Serving as the board member of District 4 for the past four years has been both an honor and a privilege. During the past four years, we have implemented research-based programs that go well beyond the basics and provide our students with the skills they will need to experience success in a digital society. Waterford and Successmaker are two examples of programs that have been implemented to improve student learning and increase educator effectiveness. These programs teach the basics of reading and math by meeting the needs of a 21st century learner. Since the state is requiring all assessments be administered in a digital platform, our students need to be well versed in their use of different technological platforms. By starting this process at an early age, the students of Columbus County experience a personalized learning environment that meets their individual needs. By implementing programs that have been proven, we have ensured the countys funds have been spent wisely. Blending these programs with current best practices has helped enhance the educational experiences of our students. E-rate funding has also ensured that the capability of our digital network exceeds many neighboring districts. A sound basic education is wonderful but in the 21st century we have to push the envelope and continue to challenge our students. By ensuring our students have the best opportunities to learn and are exposed to digital programs that have been vetted by professional educational entities, our students have access to a state-of-the-art educational experience. This fact is something that the people of Columbus County should be proud of. Teacher leadership has also been a focal point of my tenure on the Columbus County Board of Education. Teachers that have proven themselves in the classroom have had many opportunities to share their practices with their colleagues and this process has helped improve the educational capacity of our schools. I also helped implement the current lead-teacher program that has proven to increase the success of our schools. Teacher empowerment and shared ideas are fundamental practices that provide a pathway for all educators to climb the ladder of success. To help improve Columbus County Schools ability to attract and retain the next generation of educators, we just recently increased the local supplement to 5% and the classified staffs supplement to 3%. Teacher turnover has become an issue that districts across this state are battling. This year, teachers finally received a pay raise from the general assembly. Since the local board has nothing to do with the state salary schedule, your current board members and administrators developed and implemented a plan to not only raise teacher pay but to retain the great teachers that we currently have in our district. By utilizing local monies to make Columbus County Schools an attractive LEA, we will be able to decrease the teacher-turnover rate and ensure our students receive instruction from veteran teachers that are highly effective. . To continue to move in the right direction, I believe students need the basics but they also need much more. Although the basics provide a strong educational base, the basics alone will not give our children the tools they need to compete with other students across this nation. I want our district to be well above average and become a model for other districts across our great state. In conclusion, I am a strong advocate for our children and I want to ensure they have experiences that will be far superior to your basic education. Worley Edwards Board of Education, Chairman
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 21:58:29 +0000
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