard to get. Actually, by doing this we were able to add some things at the ALC,” said Cantrell. “We are not trying to close it to get an athletic period.”
Cantrell continued to assure the board it would not be like it was before when a kid was at the field house. He said a football coach would not be out there at 1 o’clock. That is not the goal. That is not their intention.
“That’s where I stand on that. A lot of you people are here tonight thinking that I am trying to shut the ALC down,” he said. “You can leave here tonight and tell all your friends that is not true. I am not trying to close Monroe County’s ALC. It is not a hidden agenda. It is a good thing. It has its purpose. It is for a distinct group of kids.”
Cantrell said the teachers, kids, and administrators were listened to. Their ideas were heard. Changes were made.
“That is the way I plan to operate. In the end, may we disagree on something? Yes, we may. That is a possibility. I hope this doesn’t sound arrogant to say, but I was elected in the end to make a final decision on some things,” he said. “We are not out to get you. I am new to the district, not new to the area. There is a real us against them mentality that has developed in this district. Do I blame the ALC for that? Absolutely not. Do I blame those teachers? Absolutely not.”
Cantrell said letting people know Monroe County is a team is important.
“In no way, is trying to reverse the athletics policy a way to close the ALC. I hope it clears your mind on the ALC. We can do both and succeed, but we need to give it a chance,” he stated. “If we disagree in the end, then we just disagree in the end. I am somewhat disappointed in the process Because you have never really given it a chance to work.”
Miller said, “I have seen the tutoring process and it is effective. It has improved the test scores. One on one the grades have improved. I think this is an improvement. I appreciate the work, and feel we can do both. I voted for ALC and I will not vote to close it.
Several parents, teachers, and students were at the board meeting. Several told what the ALC either meant to them or their child. One of the students wanted to know why students were not asked what they wanted.
A parent from Hamilton said, “Some like ALC and some don’t.” She also wanted to know if under this plan the student would have the same education as before. She was assured by Cantrell that the student would have the same education or even more. Another question she asked was there a reason why teachers at other schools did not teach the same as at the ALC.
After a lengthy discussion, the board voted four to one not to reserve the after-school only athletics policy. Those voting against the measure were Linda Bickerstaff, Ann Goodwin, Ann Price, and Barry Thompson. Mickey Miller voted in favor of the new policy.
