School Daze: Can LHS Survive?

This has been a tough week on educators in Lumberton. There were 11 teachers laid off and the elementary principal is leaving for a better job. I haven't heard of the cuts made on the high school level. I don't know the last time MAEP was fully funded and we know there's not enough tax money generated in Lumberton to sustain anything major since our tax base is lacking. Based on the low number of students, its evident that people are either moving or opting to home school their children. For quite some time, I've been thinking that it's probably time to do like Baxterville, and focus on elementary school and allow students to attend middle school and high school in adjourning counties. As you know, I don't think like the herd and that's probably a reason why I'm not heard. Honestly, from a fiscal standpoint, can Lumberton sustain a high school? From what I've been told, there's only 148 students in junior/senior high school, we're now 1A in sports and in football we're playing private schools, the school rating is not that good and it cost a lot to maintain the buildings, staff and amenities. I dont know if Lumberton High School is categorized as a failing school but it's time for some serious decisions to be mafe about the viability of continuing to have a high school.

I know it's a tough decision. When schools are closed, the buildings are closed while students and staff must transfer to another faility. Closing a school means dismantling a school community for students, teachers and parents. I guess I'm going to have to attend the next school board meeting to see if there's a plan in place to address the budgetarty shortfalls. Nornally, school board meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at 6:00 pm but the next school board meeting will be May 11, 2015 at 1:00 pm.

Comments

  1. This town is in the shape it's in because they keep electing idiots and self serving blow hardship to the school board and the city board. Look at the school board. Conrad Ford is a crackhead but he's serving on a board making decisions about students. For the last year or so he hasn't lived in Lumberton. He comes here once a month to get his check and vote on the school board. He was fired from Wal-Mart for stealing. He was fired from Amtrak for stealing but he managed to get on the school board. I guess it doesn't matter that he's strung out on drugs as long as he's popular enough to win an election. Now let's talk about Al Young and his record. It came up when he was running for Mayor but I guess it doesn't matter about his past since he's now a minister. What about Earl Winston sneaking around with Cathy while his wife was sick. I tell ya, these folks in Lumberton sure can pick them. They sit around and wag their tongues at people that have enough sense to make wise decisions but they're very accepting of those willing to bend the laws for their own purpose. I hope LHS closes because they're not teaching the students anything and it's one of the main distribution sites for Spice.

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  2. Hope they work it out.

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  3. How many Seniors graduating this year? Last year? If it's less than 75 it's time to close the doors.

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  4. To address AL Young, he was trying to speak about the problems but started to be judged by our superintendent to discuss those issues in the closed meeting. We have to have someone on our side. All parents need to attend and shutting down the high school seems to be the best solution.

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  5. I was mildly bothered when I heard people referring to Lumberton as the "hood" but a friend pointed out that Lumberton has a failing school system, no jobs, a depleted police force and a corrupt system of government. I didn't have a response and I'm no longer bothered by those referring to Lumberton as the hood because it actually reached all the necessary benchmarks to be classified as a "hood". I hate losing arguments.

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  6. A sign of a failing school system is when a former show choir director is appointed superintendent. I could see if LHS was a performing arts school but the school is not performing well and something's out of tune. I don't think Linda can make the tough decision to close the high school because she would take it as a personal failure but she should know by now that it's time to close the curtains and take a bow.

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  7. I agree Anonymous!!! When a show choir teacher becomes a superintendent and has family/friends/church members working with her things will come down. From school board members, a bus mechanic, a computer service personnel, and a retired support staff from Lamar County. Linda utilizes these people as well as others to be her eyes and ears to have her hands in everything, even on how others speak. Its okay to have a type A personality, but when you tell others how to speak or how to do their jobs (by micro managing) because you feel your way is better, things will fail. If someone does or views things differently than she does, they disappear (throws a rock and hide her hands). When it is one of her people, who gives out students personal information, nothing is done (wow). Some are in positions, like the sped director, who does not know how to do their job. She even hires individuals that comes through, in away, as if she has no say so. Linda manages the school money as if it is her personnel account, being very frugal when the school may be close to closing. What you see is not all ways what you get and the Bible says practice what you preach.

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  8. Four years ago my son said that if I did not take him out of Lumberton school that he was going to quit school. He wanted to go to Camp Shelby but was not a candidate according to the counselor, however, his intent to quit allowed him access to Camp Shelby's Youth Challenge. Why am I writing my two cents? My son swore the school was infested with drug dealings to include top school officials to his witness. I say, close it down. In fact close the whole damn city ass it is obvious no one gives a rats ass otherwise the municipalities would be in better shape.

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