Dollarway School District Regaining Trust After State Takeover
By: Adam Rodriguez, KARK 4 News
Updated: September 10, 2012
It's been three months since the state took control of the Dollarway School District, and the new superintendent says one of the biggest problems is regaining community trust.
Superintendent Frank Anthony says the Board of Education did the right thing by taking over the Dollarway district, but it created some image and reputation issues.
At the board's monthly meeting, Anthony said he struggled to fill 20 empty teaching jobs, and actual enrollment fell 125 students short of the projected 1,450.
But the biggest issues are with transcripts and finances.
Anthony says they're going through every high school student's record and finding such errors as students not getting credit for classes or taking the same class three times.
He also says the district has overspent its budget by $2 million in the last three years, and is facing a $1 million shortfall this year.
"We have some really challenging opportunities in the Dollarway School District," Anthony says. "When I evaluate, it tells me, if I'm going to get that accomplished, I haven't done my best work yet."
But Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell had high praise for the new superintendent.
He says he's had feedback that the district has changed dramatically for the better under Anthony's leadership, and they'll continue to support Dollarway as the district gets on track.
Superintendent Frank Anthony says the Board of Education did the right thing by taking over the Dollarway district, but it created some image and reputation issues.
At the board's monthly meeting, Anthony said he struggled to fill 20 empty teaching jobs, and actual enrollment fell 125 students short of the projected 1,450.
But the biggest issues are with transcripts and finances.
Anthony says they're going through every high school student's record and finding such errors as students not getting credit for classes or taking the same class three times.
He also says the district has overspent its budget by $2 million in the last three years, and is facing a $1 million shortfall this year.
"We have some really challenging opportunities in the Dollarway School District," Anthony says. "When I evaluate, it tells me, if I'm going to get that accomplished, I haven't done my best work yet."
But Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell had high praise for the new superintendent.
He says he's had feedback that the district has changed dramatically for the better under Anthony's leadership, and they'll continue to support Dollarway as the district gets on track.
