By ANN THARP Special to The Leader
The Cabot Lady Panther volleyball team started the season with a 3-0 non-conference loss to the Benton Lady Panthers Tuesday at Benton High School. The Cabot team had played and won sets over Sheridan and Greenbrier in the Wampus Cat benefit jamboree in Conway on August 17, but Tuesday’s loss was their first official match.
Benton took the first set 25-14, and the second 25-10. Cabot was able to rally in the third set to make it closer, but Benton still won, 25-19, to claim the victory in straight sets.
“I just felt like we had an off night,” Cabot coach Kham Chanthaphasouk said. “I’d rather that happened now. This is a non-conference game, so hopefully we’ll learn from it. We did really well at the team camp here in Benton. We competed against the best. We’re all getting tired of practicing. I think having a game and getting a routine will help us get mentally ready every Tuesday and Thursday. We’re going to be at the Spikefest this weekend, so we’ll get a lot of playing time and a lot of competition. Let’s hope that they’ll just shake it off and continue to get better and better.”
Benton scored first in the opening set to take a 2-0 lead. Morgan Brown got Cabot on the scoreboard with an off-speed kill, but Benton regained possession of the serve and went ahead 5-1 on a kill by Rylea Brimhall. Brown got another kill, this time down the line, but a combination of Benton kills and service aces, and Cabot miscues gave Benton a 15-5 advantage before the visiting Lady Panthers were able to score three consecutive points. A kill by senior Mollie Johnson scored the middle of the three.
Benton went ahead 20-9 before Cabot again scored three points. Benton was called for being out of rotation. Johnson had another kill, and Kallie Cavin a kill off the backset of setter Sydney Teer. This pulled Cabot to within 20-12, but Benton was able to put together four kills, including the one on set point by Caitlin Murdock to win the first set 25-14. Ashlee Wilkerson had a kill on an overpass, and Devyn Britt one off a Benton block for Cabot toward the set’s end.
It was all Benton to start set number two as they pulled away for a 22-5 lead. Cabot put together a run on the serve of Britt and scored five consecutive points to pull within 22-10, but Benton scored three to end the set with a second set score of 25-10.
The third and final set was tied at two and at three before Cabot took its only lead of the match.
Brown had a kill for Cabot to tie at 3-3, then stepped back to the service line and served an ace for the 4-3 edge.
However, the home Panthers then scored six straight, including two aces that barely cleared the net. Cabot pulled within 12-9 on a kill by Britt.
Errors by both teams led to a 20-13 Benton lead, but a couple of kills by Johnson and a three point swing on the serve rotation of Aria Bolman pulled the visiting Lady Panthers to within five at 23-18.
A Cabot block out of bounds gave Benton match point, but a net serve by Benton, and then a final kill by the home team set the final set score at 25-19.
Johnson led Cabot in kills with seven, Britt had five and Brown four.
Teer finished with 18 assists and eight digs. She also served two aces.
After today’s Spikefest Tournament in Little Rock, the Cabot Lady Panthers will play Thursday at Mount Saint Mary’s.
Friday, August 25, 2017
SPORTS STORY >> BHS sticks to script in scrimmage at Harding
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Beebe Badgers played its annual scrimmage game against Harding Academy already somewhat behind the 8-ball with the loss of starting quarterback C.J. Cauldwell to injuries sustained off the field. Quarterback, however, was not the position most affected.
Mason Walker, who started part of his sophomore year and all of last season, stepped right in to fill the void under center, but that left the Badgers trying to fill his spot as the starting safety.
“We knew all along that whichever one of those guys didn’t start at quarterback would be the starting safety,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “So now we’re down a safety. Mason had been getting a lot of reps at quarterback anyway, probably a 2-1 ratio, so he stepped right in and did fine at quarterback. But we’re trying to get someone ready to play safety full time for us now.”
The Wildcats outscored Beebe 14-7 when starters for both teams were on the field, but the Beebe coaching staff didn’t coach the controlled scrimmage like it was a real game. The Beebe Badgers played its annual scrimmage game against Harding Academy already somewhat behind the 8-ball with the loss of starting quarterback C.J. Cauldwell to injuries sustained off the field. Quarterback, however, was not the position most affected.
Mason Walker, who started part of his sophomore year and all of last season, stepped right in to fill the void under center, but that left the Badgers trying to fill his spot as the starting safety.
“We knew all along that whichever one of those guys didn’t start at quarterback would be the starting safety,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “So now we’re down a safety. Mason had been getting a lot of reps at quarterback anyway, probably a 2-1 ratio, so he stepped right in and did fine at quarterback. But we’re trying to get someone ready to play safety full time for us now.”
The Wildcats outscored Beebe 14-7 when starters for both teams were on the field, but the Beebe coaching staff didn’t coach the controlled scrimmage like it was a real game.
Leader sports editor
The Beebe Badgers played its annual scrimmage game against Harding Academy already somewhat behind the 8-ball with the loss of starting quarterback C.J. Cauldwell to injuries sustained off the field. Quarterback, however, was not the position most affected.
Mason Walker, who started part of his sophomore year and all of last season, stepped right in to fill the void under center, but that left the Badgers trying to fill his spot as the starting safety.
“We knew all along that whichever one of those guys didn’t start at quarterback would be the starting safety,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “So now we’re down a safety. Mason had been getting a lot of reps at quarterback anyway, probably a 2-1 ratio, so he stepped right in and did fine at quarterback. But we’re trying to get someone ready to play safety full time for us now.”
The Wildcats outscored Beebe 14-7 when starters for both teams were on the field, but the Beebe coaching staff didn’t coach the controlled scrimmage like it was a real game. The Beebe Badgers played its annual scrimmage game against Harding Academy already somewhat behind the 8-ball with the loss of starting quarterback C.J. Cauldwell to injuries sustained off the field. Quarterback, however, was not the position most affected.
Mason Walker, who started part of his sophomore year and all of last season, stepped right in to fill the void under center, but that left the Badgers trying to fill his spot as the starting safety.
“We knew all along that whichever one of those guys didn’t start at quarterback would be the starting safety,” said Beebe coach John Shannon. “So now we’re down a safety. Mason had been getting a lot of reps at quarterback anyway, probably a 2-1 ratio, so he stepped right in and did fine at quarterback. But we’re trying to get someone ready to play safety full time for us now.”
The Wildcats outscored Beebe 14-7 when starters for both teams were on the field, but the Beebe coaching staff didn’t coach the controlled scrimmage like it was a real game.
SPORTS STORY >> Beebe has big first week
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The first week of the Audra Huggins era of Beebe volleyball has generated some excitement after two big wins to start the season. The Lady Badgers opened the season with a 3-0 win at Sylvan Hills, and then came back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Little Rock Christian Academy in the home opener. It was only the second time in school history for Beebe to beat LRCA, a perennial power in central Arkansas.
Against the Lady Warriors, Beebe jumped ahead early, but the bigger LRCA squad put together a huge rally and took a 25-19 win in game one. That momentum continued in game two, as the visiting team rolled out to a double-digit lead before Huggins called timeout.
Though Beebe didn’t win game two, the tide changed after that timeout.
“We were beat in game two. I knew it,” said Huggins. “We were too far behind, but I just wasn’t going to let them go down without a fight. I never sit down over there. I told them that I don’t quit and you won’t either unless you want me to bench every single one of you.
“I honestly think, though, it really came down to a trust issue. We haven’t been through much together, and I don’t think they really fully trusted me, that what I was telling them would do any good. I told them, ‘you have got to trust in what I’m telling you. I think we reached a milestone as a team when they did that and we reeled off some points in game two.”
The Lady Badgers put together its own rally after the game-two timeout. LRCA was forced to call a timeout, and regrouped enough to score the final few points for another 25-19 win.
Beebe won a competitive game three 25-18, and then blasted the Lady Warriors 25-8 in game four.
The tiebreak set was nip and tuck to the end, with Beebe pulling off a 15-13 victory.
Beebe’s service game played a big role in the turnaround as well.
“We got more aggressive serving,” Huggins said. “We were moving some of their hitters. Lanie Wolfe and Layla Wilson really controlled that. Layla had a nice jump floater going at their shoulders and they didn’t handle it. Lanie just has a nice, solid serve and was hitting her spots. She had a big night tonight.”
The Lady Warriors came into the match with the clear strategy to take away Reaven Seymore, who had some monster kills that landed inside the 10-foot line in the opener at Sylvan Hills. So Beebe went elsewhere with the ball, and it proved effective.
“They put three blocks on Reaven early and she got a little frustrated,” Huggins said. “We just have to get her to understand, the hardest swing isn’t always the smartest swing. But they came in with the plan to take her out of the game, so we went to Lanie, and she did a great job.”
Wolfe finished with 12 kills and served seven aces. That helped spread the defense and opened things up again for Seymore, and she finished with seven kills, four blocks and four digs.
Mikayla Lawrence and Autumn O’Rourke had four kills apiece, and Farren Wilson had four. Wilson finished with eight assists and eight service aces. Bailey May had four assists and Lily Boyce had three digs.
In the opening match of the season, Beebe blew through Sylvan Hills in game one 25-9. That same kind of momentum continued in game two, but five net violations by the Lady Badgers helped Sylvan Hills, with the set ending 25-16.
The Lady Bears began to regroup and made game three close most of the way. It started just like the first two games, with Wolfe serving three-straight points, including two aces, for a quick 3-0 Lady Badger lead.
Sylvan Hills then broke, and Aliya Hatton served up three-straight points to give the Lady Bears their first lead of the night. It went back and forth from there, and when Beebe was called for its ninth net violation of the night, the game was tied at 17.
It was all Beebe from there. Beebe broke right back and the freshman Wilson served out the match with seven-straight points. She aced the Lady Bears to make it 21-17 and forced Sylvan Hills High coach Harold Treadway to call a timeout. After the break, Wolfe got a kill, Wilson served another ace, Hatton’s kill shot went long and another ace by Wilson finished the game 25-17.
Seymore finished with five kills and four blocks, and also served four aces. Wolfe also had five kills with one block and four aces.
Leader sports editor
The first week of the Audra Huggins era of Beebe volleyball has generated some excitement after two big wins to start the season. The Lady Badgers opened the season with a 3-0 win at Sylvan Hills, and then came back from a 0-2 deficit to beat Little Rock Christian Academy in the home opener. It was only the second time in school history for Beebe to beat LRCA, a perennial power in central Arkansas.
Against the Lady Warriors, Beebe jumped ahead early, but the bigger LRCA squad put together a huge rally and took a 25-19 win in game one. That momentum continued in game two, as the visiting team rolled out to a double-digit lead before Huggins called timeout.
Though Beebe didn’t win game two, the tide changed after that timeout.
“We were beat in game two. I knew it,” said Huggins. “We were too far behind, but I just wasn’t going to let them go down without a fight. I never sit down over there. I told them that I don’t quit and you won’t either unless you want me to bench every single one of you.
“I honestly think, though, it really came down to a trust issue. We haven’t been through much together, and I don’t think they really fully trusted me, that what I was telling them would do any good. I told them, ‘you have got to trust in what I’m telling you. I think we reached a milestone as a team when they did that and we reeled off some points in game two.”
The Lady Badgers put together its own rally after the game-two timeout. LRCA was forced to call a timeout, and regrouped enough to score the final few points for another 25-19 win.
Beebe won a competitive game three 25-18, and then blasted the Lady Warriors 25-8 in game four.
The tiebreak set was nip and tuck to the end, with Beebe pulling off a 15-13 victory.
Beebe’s service game played a big role in the turnaround as well.
“We got more aggressive serving,” Huggins said. “We were moving some of their hitters. Lanie Wolfe and Layla Wilson really controlled that. Layla had a nice jump floater going at their shoulders and they didn’t handle it. Lanie just has a nice, solid serve and was hitting her spots. She had a big night tonight.”
The Lady Warriors came into the match with the clear strategy to take away Reaven Seymore, who had some monster kills that landed inside the 10-foot line in the opener at Sylvan Hills. So Beebe went elsewhere with the ball, and it proved effective.
“They put three blocks on Reaven early and she got a little frustrated,” Huggins said. “We just have to get her to understand, the hardest swing isn’t always the smartest swing. But they came in with the plan to take her out of the game, so we went to Lanie, and she did a great job.”
Wolfe finished with 12 kills and served seven aces. That helped spread the defense and opened things up again for Seymore, and she finished with seven kills, four blocks and four digs.
Mikayla Lawrence and Autumn O’Rourke had four kills apiece, and Farren Wilson had four. Wilson finished with eight assists and eight service aces. Bailey May had four assists and Lily Boyce had three digs.
In the opening match of the season, Beebe blew through Sylvan Hills in game one 25-9. That same kind of momentum continued in game two, but five net violations by the Lady Badgers helped Sylvan Hills, with the set ending 25-16.
The Lady Bears began to regroup and made game three close most of the way. It started just like the first two games, with Wolfe serving three-straight points, including two aces, for a quick 3-0 Lady Badger lead.
Sylvan Hills then broke, and Aliya Hatton served up three-straight points to give the Lady Bears their first lead of the night. It went back and forth from there, and when Beebe was called for its ninth net violation of the night, the game was tied at 17.
It was all Beebe from there. Beebe broke right back and the freshman Wilson served out the match with seven-straight points. She aced the Lady Bears to make it 21-17 and forced Sylvan Hills High coach Harold Treadway to call a timeout. After the break, Wolfe got a kill, Wilson served another ace, Hatton’s kill shot went long and another ace by Wilson finished the game 25-17.
Seymore finished with five kills and four blocks, and also served four aces. Wolfe also had five kills with one block and four aces.
EDITORIAL >> Feeding kids after school
The Jacksonville community sprang into action Thursday and Friday after learning in these pages that its beloved Boys and Girls Club wasn’t serving after-school meals.
The Department of Human Services suspended food deliveries to the club until DHS approves the Arkansas Food Bank as the club’s new food vendor. That could take until October, leaving hungry dozens of kids.
Clinton McDonald, a Super Bowl champion now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, donated $1,000 through his McDonald and Associates Collective Collaboration-Light Into Darkness Foundation, known as MACCLID, which hosts youth football camps and other outreach programs.
McDonald spent a lot of time at the 48-year-old club while growing up. We’ve always admired his civic engagement and look forward to the Bucs’ opening day against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 10.
The Jacksonville Lions Club also gave $500 to the effort.
Brian Blevins, who owns the Game Store, reached out to several businesses that pledged to help the Boys and Girls Club feed its members.
Thanks to Blevins, Subway will give sandwiches to all the kids Monday. Papa John’s is donating 60 pizzas over four days in the next few weeks. Domino’s will give free pizzas to the club on at least one day.
Blevins also helped get donations from Coca-Cola, Golden Eagle, New Age Distributing, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Highland Dairy and Centennial Bank. If you want to thank him in person, his shop hosts a free family games event from noon till midnight every Saturday.
After-school meals aren’t snacks. They’re important sources of daily nutrition. They include a serving of meat, a vegetable, a fresh fruit, milk and water.
One in six children face hunger in America — that’s about 13 million youngsters who could go without an afternoon or evening meal.
If they go to school, they can count on a nutritious breakfast or lunch. If they belong to their local Boys and Girls Club, they’re likely to eat a healthy meal in the afternoon, unless the bureaucrats cut off their food program because of red tape, sending more children to bed hungry.
Arkansas is near the top when it comes to food security for people of all ages, especially youngsters and seniors. Fortunately, older folks get Meals on Wheels and can visit senior centers.
But youngsters are often overlooked away from school. That’s where the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club does a world of good, along with the fine folks who have heard of the club’s plight and have donated money and food to make sure our children don’t go hungry.
Donations to the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club can be made online at www.jbgc.org.
If you don’t have dinner plans Monday, Chili’s in Jacksonville will donate 10 percent of every diner’s bill to the Boys and Girls Club from 5 till 9 p.m. You must bring a flyer available on the club’s Facebook page.
We thank you for making a difference.
The Department of Human Services suspended food deliveries to the club until DHS approves the Arkansas Food Bank as the club’s new food vendor. That could take until October, leaving hungry dozens of kids.
Clinton McDonald, a Super Bowl champion now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, donated $1,000 through his McDonald and Associates Collective Collaboration-Light Into Darkness Foundation, known as MACCLID, which hosts youth football camps and other outreach programs.
McDonald spent a lot of time at the 48-year-old club while growing up. We’ve always admired his civic engagement and look forward to the Bucs’ opening day against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 10.
The Jacksonville Lions Club also gave $500 to the effort.
Brian Blevins, who owns the Game Store, reached out to several businesses that pledged to help the Boys and Girls Club feed its members.
Thanks to Blevins, Subway will give sandwiches to all the kids Monday. Papa John’s is donating 60 pizzas over four days in the next few weeks. Domino’s will give free pizzas to the club on at least one day.
Blevins also helped get donations from Coca-Cola, Golden Eagle, New Age Distributing, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Highland Dairy and Centennial Bank. If you want to thank him in person, his shop hosts a free family games event from noon till midnight every Saturday.
After-school meals aren’t snacks. They’re important sources of daily nutrition. They include a serving of meat, a vegetable, a fresh fruit, milk and water.
One in six children face hunger in America — that’s about 13 million youngsters who could go without an afternoon or evening meal.
If they go to school, they can count on a nutritious breakfast or lunch. If they belong to their local Boys and Girls Club, they’re likely to eat a healthy meal in the afternoon, unless the bureaucrats cut off their food program because of red tape, sending more children to bed hungry.
Arkansas is near the top when it comes to food security for people of all ages, especially youngsters and seniors. Fortunately, older folks get Meals on Wheels and can visit senior centers.
But youngsters are often overlooked away from school. That’s where the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club does a world of good, along with the fine folks who have heard of the club’s plight and have donated money and food to make sure our children don’t go hungry.
Donations to the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club can be made online at www.jbgc.org.
If you don’t have dinner plans Monday, Chili’s in Jacksonville will donate 10 percent of every diner’s bill to the Boys and Girls Club from 5 till 9 p.m. You must bring a flyer available on the club’s Facebook page.
We thank you for making a difference.
TOP STORY >> Residents face huge backlog with state
By JOHN LYON
Arkansas Nonprofit News Network
When Sarah McKelvain of Spring-dale placed an online order in early February for copies of the birth certificates for everyone in her five-person family, she expected them to arrive in plenty of time for the family to obtain passports for a trip out of the country in mid-June.
“I’ve ordered them for my kids to enroll in kindergarten before, and they usually sent them within a few days,” said McKelvain, explaining that the family needed new copies because the old ones had been misplaced. “I just expected that to be the experience.”
It wasn’t. Because of a massive backlog at the Arkansas Department of Health, the order wasn’t processed and shipped until last week. The delay didn’t force the family to cancel the trip, but only because McKelvain’s father, who lives in Little Rock, had gone to the agency’s Little Rock office and placed an in-person order that was processed the same day.
Ironically, McKelvain had paid $20 extra for express delivery of her online order.
“It seems kind of stupid because it came six months later,” she said.
Thousands of others have had similar experiences.
“Currently, we are 11,000 requests behind in processing requests for vital records,” Department of Health spokeswoman Marisha DiCarlo said in response to an inquiry from the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network.
DiCarlo said the agency provides same-day processing to people who present their applications in person at its Little Rock office, and applications submitted through the mail are processed in four to six weeks — a typical time frame for this region, a survey conducted for this report has shown. But online requests are a different matter.
“The backlog is primarily with these online orders, so they may still take longer,” DiCarlo said.
J.R. Davis, a spokesman for Governor Hutchinson, said in an interview that “the governor is aware of the problem, and the delays need to be addressed. It’s not the kind of customer service the state should provide.”
“The Department of Health is working on this, the governor is working on this, and [ADH Director Dr. Nate] Smith is working on this diligently, and we hope the situation will be resolved in the near future,” Davis said.
Online requests for vital records in Arkansas are made through VitalChek, a private company that has partnered with Arkansas and nearly every other state to handle such requests.
DiCarlo did not estimate how long the Health Department is taking to process online applications, but the VitalChek website estimates the processing time for each state and U.S. territory where it does business.
The average estimated processing time nationwide is 9 or 10 days, or slightly faster if the customer pays for express delivery.
In contrast, Arkansas has an estimated processing time of 75-90 days without express delivery, or about double the estimated time of the second-slowest state, Rhode Island, where the processing time without express delivery is 30-45 days, according to VitalChek.
With express delivery, Arkansas’s estimated processing time is 60-75 days, according to the company’s website. That’s far shorter than the six months McKelvain had to wait, but she said that back in February she didn’t even get a warning of a possible 75-day wait: At that time the company was estimating the state’s processing time at 17-21 days.
Government websites of all the states surrounding Arkansas give estimates of the processing times for vital records, but as of Sunday the website of the Arkansas Department of Health offered no estimate, just an apology.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience to anyone who has had a delay in receiving their certificate. The number of requests we have received this year has significantly increased and we are addressing this increased volume with a limited number of staff,” a statement on the website read.
The statement advised people to contact the agency by email at adh.vitalrecords@arkansas.gov if they experience a delay in receiving a certificate.
DiCarlo said the health department became aware of a backlog in the spring and at that time began monitoring progress toward reducing it.
“When sufficient progress was not being made, we hired a consultant to identify the source of the backlog,” she said. “We have recognized how significant the backlog was in the past 90 days. We are taking steps to reduce the backlog of requests, and to streamline our process moving forward.”
The consultant, Jerry Pack, is a former chief information officer for the agency. He was hired in June at $44.47 an hour and is expected to be on the job for about another 30 days.
DiCarlo said Pack has identified inefficiencies, including points at which staff was required to enter information twice. She said the agency is redesigning its systems to allow staff to enter the information only once.
Staffing has been an issue because of high turnover in the 14 positions responsible for issuing birth and death certificates. Over the past six months, the agency has averaged five vacancies a month in certificate processing.
“These are entry-level positions that typically have high turnover, since people often are moving on to higher-paying positions,” DiCarlo said.
DiCarlo said the agency received permission to expedite its hiring process for its vital records office, which has a total of 42 positions, and as a result all of the positions are now filled. She also said a new state pay plan the legislature and Governor Hutchinson approved this year boosted the pay for the certificate-processing positions, which is expected to help with recruitment and retention.
The ADH also has brought in workers from other areas of the agency, hired temporary workers and allowed staff to work overtime on the backlog. Since March, the agency has paid a little over $2,440 in overtime.
The reason for the increase in requests is unknown. DiCarlo said officials have “wondered” whether it is related to the federal Real ID Act, which sets new standards for the identification needed to fly effective in January 2018, but she said the agency has been too busy working to reduce the backlog to investigate possible causes for the spike in applications.
Cody McDonell, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said his agency has not seen requests for vital records jump this year compared to last year.
“There are times of the year when it spikes” — including tax season and back-to-school time — “but we haven’t seen an abnormally large spike this year,” McDonell said.
Heath Carpenter of Searcy inadvertently tested the comparative processing times of Arkansas and Florida when he ordered birth certificates from both states about a month ago.
“One of my children was born in Florida, the other three were born in Arkansas,” he said.
“Somewhere along the way, moving or whatever, I couldn’t find three of the kids’ birth certificates, and I got online and ordered one from Florida. It was in my mailbox the next day.”
Carpenter also requested birth certificates for two of his Arkansas-born children, but a month later he still has not received them.
“If I had known that you could just drive to Little Rock and get it, I would have done it,” he said. “They charged me … more for the online option.”
Also still waiting for birth certificates is Katie Ransom of Springdale, who became the legal guardian of her two former stepdaughters earlier this year. She paid for copies of the girls’ birth certificates, with express delivery, in mid-April.
“Right now I don’t have anything to legally prove the identity of these children,” she said. “It’s extremely frustrating, and I feel quite ripped off, frankly, because I paid for [the certificates] up front.”
Ransom said it seems strange that in the age of the internet the health department can only process orders quickly if they are placed in person in Little Rock.
“If I can search marriage, birth and death records for the last 100 years online, then why in the world can some county clerk not get me a certified copy?” she said.
Carpenter said the system is unfair to people who do not live in the central part of the state.
“People who live in the Delta, Hope, who live anywhere else other than Little Rock, [many of them] poor people, they don’t have access to drive out to Little Rock for a birth certificate,” he said.
DiCarlo said the health department is addressing that issue. The agency has accelerated a plan to allow people to make in-person requests for vital records at its local health units, and expects to make this service available at 12 units around the state in 30-60 days, she said.
This reporting is courtesy of the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, an independent, nonpartisan news project dedicated to producing journalism that matters to Arkansans.
Arkansas Nonprofit News Network
When Sarah McKelvain of Spring-dale placed an online order in early February for copies of the birth certificates for everyone in her five-person family, she expected them to arrive in plenty of time for the family to obtain passports for a trip out of the country in mid-June.
“I’ve ordered them for my kids to enroll in kindergarten before, and they usually sent them within a few days,” said McKelvain, explaining that the family needed new copies because the old ones had been misplaced. “I just expected that to be the experience.”
It wasn’t. Because of a massive backlog at the Arkansas Department of Health, the order wasn’t processed and shipped until last week. The delay didn’t force the family to cancel the trip, but only because McKelvain’s father, who lives in Little Rock, had gone to the agency’s Little Rock office and placed an in-person order that was processed the same day.
Ironically, McKelvain had paid $20 extra for express delivery of her online order.
“It seems kind of stupid because it came six months later,” she said.
Thousands of others have had similar experiences.
“Currently, we are 11,000 requests behind in processing requests for vital records,” Department of Health spokeswoman Marisha DiCarlo said in response to an inquiry from the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network.
DiCarlo said the agency provides same-day processing to people who present their applications in person at its Little Rock office, and applications submitted through the mail are processed in four to six weeks — a typical time frame for this region, a survey conducted for this report has shown. But online requests are a different matter.
“The backlog is primarily with these online orders, so they may still take longer,” DiCarlo said.
J.R. Davis, a spokesman for Governor Hutchinson, said in an interview that “the governor is aware of the problem, and the delays need to be addressed. It’s not the kind of customer service the state should provide.”
“The Department of Health is working on this, the governor is working on this, and [ADH Director Dr. Nate] Smith is working on this diligently, and we hope the situation will be resolved in the near future,” Davis said.
Online requests for vital records in Arkansas are made through VitalChek, a private company that has partnered with Arkansas and nearly every other state to handle such requests.
DiCarlo did not estimate how long the Health Department is taking to process online applications, but the VitalChek website estimates the processing time for each state and U.S. territory where it does business.
The average estimated processing time nationwide is 9 or 10 days, or slightly faster if the customer pays for express delivery.
In contrast, Arkansas has an estimated processing time of 75-90 days without express delivery, or about double the estimated time of the second-slowest state, Rhode Island, where the processing time without express delivery is 30-45 days, according to VitalChek.
With express delivery, Arkansas’s estimated processing time is 60-75 days, according to the company’s website. That’s far shorter than the six months McKelvain had to wait, but she said that back in February she didn’t even get a warning of a possible 75-day wait: At that time the company was estimating the state’s processing time at 17-21 days.
Government websites of all the states surrounding Arkansas give estimates of the processing times for vital records, but as of Sunday the website of the Arkansas Department of Health offered no estimate, just an apology.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience to anyone who has had a delay in receiving their certificate. The number of requests we have received this year has significantly increased and we are addressing this increased volume with a limited number of staff,” a statement on the website read.
The statement advised people to contact the agency by email at adh.vitalrecords@arkansas.gov if they experience a delay in receiving a certificate.
DiCarlo said the health department became aware of a backlog in the spring and at that time began monitoring progress toward reducing it.
“When sufficient progress was not being made, we hired a consultant to identify the source of the backlog,” she said. “We have recognized how significant the backlog was in the past 90 days. We are taking steps to reduce the backlog of requests, and to streamline our process moving forward.”
The consultant, Jerry Pack, is a former chief information officer for the agency. He was hired in June at $44.47 an hour and is expected to be on the job for about another 30 days.
DiCarlo said Pack has identified inefficiencies, including points at which staff was required to enter information twice. She said the agency is redesigning its systems to allow staff to enter the information only once.
Staffing has been an issue because of high turnover in the 14 positions responsible for issuing birth and death certificates. Over the past six months, the agency has averaged five vacancies a month in certificate processing.
“These are entry-level positions that typically have high turnover, since people often are moving on to higher-paying positions,” DiCarlo said.
DiCarlo said the agency received permission to expedite its hiring process for its vital records office, which has a total of 42 positions, and as a result all of the positions are now filled. She also said a new state pay plan the legislature and Governor Hutchinson approved this year boosted the pay for the certificate-processing positions, which is expected to help with recruitment and retention.
The ADH also has brought in workers from other areas of the agency, hired temporary workers and allowed staff to work overtime on the backlog. Since March, the agency has paid a little over $2,440 in overtime.
The reason for the increase in requests is unknown. DiCarlo said officials have “wondered” whether it is related to the federal Real ID Act, which sets new standards for the identification needed to fly effective in January 2018, but she said the agency has been too busy working to reduce the backlog to investigate possible causes for the spike in applications.
Cody McDonell, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Department of Health, said his agency has not seen requests for vital records jump this year compared to last year.
“There are times of the year when it spikes” — including tax season and back-to-school time — “but we haven’t seen an abnormally large spike this year,” McDonell said.
Heath Carpenter of Searcy inadvertently tested the comparative processing times of Arkansas and Florida when he ordered birth certificates from both states about a month ago.
“One of my children was born in Florida, the other three were born in Arkansas,” he said.
“Somewhere along the way, moving or whatever, I couldn’t find three of the kids’ birth certificates, and I got online and ordered one from Florida. It was in my mailbox the next day.”
Carpenter also requested birth certificates for two of his Arkansas-born children, but a month later he still has not received them.
“If I had known that you could just drive to Little Rock and get it, I would have done it,” he said. “They charged me … more for the online option.”
Also still waiting for birth certificates is Katie Ransom of Springdale, who became the legal guardian of her two former stepdaughters earlier this year. She paid for copies of the girls’ birth certificates, with express delivery, in mid-April.
“Right now I don’t have anything to legally prove the identity of these children,” she said. “It’s extremely frustrating, and I feel quite ripped off, frankly, because I paid for [the certificates] up front.”
Ransom said it seems strange that in the age of the internet the health department can only process orders quickly if they are placed in person in Little Rock.
“If I can search marriage, birth and death records for the last 100 years online, then why in the world can some county clerk not get me a certified copy?” she said.
Carpenter said the system is unfair to people who do not live in the central part of the state.
“People who live in the Delta, Hope, who live anywhere else other than Little Rock, [many of them] poor people, they don’t have access to drive out to Little Rock for a birth certificate,” he said.
DiCarlo said the health department is addressing that issue. The agency has accelerated a plan to allow people to make in-person requests for vital records at its local health units, and expects to make this service available at 12 units around the state in 30-60 days, she said.
This reporting is courtesy of the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, an independent, nonpartisan news project dedicated to producing journalism that matters to Arkansans.
TOP STORY >> Donors feed kids at club
By JONATHAN FELDMAN
Leader editor
The Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club has received an outpouring of community support after The Leader reported Wednesday the youth club wouldn’t be able to serve after-school meals because of a bureaucratic glitch with the state Department of Human Services. (See editorial, page 8.)
The club’s youngsters faced going without their usual after-school nourishment until October after DHS put the program on hold because of a contracting issue with vendors.
Bonnie McDonald, the mother of NFL player Clinton McDonald, who was once a member of the Jacksonville Boys and Girl Club, delivered a check for $1,000 on Friday to the club in behalf of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle’s charitable foundation, McDonald and Associates Collective Collaboration-Light Into Darkness Foundation, known as MACCLID.
The Jacksonville Lions Club donated $500 during a check presentation Friday.
Brian Blevins, owner of the Game Store on Main Street, reached out to several area businesses when he saw the Boys and Girls Club needed help. His efforts arranged donations from Subway, Papa John’s, Dominoes, Coca-Cola, Golden Eagle, New Age Distributing, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Highland Dairy and Centennial Bank.
Subway will donate sandwiches to all the kids on Monday. Papa John’s will donate 60 pizzas over four days in the next few weeks.
Dominoes will give free pizzas to the club on at least one day.
New Age Distributing will donate bottled water, and Highland Dairy will donate milk.
Boys and Girls Club director LaConda Watson, who is also a Jacksonville-North Pulaski School Board member, was happy to see the community rally to support her organization.
“I wish I could just hug everyone. It does help to see that kind of support. It’s truly a blessing,” Watson said.
When she heard Friday about Bonnie McDonald’s contribution, Watson said, “It’s so awesome. I’m in tears.”
Watson was grateful for Blevins’ quick response and success.
“Anybody could have made the calls, but it wouldn’t have been possible without what the Boys and Girls Cub has accomplished in all these years. For a lot of these kids, this is their second home. Anybody who has a heart or the ability would do something,” Blevins said.
“Laconda is amazing, but she can only knock on so many doors to ask for donations,” he said.
“It was a pleasure to be able to do this. I’ve done a lot of business with them over the last couple of years” he said.
He said the businesses were glad to help because of the Boys and Girls Club’s good reputation having served generations of Jacksonville youth.
The money will go a long way to help Jacksonville kids who show up to the club after school with empty stomachs, until the DHS food program returns, which could take as long as a month. Watson hopes DHS expedites the process to allow the Arkansas Food Bank, the club’s new food vendor, to begin delivering food in the next few weeks.
Boys and Girls Club members rely on its after-school meals, which are an important part of their daily nutrition. The meals typically include a portion of meat, a vegetable, a fresh fruit, milk and water.
Donations can be made online at the club’s website, www.jbgc.org.
Chili’s in Jacksonville will donate 10 percent of every diner’s bill to the Boys and Girls Club from 5 till 9 p.m. Monday. They must bring flyers available on the club’s Facebook page.
The club will also hold a Tennis Shoes and Tutus family fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 9.
Leader editor
The Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club has received an outpouring of community support after The Leader reported Wednesday the youth club wouldn’t be able to serve after-school meals because of a bureaucratic glitch with the state Department of Human Services. (See editorial, page 8.)
The club’s youngsters faced going without their usual after-school nourishment until October after DHS put the program on hold because of a contracting issue with vendors.
Bonnie McDonald, the mother of NFL player Clinton McDonald, who was once a member of the Jacksonville Boys and Girl Club, delivered a check for $1,000 on Friday to the club in behalf of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle’s charitable foundation, McDonald and Associates Collective Collaboration-Light Into Darkness Foundation, known as MACCLID.
The Jacksonville Lions Club donated $500 during a check presentation Friday.
Brian Blevins, owner of the Game Store on Main Street, reached out to several area businesses when he saw the Boys and Girls Club needed help. His efforts arranged donations from Subway, Papa John’s, Dominoes, Coca-Cola, Golden Eagle, New Age Distributing, Blue Bell Ice Cream, Highland Dairy and Centennial Bank.
Subway will donate sandwiches to all the kids on Monday. Papa John’s will donate 60 pizzas over four days in the next few weeks.
Dominoes will give free pizzas to the club on at least one day.
New Age Distributing will donate bottled water, and Highland Dairy will donate milk.
Boys and Girls Club director LaConda Watson, who is also a Jacksonville-North Pulaski School Board member, was happy to see the community rally to support her organization.
“I wish I could just hug everyone. It does help to see that kind of support. It’s truly a blessing,” Watson said.
When she heard Friday about Bonnie McDonald’s contribution, Watson said, “It’s so awesome. I’m in tears.”
Watson was grateful for Blevins’ quick response and success.
“Anybody could have made the calls, but it wouldn’t have been possible without what the Boys and Girls Cub has accomplished in all these years. For a lot of these kids, this is their second home. Anybody who has a heart or the ability would do something,” Blevins said.
“Laconda is amazing, but she can only knock on so many doors to ask for donations,” he said.
“It was a pleasure to be able to do this. I’ve done a lot of business with them over the last couple of years” he said.
He said the businesses were glad to help because of the Boys and Girls Club’s good reputation having served generations of Jacksonville youth.
The money will go a long way to help Jacksonville kids who show up to the club after school with empty stomachs, until the DHS food program returns, which could take as long as a month. Watson hopes DHS expedites the process to allow the Arkansas Food Bank, the club’s new food vendor, to begin delivering food in the next few weeks.
Boys and Girls Club members rely on its after-school meals, which are an important part of their daily nutrition. The meals typically include a portion of meat, a vegetable, a fresh fruit, milk and water.
Donations can be made online at the club’s website, www.jbgc.org.
Chili’s in Jacksonville will donate 10 percent of every diner’s bill to the Boys and Girls Club from 5 till 9 p.m. Monday. They must bring flyers available on the club’s Facebook page.
The club will also hold a Tennis Shoes and Tutus family fundraiser Saturday, Sept. 9.
TOP STORY >> Cabot scores place schools among best
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
Editor’s note: This is the last in a series taking an in-depth look at the annual state results.
“Several of our schools have percentages in the 80s and 90s and that’s certainly heading in the right direction,” explained Dr. Tony Thurman, superintendent of Cabot schools.
In fact, fourth graders at Mountain Springs were among the top in the state with 91 percent meeting or exceeding expectations in English. Likewise, Stagecoach Elementary, with 80 percent of its third graders making the cut in math, was also one of the best in the state on the ACT Asprire test.
“We are pleased with our scores this year, but are aware there is still work to be done,” Thurman said.
A lot of that work needs to be in writing, where scores fluctuated from 55 percent of the fourth-grade students writing on grade level or above at Eastside Elementary to just 9 percent of the third graders at Central making the grade.
“The district teachers continue to engage in professional learning. This year, all elementary teachers have already attended additional training in phonics for reading,” Thurman explained.
He added, “When considering a group of students, this year’s fourth graders improved district-wide in reading, writing and science over their performance from last year.
Dr. Belinda Shook, who heads up the Beebe School District, agreed that writing scores statewide were inconsistent.
She said, “Looking at 12 core areas, our students improved 9 of 12 areas. We are working hard on curriculum alignment, which I believe is a large part of the problem, but we are beginning to see some positive results.”
Shook said, “We have implemented big changes and teachers are receiving high-quality literacy training. In fact, we began training our teachers in the summer of 2016 and will continue offering additional training each summer. As these students progress to the next grade, I believe we will continue to see scores rise. Reading and writing in grades 3-5 need to remain a focus. We are looking at individual student’s scores to see how to help him/her improve and also celebrate successes.”
BEEBE
At the third-grade level, 81 percent met or exceed goals in English, 50 percent did the same in math, 34 percent in science, 31 percent in reading and 24 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 67 percent make the cut in English, 56 percent in math, 40 percent in science, 38 percent in reading, 31 percent in writing.
At the middle school, 67 percent of the fifth-graders did well in English, 50 percent in math, 36 percent in science, 30 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
LONOKE
Among third-graders, 56 percent did well in English, 35 percent in math, 26 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 11 percent in writing. Fourth-grade saw 76 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English, 40 percent in math, 38 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 16 percent in writing.
At the fifth-grade level, 74 percent made the cut in English, 42 percent in math, 34 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 25 percent in writing.
CABOT
At Eastside Elementary, 85 percent of the third-graders met or exceeded expectations in English, 90 percent did the same in math, 51 percent in science, 56 percent in reading and 28 percent in writing. Fourth-grade had 87 percent do well in English, 78 percent in math, 60 percent in science, 65 percent in reading and 55 percent in writing.
Central Elementary had 71 percent of its third graders do well in English, 43 percent in math, 30 percent in science, 39 percent in reading but just 9 percent in writing. Fourth grade also had 71 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 56 percent in math, 48 percent in science and reading and 24 percent in writing.
Among third graders at Westside Elementary, 76 percent made the grade in English, 70 percent in math, 41 percent in science, 46 percent in reading and 23 percent in writing. In fourth grade it was 62 percent meeting or exceeding goals in English, 65 percent in math, 44 percent in science, 45 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Southside Elementary had 83 percent of its third graders make the cut in English, 71 percent did the same in math, 49 percent in science, 47 percent in reading and only 22 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 77 percent met or exceed goals in English, 58 percent in math, 46 percent in science, 55 percent in reading and 47 percent in writing.
At Northside Elementary 79 percent of the third graders did well in English, 61 percent in math, 42 percent in science and reading and fell to 21 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 84 percent of its students make the cut in English, 67 percent in math, 51 percent in science, 60 percent in reading and 44 percent in writing.
Ward Central saw 72 percent of its third graders meet or exceed goals in English, 53 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 34 percent in reading, but only 19 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 61 percent of its students do well in English, 55 percent in math, 38 percent in science and reading and, like the third graders, just 19 percent did well in writing.
Magness Creek third-graders were 87 percent proficient in English, 82 percent in math, 63 percent in science, 69 percent in reading and 34 percent in writing. Fourth grade saw 83 percent do well in English, 61 percent in math, 59 percent in English, 66 percent in reading and fell to 20 percent made the grade in writing.
About 76 percent of third graders at Stagecoach Elementary met or exceeded goals in English, 80 percent in math, 50 percent in science, 53 percent in reading, but fell to 21 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 82 percent do well in English, 80 percent in math, 51 percent in science, 61 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Mountain Springs had 86 percent of its third graders make the cut in English, 72 percent in math, 53 percent in science, 58 percent in reading, but only 14 percent did well in writing. At the fourth- grade level 91 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 78 percent in math, 68 percent in science, 73 percent in reading and 26 percent in writing.
Fifth graders at Cabot Middle School South were 80 percent ready or exceeding in English, 66 percent made the cut in math, 47 percent in science, 48 percent in reading and 51 percent in writing.
At Cabot Middle School North, 77 percent of the fifth graders did well in English, 62 percent in math, 50 percent in science, 48 percent in reading and 50 percent in writing.
CARLISLE
At the third-grade level, 74 percent of the students did well in English, 54 percent in math, 32 percent in science, 34 percent in reading and just 2 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 66 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 50 percent in math, 29 percent in science and reading and 18 percent did well in writing. Among fifth graders, 58 percent made the cut in English, 49 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing.
ENGLAND
In third grade, 74 percent made the grade in English, 63 percent in math, 31 percent in science, just 19 percent in reading and only 4 percent in writing. Among fourth-graders, 76 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 60 percent in math, 36 percent in science, 38 percent in reading and 30 percent in writing.
At the fifth-grade level, 64 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 42 percent in math, 19 percent in science, 33 percent in reading and 28 percent in writing.
Leader staff writer
Editor’s note: This is the last in a series taking an in-depth look at the annual state results.
“Several of our schools have percentages in the 80s and 90s and that’s certainly heading in the right direction,” explained Dr. Tony Thurman, superintendent of Cabot schools.
In fact, fourth graders at Mountain Springs were among the top in the state with 91 percent meeting or exceeding expectations in English. Likewise, Stagecoach Elementary, with 80 percent of its third graders making the cut in math, was also one of the best in the state on the ACT Asprire test.
“We are pleased with our scores this year, but are aware there is still work to be done,” Thurman said.
A lot of that work needs to be in writing, where scores fluctuated from 55 percent of the fourth-grade students writing on grade level or above at Eastside Elementary to just 9 percent of the third graders at Central making the grade.
“The district teachers continue to engage in professional learning. This year, all elementary teachers have already attended additional training in phonics for reading,” Thurman explained.
He added, “When considering a group of students, this year’s fourth graders improved district-wide in reading, writing and science over their performance from last year.
Dr. Belinda Shook, who heads up the Beebe School District, agreed that writing scores statewide were inconsistent.
She said, “Looking at 12 core areas, our students improved 9 of 12 areas. We are working hard on curriculum alignment, which I believe is a large part of the problem, but we are beginning to see some positive results.”
Shook said, “We have implemented big changes and teachers are receiving high-quality literacy training. In fact, we began training our teachers in the summer of 2016 and will continue offering additional training each summer. As these students progress to the next grade, I believe we will continue to see scores rise. Reading and writing in grades 3-5 need to remain a focus. We are looking at individual student’s scores to see how to help him/her improve and also celebrate successes.”
BEEBE
At the third-grade level, 81 percent met or exceed goals in English, 50 percent did the same in math, 34 percent in science, 31 percent in reading and 24 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 67 percent make the cut in English, 56 percent in math, 40 percent in science, 38 percent in reading, 31 percent in writing.
At the middle school, 67 percent of the fifth-graders did well in English, 50 percent in math, 36 percent in science, 30 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
LONOKE
Among third-graders, 56 percent did well in English, 35 percent in math, 26 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 11 percent in writing. Fourth-grade saw 76 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English, 40 percent in math, 38 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 16 percent in writing.
At the fifth-grade level, 74 percent made the cut in English, 42 percent in math, 34 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 25 percent in writing.
CABOT
At Eastside Elementary, 85 percent of the third-graders met or exceeded expectations in English, 90 percent did the same in math, 51 percent in science, 56 percent in reading and 28 percent in writing. Fourth-grade had 87 percent do well in English, 78 percent in math, 60 percent in science, 65 percent in reading and 55 percent in writing.
Central Elementary had 71 percent of its third graders do well in English, 43 percent in math, 30 percent in science, 39 percent in reading but just 9 percent in writing. Fourth grade also had 71 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 56 percent in math, 48 percent in science and reading and 24 percent in writing.
Among third graders at Westside Elementary, 76 percent made the grade in English, 70 percent in math, 41 percent in science, 46 percent in reading and 23 percent in writing. In fourth grade it was 62 percent meeting or exceeding goals in English, 65 percent in math, 44 percent in science, 45 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Southside Elementary had 83 percent of its third graders make the cut in English, 71 percent did the same in math, 49 percent in science, 47 percent in reading and only 22 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 77 percent met or exceed goals in English, 58 percent in math, 46 percent in science, 55 percent in reading and 47 percent in writing.
At Northside Elementary 79 percent of the third graders did well in English, 61 percent in math, 42 percent in science and reading and fell to 21 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 84 percent of its students make the cut in English, 67 percent in math, 51 percent in science, 60 percent in reading and 44 percent in writing.
Ward Central saw 72 percent of its third graders meet or exceed goals in English, 53 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 34 percent in reading, but only 19 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 61 percent of its students do well in English, 55 percent in math, 38 percent in science and reading and, like the third graders, just 19 percent did well in writing.
Magness Creek third-graders were 87 percent proficient in English, 82 percent in math, 63 percent in science, 69 percent in reading and 34 percent in writing. Fourth grade saw 83 percent do well in English, 61 percent in math, 59 percent in English, 66 percent in reading and fell to 20 percent made the grade in writing.
About 76 percent of third graders at Stagecoach Elementary met or exceeded goals in English, 80 percent in math, 50 percent in science, 53 percent in reading, but fell to 21 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 82 percent do well in English, 80 percent in math, 51 percent in science, 61 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Mountain Springs had 86 percent of its third graders make the cut in English, 72 percent in math, 53 percent in science, 58 percent in reading, but only 14 percent did well in writing. At the fourth- grade level 91 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 78 percent in math, 68 percent in science, 73 percent in reading and 26 percent in writing.
Fifth graders at Cabot Middle School South were 80 percent ready or exceeding in English, 66 percent made the cut in math, 47 percent in science, 48 percent in reading and 51 percent in writing.
At Cabot Middle School North, 77 percent of the fifth graders did well in English, 62 percent in math, 50 percent in science, 48 percent in reading and 50 percent in writing.
CARLISLE
At the third-grade level, 74 percent of the students did well in English, 54 percent in math, 32 percent in science, 34 percent in reading and just 2 percent in writing. Fourth grade had 66 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 50 percent in math, 29 percent in science and reading and 18 percent did well in writing. Among fifth graders, 58 percent made the cut in English, 49 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 20 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing.
ENGLAND
In third grade, 74 percent made the grade in English, 63 percent in math, 31 percent in science, just 19 percent in reading and only 4 percent in writing. Among fourth-graders, 76 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 60 percent in math, 36 percent in science, 38 percent in reading and 30 percent in writing.
At the fifth-grade level, 64 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 42 percent in math, 19 percent in science, 33 percent in reading and 28 percent in writing.
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
SPORTS STORY >> Richardson works way back into a starting job
By NATE ALLEN
Special to The Leader
FAYETTEVILLE – During the 2016 preseason, then brand new Arkansas defensive backfield coach Paul Rhoads extolled Kevin Richardson’s versatility value to the Razorbacks’ secondary.
Richardson displayed what Rhoads discussed making seven tackles as a nickel back and cornerback during the Razorbacks’ 21-20 season-opening victory over Louisiana Tech at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Unfortunately it marked Richardson’s only game for 2016. He tore pectoral muscles during that game, a season-ending injury that didn’t allow Richardson to play football again until spring practice.
So during the 2017 preseason practices that Coach Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks began on July 27 it seems Rhoads is avidly determined that he and Richardson make up for lost time.
“Kevin Richardson has to be on the field somewhere for us,” Rhoads said.
So even before Rhoads implemented the nickel package in July, with Richardson listed first-team nickel, Richardson, the fifth-year senior former walk-on from Jacksonville, was all over the secondary nearly all the time those first two days of mandatory non-contact practices.
“We haven’t installed our nickel package yet,” Richardson said. “Thatpackage in yet,” Richardson said. “That will be primarily where I play, but right now it’s some corner and some free safety. Coach Rhoads told me to be prepared for whatever. I just embrace wherever he wants me to play.”
He’s done a lot of embracing during the preseason. Because he’s been busy enough practicing at cornerback and safety even before slotted at nickel.
Must be difficult simultaneously preparing to be primary throughout the secondary.
“It’s not really difficult,” Richardson said. “It’s just being in condition. You’ve got to be in condition to play all of those because it will be reps with ones at the nickel, twos at corner and threes with the free safety. You got to be in condition to do things like that.
“Coach Herb (strength coach Ben Herbert) does a great job conditioning us.”
The conditioning isn’t just about speed and strength but endurance, too, Richardson said.
“Coach Rhoads talked about being in football shape,” Richardson said. “There is a difference between being in football shape and being able to carry your pads.”
To have been a 150-pound walk-on muscled up to 185 pounds on a 5-11 frame that played every game on special teams in 2014 and every game on special teams and as a defensive backup jack of all trades in 2015 takes tremendous extra effort.
Richardson’s teammates noticed. They elected him and junior safety Santos Ramirez as defensive co-captains.
Rhoads knew why.
“I think, even in today’s age where guys have a tendency to brother-in-law each other too much and take it easy on each other, they recognize somebody who is not afraid to speak,” Rhoads said. “And Kevin is not afraid to speak. They’re intelligent words, words that make sense to the kids and elevate them. Anytime somebody elevates somebody else, they’re displaying leadership.”
Richardson said his parents ingrained in him to speak when needed.
“I was always taught to be myself,” Richardson said. “So you know I’m going to be blunt with you if there is something wrong. If something needs to be addressed I’m going to tell you about it. Coach B lets us speak to the team and sometimes I call people out if I feel there is something they should work on. That’s something I feel a leader should do. Sometimes it’s tough love when you’ve got to speak to somebody.”
Richardson admitted sometimes it takes prudent words if you are a 185-pound captain and are closest at hand when 6-3, 286 sophomore defensive end McTelvin “Sosa” Agim of Hope and sophomore 6-5, 298 left offensive tackle Colton Jackson of Conway “skirmished” like during the second preseason practice.
“They are bigger guys than me,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of hard with bodies that big. I can’t physically do anything but I try to do what I can. It might require some different language but I do what I can to make them stop.”
Although Richardson was seventh on the 2015 in tackles with 44 playing all over the secondary and on special teams before his injury induced one and done in 2016, Bielema explained to a bewildered SEC Media Days audience back on July 10 in Hoover, Ala. why he brought Richardson along with heralded senior third-team Preseason All-SEC quarterback Austin Allen and Preseason All-SEC first-team/consensus All-American candidate senior center Frank Ragnow.
“Kevin Richardson is a former walk-on and just really embodies everything I believe in,” Bielema said. “He’s a little undersized, under-recruited, underdeveloped coming out of high school but we presented an opportunity for him to walk on. Really, in the first two weeks I knew we had something. Probably one of the most intelligent football IQ players I’ve ever been around.”
Special to The Leader
FAYETTEVILLE – During the 2016 preseason, then brand new Arkansas defensive backfield coach Paul Rhoads extolled Kevin Richardson’s versatility value to the Razorbacks’ secondary.
Richardson displayed what Rhoads discussed making seven tackles as a nickel back and cornerback during the Razorbacks’ 21-20 season-opening victory over Louisiana Tech at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Unfortunately it marked Richardson’s only game for 2016. He tore pectoral muscles during that game, a season-ending injury that didn’t allow Richardson to play football again until spring practice.
So during the 2017 preseason practices that Coach Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks began on July 27 it seems Rhoads is avidly determined that he and Richardson make up for lost time.
“Kevin Richardson has to be on the field somewhere for us,” Rhoads said.
So even before Rhoads implemented the nickel package in July, with Richardson listed first-team nickel, Richardson, the fifth-year senior former walk-on from Jacksonville, was all over the secondary nearly all the time those first two days of mandatory non-contact practices.
“We haven’t installed our nickel package yet,” Richardson said. “Thatpackage in yet,” Richardson said. “That will be primarily where I play, but right now it’s some corner and some free safety. Coach Rhoads told me to be prepared for whatever. I just embrace wherever he wants me to play.”
He’s done a lot of embracing during the preseason. Because he’s been busy enough practicing at cornerback and safety even before slotted at nickel.
Must be difficult simultaneously preparing to be primary throughout the secondary.
“It’s not really difficult,” Richardson said. “It’s just being in condition. You’ve got to be in condition to play all of those because it will be reps with ones at the nickel, twos at corner and threes with the free safety. You got to be in condition to do things like that.
“Coach Herb (strength coach Ben Herbert) does a great job conditioning us.”
The conditioning isn’t just about speed and strength but endurance, too, Richardson said.
“Coach Rhoads talked about being in football shape,” Richardson said. “There is a difference between being in football shape and being able to carry your pads.”
To have been a 150-pound walk-on muscled up to 185 pounds on a 5-11 frame that played every game on special teams in 2014 and every game on special teams and as a defensive backup jack of all trades in 2015 takes tremendous extra effort.
Richardson’s teammates noticed. They elected him and junior safety Santos Ramirez as defensive co-captains.
Rhoads knew why.
“I think, even in today’s age where guys have a tendency to brother-in-law each other too much and take it easy on each other, they recognize somebody who is not afraid to speak,” Rhoads said. “And Kevin is not afraid to speak. They’re intelligent words, words that make sense to the kids and elevate them. Anytime somebody elevates somebody else, they’re displaying leadership.”
Richardson said his parents ingrained in him to speak when needed.
“I was always taught to be myself,” Richardson said. “So you know I’m going to be blunt with you if there is something wrong. If something needs to be addressed I’m going to tell you about it. Coach B lets us speak to the team and sometimes I call people out if I feel there is something they should work on. That’s something I feel a leader should do. Sometimes it’s tough love when you’ve got to speak to somebody.”
Richardson admitted sometimes it takes prudent words if you are a 185-pound captain and are closest at hand when 6-3, 286 sophomore defensive end McTelvin “Sosa” Agim of Hope and sophomore 6-5, 298 left offensive tackle Colton Jackson of Conway “skirmished” like during the second preseason practice.
“They are bigger guys than me,” Richardson said. “It’s kind of hard with bodies that big. I can’t physically do anything but I try to do what I can. It might require some different language but I do what I can to make them stop.”
Although Richardson was seventh on the 2015 in tackles with 44 playing all over the secondary and on special teams before his injury induced one and done in 2016, Bielema explained to a bewildered SEC Media Days audience back on July 10 in Hoover, Ala. why he brought Richardson along with heralded senior third-team Preseason All-SEC quarterback Austin Allen and Preseason All-SEC first-team/consensus All-American candidate senior center Frank Ragnow.
“Kevin Richardson is a former walk-on and just really embodies everything I believe in,” Bielema said. “He’s a little undersized, under-recruited, underdeveloped coming out of high school but we presented an opportunity for him to walk on. Really, in the first two weeks I knew we had something. Probably one of the most intelligent football IQ players I’ve ever been around.”
SPORTS STORY >> Panthers’ defense dominates Wolves
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Defense shined the brightest as Cabot played its annual preseason scrimmage game against Lake Hamilton on Monday at Panther Stadium. It was a controlled scrimmage in which the teams traded 15-play possessions with no down limitations. If a team failed to get a first down, the ball stayed where it was and the downs were reset.
Even with four 15-play drives with no down restrictions, the Panther defense kept the Wolves out of the end zone the entire game.
Lake Hamilton only got close enough for a field-goal attempt once, and missed it.
“I think we got after it pretty good,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “I thought we played hard. We just have a lot of inexperience out there. We’ve got to get it as we go.”
The offense also performed well. The first two plays of Cabot’s first possession picked up 34 yards to the Lake Hamilton 36. Halfback T.J. Rogers then broke free on the dive play for a 36-yard touchdown run.
During Lake Hamilton’s first possession, Cabot safety Justin Nabors read the bubble screen perfectly, stepped in front of the receiver for the interception and returnedit 40 yards for the score.
During Cabot’s second varsity possession, halfback Noah Sorrells took the option pitch from quarterback Tommy Oaks around the right corner and scampered 30 yards down the sideline for another Panther touchdown.
Later than same series, another solid drive got the ball inside the 10, where Sorrells busted free from 8 yards out for his second touchdown of the night.
Also during that possession, sophomore kicker Rhett Thurman made a 43-yard field goal. He had missed a 36-yarder wide right earlier, but the successful kick is an improvement from last season, when the Panthers failed to make a field goal all season.
Mason Martin handled the PATs, and made them all.
After the four 15-yard possessions, two each by varsity and JV, the teams traded goal-line situation possession, spotting the ball at the 10-yard line.
Oaks fumbled once but Cabot recovered. On the very next play, Oaks walked in on the keeper for the final touchdown of the night.
The Panther defense again kept the Wolves out of the end zone.
“I think we did all right considering all the new people we have out there,” Malham said. “Oaks looked comfortable. They’re putting in a new offense; the Wing-T stuff (Tommy Gilleran) was running at Fountain Lake. That may have hurt them some, the first real test of that new system. I’m sure we’ll watch the tape and find a lot of mistakes, but just first impression, I thought we did pretty good.”
Leader sports editor
Defense shined the brightest as Cabot played its annual preseason scrimmage game against Lake Hamilton on Monday at Panther Stadium. It was a controlled scrimmage in which the teams traded 15-play possessions with no down limitations. If a team failed to get a first down, the ball stayed where it was and the downs were reset.
Even with four 15-play drives with no down restrictions, the Panther defense kept the Wolves out of the end zone the entire game.
Lake Hamilton only got close enough for a field-goal attempt once, and missed it.
“I think we got after it pretty good,” said Cabot coach Mike Malham. “I thought we played hard. We just have a lot of inexperience out there. We’ve got to get it as we go.”
The offense also performed well. The first two plays of Cabot’s first possession picked up 34 yards to the Lake Hamilton 36. Halfback T.J. Rogers then broke free on the dive play for a 36-yard touchdown run.
During Lake Hamilton’s first possession, Cabot safety Justin Nabors read the bubble screen perfectly, stepped in front of the receiver for the interception and returnedit 40 yards for the score.
During Cabot’s second varsity possession, halfback Noah Sorrells took the option pitch from quarterback Tommy Oaks around the right corner and scampered 30 yards down the sideline for another Panther touchdown.
Later than same series, another solid drive got the ball inside the 10, where Sorrells busted free from 8 yards out for his second touchdown of the night.
Also during that possession, sophomore kicker Rhett Thurman made a 43-yard field goal. He had missed a 36-yarder wide right earlier, but the successful kick is an improvement from last season, when the Panthers failed to make a field goal all season.
Mason Martin handled the PATs, and made them all.
After the four 15-yard possessions, two each by varsity and JV, the teams traded goal-line situation possession, spotting the ball at the 10-yard line.
Oaks fumbled once but Cabot recovered. On the very next play, Oaks walked in on the keeper for the final touchdown of the night.
The Panther defense again kept the Wolves out of the end zone.
“I think we did all right considering all the new people we have out there,” Malham said. “Oaks looked comfortable. They’re putting in a new offense; the Wing-T stuff (Tommy Gilleran) was running at Fountain Lake. That may have hurt them some, the first real test of that new system. I’m sure we’ll watch the tape and find a lot of mistakes, but just first impression, I thought we did pretty good.”
SPORTS STORY >> Eliminating turnovers is first task for Hillside
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
It would be easy to look at Sylvan Hills’ jamboree with Arkadelphia and Greenbrier on Monday in Sherwood and see only the mistakes, because there were plenty of them, but there was also plenty to be excited about, if those mistakes get corrected.
Each team played one half of football against the other two. Overall, it was Arkadelphia’s night. The Badgers beat Sylvan Hills 14-7 in the opening half of the game, and then beat Greenbrier 21-0.
The Bears came back to play two quarters against Greenbrier and pulled off a 20-14 win, despite four turnovers.
“We’ve got to hang onto the ball,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. “Offensively that was the thing. I felt pretty good about how well we executed and moved the ball, but we need to hang onto it. We fumbled five times, lost it three, threw an interception, and scored 20 points – in a half. Now what’s the state of high school football today? Remember 10 years ago, if you turned it over three or four times in a half, you got beat by 21 at least.”
Greenbrier trailed 13-7 and had just turned the ball over on downs when Sylvan Hills committed its final turnover of the night; a fumbled snap with 1:10 left that gave the Panthers possession at the Bears’ 46-yard line. On third down and 12, Greenbrier hit a deep touchdown pass for the score to go up 13-7 with 34 seconds to go.
Sylvan Hills took over on its own 30, and quarterback Ryan Lumpkin hit receiver Darius Waddell for 57 yards to the Panther 23 on the first play of the drive.
Lumpkin then scrambled for 9 yards, and then found Nathaniel Floyd in the end zone for a 14-yard, game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds left.
“That’s just where we’re at in this sport,” Withrow said. “Two touchdowns in 34 seconds. We took the ball with 34 seconds left and nobody missed a beat. Lumpkin throws a fastball. Floyd makes a great catch. We’re pretty confident in what we’re able to do if we don’t give it up.”
Sylvan Hills’ first possession against Greenbrier was pretty good also. Deon Youngblood carried for 15 and 13 yards on the first two plays. A late-hit penalty was tacked onto the second run, putting the ball on the Panther 27-yard line. Another Youngblood carry went for 11 more yards before Payton Terry shook two defenders on a wide receiver screen and scored.
Greenbrier answered right back when it busted a run up the middle for 50 yards and a 7-6 lead.
Sylvan Hills next two possessions all ended in turnovers, and a long touchdown run by Youngblood was called back for holding. But the defense held Greenbrier each time.
After taking over on the SH 31, Lumpkin hit Waddell for 48 yards to the Greenbrier 11. Three plays later, Daelyn Fairrow punched it from the 2-yard line and Tito Mendoza’s extra point gave the home team a 13-7 lead.
The next two possessions also ended in turnovers, setting up the wild final 34 seconds.
Waddell (6-0, 170) is a college prospect at safety, but the loss of two starting receivers during preseason has forced his move to offense. Withrow was impressed.
“Darius did a great job on offense,” Withrow said. “Unfortunately we’re going to have to use him on both sides. Payton Terry, too, is going to have play some defense for us. That’s just where we’re at right now.”
There were no turnovers against Arkadelphia, but a fumble and a few penalties halted drives for the Bears. The touchdown came after a 29-yard completion from Lumpkin to Terry on third and 5 moved the ball to the Badger 21. From there, Fairrow made a first-down catch to the 8, Youngblood ran it to the 1-yard line and Ty Compton punched it into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:21 left in the second quarter.
Sylvan Hills had Arkadelphia going backwards and facing third and 13 when it hit a 34-yard pass to the Bear 29. A quick snap on the next play caught Sylvan Hills still scrambling into position, and a screen pass went to the 6-yard line, setting up a touchdown with 4:52 left that set the final margin.
“Our defense got better as it went along,” Withrow said. “Teams are a lot farther along at this point than they ever have been in the past, but it’s still a scrimmage. You don’t get too worked up about a scrimmage one way or the other. You just take it for what it is and get back to work.”
Leader sports editor
It would be easy to look at Sylvan Hills’ jamboree with Arkadelphia and Greenbrier on Monday in Sherwood and see only the mistakes, because there were plenty of them, but there was also plenty to be excited about, if those mistakes get corrected.
Each team played one half of football against the other two. Overall, it was Arkadelphia’s night. The Badgers beat Sylvan Hills 14-7 in the opening half of the game, and then beat Greenbrier 21-0.
The Bears came back to play two quarters against Greenbrier and pulled off a 20-14 win, despite four turnovers.
“We’ve got to hang onto the ball,” said Sylvan Hills coach Jim Withrow. “Offensively that was the thing. I felt pretty good about how well we executed and moved the ball, but we need to hang onto it. We fumbled five times, lost it three, threw an interception, and scored 20 points – in a half. Now what’s the state of high school football today? Remember 10 years ago, if you turned it over three or four times in a half, you got beat by 21 at least.”
Greenbrier trailed 13-7 and had just turned the ball over on downs when Sylvan Hills committed its final turnover of the night; a fumbled snap with 1:10 left that gave the Panthers possession at the Bears’ 46-yard line. On third down and 12, Greenbrier hit a deep touchdown pass for the score to go up 13-7 with 34 seconds to go.
Sylvan Hills took over on its own 30, and quarterback Ryan Lumpkin hit receiver Darius Waddell for 57 yards to the Panther 23 on the first play of the drive.
Lumpkin then scrambled for 9 yards, and then found Nathaniel Floyd in the end zone for a 14-yard, game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds left.
“That’s just where we’re at in this sport,” Withrow said. “Two touchdowns in 34 seconds. We took the ball with 34 seconds left and nobody missed a beat. Lumpkin throws a fastball. Floyd makes a great catch. We’re pretty confident in what we’re able to do if we don’t give it up.”
Sylvan Hills’ first possession against Greenbrier was pretty good also. Deon Youngblood carried for 15 and 13 yards on the first two plays. A late-hit penalty was tacked onto the second run, putting the ball on the Panther 27-yard line. Another Youngblood carry went for 11 more yards before Payton Terry shook two defenders on a wide receiver screen and scored.
Greenbrier answered right back when it busted a run up the middle for 50 yards and a 7-6 lead.
Sylvan Hills next two possessions all ended in turnovers, and a long touchdown run by Youngblood was called back for holding. But the defense held Greenbrier each time.
After taking over on the SH 31, Lumpkin hit Waddell for 48 yards to the Greenbrier 11. Three plays later, Daelyn Fairrow punched it from the 2-yard line and Tito Mendoza’s extra point gave the home team a 13-7 lead.
The next two possessions also ended in turnovers, setting up the wild final 34 seconds.
Waddell (6-0, 170) is a college prospect at safety, but the loss of two starting receivers during preseason has forced his move to offense. Withrow was impressed.
“Darius did a great job on offense,” Withrow said. “Unfortunately we’re going to have to use him on both sides. Payton Terry, too, is going to have play some defense for us. That’s just where we’re at right now.”
There were no turnovers against Arkadelphia, but a fumble and a few penalties halted drives for the Bears. The touchdown came after a 29-yard completion from Lumpkin to Terry on third and 5 moved the ball to the Badger 21. From there, Fairrow made a first-down catch to the 8, Youngblood ran it to the 1-yard line and Ty Compton punched it into the end zone to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:21 left in the second quarter.
Sylvan Hills had Arkadelphia going backwards and facing third and 13 when it hit a 34-yard pass to the Bear 29. A quick snap on the next play caught Sylvan Hills still scrambling into position, and a screen pass went to the 6-yard line, setting up a touchdown with 4:52 left that set the final margin.
“Our defense got better as it went along,” Withrow said. “Teams are a lot farther along at this point than they ever have been in the past, but it’s still a scrimmage. You don’t get too worked up about a scrimmage one way or the other. You just take it for what it is and get back to work.”
SPORTS STORY >> Good effort for all at Vilonia
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville and Lonoke convened with Vilonia at Phillip Weaver Stadium on Monday for a three-team preseason jamboree that saw a mixed bag for all three squads.
Each team played one quarter of live action against each of the other two teams, and the results for varsity play were split.
Lonoke opened by outscoring Vilonia 7-0, then got beat by Jacksonville 6-0. The Eagles then came back out and beat Jacksonville 13-0.
Lonoke’s touchdown came on its first drive against Vilonia, and it was nearly flawless.
Junior receiver Braidon Bryant made a 9-yard reception on the first play. Senior running back Xavier Hodge barreled forward for 20 yards on four carries. Bryant then took a swing pass and weaved his way through a series of defenders before racing down the west sideline for the score.
The next three possessions were all three-and-out, two by Vilonia and one by Lonoke. The Jackrabbits’ third possession featured a 14-yard scramble by quarterback Daniel Seigrist, and another big play by Bryant.
This time the swing pass went to the left side, but nothing was there. Bryant reversed directions and again got loose down the right sideline to the Vilonia 13-yard line. On the next play, however, a high shotgun snap lost 20 yards and the Jackrabbits ended up turning it over on downs as time expired.
“We had a backup center in there and those things are going to happen,” Lonoke coach Taggart Moore said. “I was really pleased with how well Daniel ran the offense. He was nearly flawless. He did a great job of moving around in the pocket and finding receivers.
“Bryant is a junior, but he was hurt all of last season, so really he’s like a sophomore. He’s got a chance to be maybe the best player in our conference if he gets his mind right and gets focused. And he’s getting there. He’s a great athlete.”
Jacksonville went three and out on its first possession against the Jackrabbits, but the defense forced the same from Lonoke. On the Titans’ second possession, quarterback Harderrious Martin kept on the read option and raced 65 yards for a touchdown.
Lonoke started the next drive on its own 20, and picked up 57 yards in two plays. Ethan Mulligan made a 23-yard reception and Hodge ran 34 yards to the Jacksonville 23. But Jacksonville held the Jackrabbits to just one more yard and took over on downs.
Jacksonville then put together its best drive of the game, taking seven plays to get to the Lonoke-5-yard line, but a penalty moved the Titans backwards and they turned it over on downs with 1:48 left.
Lonoke then drove from its own 10-yard line to the midfield, but Martin picked off a Siegrist pass deep downfield on the last play.
“We tried to go deep and score on that last play, but Daniel really doesn’t have the arm strength for that,” Moore said. “He did what he’s supposed to do, and he did it well. I’m really encouraged by how well he played.”
Vilonia’s Veer offense took its toll on the Titans, who had not prepared to face an option offense. Jacksonville did a good job of stuffing the fullback and picking up the pitch man on the option, but Vilonia quarterback Jordan Britton ran loose and the halfback dive broke a few big plays against the Jacksonville defense.
“You need a week to prepare for offenses like that,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. “I thought we did a pretty good job. We’re not going to see an offense like that all year, and I thought we did really well against the other offense that’s more similar to everything we’re going to see throughout the season. The defense played well.”
Britton had one run of 46 yards and another of 14 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive against Jacksonville. The Titans then picked up three first downs and moved the ball from their own 20 to the Vilonia 5, but another false-start penalty moved them backwards, and Vilonia stuffed the run for a 4-yard loss on the next play. Jacksonville managed just two more yards on the next two plays, and an incomplete pass on fourth and goal from the 10 ended the drive.
Vilonia then marched 90 yards in 13 plays; with Britton breaking loose on the option keep for the last 20 yards and the final score of the game.
Leader sports editor
Jacksonville and Lonoke convened with Vilonia at Phillip Weaver Stadium on Monday for a three-team preseason jamboree that saw a mixed bag for all three squads.
Each team played one quarter of live action against each of the other two teams, and the results for varsity play were split.
Lonoke opened by outscoring Vilonia 7-0, then got beat by Jacksonville 6-0. The Eagles then came back out and beat Jacksonville 13-0.
Lonoke’s touchdown came on its first drive against Vilonia, and it was nearly flawless.
Junior receiver Braidon Bryant made a 9-yard reception on the first play. Senior running back Xavier Hodge barreled forward for 20 yards on four carries. Bryant then took a swing pass and weaved his way through a series of defenders before racing down the west sideline for the score.
The next three possessions were all three-and-out, two by Vilonia and one by Lonoke. The Jackrabbits’ third possession featured a 14-yard scramble by quarterback Daniel Seigrist, and another big play by Bryant.
This time the swing pass went to the left side, but nothing was there. Bryant reversed directions and again got loose down the right sideline to the Vilonia 13-yard line. On the next play, however, a high shotgun snap lost 20 yards and the Jackrabbits ended up turning it over on downs as time expired.
“We had a backup center in there and those things are going to happen,” Lonoke coach Taggart Moore said. “I was really pleased with how well Daniel ran the offense. He was nearly flawless. He did a great job of moving around in the pocket and finding receivers.
“Bryant is a junior, but he was hurt all of last season, so really he’s like a sophomore. He’s got a chance to be maybe the best player in our conference if he gets his mind right and gets focused. And he’s getting there. He’s a great athlete.”
Jacksonville went three and out on its first possession against the Jackrabbits, but the defense forced the same from Lonoke. On the Titans’ second possession, quarterback Harderrious Martin kept on the read option and raced 65 yards for a touchdown.
Lonoke started the next drive on its own 20, and picked up 57 yards in two plays. Ethan Mulligan made a 23-yard reception and Hodge ran 34 yards to the Jacksonville 23. But Jacksonville held the Jackrabbits to just one more yard and took over on downs.
Jacksonville then put together its best drive of the game, taking seven plays to get to the Lonoke-5-yard line, but a penalty moved the Titans backwards and they turned it over on downs with 1:48 left.
Lonoke then drove from its own 10-yard line to the midfield, but Martin picked off a Siegrist pass deep downfield on the last play.
“We tried to go deep and score on that last play, but Daniel really doesn’t have the arm strength for that,” Moore said. “He did what he’s supposed to do, and he did it well. I’m really encouraged by how well he played.”
Vilonia’s Veer offense took its toll on the Titans, who had not prepared to face an option offense. Jacksonville did a good job of stuffing the fullback and picking up the pitch man on the option, but Vilonia quarterback Jordan Britton ran loose and the halfback dive broke a few big plays against the Jacksonville defense.
“You need a week to prepare for offenses like that,” said Jacksonville coach Barry Hickingbotham. “I thought we did a pretty good job. We’re not going to see an offense like that all year, and I thought we did really well against the other offense that’s more similar to everything we’re going to see throughout the season. The defense played well.”
Britton had one run of 46 yards and another of 14 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive against Jacksonville. The Titans then picked up three first downs and moved the ball from their own 20 to the Vilonia 5, but another false-start penalty moved them backwards, and Vilonia stuffed the run for a 4-yard loss on the next play. Jacksonville managed just two more yards on the next two plays, and an incomplete pass on fourth and goal from the 10 ended the drive.
Vilonia then marched 90 yards in 13 plays; with Britton breaking loose on the option keep for the last 20 yards and the final score of the game.
EDITORIAL >> Two cities plan vote on liquor
Both the Sherwood and Jacksonville city councils last week passed ordinances Thursday asking the Pulaski County Election Commission to give a legal description of the defunct Gray Township, which remains dry and saddles both cities. Officials in both cities want to allow restaurants to serve “alcohol by the drink” everywhere, not just in wet areas and in “private clubs.”
About half of Sherwood is dry and 90 percent of Jacksonville is dry because Gray Township voters decided more than 60 years ago to ban alcohol, according to The Leader’s Rick Kron.
A bill passed by the state legislature last session allows the cities to schedule a vote on the issue, but first the boundaries of the defunct township must be officially determined. Once the election commission provides that information in a few weeks, both councils will meet again Sept. 7 to approve an ordinance calling for a vote.
The councils will set a fall election date. Even though the voting will be on the same day, each precinct will be tallied separately so there is a chance that only a portion of Jacksonville could become wet.
City officials and chambers of commerce are pushing the vote as a way to stimulate economic development and hope to attract high-end restaurants and steakhouses that serve alcohol. Both Sherwood and Jacksonville would make excellent choices for national chains, which would create jobs and attract diners who have to travel to Little Rock and North Little Rock.
About half of Sherwood is dry and 90 percent of Jacksonville is dry because Gray Township voters decided more than 60 years ago to ban alcohol, according to The Leader’s Rick Kron.
A bill passed by the state legislature last session allows the cities to schedule a vote on the issue, but first the boundaries of the defunct township must be officially determined. Once the election commission provides that information in a few weeks, both councils will meet again Sept. 7 to approve an ordinance calling for a vote.
The councils will set a fall election date. Even though the voting will be on the same day, each precinct will be tallied separately so there is a chance that only a portion of Jacksonville could become wet.
City officials and chambers of commerce are pushing the vote as a way to stimulate economic development and hope to attract high-end restaurants and steakhouses that serve alcohol. Both Sherwood and Jacksonville would make excellent choices for national chains, which would create jobs and attract diners who have to travel to Little Rock and North Little Rock.
EDITORIAL >> Pay heroes living wage
A former Jacksonville firefighter is a quarter of a million dollars richer after he convinced a judge he was wrongfully terminated in 2013.
While former Fire Capt. Scott Moon and his attorney Robert Newcomb combined for a hefty settlement totaling $271,228 in back pay and lawyer fees worked out with Jacksonville City Attorney Robert Bamburg. Bamburg told the city council Thursday that the fire department has the money available and that it would be paid out over several months, which will mean less money available for firefighters who continue to serve with distinction in the department.
According to Jacksonville Civil Service Commission records, Fire Chief Alan Laughy fired Moon on July 5, 2013, for violating the fire department’s rules on professional conduct. Last July, Circuit Judge Cathleen Compton ruled Jacksonville owed Moon about $240,000, plus 10 percent interest, in back pay from his dismissal date. Moon was paid extra so the city didn’t have to rehire him after the judge told the city to give him the job back.
Without getting into the merits of Moon’s case and his rich settlement, it’s in sharp contrast with the modest pay many first responders make in our area. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley asked the quorum court Thursday to find more money for his deputies and jailers, who are so poorly paid, many of them find better paying jobs elsewhere, even in small towns like Clarendon.
The quorum court’s budget committee was meeting Tuesday night to consider his request to pay his staff a livable wage. “It’s getting difficult to find adequate staff,” Staley told the justices of the peace last week. “They are leaving to go to other places. These men and women work hard. I have a dispatcher making $21,000 a year. She has kids and is eligible for food stamps.”
Five deputies from a staff of 30 left this year for greener pastures. One deputy who had previously worked in Lonoke went to work for Staley for $6,000 more yearly, but the deputy has joined the North Little Rock Police Department for an annual salary of $48,000, which is fair pay for folks who put their lives on the line every day. Starting pay for Lonoke County deputies is $24,000, which goes up to $27,000 after a year. After that, it’s up to the quorum court to come up with more money. Surely there’s waste in other departments that the quorum court could eliminate to allow deputies and jailers a modest pay increase.
Lonoke County is huge — 826 square miles, one of the biggest in the state — with just four deputies per shift. Cabot has seven officers per shift covering 20 square miles. The sheriff says he needs five or six more deputies per shift to cover the county adequately.
The people of Lonoke County must choose between professional law-enforcement that’s adequately funded or running the department on a shoestring. Our first responders and the people they protect deserve better.
While former Fire Capt. Scott Moon and his attorney Robert Newcomb combined for a hefty settlement totaling $271,228 in back pay and lawyer fees worked out with Jacksonville City Attorney Robert Bamburg. Bamburg told the city council Thursday that the fire department has the money available and that it would be paid out over several months, which will mean less money available for firefighters who continue to serve with distinction in the department.
According to Jacksonville Civil Service Commission records, Fire Chief Alan Laughy fired Moon on July 5, 2013, for violating the fire department’s rules on professional conduct. Last July, Circuit Judge Cathleen Compton ruled Jacksonville owed Moon about $240,000, plus 10 percent interest, in back pay from his dismissal date. Moon was paid extra so the city didn’t have to rehire him after the judge told the city to give him the job back.
Without getting into the merits of Moon’s case and his rich settlement, it’s in sharp contrast with the modest pay many first responders make in our area. Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley asked the quorum court Thursday to find more money for his deputies and jailers, who are so poorly paid, many of them find better paying jobs elsewhere, even in small towns like Clarendon.
The quorum court’s budget committee was meeting Tuesday night to consider his request to pay his staff a livable wage. “It’s getting difficult to find adequate staff,” Staley told the justices of the peace last week. “They are leaving to go to other places. These men and women work hard. I have a dispatcher making $21,000 a year. She has kids and is eligible for food stamps.”
Five deputies from a staff of 30 left this year for greener pastures. One deputy who had previously worked in Lonoke went to work for Staley for $6,000 more yearly, but the deputy has joined the North Little Rock Police Department for an annual salary of $48,000, which is fair pay for folks who put their lives on the line every day. Starting pay for Lonoke County deputies is $24,000, which goes up to $27,000 after a year. After that, it’s up to the quorum court to come up with more money. Surely there’s waste in other departments that the quorum court could eliminate to allow deputies and jailers a modest pay increase.
Lonoke County is huge — 826 square miles, one of the biggest in the state — with just four deputies per shift. Cabot has seven officers per shift covering 20 square miles. The sheriff says he needs five or six more deputies per shift to cover the county adequately.
The people of Lonoke County must choose between professional law-enforcement that’s adequately funded or running the department on a shoestring. Our first responders and the people they protect deserve better.
TOP STORY >> Food shortage at youth club
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
The Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club needs help providing snacks and an afternoon meal for the children while the club and its partners sort through the bureaucracy of the Department of Human Services’ USDA program, according to LaConda Watson, club director.
For some children at the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club, the afternoon snack and meal are the only food they get to carry them over until breakfast at school the next day, she said.
When that’s not available, some are in a world of hurt.
Right now, the club is cobbling together a snack, but it could be at least two or three weeks until DHS approves them — and funds — for that afternoon meal and it could be October before USDA funded afternoon meals are thus available.
18 HOURS BETWEEN MEALS
Some elementary school children eat lunch at 11 a.m. and without the food at the club, wouldn’t eat again until breakfast at school about 18 hours later.
Through a series of problems, the Boys and Girls Club can’t get food through last year’s sponsor, Watson said, and the one she thought they had lined up, Kosmic Kids, dropped out of the picture until it was too late to arrange for uninterrupted food service.
FOOD BANK STEPS UP
The Little Rock Food Bank has stepped forward to serve as a vendor—or sponsor—but first DHS has to approve the paperwork and then visit the club to make sure they meet sanitary standards, Watson said.
Watson and her two employees recently went through food-handling training in preparation for eventual inclusion in a program.
Currently, the Boys and Girls Club has 65 children in its afterschool program. Last year it ended up with 85, Watson said.
Over the summer, meals were provided at the schools.
“We are a disburser for several (after school) sites,” said Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Food Bank CEO.
She said the food bank would have a contractual agreement with the USDA after school program.
“We’ll handle the administrative parts,” she said.
That includes filing the paperwork and getting the food to the site, in this case, the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club.
LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
She said the food bank would be prepared to sponsor the club for years to come.
She said they hoped to have the Jacksonville part up and running for the new federal fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.
We’ll be working with health inspections and meeting all the requirements, said Jayne Ann Kita, chief program officer for the food bank.
Currently the food bank serves as the sponsor for seven after-school programs and is working on another seven, Kita said.
“This is going to be a great partnership,” she said.
PROVIDING SNACKS
Meanwhile, the club is providing snacks from its own limited funds until further arrangements can be made, but not the afternoon meal.
The snack might be popcorn or fresh or canned fruit, she said.
She says the club needs help to feed these youngsters until something more structured is approved.
The club cannot accept cooked or prepared food from homes or non-commercial, non-approved kitchens. Some logical sounding partial solution, like peanut butter sandwiches, is out because some children may have a peanut allergy.
Right now, until the club is approved and supplied through DHS, money is what is needed to buy the food to keep the children fed, she said.
Anyone able to make a donation should call Watson at 501-350-0762.
Leader senior staff writer
The Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club needs help providing snacks and an afternoon meal for the children while the club and its partners sort through the bureaucracy of the Department of Human Services’ USDA program, according to LaConda Watson, club director.
For some children at the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club, the afternoon snack and meal are the only food they get to carry them over until breakfast at school the next day, she said.
When that’s not available, some are in a world of hurt.
Right now, the club is cobbling together a snack, but it could be at least two or three weeks until DHS approves them — and funds — for that afternoon meal and it could be October before USDA funded afternoon meals are thus available.
18 HOURS BETWEEN MEALS
Some elementary school children eat lunch at 11 a.m. and without the food at the club, wouldn’t eat again until breakfast at school about 18 hours later.
Through a series of problems, the Boys and Girls Club can’t get food through last year’s sponsor, Watson said, and the one she thought they had lined up, Kosmic Kids, dropped out of the picture until it was too late to arrange for uninterrupted food service.
FOOD BANK STEPS UP
The Little Rock Food Bank has stepped forward to serve as a vendor—or sponsor—but first DHS has to approve the paperwork and then visit the club to make sure they meet sanitary standards, Watson said.
Watson and her two employees recently went through food-handling training in preparation for eventual inclusion in a program.
Currently, the Boys and Girls Club has 65 children in its afterschool program. Last year it ended up with 85, Watson said.
Over the summer, meals were provided at the schools.
“We are a disburser for several (after school) sites,” said Rhonda Sanders, Arkansas Food Bank CEO.
She said the food bank would have a contractual agreement with the USDA after school program.
“We’ll handle the administrative parts,” she said.
That includes filing the paperwork and getting the food to the site, in this case, the Jacksonville Boys and Girls Club.
LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP
She said the food bank would be prepared to sponsor the club for years to come.
She said they hoped to have the Jacksonville part up and running for the new federal fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1.
We’ll be working with health inspections and meeting all the requirements, said Jayne Ann Kita, chief program officer for the food bank.
Currently the food bank serves as the sponsor for seven after-school programs and is working on another seven, Kita said.
“This is going to be a great partnership,” she said.
PROVIDING SNACKS
Meanwhile, the club is providing snacks from its own limited funds until further arrangements can be made, but not the afternoon meal.
The snack might be popcorn or fresh or canned fruit, she said.
She says the club needs help to feed these youngsters until something more structured is approved.
The club cannot accept cooked or prepared food from homes or non-commercial, non-approved kitchens. Some logical sounding partial solution, like peanut butter sandwiches, is out because some children may have a peanut allergy.
Right now, until the club is approved and supplied through DHS, money is what is needed to buy the food to keep the children fed, she said.
Anyone able to make a donation should call Watson at 501-350-0762.
TOP STORY >> Language scores telling
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
(Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles breaking down state test scores in the area and the first to tackle elementary scores.)
As a whole, elementary students in the Pulaski County Special School District and the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District understand English well, but have problems reading and can’t write well, based on state test scores.
Most scores for the English section of the ACT Aspire state test taken last April were in the 60s and 70s with some schools such as Sherwood, Cato, Oakbrooke and Arnold Drive hitting the 80s, along with Flightline Upper Academy – about 10 points better than the state averages.
But then the good news shifts with many of the reading scores in the 20s and writing scores in the teens, meaning 80 percent or more of elementary students at many schools can’t read or write at grade level.
At Warren Dupree, 97 percent of third graders are not on grade level as only 3 percent met or exceeded the goal of being on grade level. In fifth grade, only 2 percent of the fifth graders can handle fifth-grade math based on the state scores.
Officials at both PCSSD and JNPSD said keyboarding skills hurt students on the writing portion of the state test. To help in that area, Jacksonville now has keyboarding instructors at their elementary schools.
Dr. Tiffany Bone, assistant superintendent for JNPSD, said, “We are encouraged by the fact that although the scores are notwhere we would like them to be yet, there were multiple areas in which the percentage of students who were classified as ready or exceeding increased from the 2016 school year.”
Bone said, “Our teachers have already begun the process of analyzing the data, reviewing their standards, and developing a plan of action in which we can work together to meet the needs of all of our scholars going forward.”
She added, “Our goal is to continue to work together as a team to put systems in place that support the needs of every scholar, every day.”
PCSSD has been focusing on improving instruction to ensure students are getting what they need for the test and beyond. The district spent the summer going over standards and curriculum making them line up more with what was being test.
Dr. Yolanda Williams, with PCSSD, said gains were made at the elementary level in every category but two. She said students were more acclimated to the test this second go-around. “It’s been a process. Our students have been working with Chromebooks, iPads and desktops to be ready for the annual test.”
Williams added, “It’s moving the mindset of students and teachers a way from pencil and paper exams.”
PCSSD
At Clinton Elementary, the third graders were 72 percent proficient in English, 56 percent in math, 34 percent in science, 27 percent in reading and only 11 percent did well in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 73 percent met or exceed goals in English, 39 percent did the same in math, 39 percent in science, 40 percent in reading and 16 percent made the cut in writing. Among fifth graders, 71 percent did well in English, 35 percent in math, 28 percent in science, 26 percent in reading and 28 percent made the cut in writing.
At Harris Elementary, 41 percent of the third graders met or exceed goals in English, 31 percent did the same in math, 16 percent in science, 16 percent in reading and just 9 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 45 percent did well in English, 41 percent in math, 21 percent in science, 38 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Fifth grade at Harris had 50 percent of its students make the grade in English, 24 percent in math, 16 percent in science, 14 percent in reading and 22 met or exceeded goals in writing.
Sherwood Elementary saw 68 percent of its third graders do well in English, 43 percent in math, 27 percent in science, 30 percent in reading and 18 percent made the cut in writing. Among fourth graders, 64 percent met or exceeding expectations in English, 57 percent in math, 45 percent in science, 39 percent in reading and 36 percent did well in writing.
For fifth grade, 88 percent made the cut in English, 61 percent in math, 49 percent in science, 43 percent in reading and 43 also did well in writing. The school had the best fifth-grade scores between PCSSD and JNPSD in English, math, and reading.
At Sylvan Hills Elementary, 70 percent of the third graders did well in English, 45 percent in math, 38 percent in science, 32 percent in reading and just 11 percent made the cut in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 75 percent met or exceeded the goal, 46 percent did so in math, 42 percent in science, 41 percent in reading and 39 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 75 percent did well in English, 47 percent in math, 43 percent in science, 24 percent in reading and 56 percent did well in writing.
Cato Elementary had 87 percent of its third graders make the cut in English (best in the area), 65 percent in math, 40 percent in science, 39 percent in reading, but only 19 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 73 percent were proficient in English, 67 percent in math, 58 percent in science, 44 percent in reading and 38 percent in writing.
Cato’s fifth graders had 71 percent make the cut in English, 46 percent in math, 42 percent in science, 29 percent in reading and fell to 21 percent making the cut in writing.
At Oakbrooke Elementary, 79 percent of its third graders did well, 47 percent did the same in math, 35 percent in science, 36 percent in reading and just 8 percent made the grade in math.
Fourth grade saw 79 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English (best in the area), 40 percent did the same in math, 41 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 24 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 80 percent made the cut in English, 58 percent in math, 43 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 46 percent did well in writing.
JNPSD
Arnold Drive had some of the best scores in the district with 86 percent of its third-graders meeting or exceeding goals in English, 74 percent doing the same in math, 60 percent in science, 52 percent in reading and 40 percent did well in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 76 percent made the grade in English, 48 percent in math, 44 percent in science, 28 percent in reading and 33 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 67 percent did well in English, 44 percent did the same in math, 32 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 27 percent made the cut in writing.
Bayou Meto saw 68 percent of its third graders meet or exceed expectations in English, 53 percent did so in math, 32 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 27 percent in writing. Among fourth graders, 61 percent did well in English, 40 percent did the same in math, 26 percent in science, 23 percent in reading and 15 percent in writing.
Fifth grade had 64 percent of its students do well in English, 36 percent in math, 31 percent in science, 22 percent in reading and 28 percent made the grade in writing.
Warren Dupree third grade had 46 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English, 28 percent in math, 22 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and just 3 percent made the cut in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 34 percent made the grade in English, 24 percent in math, 18 percent in science, 23 percent in reading and 7 percent in writing.
Dupree fifth graders scored 38 percent proficient in English, 11 percent in math, 13 percent in science, 2 percent in math, and then 6 percent in writing.
Murrell Taylor had 48 percent of its third graders do well in English, 49 percent did the same in math, 23 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and just 9 percent did well in writing.
The school’s fourth grade had 33 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 26 percent in math, 18 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and 14 percent did well in writing. Among fifth graders, 53 percent made the cut in English, 40 percent in math, 17 percent in science, 18 percent in reading and 19 percent in writing.
Tolleson Elementary had 54 percent of its third graders do well in English, 31 percent did the same in math, 15 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and just 4 percent made the grade in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 58 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 45 percent in math, 30 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 25 percent made the cut in writing.
Fifth grade saw 50 percent do well in English, 25 percent in math, 21 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and 33 percent made the grade in writing.
Pinewood had 61 percent of its third graders meet or exceed goals in English, 48 percent did the same in math, 25 percent in science and reading and just 6 percent did well in writing.
The fourth graders had 63 percent make the cut in English, 32 percent in math, 28 percent in science, 25 percent in reading and only 7 percent did well in writing. At the fifth-grade level, 70 percent met or exceeded goals in English; it fell to 26 percent in math, 19 percent in science, 13 percent in reading and 17 percent in writing.
CHARTERS
At Lisa Academy North in Sherwood, 74 percent of third graders met or exceed expectations goals in English, 52 percent did so in math, 30 percent in science, 32 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 66 percent did well in English, 68 percent did the same in math (best in the PCSSD-JNPSD area), 47 percent in science, 45 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing.
Fifth graders saw 75 percent of its students make the grade in English, 54 percent do the same in math, 43 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 28 percent did well in writing.
Lighthouse third graders were 67 proficient in English, 43 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 24 percent in reading and only 14 percent did well in writing. Among fourth-graders, 52 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 54 percent in math, 27 percent in science, 21 percent in reading and 17 percent in writing.
Fifth graders at Lighthouse were 55 percent proficient in English, 23 percent in math, 26 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and 26 percent did well in writing. The charter’s fifth-grade at the Flightline Upper Academy had 80 percent do well in English, 51 percent in math and science, 40 percent in reading and 46 percent made the grade in writing.
Leader staff writer
(Editor’s Note: This is the third in a series of articles breaking down state test scores in the area and the first to tackle elementary scores.)
As a whole, elementary students in the Pulaski County Special School District and the Jacksonville-North Pulaski School District understand English well, but have problems reading and can’t write well, based on state test scores.
Most scores for the English section of the ACT Aspire state test taken last April were in the 60s and 70s with some schools such as Sherwood, Cato, Oakbrooke and Arnold Drive hitting the 80s, along with Flightline Upper Academy – about 10 points better than the state averages.
But then the good news shifts with many of the reading scores in the 20s and writing scores in the teens, meaning 80 percent or more of elementary students at many schools can’t read or write at grade level.
At Warren Dupree, 97 percent of third graders are not on grade level as only 3 percent met or exceeded the goal of being on grade level. In fifth grade, only 2 percent of the fifth graders can handle fifth-grade math based on the state scores.
Officials at both PCSSD and JNPSD said keyboarding skills hurt students on the writing portion of the state test. To help in that area, Jacksonville now has keyboarding instructors at their elementary schools.
Dr. Tiffany Bone, assistant superintendent for JNPSD, said, “We are encouraged by the fact that although the scores are notwhere we would like them to be yet, there were multiple areas in which the percentage of students who were classified as ready or exceeding increased from the 2016 school year.”
Bone said, “Our teachers have already begun the process of analyzing the data, reviewing their standards, and developing a plan of action in which we can work together to meet the needs of all of our scholars going forward.”
She added, “Our goal is to continue to work together as a team to put systems in place that support the needs of every scholar, every day.”
PCSSD has been focusing on improving instruction to ensure students are getting what they need for the test and beyond. The district spent the summer going over standards and curriculum making them line up more with what was being test.
Dr. Yolanda Williams, with PCSSD, said gains were made at the elementary level in every category but two. She said students were more acclimated to the test this second go-around. “It’s been a process. Our students have been working with Chromebooks, iPads and desktops to be ready for the annual test.”
Williams added, “It’s moving the mindset of students and teachers a way from pencil and paper exams.”
PCSSD
At Clinton Elementary, the third graders were 72 percent proficient in English, 56 percent in math, 34 percent in science, 27 percent in reading and only 11 percent did well in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 73 percent met or exceed goals in English, 39 percent did the same in math, 39 percent in science, 40 percent in reading and 16 percent made the cut in writing. Among fifth graders, 71 percent did well in English, 35 percent in math, 28 percent in science, 26 percent in reading and 28 percent made the cut in writing.
At Harris Elementary, 41 percent of the third graders met or exceed goals in English, 31 percent did the same in math, 16 percent in science, 16 percent in reading and just 9 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 45 percent did well in English, 41 percent in math, 21 percent in science, 38 percent in reading and 35 percent in writing.
Fifth grade at Harris had 50 percent of its students make the grade in English, 24 percent in math, 16 percent in science, 14 percent in reading and 22 met or exceeded goals in writing.
Sherwood Elementary saw 68 percent of its third graders do well in English, 43 percent in math, 27 percent in science, 30 percent in reading and 18 percent made the cut in writing. Among fourth graders, 64 percent met or exceeding expectations in English, 57 percent in math, 45 percent in science, 39 percent in reading and 36 percent did well in writing.
For fifth grade, 88 percent made the cut in English, 61 percent in math, 49 percent in science, 43 percent in reading and 43 also did well in writing. The school had the best fifth-grade scores between PCSSD and JNPSD in English, math, and reading.
At Sylvan Hills Elementary, 70 percent of the third graders did well in English, 45 percent in math, 38 percent in science, 32 percent in reading and just 11 percent made the cut in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 75 percent met or exceeded the goal, 46 percent did so in math, 42 percent in science, 41 percent in reading and 39 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 75 percent did well in English, 47 percent in math, 43 percent in science, 24 percent in reading and 56 percent did well in writing.
Cato Elementary had 87 percent of its third graders make the cut in English (best in the area), 65 percent in math, 40 percent in science, 39 percent in reading, but only 19 percent did well in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 73 percent were proficient in English, 67 percent in math, 58 percent in science, 44 percent in reading and 38 percent in writing.
Cato’s fifth graders had 71 percent make the cut in English, 46 percent in math, 42 percent in science, 29 percent in reading and fell to 21 percent making the cut in writing.
At Oakbrooke Elementary, 79 percent of its third graders did well, 47 percent did the same in math, 35 percent in science, 36 percent in reading and just 8 percent made the grade in math.
Fourth grade saw 79 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English (best in the area), 40 percent did the same in math, 41 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 24 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 80 percent made the cut in English, 58 percent in math, 43 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 46 percent did well in writing.
JNPSD
Arnold Drive had some of the best scores in the district with 86 percent of its third-graders meeting or exceeding goals in English, 74 percent doing the same in math, 60 percent in science, 52 percent in reading and 40 percent did well in writing.
At the fourth-grade level, 76 percent made the grade in English, 48 percent in math, 44 percent in science, 28 percent in reading and 33 percent in writing. Among fifth graders, 67 percent did well in English, 44 percent did the same in math, 32 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 27 percent made the cut in writing.
Bayou Meto saw 68 percent of its third graders meet or exceed expectations in English, 53 percent did so in math, 32 percent in science, 37 percent in reading and 27 percent in writing. Among fourth graders, 61 percent did well in English, 40 percent did the same in math, 26 percent in science, 23 percent in reading and 15 percent in writing.
Fifth grade had 64 percent of its students do well in English, 36 percent in math, 31 percent in science, 22 percent in reading and 28 percent made the grade in writing.
Warren Dupree third grade had 46 percent of its students meet or exceed goals in English, 28 percent in math, 22 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and just 3 percent made the cut in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 34 percent made the grade in English, 24 percent in math, 18 percent in science, 23 percent in reading and 7 percent in writing.
Dupree fifth graders scored 38 percent proficient in English, 11 percent in math, 13 percent in science, 2 percent in math, and then 6 percent in writing.
Murrell Taylor had 48 percent of its third graders do well in English, 49 percent did the same in math, 23 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and just 9 percent did well in writing.
The school’s fourth grade had 33 percent meet or exceed goals in English, 26 percent in math, 18 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and 14 percent did well in writing. Among fifth graders, 53 percent made the cut in English, 40 percent in math, 17 percent in science, 18 percent in reading and 19 percent in writing.
Tolleson Elementary had 54 percent of its third graders do well in English, 31 percent did the same in math, 15 percent in science, 12 percent in reading and just 4 percent made the grade in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 58 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 45 percent in math, 30 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 25 percent made the cut in writing.
Fifth grade saw 50 percent do well in English, 25 percent in math, 21 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and 33 percent made the grade in writing.
Pinewood had 61 percent of its third graders meet or exceed goals in English, 48 percent did the same in math, 25 percent in science and reading and just 6 percent did well in writing.
The fourth graders had 63 percent make the cut in English, 32 percent in math, 28 percent in science, 25 percent in reading and only 7 percent did well in writing. At the fifth-grade level, 70 percent met or exceeded goals in English; it fell to 26 percent in math, 19 percent in science, 13 percent in reading and 17 percent in writing.
CHARTERS
At Lisa Academy North in Sherwood, 74 percent of third graders met or exceed expectations goals in English, 52 percent did so in math, 30 percent in science, 32 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing. At the fourth-grade level, 66 percent did well in English, 68 percent did the same in math (best in the PCSSD-JNPSD area), 47 percent in science, 45 percent in reading and 29 percent in writing.
Fifth graders saw 75 percent of its students make the grade in English, 54 percent do the same in math, 43 percent in science, 35 percent in reading and 28 percent did well in writing.
Lighthouse third graders were 67 proficient in English, 43 percent in math, 33 percent in science, 24 percent in reading and only 14 percent did well in writing. Among fourth-graders, 52 percent met or exceeded goals in English, 54 percent in math, 27 percent in science, 21 percent in reading and 17 percent in writing.
Fifth graders at Lighthouse were 55 percent proficient in English, 23 percent in math, 26 percent in science, 17 percent in reading and 26 percent did well in writing. The charter’s fifth-grade at the Flightline Upper Academy had 80 percent do well in English, 51 percent in math and science, 40 percent in reading and 46 percent made the grade in writing.
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