By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Federal Communications Commission member Jessica Rosenworcel on Monday visited with Cabot School District officials at the Central Administrative Office board room to discuss the need for affordable Internet services and technology equipment in the classrooms.
Pryor and Rosenworcel also went to a 10th-grade high school English class where Google Chromebook laptop computers are being used by students.
Pryor is chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology and Internet.
School officials explained to the senator and the commissioner the need for affordable Internet access, the equipment and the capacity to handle the demands of hundreds of students using the computer networks all at the same time. They said the district needs to handle the demand without causing interruptions to service or overloading the system.
Public schools and libraries receive discounts on telephone and Internet services from the federal government’s E-Rate program. Funding is collected through the Universal Service Fund, a fee listed on telephone and cable bills.
“The Universal Service Fundwas created to build phone infrastructure over 70 years ago in rural U.S.,” Cabot School District technology director Kendal Wells explained.
Commissioner Rosenwor-cel said, “E-Rate is the nation’s largest technology educational program. It has been really successful at connecting our schools. The challenge now is no longer about connection. It’s about capacity.”
She said that over the next year the FCC will take a closer look at the E-Rate program to focus on capacity and reduce the bureaucracy. She would like to see the ability for bulk buying of Internet bandwidth, longer funding times instead of yearly deadlines and a simplifying of the application process.
“The program over time has gotten so complicated that we are deterring small and rural schools from applying, the ones that need it most,” Rosenworcel said.
She noted that the demand for E-Rate funding is high and is going to continue to grow.
“The way it is distributed now is school districts are set up in a queue based on the number of students that get free and reduced lunch. The districts at the top of the queue get the greatest discount, but we have to start thinking about capacity and high-speed,” Rocenworcel said.
Superintendent Tony Thurman said schools will need more Internet bandwidth to handle the Common Core tests and to deliver curriculum that is available on the Internet. The number of devices used on school campuses is growing rapidly.
Cabot has 10,300 students in 15 schools with 2,100 students at the high school. The district has 492 wireless access points where computer devices can connect to a network.
“With the move toward every student having a device in their hands, the district will need 300 more access points in the next two to three years,” Thurman said.
The Cabot School District is provided with 100 megabytes of Internet bandwidth by the Arkansas Department of Information Systems. The district spent 7 percent of its $900,000 technology budget on bandwidth, purchasing an additional 100 megabytes of bandwidth from Suddenlink and 2,000 megabytes of bandwidth from Windstream.
The annual cost of the district’s 2,200 megabytes of bandwidth is $162,000. E-Rate pays $94,300, and the district is left to pay $68,300. The district receives $56,000 in E-Rate funding for phone service this year.
Wells said, “We would struggle to cover that amount if we didn’t have E-Rate.”
Another piece of the issue is what can be done about low-income families that don’t have Internet at home.
Thurman told the school board at its Tuesday meeting that the district and Suddenlink have partnered for the “Connect to Complete” program that would allow those students on free and reduced lunch to pay a $9.95 a month for Internet service and be exempt from set-up fees. Parents who are interested can call Suddenlink and the company will verify that they are eligible for the program.
“For a lot of those kids, they can’t do some of things we want them to do at home. Even if we put their information in a “cloud”, they can work from home, but cannot get the connectivity,” Thurman said.
Pryor asked why Cabot has two Internet service providers.
Thurman said it was advantageous to have two different carriers because, if the district loses one provider, the district can still operate. “If I’m a 100 percent provider and it goes down, this district is closed,” he explained.
Thurman added that the current amount of bandwidth will support the district for three years.
“We are one of the top districts in how much we are offering. This is very progressive for Arkansas. We are in a good state, but it is going to change tremendously in the next few years,” Thurman said.
He continued, “As far along as we are in this state, we are still not where we need to be, even here, to be able to do the things with technology in our classrooms kids really need us to be doing.”
Thurman said that in Arkansas all the attention is on the ability to test. He said there are another 175 days children need to be able to access technology. Students need to be able get online and stay online, Thurman said.
He said the district has been proactive in upgrading its technology infrastructure so that it can handle the heavy demand for computer devices.
“When the students come to school, if you can’t have more than three or four computers running online at the same time, causing them to “buffer” for five minutes, that’s not going to work,” Thurman explained.
He added that the district has been committed to technology infrastructure over the past seven years, when it has was cool for school districts to be in the news for students having their own laptop computers to take home. At the school board meeting, Thurman explained that those districts are in trouble because they bought devices before the infrastructure, unlike Cabot.
Thurman said the district used hundreds of thousands of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for electrical upgrades, access points and wireless structures.
The federal stimulus money helped kickstart the district to where it is today with its technology infrastructure Thurman noted.
Wells suggested that Pryor and Rosenworcel let E-Rate funding continue funding Internet bandwidth and also start funding the equipment that serves and delivers bandwidth to the classroom with the same priority.
“We can bring all the bandwidth to a district, but if the network can’t handle it, it doesn’t do us a bit of good,” Wells said.
Thurman said, “This district has developed its own Wiki-based platform. We have taken all the learning standards and transformed them over to Common Core standards. Our teachers can go onto our own locked website and can pull up any learning expectations and get sample lessons to use, most often dealing with some type of technology.”
Thurman said the district has chosen Chromebooks because those laptop computers were more cost effective for the district. Files are saved using a “cloud,” an on-line storage space, instead of a computer or a disk.
Students, beginning in kindergarten, are trained to put school work on a “cloud” so the district doesn’t have to have file space.
Pryor and Rosenworcel toured a high school classroom to see students learning how to store files and update their accounts. Pryor told the students why he and the FCC commissioner were at there because “we had a (Senate Commerce Field) hearing, I’m on the Commerce committee and chair of subcommittee that oversees communications, technology and Internet in the Senate. We did the hearing this morning, came here to see you guys, and tomorrow (Tuesday), the commissioner will talk with the Arkansas Telecommuni-cations Association.”
A member of Pryor’s staff said the senator made a visit the school district because it is on the edge of technology and seeing the results of spending federal stimulus money to build and upgrade technology.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Schools in session
School is in full swing, yellow buses abound and this is the time when students, teachers, parents and the community need to vow to make this a great school year.
As they say at teacher seminars, students must be all that they can be.
That means don’t just show up at school and be lackadaisical about it, don’t sit on your brain, don’t go with an attitude or plan to be rude to adults at the school.
The recent round of test scores were far from stellar, except at the usual schools: Cabot, Little Rock Air Force Base, Landmark and Lisa Academy charter schools. We expect the same from the other schools because we expect them to raise responsible, successful adults, especially if we want the area to grow and prosper and attract middle-class families.
Students need to be pumped, read as much as possible and complete homework and ask, ask, ask if they don’t understand something. Teachers don’t mind questions. Questions help the teachers do what they do best — help steer the students in the right direction.
Teachers, you must be all you can be. Teach, facilitate, coach and mentor to the best of your ability. Do not let a student slip through. If you can’t get through to them, find someone who can. Give students meaningful, relevant homework, relate what they must learn to life. Show them that you care about them over test scores.
Administrators, you must be all you can be.
Principals, assistant principals, and various central office staffers need to remember their No. 1 job is not to protect their office kingdoms, but to give the teachers the tools needed to give the students what they need. Put ladder climbing on the back burner and stay focused on the prize — well-rounded, independent students who use creative thinking.
Parents, you are not off the hook either. You must strive to be the best that you can be too.
How? Be involved in your children’s education. Know what is happening at school. Visit the schools and talk with — not yell at — the teachers. Provide your children with necessary school supplies, the emotional support they need, the cheering they need and a proper place and resources to complete homework.
The community must be all it can be.
Businesses need to encourage employees to take an hour a week to visit a neighboring school and volunteer to help a struggling reader or someone confused about math. Businesses need to offer incentives to students who strive to do well. The community should help provide supplies for students and teachers if needed. And the community needs to support Jacksonville’s efforts to obtain its own school district.
Every time students step into a business the owner should ask how school is going and how their grades are — let that student know that education is important.
We must be all we can be. Our students’ futures depend on it.
— Rick Kron
As they say at teacher seminars, students must be all that they can be.
That means don’t just show up at school and be lackadaisical about it, don’t sit on your brain, don’t go with an attitude or plan to be rude to adults at the school.
The recent round of test scores were far from stellar, except at the usual schools: Cabot, Little Rock Air Force Base, Landmark and Lisa Academy charter schools. We expect the same from the other schools because we expect them to raise responsible, successful adults, especially if we want the area to grow and prosper and attract middle-class families.
Students need to be pumped, read as much as possible and complete homework and ask, ask, ask if they don’t understand something. Teachers don’t mind questions. Questions help the teachers do what they do best — help steer the students in the right direction.
Teachers, you must be all you can be. Teach, facilitate, coach and mentor to the best of your ability. Do not let a student slip through. If you can’t get through to them, find someone who can. Give students meaningful, relevant homework, relate what they must learn to life. Show them that you care about them over test scores.
Administrators, you must be all you can be.
Principals, assistant principals, and various central office staffers need to remember their No. 1 job is not to protect their office kingdoms, but to give the teachers the tools needed to give the students what they need. Put ladder climbing on the back burner and stay focused on the prize — well-rounded, independent students who use creative thinking.
Parents, you are not off the hook either. You must strive to be the best that you can be too.
How? Be involved in your children’s education. Know what is happening at school. Visit the schools and talk with — not yell at — the teachers. Provide your children with necessary school supplies, the emotional support they need, the cheering they need and a proper place and resources to complete homework.
The community must be all it can be.
Businesses need to encourage employees to take an hour a week to visit a neighboring school and volunteer to help a struggling reader or someone confused about math. Businesses need to offer incentives to students who strive to do well. The community should help provide supplies for students and teachers if needed. And the community needs to support Jacksonville’s efforts to obtain its own school district.
Every time students step into a business the owner should ask how school is going and how their grades are — let that student know that education is important.
We must be all we can be. Our students’ futures depend on it.
— Rick Kron
TOP STORY >> Cabot City Council votes to add security to court
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
The Cabot City Council passed a resolution Monday night to spend $47,000 to begin making the district court located in the city annex more secure.
Mayor Bill Cypert assured the council before the vote that the purchase of cameras and locks for the building is only the first phase of the plan.
The metal detectors they requested during an agenda meeting earlier this month will be part of the second phase, he said.
Aldermen Ed Long and Ann Gilliam also said during that meeting two weeks ago that purses and other bags are no longer allowed in circuit court in Lonoke, so they shouldn’t allowed in the Cabot courtroom. Cypert said Monday that a ban on bags could be included in the second phase.
n The mayor and council also recognized Jay Lallu, owner of Cabot Days Inn, for allowing the parks department to use his swimming pool for an exercise class that had been held at the community center pool, which was closed for repairs.
Lallu is a member of the Cabot Advertising and Promotions Commission. He said after the meeting that he asked during a commission meeting where the classes would be held when the community center pool was closed and was told that they would have to be canceled.
Lallu said it was not a large inconvenience for his guests to have the pool unavailable from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. He has updated his website to alert potential guests of the change. And he offers an extended checkout time in case any children feel like they missed time they should have had in the pool.
The arrangement has worked well for the month or so it has been in place, he said, and he sees no reason why it won’t continue to work until the pool reopens sometime in the winter.
On most days, 20 to 25 park patrons are in the pool, Lallu said. He is glad they are able to continue their exercise class because many are elderly and exercising on a floor would be more difficult.
The donation of his pool was officially recognized as a “Random Act of Kindness,” a recognition program started when state Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) was mayor.
The seven-year-old community center will be undergoing repair for the rest of the year. The center was damaged by a faulty dehumidification system. Repairs will cost about $700,000. The cost has been divided between the city, the parks department and the A&P Commission.
The city’s contribution of $250,000 has left the city a budget with little wiggle room. n The mayor mentioned last month that he is looking for a new location for Central Fire Station, which is across from city hall on Pine Street and is the oldest station in operation.
He said after the council meeting Monday that he is in negotiations for a location but is not ready to announce which site at this time. However, money to purchase the property will be in the budget for 2014.
• The council passed a resolution recognizing Billye Everett for her service as director of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
• The council passed a resolution amending the city budget to hire an additional code officer. The city will pay $10,667 for the rest of the year for salary and benefits and $23,000 for a new vehicle.
• The council passed an ordinance accepting the annexation of a parcel of land on Hwy. 5 known as the Troutman/ Grisham Annexation.
The annexation includes a mobile home park commercial property and the right-of way of Hwy. 5 and Rockwood Road that joins the property.
Leader staff writer
The Cabot City Council passed a resolution Monday night to spend $47,000 to begin making the district court located in the city annex more secure.
Mayor Bill Cypert assured the council before the vote that the purchase of cameras and locks for the building is only the first phase of the plan.
The metal detectors they requested during an agenda meeting earlier this month will be part of the second phase, he said.
Aldermen Ed Long and Ann Gilliam also said during that meeting two weeks ago that purses and other bags are no longer allowed in circuit court in Lonoke, so they shouldn’t allowed in the Cabot courtroom. Cypert said Monday that a ban on bags could be included in the second phase.
n The mayor and council also recognized Jay Lallu, owner of Cabot Days Inn, for allowing the parks department to use his swimming pool for an exercise class that had been held at the community center pool, which was closed for repairs.
Lallu is a member of the Cabot Advertising and Promotions Commission. He said after the meeting that he asked during a commission meeting where the classes would be held when the community center pool was closed and was told that they would have to be canceled.
Lallu said it was not a large inconvenience for his guests to have the pool unavailable from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. He has updated his website to alert potential guests of the change. And he offers an extended checkout time in case any children feel like they missed time they should have had in the pool.
The arrangement has worked well for the month or so it has been in place, he said, and he sees no reason why it won’t continue to work until the pool reopens sometime in the winter.
On most days, 20 to 25 park patrons are in the pool, Lallu said. He is glad they are able to continue their exercise class because many are elderly and exercising on a floor would be more difficult.
The donation of his pool was officially recognized as a “Random Act of Kindness,” a recognition program started when state Sen. Eddie Joe Williams (R-Cabot) was mayor.
The seven-year-old community center will be undergoing repair for the rest of the year. The center was damaged by a faulty dehumidification system. Repairs will cost about $700,000. The cost has been divided between the city, the parks department and the A&P Commission.
The city’s contribution of $250,000 has left the city a budget with little wiggle room. n The mayor mentioned last month that he is looking for a new location for Central Fire Station, which is across from city hall on Pine Street and is the oldest station in operation.
He said after the council meeting Monday that he is in negotiations for a location but is not ready to announce which site at this time. However, money to purchase the property will be in the budget for 2014.
• The council passed a resolution recognizing Billye Everett for her service as director of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
• The council passed a resolution amending the city budget to hire an additional code officer. The city will pay $10,667 for the rest of the year for salary and benefits and $23,000 for a new vehicle.
• The council passed an ordinance accepting the annexation of a parcel of land on Hwy. 5 known as the Troutman/ Grisham Annexation.
The annexation includes a mobile home park commercial property and the right-of way of Hwy. 5 and Rockwood Road that joins the property.
TOP STORY >> Principal gets into trenches
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
On the first day of school at Murrell Taylor Elementary in Jacksonville, students and parents alike wouldn’t have recognized Myeisha Haywood as the new principal.
That is because, as she said, “I want the teachers to know I’ll get in the trenches with them. We’re fighting the same fight.”
She started the day opening car doors to escort kids to the front doors and kneeling down to put wristbands on the bus riders as they arrived.
The wristbands informed teachers, staff and the students which bus the students needed to board at the end of the day.
Haywood’s next step was clearing the crowded and cramped school office of parents with children who were not registered or parents that needed related issues addressed. She patiently and politely ushered them to the media center, where everyone could sit down as they waited.
Then the new principal was off to make her rounds, offering directions along to the way to a few parents and students who seemed lost.
To one of the first classes she popped into, Haywood said, “I’m going to be visiting this classroom because ya’ll are leaders and you are always going to be doing what you’re supposed to be doing in this classroom, right?”
She turned to this reporter on her jaunt to the next room, explaining, “It’s good to take a few seconds for them to see my face.”
That face appeared to have a smile that just wouldn’t quit. It paired perfectly with Haywood’s booming, joy-filled voice.
One of her next stops was the wing dedicated to children with special needs. Haywood noted that the school has a high population of special-needs kids.
While most campuses have one or two classes, Murrell Taylor Elementary has four, plus a fifth class for students with behavioral issues.
It is in that wing that the new principal learned a paraprofessional did not show up for work and wasn’t answering calls. A teacher tells her the message on the paraprofessional’s phone says the number has been disconnected.
But nothing can shake the smile from Haywood’s face. She tells the teacher to send her an e-mail about the incident while assuring her it will be taken care of.
Later on, Haywood encountered the second problem of the day. A disgruntled parent came in wanting to know why her daughter was held back.
When the parent stepped out of the new principal’s office, she seemed satisfied with the answer she received. Haywood explained that she told the parent the student could be re-tested in a few weeks to see whether she should be held back or not.
The new principal continued her rounds, visiting all the kindergarteners and telling several of them, “Because you’re my friends, I expect you to treat each other nicely.”
Haywood explained that she had heard the school has a problem with bullying, and that is unacceptable.
After her rounds were complete, the new principal noted that this would be her daily routine, not just something to do on the first day.
Haywood doesn’t plan to be in her office much, and said she hasn’t even had time to organize things yet.
The new principal explained, “I’m going to be proactive. I am one who really believes you have to be in the classrooms.”
Haywood is already being proactive by making several changes, like putting a 45-minute intervention/enrichment period in the students’ daily schedules.
During that period, kids who are struggling can get help while those who aren’t struggling will receive a lesson challenging them to learn beyond the classroom.
Haywood has also changed the schedules of fifth- and fourth-graders to make their transition to middle school easier.
Fifth-graders don’t have just one teacher and one classroom anymore. There are three teachers in three rooms who handle their lessons.
There is one teacher for math, one for literacy and one for science and social studies.
Switching classes like this is similar to what they’ll have to do in middle school, Haywood explained. In middle school, students typically rotate to seven classes in different rooms with different teachers for 50-minute lessons.
To help fourth-graders ease into the fifth-grade schedule, the new principal said they have two teachers they rotate to. One of them teaches literacy and social studies while the other handles math and science lessons.
This arrangement helps teachers too by allowing them to focus on their strongest area of study, Haywood said.
She also praised her teachers for their efforts to go above and beyond.
Teachers have one 45-minute planning period each school day.
They were meeting for professional development — called the professional learning community — after school, but kept running into issues of teachers not being able to make it because of bus duty or other obligations.
So the teachers agreed to give up one planning period a week to meet for the professional learning community. Now they have one in-school meeting and one after-school meeting each week.
“I’m proud of my teachers for this. It lets you know the attitude and culture of the school is that of we do what it takes,” Haywood said.
About her approach to leading the school, she continued, “I can’t stand chaos.”
This is why another change the new principal has brought about is procedures that concern how things like bathroom breaks are handled.
Any activity that takes away from instruction time is governed by procedures designed to minimize how much instruction time is lost, Haywood explained.
“We want to account for all our time,” she said.
Those procedures include having students line up single file on the right side of the hall with their feet two tiles from the wall.
But what Haywood really wants to focus on is community and parental involvement.
“I feel like in order to reach kids we have to have the support of our community,” she said.
The school’s theme this year is “MTES ROCKS!” That is an acronym for “Murrell Taylor Elementary School Reaching Out to Catapult Kids to Success.”
Haywood said information is key to making this theme a reality.
“Every decision I make is going to be driven by data,” she noted.
Haywood continued, “This year, I want to see growth. When I say growth, I mean growth in student achievement. I want teachers to grow independently. I want to see growth in community partnerships and parental involvement.”
But she doesn’t want the staff or teachers to blame low test scores on a lack of community and parental support. Haywood said she, the other administrators, staff and teachers need to be accountable.
Haywood explained, “The buck stops here, and that’s the attitude we have to have.”
Her first day on the job was July 19.
Haywood was most recently a middle school assistant principal for the North Little Rock School District.
Before that she served as the Pulaski County Special School District’s dean of students at Fuller Middle School in Little Rock.
Haywood began career in education as a middle school teacher in the Hope School District.
She worked as a special education teacher and then as an elementary literacy and social studies teacher in Arkadelphia.
Haywood is certified as a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 building administrator.
She graduated from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia with a bachelor’s of arts degree in psychology and a master’s of arts degree in teaching and in educational leadership.
Leader staff writer
On the first day of school at Murrell Taylor Elementary in Jacksonville, students and parents alike wouldn’t have recognized Myeisha Haywood as the new principal.
That is because, as she said, “I want the teachers to know I’ll get in the trenches with them. We’re fighting the same fight.”
She started the day opening car doors to escort kids to the front doors and kneeling down to put wristbands on the bus riders as they arrived.
The wristbands informed teachers, staff and the students which bus the students needed to board at the end of the day.
Haywood’s next step was clearing the crowded and cramped school office of parents with children who were not registered or parents that needed related issues addressed. She patiently and politely ushered them to the media center, where everyone could sit down as they waited.
Then the new principal was off to make her rounds, offering directions along to the way to a few parents and students who seemed lost.
To one of the first classes she popped into, Haywood said, “I’m going to be visiting this classroom because ya’ll are leaders and you are always going to be doing what you’re supposed to be doing in this classroom, right?”
She turned to this reporter on her jaunt to the next room, explaining, “It’s good to take a few seconds for them to see my face.”
That face appeared to have a smile that just wouldn’t quit. It paired perfectly with Haywood’s booming, joy-filled voice.
One of her next stops was the wing dedicated to children with special needs. Haywood noted that the school has a high population of special-needs kids.
While most campuses have one or two classes, Murrell Taylor Elementary has four, plus a fifth class for students with behavioral issues.
It is in that wing that the new principal learned a paraprofessional did not show up for work and wasn’t answering calls. A teacher tells her the message on the paraprofessional’s phone says the number has been disconnected.
But nothing can shake the smile from Haywood’s face. She tells the teacher to send her an e-mail about the incident while assuring her it will be taken care of.
Later on, Haywood encountered the second problem of the day. A disgruntled parent came in wanting to know why her daughter was held back.
When the parent stepped out of the new principal’s office, she seemed satisfied with the answer she received. Haywood explained that she told the parent the student could be re-tested in a few weeks to see whether she should be held back or not.
The new principal continued her rounds, visiting all the kindergarteners and telling several of them, “Because you’re my friends, I expect you to treat each other nicely.”
Haywood explained that she had heard the school has a problem with bullying, and that is unacceptable.
After her rounds were complete, the new principal noted that this would be her daily routine, not just something to do on the first day.
Haywood doesn’t plan to be in her office much, and said she hasn’t even had time to organize things yet.
The new principal explained, “I’m going to be proactive. I am one who really believes you have to be in the classrooms.”
Haywood is already being proactive by making several changes, like putting a 45-minute intervention/enrichment period in the students’ daily schedules.
During that period, kids who are struggling can get help while those who aren’t struggling will receive a lesson challenging them to learn beyond the classroom.
Haywood has also changed the schedules of fifth- and fourth-graders to make their transition to middle school easier.
Fifth-graders don’t have just one teacher and one classroom anymore. There are three teachers in three rooms who handle their lessons.
There is one teacher for math, one for literacy and one for science and social studies.
Switching classes like this is similar to what they’ll have to do in middle school, Haywood explained. In middle school, students typically rotate to seven classes in different rooms with different teachers for 50-minute lessons.
To help fourth-graders ease into the fifth-grade schedule, the new principal said they have two teachers they rotate to. One of them teaches literacy and social studies while the other handles math and science lessons.
This arrangement helps teachers too by allowing them to focus on their strongest area of study, Haywood said.
She also praised her teachers for their efforts to go above and beyond.
Teachers have one 45-minute planning period each school day.
They were meeting for professional development — called the professional learning community — after school, but kept running into issues of teachers not being able to make it because of bus duty or other obligations.
So the teachers agreed to give up one planning period a week to meet for the professional learning community. Now they have one in-school meeting and one after-school meeting each week.
“I’m proud of my teachers for this. It lets you know the attitude and culture of the school is that of we do what it takes,” Haywood said.
About her approach to leading the school, she continued, “I can’t stand chaos.”
This is why another change the new principal has brought about is procedures that concern how things like bathroom breaks are handled.
Any activity that takes away from instruction time is governed by procedures designed to minimize how much instruction time is lost, Haywood explained.
“We want to account for all our time,” she said.
Those procedures include having students line up single file on the right side of the hall with their feet two tiles from the wall.
But what Haywood really wants to focus on is community and parental involvement.
“I feel like in order to reach kids we have to have the support of our community,” she said.
The school’s theme this year is “MTES ROCKS!” That is an acronym for “Murrell Taylor Elementary School Reaching Out to Catapult Kids to Success.”
Haywood said information is key to making this theme a reality.
“Every decision I make is going to be driven by data,” she noted.
Haywood continued, “This year, I want to see growth. When I say growth, I mean growth in student achievement. I want teachers to grow independently. I want to see growth in community partnerships and parental involvement.”
But she doesn’t want the staff or teachers to blame low test scores on a lack of community and parental support. Haywood said she, the other administrators, staff and teachers need to be accountable.
Haywood explained, “The buck stops here, and that’s the attitude we have to have.”
Her first day on the job was July 19.
Haywood was most recently a middle school assistant principal for the North Little Rock School District.
Before that she served as the Pulaski County Special School District’s dean of students at Fuller Middle School in Little Rock.
Haywood began career in education as a middle school teacher in the Hope School District.
She worked as a special education teacher and then as an elementary literacy and social studies teacher in Arkadelphia.
Haywood is certified as a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 building administrator.
She graduated from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia with a bachelor’s of arts degree in psychology and a master’s of arts degree in teaching and in educational leadership.
TOP STORY >> General flies in C-130J
By JOHN HOFHEIMER
Leader senior staff writer
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, director of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Tues-day piloted the first new C-130J delivered to Little Rock Air Force Base since 2009.
Woodward, who earned her C-130 wings at Little Rock, piloted tail No. 05728 intended for the 314th Air Training Wing — that’s the so-called C-130 school house — to touchdown at 1:15 p.m. This is the first of five C-130Js slated for delivery to the base in 2013.
Woodward is a command pilot who has flown nine aircraft variants, including the C-130J.
“This aircraft delivery is one of the highlights of my career,” Woodward said.
“To deliver it to the Mecca of the C-130 world, the Nation’s Tactical Airlift Center of Excellence, holds a special significance.
“This plane is even more remarkable because it represents the special bond between Little Rock airmen and the outstanding civilian community here.”
Among those in attendance were Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), state Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock), Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher, Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, Maumelle Mayor Mike Watson and Milton Crenshaw, 95, who is among the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. Wood-ward called him “a legendary American aviator.”
Twenty-five area leaders signed the plane before it left Lockheed-Martin’s Marietta, Ga., facilities, including Crenshaw. Woodward said, “The Tuskegee Airmen have a special place in my heart and in our nation’s history. I think it is incredibly cool that a plane that will continue to make history for our nation and our Air Force will carry with it the autograph of an American Airpower legend.”
“This is just one plane,” Woodward said, “but this plane will significantly increase C-130J pilot and loadmaster productions both for our Air Force and for our international partners.”
“When I was the 18th Air Force vice commander, I witnessed first-hand the incredible value of the C-130 after the horrible earthquake in Haiti,” she said. “Nearly all airlift in and out of Haiti was via C-130s; over 342 missions moving over 6,000 passengers and nearly 2,500 short tons of cargo. Many of those planes and crews were from the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base.”
Woodward noted that both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom leaned heavily on combat airlift provided by the C-130s. She said, “Early in those operations, the C-130Es and Hs bore the brunt, and over the last several years, the J has established itself as the backbone of our operations in the (area of responsibility).”
“Last year, C-130Js flew 23,000 sorties, moving 55,000 tons of cargo and 133,000 passengers,” the general said.
She said that when she became commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa and 17th Air Force in Ramstein, Germany, her boss expected her to get qualified in the C-21, like her predecessor. “Why, when we have those awesome C-130s?” Woodward asked. “I got checked out in the C-130J, right here in Little Rock.”
When we were asked to protect the Libyan people and stand against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, nearly 3,000 personnel and over 2,000 tons of munitions and equipment…were delivered on extremely short notice.”
She said all of this was possible because of the incredible synergy between the Air National Guard, Reserves, AETC and AMC of Team Little Rock that represents the Air Force’s total-force concept at its best.
Col. Scott Brewer, commander of the 314th Air Education Wing, recognized Crenshaw and had him stand to an enthusiastic response.
Brewer called Crenshaw “an amazing individual and an inspiration to me all the time. We know you as the original Tuskegee Airman. It is your amazing spirit, and I challenge any of you to try to keep up with that man. At 95 years young, he is an amazing inspiration.”
In introducing her, Brewer said, “Gen. Woodward is an incredible leader who has looked out for airmen her entire professional career. She has commanded at the squadron, the group, the wing and the numbered Air Force level, including serving as a coalition forces air-component commander for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya. She’s also been the Air Force’s chief of safety.”
The 314th Airlift Wing, which trains 2,000 students a year, is the C-130 “Center of Excellence” in partnership with the 19th Airlift Wing, the Arkansas Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
Leader senior staff writer
Maj. Gen. Margaret Woodward, director of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, Tues-day piloted the first new C-130J delivered to Little Rock Air Force Base since 2009.
Woodward, who earned her C-130 wings at Little Rock, piloted tail No. 05728 intended for the 314th Air Training Wing — that’s the so-called C-130 school house — to touchdown at 1:15 p.m. This is the first of five C-130Js slated for delivery to the base in 2013.
Woodward is a command pilot who has flown nine aircraft variants, including the C-130J.
“This aircraft delivery is one of the highlights of my career,” Woodward said.
“To deliver it to the Mecca of the C-130 world, the Nation’s Tactical Airlift Center of Excellence, holds a special significance.
“This plane is even more remarkable because it represents the special bond between Little Rock airmen and the outstanding civilian community here.”
Among those in attendance were Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.), state Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock), Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher, Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert, Maumelle Mayor Mike Watson and Milton Crenshaw, 95, who is among the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. Wood-ward called him “a legendary American aviator.”
Twenty-five area leaders signed the plane before it left Lockheed-Martin’s Marietta, Ga., facilities, including Crenshaw. Woodward said, “The Tuskegee Airmen have a special place in my heart and in our nation’s history. I think it is incredibly cool that a plane that will continue to make history for our nation and our Air Force will carry with it the autograph of an American Airpower legend.”
“This is just one plane,” Woodward said, “but this plane will significantly increase C-130J pilot and loadmaster productions both for our Air Force and for our international partners.”
“When I was the 18th Air Force vice commander, I witnessed first-hand the incredible value of the C-130 after the horrible earthquake in Haiti,” she said. “Nearly all airlift in and out of Haiti was via C-130s; over 342 missions moving over 6,000 passengers and nearly 2,500 short tons of cargo. Many of those planes and crews were from the 19th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base.”
Woodward noted that both Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom leaned heavily on combat airlift provided by the C-130s. She said, “Early in those operations, the C-130Es and Hs bore the brunt, and over the last several years, the J has established itself as the backbone of our operations in the (area of responsibility).”
“Last year, C-130Js flew 23,000 sorties, moving 55,000 tons of cargo and 133,000 passengers,” the general said.
She said that when she became commander of U.S. Air Forces Africa and 17th Air Force in Ramstein, Germany, her boss expected her to get qualified in the C-21, like her predecessor. “Why, when we have those awesome C-130s?” Woodward asked. “I got checked out in the C-130J, right here in Little Rock.”
When we were asked to protect the Libyan people and stand against Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, nearly 3,000 personnel and over 2,000 tons of munitions and equipment…were delivered on extremely short notice.”
She said all of this was possible because of the incredible synergy between the Air National Guard, Reserves, AETC and AMC of Team Little Rock that represents the Air Force’s total-force concept at its best.
Col. Scott Brewer, commander of the 314th Air Education Wing, recognized Crenshaw and had him stand to an enthusiastic response.
Brewer called Crenshaw “an amazing individual and an inspiration to me all the time. We know you as the original Tuskegee Airman. It is your amazing spirit, and I challenge any of you to try to keep up with that man. At 95 years young, he is an amazing inspiration.”
In introducing her, Brewer said, “Gen. Woodward is an incredible leader who has looked out for airmen her entire professional career. She has commanded at the squadron, the group, the wing and the numbered Air Force level, including serving as a coalition forces air-component commander for Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya. She’s also been the Air Force’s chief of safety.”
The 314th Airlift Wing, which trains 2,000 students a year, is the C-130 “Center of Excellence” in partnership with the 19th Airlift Wing, the Arkansas Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve.
SPORTS STORY >> Lady Panthers show energy
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
As preseason practices continue, the Cabot volleyball team continues to build confidence. The team has six seniors, many of whom have started or been regular players in all three years of DeAnna Campbell’s time as head coach.
This week is the first of after-school practice, and things took a while to get going for the Lady Panthers. After the team divided into varsity versus junior varsity, competitiveness kicked in and action picked up.
After being involved in four-straight successful blocks, senior Taylor Bitely began to lead the energy rise among the team.
“I get really excited about blocks,” said Bitely. “Just that feeling of shutting the other team down, it’s really fun.”
Bitely indicates the team will be more vocal on the court this year, and not just communicating during points, something which the team has lacked, but in emotional expression.
“In the past we’ve been much less vocal on the court than I think we’ll be this year,” Bitely said. “Having so many seniors, we understand that we all have the leadership role.”
Cabot had just three seniors last year with two starting, and all three were understated players. A changing of the guard took place in the regular-season finale against Lake Hamilton last season. The Lady Panthers sent the three seniors out with a minor upset victory, and for the first time showed the kind of on-court energy and vocalization that is likely to be a staple of this year’s team.
“There’s probably a pretty easy explanation for that,” said Campbell. “That’s really my style. I encourage that. These seniors were my first group and I started four of them as sophomores. They know what I want, plus they have that personality. I teased my seniors last year because they were so quiet. I’d tell them they should be librarians. But this group wants to get loud and they will be. Taylor can be downright obnoxious on the court and I like that.”
While a big senior class with lots of shared playing time can lead to better leadership, the Lady Panthers also expect all the shared experience to lead to more success.
“We’re a much older team,” Bitely said. “We’re finally a team of seniors and juniors instead of really sophomore heavy. We’re finally one of those teams like Conway that has all those girls that have played together for so long. We haven’t been together since 10- or 11-years old like some of them, but we’ve all been playing together for three full years now, so I think we’ll definitely get more wins.”
The earliest evidence of Cabot’s improvement came in the first team camp that took place in late July in Fayetteville. Cabot didn’t win the camp final, but did win its four-team division, a first for this group.
“Winning the division in Fayetteville was a big step,” Bitely said. “We’ve played in a lot of camps and never done that. It just showed us that we’re playing to a better standard and we expect to play at a higher level this year.”
The Lady Panthers get their first chance to showcase themselves on Thursday when they travel to Conway for a benefit jamboree. The varsity squad will play one set each against Sheridan and North Little Rock. The junior varsity will square off against Vilonia’s JV.
The regular season opens at home next Tuesday with a tri-match that includes Lonoke and Jacksonville.
Leader sports editor
As preseason practices continue, the Cabot volleyball team continues to build confidence. The team has six seniors, many of whom have started or been regular players in all three years of DeAnna Campbell’s time as head coach.
This week is the first of after-school practice, and things took a while to get going for the Lady Panthers. After the team divided into varsity versus junior varsity, competitiveness kicked in and action picked up.
After being involved in four-straight successful blocks, senior Taylor Bitely began to lead the energy rise among the team.
“I get really excited about blocks,” said Bitely. “Just that feeling of shutting the other team down, it’s really fun.”
Bitely indicates the team will be more vocal on the court this year, and not just communicating during points, something which the team has lacked, but in emotional expression.
“In the past we’ve been much less vocal on the court than I think we’ll be this year,” Bitely said. “Having so many seniors, we understand that we all have the leadership role.”
Cabot had just three seniors last year with two starting, and all three were understated players. A changing of the guard took place in the regular-season finale against Lake Hamilton last season. The Lady Panthers sent the three seniors out with a minor upset victory, and for the first time showed the kind of on-court energy and vocalization that is likely to be a staple of this year’s team.
“There’s probably a pretty easy explanation for that,” said Campbell. “That’s really my style. I encourage that. These seniors were my first group and I started four of them as sophomores. They know what I want, plus they have that personality. I teased my seniors last year because they were so quiet. I’d tell them they should be librarians. But this group wants to get loud and they will be. Taylor can be downright obnoxious on the court and I like that.”
While a big senior class with lots of shared playing time can lead to better leadership, the Lady Panthers also expect all the shared experience to lead to more success.
“We’re a much older team,” Bitely said. “We’re finally a team of seniors and juniors instead of really sophomore heavy. We’re finally one of those teams like Conway that has all those girls that have played together for so long. We haven’t been together since 10- or 11-years old like some of them, but we’ve all been playing together for three full years now, so I think we’ll definitely get more wins.”
The earliest evidence of Cabot’s improvement came in the first team camp that took place in late July in Fayetteville. Cabot didn’t win the camp final, but did win its four-team division, a first for this group.
“Winning the division in Fayetteville was a big step,” Bitely said. “We’ve played in a lot of camps and never done that. It just showed us that we’re playing to a better standard and we expect to play at a higher level this year.”
The Lady Panthers get their first chance to showcase themselves on Thursday when they travel to Conway for a benefit jamboree. The varsity squad will play one set each against Sheridan and North Little Rock. The junior varsity will square off against Vilonia’s JV.
The regular season opens at home next Tuesday with a tri-match that includes Lonoke and Jacksonville.
SPORTS STORY >> Carlisle coaches keeping it fresh
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
Things are rolling along according to schedule for Carlisle as first-year head coach Brandon Barbaree prepares his Bison for next week’s scrimmage game at Dumas.
The Bison had a successful week of practice last week in full-contact mode, and will continue that way until Thursday, when Barbaree will switch them to more of a game-week type of scenario to prepare for the Bobcats.
“Last week, we had five pretty good practices, starting with just the weather being cool,” Barbaree said. “It always makes it a lot easier when that weather doesn’t zap you. Our energy level was high, and I thought our kids really flew around. Even with the rules of practice time changing up, in full pads, I thought we have five pretty physical practices that we can definitely build off of.”
The Bison face the same dilemma as practically every other 2A football team interms of limited depth. With many of his top players going both ways, and just enough spare linemen, Barbaree said the depth issue is not a concern.
“The ones are the ones,” Barbaree said. “Our starters are a step ahead of our second guys. We’re lucky to have a couple of guys on the offensive line that can fill in to where there’s not a big drop off. As far as backs, we’re pretty solid in the backfield, and at linebacker, same guys. Our guys just flip around and play both ways. I think depth wise we’re pretty good with the skill positions.”
Barbaree estimated that about 90 percent of the offense is installed at this point, in particular the package to be used in the season opener at home against McCrory on Sept. 6. As far as players stepping up on the practice field, he noted the efforts of Colton Isbell, who has taken on a leadership role on the defensive line, and has also shown good technique. Dan Sage has also established himself on the offensive line.
“Our seniors have led the way,” Barbaree said. “I can’t ever take anything away from those guys, because they’re here every day and they work hard. Our numbers have held strong, and we just keep pushing forward.”
The third week of practice is usually when monotony becomes an issue for a lot of teams, but Barbaree said the coaching staff has taken strides to keep things fresh on the practice field.
“I think as coaches, we’re so caught up in this, the way we’ve always done,” Barbaree said. “We’ve tried to change practice up to where our kids aren’t getting that stale feeling. You’re always facing that thing where kids are ready to play. Coaches love practice, and if you can find kids who love to practice, it’s a plus, but kids want to play in those games.”
Barbaree said the plan from Monday forward was physical practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before getting into game preparation on Thursday. The Bison will scrimmage on Aug. 27 at Dumas.
Leader sportswriter
Things are rolling along according to schedule for Carlisle as first-year head coach Brandon Barbaree prepares his Bison for next week’s scrimmage game at Dumas.
The Bison had a successful week of practice last week in full-contact mode, and will continue that way until Thursday, when Barbaree will switch them to more of a game-week type of scenario to prepare for the Bobcats.
“Last week, we had five pretty good practices, starting with just the weather being cool,” Barbaree said. “It always makes it a lot easier when that weather doesn’t zap you. Our energy level was high, and I thought our kids really flew around. Even with the rules of practice time changing up, in full pads, I thought we have five pretty physical practices that we can definitely build off of.”
The Bison face the same dilemma as practically every other 2A football team interms of limited depth. With many of his top players going both ways, and just enough spare linemen, Barbaree said the depth issue is not a concern.
“The ones are the ones,” Barbaree said. “Our starters are a step ahead of our second guys. We’re lucky to have a couple of guys on the offensive line that can fill in to where there’s not a big drop off. As far as backs, we’re pretty solid in the backfield, and at linebacker, same guys. Our guys just flip around and play both ways. I think depth wise we’re pretty good with the skill positions.”
Barbaree estimated that about 90 percent of the offense is installed at this point, in particular the package to be used in the season opener at home against McCrory on Sept. 6. As far as players stepping up on the practice field, he noted the efforts of Colton Isbell, who has taken on a leadership role on the defensive line, and has also shown good technique. Dan Sage has also established himself on the offensive line.
“Our seniors have led the way,” Barbaree said. “I can’t ever take anything away from those guys, because they’re here every day and they work hard. Our numbers have held strong, and we just keep pushing forward.”
The third week of practice is usually when monotony becomes an issue for a lot of teams, but Barbaree said the coaching staff has taken strides to keep things fresh on the practice field.
“I think as coaches, we’re so caught up in this, the way we’ve always done,” Barbaree said. “We’ve tried to change practice up to where our kids aren’t getting that stale feeling. You’re always facing that thing where kids are ready to play. Coaches love practice, and if you can find kids who love to practice, it’s a plus, but kids want to play in those games.”
Barbaree said the plan from Monday forward was physical practices on Tuesday and Wednesday before getting into game preparation on Thursday. The Bison will scrimmage on Aug. 27 at Dumas.
SPORTS STORY >> Cabot airs it out on Monday
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The first day of after-school practice for the Cabot football Panthers saw a slight departure from the norm at Panther Stadium. Perhaps it was a major departure, as Cabot spent most of its offensive work on the passing game.
It was the first after-school practice and the first time the team spent such extended time on passing the ball. Pass blocking was the focal point of coach Mike Malham most of the time, but route running also got lots of attention.
Malham said it was no big secret that the Panthers may pass more this year, but did begrudge new rules that limit practice time, forcing the late start to the new formation.
“You can only get so much in since there’s basically no two-a-days anymore,” Malham said. “The way they’ve done it now you lose about eight practices from what you used to get. I don’t know if we’ll be able to get this in and get it good enough to use or not.”
Senior Keith Pledger, a three-year starter at tight end, is one of the players going out for passes. When Cabot has thrown in the past, many times it has been to the tight end on single-receiver routes. Pledger has been the target on that play many times in his career, but says what took place on Monday was new.
“We’ve never done anything like this before,” Pledger said after Monday’s practice. “This is all new stuff and it’s the first practice where we’ve worked on it. It was a little rough but I think by the end of the week we’ll get it down.”
Pledger also has to block many times instead of run routes, which he says is the key to being successful at throwing the ball.
“It’s definitely a little different for the line,” Pledger said. “Lining up in this open set, you lose a tight end, so you have to make adjustments to keep somebody from shooting through and getting the quarterback. It’s all new but I think we’ll catch on.”
Monday’s practice was strictly a teaching session. The offense went full speed against a defense that went less than half speed out of several formations, showing blockers and receivers what to expect, but applying no pressure.
Defensive pressure will likely intensify as the week progresses.
Running backs are learning routes and blocking schemes while four players shared time at split end.
Junior Jake Ferguson will likely be the starter at wideout when Cabot goes to the formation. He was named the 2012 sophomore of the year by one publication for his 97 tackles and six interceptions on defense, but has spent as much time working at receiver over the summer as he did working on defense. Senior Jordan Burke, who Malham says is the fastest player on the team, followed Ferguson in the rotation. He is also a returning starter at cornerback. Junior Brian Marshall, who is a starting defensive end, and sophomore Holden Barnes, who will see plenty of time in the defensive backfield as well, filled out the split-end rotation during Monday’s practice.
The Panthers have two exhibition games in the next week, but don’t expect to see a lot of the passing game in them.
“I doubt we’ll show much of this in these games,” Pledger said. “I think it will catch some people off guard.”
The Panthers Red-White game will be on Friday. Cabot then hosts its benefit scrimmage game against Lake Hamilton on Tuesday at Panther Stadium.
Leader sports editor
The first day of after-school practice for the Cabot football Panthers saw a slight departure from the norm at Panther Stadium. Perhaps it was a major departure, as Cabot spent most of its offensive work on the passing game.
It was the first after-school practice and the first time the team spent such extended time on passing the ball. Pass blocking was the focal point of coach Mike Malham most of the time, but route running also got lots of attention.
Malham said it was no big secret that the Panthers may pass more this year, but did begrudge new rules that limit practice time, forcing the late start to the new formation.
“You can only get so much in since there’s basically no two-a-days anymore,” Malham said. “The way they’ve done it now you lose about eight practices from what you used to get. I don’t know if we’ll be able to get this in and get it good enough to use or not.”
Senior Keith Pledger, a three-year starter at tight end, is one of the players going out for passes. When Cabot has thrown in the past, many times it has been to the tight end on single-receiver routes. Pledger has been the target on that play many times in his career, but says what took place on Monday was new.
“We’ve never done anything like this before,” Pledger said after Monday’s practice. “This is all new stuff and it’s the first practice where we’ve worked on it. It was a little rough but I think by the end of the week we’ll get it down.”
Pledger also has to block many times instead of run routes, which he says is the key to being successful at throwing the ball.
“It’s definitely a little different for the line,” Pledger said. “Lining up in this open set, you lose a tight end, so you have to make adjustments to keep somebody from shooting through and getting the quarterback. It’s all new but I think we’ll catch on.”
Monday’s practice was strictly a teaching session. The offense went full speed against a defense that went less than half speed out of several formations, showing blockers and receivers what to expect, but applying no pressure.
Defensive pressure will likely intensify as the week progresses.
Running backs are learning routes and blocking schemes while four players shared time at split end.
Junior Jake Ferguson will likely be the starter at wideout when Cabot goes to the formation. He was named the 2012 sophomore of the year by one publication for his 97 tackles and six interceptions on defense, but has spent as much time working at receiver over the summer as he did working on defense. Senior Jordan Burke, who Malham says is the fastest player on the team, followed Ferguson in the rotation. He is also a returning starter at cornerback. Junior Brian Marshall, who is a starting defensive end, and sophomore Holden Barnes, who will see plenty of time in the defensive backfield as well, filled out the split-end rotation during Monday’s practice.
The Panthers have two exhibition games in the next week, but don’t expect to see a lot of the passing game in them.
“I doubt we’ll show much of this in these games,” Pledger said. “I think it will catch some people off guard.”
The Panthers Red-White game will be on Friday. Cabot then hosts its benefit scrimmage game against Lake Hamilton on Tuesday at Panther Stadium.
Monday, August 19, 2013
TOP STORY >> Benchmark: Middle schools struggle
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
This is the second in a series of articles examining Benchmark scores at area schools.
Whether it’s larger schools, the challenges of maturity, more distractions or something else, middle school students — sixth, seventh and eighth graders — don’t score as well on the state’s mandated Benchmark math and literacy exams as their younger counterparts.
It seems that their scores dropped an average of 10 points in both math and literacy compared to third, fourth and fifth graders.
Tops in the area among sixth graders in math were both Cabot middle schools and Lonoke Middle School. Cabot Middle School North was 87 percent proficient or advanced, Cabot Middle School South was at 86 percent and Lonoke Middle, just a point behind at 85 percent on the literacy exam, was tops with 88 percent of its sixth graders at proficient or better. Cabot Middle School South was at 86 percent and Cabot Middle School North was at 83 percent.
Required by No Child Left Behind, all Arkansas students, third through eighth grade, are required to take the annual math and literacy exams. All students are supposed to be working at or above grade level by the end of the 2013-2014 school year, meaning scores of proficient or advanced.
At the other end of the spectrum was Jacksonville Middle School where about half, or 51 percent were proficient or advanced and 23 percent were below basic. The school was also at the bottom rung in literacy with just 40 percent making the cut and 15 percent scoring below basic.
Scores of basic means students need some help to accomplish grade level work and a score of below basic means the student needs constant attention to be successful at grade level.
In seventh grade, no one came close to Ahlf Junior High in Searcy where 88 percent of students were proficient or better. A distant second, 14 points behind, were Lisa Academy North in Sherwood and Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle School, both were 74 percent proficient or better. In literacy, Ahlf was the only area school to hit the 90 percent mark proficient or better in literacy. Lisa Academy was at 86 percent.
England, Jacksonville and Carlisle seventh graders were at the bottom of the score in math. England had only 44 percent of its students score proficient or better and 26 percent were in the below basic category Jacksonville had 49 percent make the cut and 26 percent faltered.
Carlisle was at 51 percent proficient or better and 16 percent below basic. In literacy, the school’s seventh graders were by far the lowest scoring with just 39 percent scoring proficient or advanced. Next was Sylvan Hills and Northwood middle schools, more than 30 points higher at 71 percent proficient or better.
In eighth grade, Ahlf Junior High in Searcy and Lisa Academy North in Sherwood tied for tops in the area in math. Both schools were at 84 percent proficient or advanced In literacy, top honors also went to Ahlf at 90 percent proficient or better, with Cabot Middle School School North at 86 percent. Following close behind was Cabot Middle School South and Lisa Academy North, both at 84 percent proficient or better.
Not doing well were the eighth graders at Jacksonville Middle School, where just 52 percent did well, and Cabot’s Academic Center for Excellence at 56 percent.
What follows is a list of all sixth, seventh and eighth grade scores in the area.
SIXTH GRADE
Sixth graders at Beebe Middle School were 70 percent proficient or advanced in math with seven percent below basic. In literacy, the school was 82 percent proficient or better and three percent below basic.
Searcy’s Southwest Middle School was 81 percent proficient or better in math with five percent below basic. The school was 82 percent proficient or better in literacy with 5 percent below basic.
Out of 140 Lonoke sixth graders, 85 percent of them made the cut, while three percent faltered in math. On the literacy side, it was 88 percent proficient or better with 3 percent below basic.
England Elementary was at 64 percent proficient or better in math while 18 percent were below basic. In literacy, 55 percent made the grade and 9 percent were below basic
Sixth graders in Carlisle were 66 proficient or better in math, with 11 percent below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and 9 percent faltered.
Cabot Middle School South had 86 percent make the cut while 5 percent were below basic. In literacy, 86 percent were proficient or advanced while just one percent was below basic. At Cabot Middle School North, 87 percent did well in math and 3 percent were below basic. The school was 83 percent proficient or better in literacy with 5 percent below basic.
Jacksonville Middle School sixth graders were 51 percent proficient or better in math with 23 percent below basic. In literacy, 40 percent made the cut while 15 percent faltered.
Sylvan Hills was at 61 percent proficient or advanced in math with 16 percent below basic. The school was 65 percent proficient or better in literacy with 6 percent below basic.
Northwood had 69 percent of it students make the grade and 15 percent falter in math. In literacy, 64 percent were proficient or better while 7 percent were below basic.
Lisa Academy North was at 75 percent proficient or advanced in math while 2 percent were below basic. In literacy, it was 69 percent making the cut while 2 percent faltered.
At Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle, 82 percent of students did well in math and 6 percent scored below basic The school was 66 percent proficient or better in literacy with four percent faltering. At the Flightline Upper Academy, 82 percent did well in math and 6 percent scored below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and there were no students in the below basic category.
SEVENTH GRADE
Beebe Junior High seventh graders were 69 percent proficient or advanced in math, and 12 percent scored below basic. In literacy, the school was 76 percent proficient or better with 4 percent below basic.
At Ahlf Junior High in Searcy 88 percent did well in math and 6 percent faltered. In literacy, 90 percent were proficient or better and 2 percent were below basic.
Lonoke Middle School had 66 percent proficient or better in math and 15 percent below basic. The school was 73 percent proficient or advanced in literacy and 4 percent of the students scored below basic.
At England High School, the seventh graders were 44 percent proficient or better in math, while 26 percent were below basic. In literacy, 76 percent made the grade and 8 percent faltered.
Out of the 57 seventh graders at Carlisle High School, 51 percent made the cut while 16 percent were below basic. In literacy, 74 percent were proficient or better and 4 percent were below basic.
Students at Cabot Junior High South were 72 percent proficient or better in math with 12 percent below basic. In literacy, the school was 81 percent proficient or advanced and 1 percent below basic. At Cabot Junior High North, 72 percent made the cut in math while 10 percent were below basic. In literacy, 82 percent did well and 2 percent faltered.
PCSSD, as a district, had 60 percent of its seventh graders score proficient or advanced in math and 20 percent were below basic. In literacy, 67 percent did well and 8 percent were below basic.
At Jacksonville Middle School, 49 percent were proficient or better and 26 were below basic in math. For literacy, 39 percent made the cut and 18 percent faltered. Sylvan Hills Middle School was 65 percent proficient or better in math with 16 percent scoring below basic. The school had 71 percent make the cut in literacy with 6 percent below basic. Northwood Middle School was 62 percent proficient or better in math, while 19 percent were below basic. In literacy, 71 percent did well, while 8 percent faltered.
Lisa Academy North had 74 percent score proficient or advanced in math with 6 percent in the below basic range. In literacy, 86 percent of the students did well and none were in the below basic category
At Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle the students were 74 percent proficient or better in math with 16 percent below basic. In literacy, 72 percent did well while 2 percent were below basic. At the Lighthouse’s Upper Academy, 68 percent did well in math while 14 percent faltered. The school was 78 percent proficient or better in literacy and 6 percent were below basic.
EIGHTH GRADE
Out of 253 students at Beebe Junior High, 69 percent were proficient or advanced in math, while 14 percent were below basic. In literacy, 78 percent of the students did well while just 2 percent were below basic.
At Searcy’s Ahlf Junior High, 84 percent of the students scored proficient or better in math and 6 percent were below basic. The school was 90 percent proficient or better in literacy with 1 percent scoring below basic.
Lonoke Middle School had 75 percent do well in math but 16 percent scored below basic. In literacy, 82 percent were proficient or advanced with 2 percent below basic.
Among the eighth graders at England High School, just 48 percent scored proficient or better on math and 31 percent were in the below basic category. In literacy, 77 percent made the grade while 6 percent faltered.
Carlisle High School had 59 percent of its eighth graders make the cut in math and 15 percent were below basic. For literacy, the school was 77 percent proficient or better with four percent below basic.
At Cabot Junior High South, 72 percent did well in math, but 14 percent were below basic. In literacy, the school was 84 percent proficient or better and 3 percent below basic. Students at Cabot Junior High North were 74 percent proficient or better in math and 12 percent below basic. In literacy, 86 percent did well while just one percent faltered. Out of the 16 students at Cabot’s Academic Center for Excellence, only 25 percent did well in math while 44 percent scored below basic. The school was 56 percent proficient or better in literary and had 6 percent score below basic.
In PCSSD, 52 percent of the students did well in math, while 27 faltered. In literacy, the district had 67 percent score proficient or better and 9 percent were at below basic.
Jacksonville Middle School had 35 percent proficient or advanced in math and 40 percent below basic. In literacy 52 percent were proficient or better and 12 percent faltered. At Sylvan Hills Middle School, 59 percent did well in math and 19 percent were below basic. The school had 70 percent make the grade in literacy and 6 percent below basic. At Northwood Middle School 63 percent were proficient or better in math and 21 percent were below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and 2 percent faltered.
At Lisa Academy North 84 percent of the eighth graders did well in math and four percent were below basic. Likewise, 84 percent made the cut in literacy and two percent scored below basic.
Out of the 50 students at Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle 48 percent scored proficient or better in math, while 40 percent were below basic.
At Jacksonville Light-house’s Upper Academy, students were 61 percent proficient or better in math with 15 percent scoring below basic. In literacy, 82 percent were proficient or advanced with four percent below basic.
Leader staff writer
This is the second in a series of articles examining Benchmark scores at area schools.
Whether it’s larger schools, the challenges of maturity, more distractions or something else, middle school students — sixth, seventh and eighth graders — don’t score as well on the state’s mandated Benchmark math and literacy exams as their younger counterparts.
It seems that their scores dropped an average of 10 points in both math and literacy compared to third, fourth and fifth graders.
Tops in the area among sixth graders in math were both Cabot middle schools and Lonoke Middle School. Cabot Middle School North was 87 percent proficient or advanced, Cabot Middle School South was at 86 percent and Lonoke Middle, just a point behind at 85 percent on the literacy exam, was tops with 88 percent of its sixth graders at proficient or better. Cabot Middle School South was at 86 percent and Cabot Middle School North was at 83 percent.
Required by No Child Left Behind, all Arkansas students, third through eighth grade, are required to take the annual math and literacy exams. All students are supposed to be working at or above grade level by the end of the 2013-2014 school year, meaning scores of proficient or advanced.
At the other end of the spectrum was Jacksonville Middle School where about half, or 51 percent were proficient or advanced and 23 percent were below basic. The school was also at the bottom rung in literacy with just 40 percent making the cut and 15 percent scoring below basic.
Scores of basic means students need some help to accomplish grade level work and a score of below basic means the student needs constant attention to be successful at grade level.
In seventh grade, no one came close to Ahlf Junior High in Searcy where 88 percent of students were proficient or better. A distant second, 14 points behind, were Lisa Academy North in Sherwood and Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle School, both were 74 percent proficient or better. In literacy, Ahlf was the only area school to hit the 90 percent mark proficient or better in literacy. Lisa Academy was at 86 percent.
England, Jacksonville and Carlisle seventh graders were at the bottom of the score in math. England had only 44 percent of its students score proficient or better and 26 percent were in the below basic category Jacksonville had 49 percent make the cut and 26 percent faltered.
Carlisle was at 51 percent proficient or better and 16 percent below basic. In literacy, the school’s seventh graders were by far the lowest scoring with just 39 percent scoring proficient or advanced. Next was Sylvan Hills and Northwood middle schools, more than 30 points higher at 71 percent proficient or better.
In eighth grade, Ahlf Junior High in Searcy and Lisa Academy North in Sherwood tied for tops in the area in math. Both schools were at 84 percent proficient or advanced In literacy, top honors also went to Ahlf at 90 percent proficient or better, with Cabot Middle School School North at 86 percent. Following close behind was Cabot Middle School South and Lisa Academy North, both at 84 percent proficient or better.
Not doing well were the eighth graders at Jacksonville Middle School, where just 52 percent did well, and Cabot’s Academic Center for Excellence at 56 percent.
What follows is a list of all sixth, seventh and eighth grade scores in the area.
SIXTH GRADE
Sixth graders at Beebe Middle School were 70 percent proficient or advanced in math with seven percent below basic. In literacy, the school was 82 percent proficient or better and three percent below basic.
Searcy’s Southwest Middle School was 81 percent proficient or better in math with five percent below basic. The school was 82 percent proficient or better in literacy with 5 percent below basic.
Out of 140 Lonoke sixth graders, 85 percent of them made the cut, while three percent faltered in math. On the literacy side, it was 88 percent proficient or better with 3 percent below basic.
England Elementary was at 64 percent proficient or better in math while 18 percent were below basic. In literacy, 55 percent made the grade and 9 percent were below basic
Sixth graders in Carlisle were 66 proficient or better in math, with 11 percent below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and 9 percent faltered.
Cabot Middle School South had 86 percent make the cut while 5 percent were below basic. In literacy, 86 percent were proficient or advanced while just one percent was below basic. At Cabot Middle School North, 87 percent did well in math and 3 percent were below basic. The school was 83 percent proficient or better in literacy with 5 percent below basic.
Jacksonville Middle School sixth graders were 51 percent proficient or better in math with 23 percent below basic. In literacy, 40 percent made the cut while 15 percent faltered.
Sylvan Hills was at 61 percent proficient or advanced in math with 16 percent below basic. The school was 65 percent proficient or better in literacy with 6 percent below basic.
Northwood had 69 percent of it students make the grade and 15 percent falter in math. In literacy, 64 percent were proficient or better while 7 percent were below basic.
Lisa Academy North was at 75 percent proficient or advanced in math while 2 percent were below basic. In literacy, it was 69 percent making the cut while 2 percent faltered.
At Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle, 82 percent of students did well in math and 6 percent scored below basic The school was 66 percent proficient or better in literacy with four percent faltering. At the Flightline Upper Academy, 82 percent did well in math and 6 percent scored below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and there were no students in the below basic category.
SEVENTH GRADE
Beebe Junior High seventh graders were 69 percent proficient or advanced in math, and 12 percent scored below basic. In literacy, the school was 76 percent proficient or better with 4 percent below basic.
At Ahlf Junior High in Searcy 88 percent did well in math and 6 percent faltered. In literacy, 90 percent were proficient or better and 2 percent were below basic.
Lonoke Middle School had 66 percent proficient or better in math and 15 percent below basic. The school was 73 percent proficient or advanced in literacy and 4 percent of the students scored below basic.
At England High School, the seventh graders were 44 percent proficient or better in math, while 26 percent were below basic. In literacy, 76 percent made the grade and 8 percent faltered.
Out of the 57 seventh graders at Carlisle High School, 51 percent made the cut while 16 percent were below basic. In literacy, 74 percent were proficient or better and 4 percent were below basic.
Students at Cabot Junior High South were 72 percent proficient or better in math with 12 percent below basic. In literacy, the school was 81 percent proficient or advanced and 1 percent below basic. At Cabot Junior High North, 72 percent made the cut in math while 10 percent were below basic. In literacy, 82 percent did well and 2 percent faltered.
PCSSD, as a district, had 60 percent of its seventh graders score proficient or advanced in math and 20 percent were below basic. In literacy, 67 percent did well and 8 percent were below basic.
At Jacksonville Middle School, 49 percent were proficient or better and 26 were below basic in math. For literacy, 39 percent made the cut and 18 percent faltered. Sylvan Hills Middle School was 65 percent proficient or better in math with 16 percent scoring below basic. The school had 71 percent make the cut in literacy with 6 percent below basic. Northwood Middle School was 62 percent proficient or better in math, while 19 percent were below basic. In literacy, 71 percent did well, while 8 percent faltered.
Lisa Academy North had 74 percent score proficient or advanced in math with 6 percent in the below basic range. In literacy, 86 percent of the students did well and none were in the below basic category
At Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle the students were 74 percent proficient or better in math with 16 percent below basic. In literacy, 72 percent did well while 2 percent were below basic. At the Lighthouse’s Upper Academy, 68 percent did well in math while 14 percent faltered. The school was 78 percent proficient or better in literacy and 6 percent were below basic.
EIGHTH GRADE
Out of 253 students at Beebe Junior High, 69 percent were proficient or advanced in math, while 14 percent were below basic. In literacy, 78 percent of the students did well while just 2 percent were below basic.
At Searcy’s Ahlf Junior High, 84 percent of the students scored proficient or better in math and 6 percent were below basic. The school was 90 percent proficient or better in literacy with 1 percent scoring below basic.
Lonoke Middle School had 75 percent do well in math but 16 percent scored below basic. In literacy, 82 percent were proficient or advanced with 2 percent below basic.
Among the eighth graders at England High School, just 48 percent scored proficient or better on math and 31 percent were in the below basic category. In literacy, 77 percent made the grade while 6 percent faltered.
Carlisle High School had 59 percent of its eighth graders make the cut in math and 15 percent were below basic. For literacy, the school was 77 percent proficient or better with four percent below basic.
At Cabot Junior High South, 72 percent did well in math, but 14 percent were below basic. In literacy, the school was 84 percent proficient or better and 3 percent below basic. Students at Cabot Junior High North were 74 percent proficient or better in math and 12 percent below basic. In literacy, 86 percent did well while just one percent faltered. Out of the 16 students at Cabot’s Academic Center for Excellence, only 25 percent did well in math while 44 percent scored below basic. The school was 56 percent proficient or better in literary and had 6 percent score below basic.
In PCSSD, 52 percent of the students did well in math, while 27 faltered. In literacy, the district had 67 percent score proficient or better and 9 percent were at below basic.
Jacksonville Middle School had 35 percent proficient or advanced in math and 40 percent below basic. In literacy 52 percent were proficient or better and 12 percent faltered. At Sylvan Hills Middle School, 59 percent did well in math and 19 percent were below basic. The school had 70 percent make the grade in literacy and 6 percent below basic. At Northwood Middle School 63 percent were proficient or better in math and 21 percent were below basic. In literacy, 77 percent did well and 2 percent faltered.
At Lisa Academy North 84 percent of the eighth graders did well in math and four percent were below basic. Likewise, 84 percent made the cut in literacy and two percent scored below basic.
Out of the 50 students at Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter Middle 48 percent scored proficient or better in math, while 40 percent were below basic.
At Jacksonville Light-house’s Upper Academy, students were 61 percent proficient or better in math with 15 percent scoring below basic. In literacy, 82 percent were proficient or advanced with four percent below basic.
Friday, August 16, 2013
EDITORIAL >> Angel sent from above
I think people need miracles like the one that seemed to have taken place in New London, Missouri.
I was so struck by the story that it occurred to me the fire chief who talked to the big news agencies might also talk to me. I’m a reporter too and I would have loved hearing from his mouth the story of the priest who came out of nowhere to pray with the young woman trapped in her car only to disappear before they could thank him for making their equipment operate properly.
I briefly wondered why they didn’t immediately reach out for him to come forward and identify himself as the flesh and blood man he turned out to be. But I think I know why it took more than a week. They wanted him to be the angel they believed him to be. I did too.
But miracles come in many forms and most it seems are wrought by mortals such as Rev. Patrick Dowling who prayed for Katie Lentz’s leg to stop hurting and for her soul on that highway in Missouri but gives credit to the emergency workers for saving her life.
It was almost 25 years ago that my niece was killed by a drunk driver as she was coming home from grocery shopping. It was the day after her two-year-old daughter’s birthday and she was planning a party for the weekend. A two-year-old doesn’t really care if the party is off by a day or two.
It happened on a hill on Hwy. 5 just a couple of miles out of Rose Bud, very near the spot where my sister put up the big blue sign warning others about the danger of drinking and driving. The man who hit her had been drinking heavily since he left the Little Rock area. As I recall, he ran a couple of cars off the road before hitting my niece’s pickup head-on.
Ordinarily, the baby would have been in her car seat. But she had fallen asleep and my niece laid her in the seat. The impact of the crash knocked her to the floorboard. She rolled under the dash and the groceries that fell on top of her helped protect her from the flames that flashed into the cab and melted the headliner above where she should have been sitting.
The state was resurfacing the road and one man who came to help said the crash was so loud that he thought two dump trucks had run together. The impact locked the two pickups together at the bumpers. Several men tried to get them apart without success. The man’s pickup was on fire and the rescuers feared my niece’s would explode. Apparently it was obvious to them that my niece and the man were both dead. But they could hear the baby crying.
They put out the fire with water from a garden hose that was nearby, the only one on the road. And then a young man drove up, hooked a chain to my niece’s bumper, jerked the trucks apart and drove away.
No one knew him and he didn’t stay around for introductions.
The baby survived with a broken leg and arm that healed. She’s married now and expecting a baby of her own.
In my mind, her survival was a miracle aided by the hands of the men who stopped to help. But that young man whom no one knew, maybe he was more than a man. At least I’ve always wanted to believe he was. – Joan McCoy
I was so struck by the story that it occurred to me the fire chief who talked to the big news agencies might also talk to me. I’m a reporter too and I would have loved hearing from his mouth the story of the priest who came out of nowhere to pray with the young woman trapped in her car only to disappear before they could thank him for making their equipment operate properly.
I briefly wondered why they didn’t immediately reach out for him to come forward and identify himself as the flesh and blood man he turned out to be. But I think I know why it took more than a week. They wanted him to be the angel they believed him to be. I did too.
But miracles come in many forms and most it seems are wrought by mortals such as Rev. Patrick Dowling who prayed for Katie Lentz’s leg to stop hurting and for her soul on that highway in Missouri but gives credit to the emergency workers for saving her life.
It was almost 25 years ago that my niece was killed by a drunk driver as she was coming home from grocery shopping. It was the day after her two-year-old daughter’s birthday and she was planning a party for the weekend. A two-year-old doesn’t really care if the party is off by a day or two.
It happened on a hill on Hwy. 5 just a couple of miles out of Rose Bud, very near the spot where my sister put up the big blue sign warning others about the danger of drinking and driving. The man who hit her had been drinking heavily since he left the Little Rock area. As I recall, he ran a couple of cars off the road before hitting my niece’s pickup head-on.
Ordinarily, the baby would have been in her car seat. But she had fallen asleep and my niece laid her in the seat. The impact of the crash knocked her to the floorboard. She rolled under the dash and the groceries that fell on top of her helped protect her from the flames that flashed into the cab and melted the headliner above where she should have been sitting.
The state was resurfacing the road and one man who came to help said the crash was so loud that he thought two dump trucks had run together. The impact locked the two pickups together at the bumpers. Several men tried to get them apart without success. The man’s pickup was on fire and the rescuers feared my niece’s would explode. Apparently it was obvious to them that my niece and the man were both dead. But they could hear the baby crying.
They put out the fire with water from a garden hose that was nearby, the only one on the road. And then a young man drove up, hooked a chain to my niece’s bumper, jerked the trucks apart and drove away.
No one knew him and he didn’t stay around for introductions.
The baby survived with a broken leg and arm that healed. She’s married now and expecting a baby of her own.
In my mind, her survival was a miracle aided by the hands of the men who stopped to help. But that young man whom no one knew, maybe he was more than a man. At least I’ve always wanted to believe he was. – Joan McCoy
TOP STORY >> Panel to visit Jacksonville VA home site
By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
A 22-member task force that will recommend whether or not Jacksonville is selected as the site for a new veterans’ home will visit the proposed location at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Alderman Mary Twitty asked at Thursday night’s council meeting for volunteers to show up at about 10 a.m. to place flags on the site.
The city of Jacksonville sent in a proposal under the flag of the chamber of commerce offering the state about 60 acres of land at General Samuels and Swift roads.
Jacksonville, along with Benton, Fort Smith and Russellville, made the cut from 61 properties offered to the state for the $25 million facility.
The state has applied for a federal $18.1 million matching grant to construct the facility, while Arkansas lawmakers have agreed to use $7.5 million in surplus funds to match the grant.
The state has only one veterans’ home in the state and that’s in Fayetteville and can hold up to 100 residents. The state’s other home, in Little Rock, was closed more than a year ago because of abuse and mismanagement.
Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock), head of the Veterans’ Home Task Force, said the group would visit Fort Smith (Fort Chaffee) and Benton on Monday and then Jacksonville and Russellville on Wednesday. A decision, she said, will be made by the end of the month and forwarded to the legislature for final consideration.
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, drumming up support for the task force to pick Jacksonville, issued a proclamation pledging “its full support with the city of Jacksonville to cooperate with the Arkansas Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Legislative Veterans’ Task Force to initiate action to implement this project.”
The chamber, in its resolution, cited the fact that the city raised $5 million to help construct the $14 million University Education Center that now houses six colleges under one roof and is located on military property at the intersection of Hwy. 67/167 and Vandenberg Boulevard. The chamber said the community also assisted with the establishment of Flightline Academy, a charter school on base, to enhance educational opportunities there.
The Cabot Chamber of Commerce also issued a statement supporting Jacksonville as the site to pick.
English said the task force has to treat building the veterans’ home like a business rather than just an emotional project because legislators want it to be sustainable.
A three-member task force committee narrowed down the choices earlier this month. English said they worked individually, independently of each other, and each came up with the same four choices.
The criteria for the site specify it must be at least 20 acres of level land zoned for residential or light commercial use, have utilities, easy public access and be near motels, hospitals, restaurants, shopping and public transportation. The task force would also prefer it to be undeveloped and free.
In all four proposals, the land site will be donated to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs to build the facility, which could house about 100 veterans.
“We are very excited,” Mayor Gary Fletcher said. “We are the perfect fit. I feel we have an exceptional place that exceeds what the VA wants,” he added.
Amy Mattison, who heads the chamber of commerce, said Tuesday, “We are a strong military town. Look at Little Rock Air Force Base, look at the joint-education center, this will complete the circle.”
The Jacksonville parcel is close to the air base, the hospitals, shopping and eateries. The Jacksonville site is mostly timberland, and at one time was home to a chemical faculty. It does have utilities and North Metro Medical Center is just a mile away.
The mayor said the city-chamber proposal to donate the land is the right thing to do. “We did it in 1954 to bring in Little Rock Air Force Base and would like to have history repeat itself,” he said.
Fletcher said, “We think we’ve got the best site. It’s a very centralized location with easy access. I can’t think of a better place.”
Leader staff writer
A 22-member task force that will recommend whether or not Jacksonville is selected as the site for a new veterans’ home will visit the proposed location at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Alderman Mary Twitty asked at Thursday night’s council meeting for volunteers to show up at about 10 a.m. to place flags on the site.
The city of Jacksonville sent in a proposal under the flag of the chamber of commerce offering the state about 60 acres of land at General Samuels and Swift roads.
Jacksonville, along with Benton, Fort Smith and Russellville, made the cut from 61 properties offered to the state for the $25 million facility.
The state has applied for a federal $18.1 million matching grant to construct the facility, while Arkansas lawmakers have agreed to use $7.5 million in surplus funds to match the grant.
The state has only one veterans’ home in the state and that’s in Fayetteville and can hold up to 100 residents. The state’s other home, in Little Rock, was closed more than a year ago because of abuse and mismanagement.
Sen. Jane English (R-North Little Rock), head of the Veterans’ Home Task Force, said the group would visit Fort Smith (Fort Chaffee) and Benton on Monday and then Jacksonville and Russellville on Wednesday. A decision, she said, will be made by the end of the month and forwarded to the legislature for final consideration.
The Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, drumming up support for the task force to pick Jacksonville, issued a proclamation pledging “its full support with the city of Jacksonville to cooperate with the Arkansas Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Legislative Veterans’ Task Force to initiate action to implement this project.”
The chamber, in its resolution, cited the fact that the city raised $5 million to help construct the $14 million University Education Center that now houses six colleges under one roof and is located on military property at the intersection of Hwy. 67/167 and Vandenberg Boulevard. The chamber said the community also assisted with the establishment of Flightline Academy, a charter school on base, to enhance educational opportunities there.
The Cabot Chamber of Commerce also issued a statement supporting Jacksonville as the site to pick.
English said the task force has to treat building the veterans’ home like a business rather than just an emotional project because legislators want it to be sustainable.
A three-member task force committee narrowed down the choices earlier this month. English said they worked individually, independently of each other, and each came up with the same four choices.
The criteria for the site specify it must be at least 20 acres of level land zoned for residential or light commercial use, have utilities, easy public access and be near motels, hospitals, restaurants, shopping and public transportation. The task force would also prefer it to be undeveloped and free.
In all four proposals, the land site will be donated to the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs to build the facility, which could house about 100 veterans.
“We are very excited,” Mayor Gary Fletcher said. “We are the perfect fit. I feel we have an exceptional place that exceeds what the VA wants,” he added.
Amy Mattison, who heads the chamber of commerce, said Tuesday, “We are a strong military town. Look at Little Rock Air Force Base, look at the joint-education center, this will complete the circle.”
The Jacksonville parcel is close to the air base, the hospitals, shopping and eateries. The Jacksonville site is mostly timberland, and at one time was home to a chemical faculty. It does have utilities and North Metro Medical Center is just a mile away.
The mayor said the city-chamber proposal to donate the land is the right thing to do. “We did it in 1954 to bring in Little Rock Air Force Base and would like to have history repeat itself,” he said.
Fletcher said, “We think we’ve got the best site. It’s a very centralized location with easy access. I can’t think of a better place.”
SPORTS STORY >> Red Devils’ roster growing
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The second week of Jacksonville football practice saw a steady work rate and a slow increase in numbers. The Red Devils practiced with an average of 45 players the first week, but have been up to 52 most days in week two. More good news is that no further losses were incurred to eligibility or injury. Jacksonville has done full contact drills and scrimmaging, but is taking it lighter this year in preseason after suffering critical injuries last preseason and even in 7-on-7 action this summer.
“It’s been steady,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “We still haven’t reached what I think will be our full roster. That’s a little disappointing this late but we’ve got a lot of kids with jobs. We’re not in a situation here like some places where the kids don’t have to work. If these kids want anything they have to earn it. That mentality can actually be helpful in a way. But we’ve got our core group in here working and they’re getting better.”
Senior Nykel Worthen, who has the giant task of replacing current Arkansas Razorback Kevin Richardson at free safety, is one of the players’ with a job. He arrived early on Thursday to flip tractor tires for missing Wednesday’s practice for work. Worthen indicates confidence is high heading into the upcoming season.
“Everybody’s just ready to go,” said Worthen. “We can’t wait for that first game. We’ve been practicing a long time and doing a lot of stuff in the summer. I think we’re looking pretty good.”
While confidence is high, Worthen says the team understands the coaches’ message that there is still plenty of work to do.
“We can always get better,” Worthen said. “The team has been good about keeping people from loafing and keeping that intensity up. I think it’s going to be a great year.”
The team will play its annual preseason Red-White game on Saturday, Aug. 24 before heading to Cabot for the season opener at Panther Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
Leader sports editor
The second week of Jacksonville football practice saw a steady work rate and a slow increase in numbers. The Red Devils practiced with an average of 45 players the first week, but have been up to 52 most days in week two. More good news is that no further losses were incurred to eligibility or injury. Jacksonville has done full contact drills and scrimmaging, but is taking it lighter this year in preseason after suffering critical injuries last preseason and even in 7-on-7 action this summer.
“It’s been steady,” said Jacksonville coach Rick Russell. “We still haven’t reached what I think will be our full roster. That’s a little disappointing this late but we’ve got a lot of kids with jobs. We’re not in a situation here like some places where the kids don’t have to work. If these kids want anything they have to earn it. That mentality can actually be helpful in a way. But we’ve got our core group in here working and they’re getting better.”
Senior Nykel Worthen, who has the giant task of replacing current Arkansas Razorback Kevin Richardson at free safety, is one of the players’ with a job. He arrived early on Thursday to flip tractor tires for missing Wednesday’s practice for work. Worthen indicates confidence is high heading into the upcoming season.
“Everybody’s just ready to go,” said Worthen. “We can’t wait for that first game. We’ve been practicing a long time and doing a lot of stuff in the summer. I think we’re looking pretty good.”
While confidence is high, Worthen says the team understands the coaches’ message that there is still plenty of work to do.
“We can always get better,” Worthen said. “The team has been good about keeping people from loafing and keeping that intensity up. I think it’s going to be a great year.”
The team will play its annual preseason Red-White game on Saturday, Aug. 24 before heading to Cabot for the season opener at Panther Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 3.
SPORTS STORY >> Sylvan Hills wins, scores a bit high
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills’ golf team hosted its home opener at The Greens at North Hills on Thursday, and two home-team golfers took first place against competitors from North Pulaski and Mills. Garrett McKibbon won the boys’ nine-hole match with a round of 48, while Ashton Williams won the girls’ event with a 62.
Scores were not as good as the Bears’ first match. The same three teams plus Jacksonville competed last week at North Pulaski’s home course, Stone Links. The wooded Sherwood course is drastically different from the links course in Scott, and scores reflected it.
“The Greens is just a very tight course and the kids didn’t adjust to it very well today,” said Sylvan Hills coach Greg Frantal. “That comes with experience. If you don’t keep it straight, you’re going to be in trouble on this course.”
The greens were also faster than last week, which also gave players some trouble. For years The Greens at North Hills featured bentgrass greens before it closed as a private club. After being bought by the city of Sherwood and reopened as a public course, it now has Bermuda grass greens.
“The greens are lightning fast and unforgiving,” Frantal said. “That’s something else the kids will have to adjust to. It’s just going to take playing some rounds out there and figuring things out.”
Race Rogers of Mills finished second in the boys division with a 52 while Sylvan Hills David Talcott shot a 53 for third place.
North Pulaski’s Jessica Erwin shot a 66 for second place in the girls while Bailey Jabara of Sylvan Hills shot a 72.
“Obviously those aren’t the scores you’re looking for in a nine-hole round,” Frantal said. “We just started so I think they’ll get a lot better. They have to learn you can’t just power through everything here like they were doing out at Stone Links. They’re going to have to give up some yardage and keep it in the fairway. Just hit it straight. That’s the key at this course.”
Sylvan Hills’ next match will be Thursday at Country Club of Arkansas in Maumelle, hosted by Central Arkansas Christian.
Leader sports editor
Sylvan Hills’ golf team hosted its home opener at The Greens at North Hills on Thursday, and two home-team golfers took first place against competitors from North Pulaski and Mills. Garrett McKibbon won the boys’ nine-hole match with a round of 48, while Ashton Williams won the girls’ event with a 62.
Scores were not as good as the Bears’ first match. The same three teams plus Jacksonville competed last week at North Pulaski’s home course, Stone Links. The wooded Sherwood course is drastically different from the links course in Scott, and scores reflected it.
“The Greens is just a very tight course and the kids didn’t adjust to it very well today,” said Sylvan Hills coach Greg Frantal. “That comes with experience. If you don’t keep it straight, you’re going to be in trouble on this course.”
The greens were also faster than last week, which also gave players some trouble. For years The Greens at North Hills featured bentgrass greens before it closed as a private club. After being bought by the city of Sherwood and reopened as a public course, it now has Bermuda grass greens.
“The greens are lightning fast and unforgiving,” Frantal said. “That’s something else the kids will have to adjust to. It’s just going to take playing some rounds out there and figuring things out.”
Race Rogers of Mills finished second in the boys division with a 52 while Sylvan Hills David Talcott shot a 53 for third place.
North Pulaski’s Jessica Erwin shot a 66 for second place in the girls while Bailey Jabara of Sylvan Hills shot a 72.
“Obviously those aren’t the scores you’re looking for in a nine-hole round,” Frantal said. “We just started so I think they’ll get a lot better. They have to learn you can’t just power through everything here like they were doing out at Stone Links. They’re going to have to give up some yardage and keep it in the fairway. Just hit it straight. That’s the key at this course.”
Sylvan Hills’ next match will be Thursday at Country Club of Arkansas in Maumelle, hosted by Central Arkansas Christian.
SPORTS STORY >> Beagling comes to area with field trial
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
A beagle field trial will be held between the Bayou Meto area and Mayflower next month. The Ark-La-Miss beagling club is holding a Beagle Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 21 that is free of charge and open to anyone with an AKC registered beagle.
The event is a tune-up for the official American Kennel Club two-day field trial at the same location that will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-24.
Club president John Hankins of Cabot helped get the Ark-La-Miss club started again earlier this year in central Arkansas. The club existed for years in Eudora before disbanding several years ago. Hankins and a few others, including David Bounds, a beagle breeder in Cabot, re-established the group in March.
“I just love doing it and I got to wishing we still had the club, so we just decided to start it back up around here,” Hankins said. “It’s just a labor of love. It costs about $1,200 to host an offical AKC field trial, and that’s just about what we got. We’ll start over trying to raise a little bit so we can have another next year.”
A field trial consists of four divisions and that’s how the Fun Run next month will be set up. There are male and female divisions for 13- and 15-inch beagles. Rabbitsare not tame and turned loose for competition, wild rabbits are sniffed out and run by the dogs, and are not shot or captured by owners.
“It’s not a rabbit hunt,” Hankins said. “We don’t kill anything. We’re just following the dogs. There are judges out there watching to see which dog is doing the best. It’s just a whole lot of fun watching them do what they were made to do and seeing all those instincts kick in. You will quit rabbit hunting if you start beagling-–it’s so much fun.”
The Fun Run begins at 6:30 a.m. and there will be a cookout at lunch time for all the participants. The Ark-La-Miss kennel is located at 331 Clinton Road, Mayflower. It is located on the Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area.
The club holds its monthly meetings at Western Sizzlin’ in Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be in October as club members will spend September’s meeting at the kennel preparing for the Fun Run.
Anyone interested in participating in the free Fun Run can contact Hankins at 501-681-7290.
Leader sports editor
A beagle field trial will be held between the Bayou Meto area and Mayflower next month. The Ark-La-Miss beagling club is holding a Beagle Fun Run on Saturday, Sept. 21 that is free of charge and open to anyone with an AKC registered beagle.
The event is a tune-up for the official American Kennel Club two-day field trial at the same location that will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 23-24.
Club president John Hankins of Cabot helped get the Ark-La-Miss club started again earlier this year in central Arkansas. The club existed for years in Eudora before disbanding several years ago. Hankins and a few others, including David Bounds, a beagle breeder in Cabot, re-established the group in March.
“I just love doing it and I got to wishing we still had the club, so we just decided to start it back up around here,” Hankins said. “It’s just a labor of love. It costs about $1,200 to host an offical AKC field trial, and that’s just about what we got. We’ll start over trying to raise a little bit so we can have another next year.”
A field trial consists of four divisions and that’s how the Fun Run next month will be set up. There are male and female divisions for 13- and 15-inch beagles. Rabbitsare not tame and turned loose for competition, wild rabbits are sniffed out and run by the dogs, and are not shot or captured by owners.
“It’s not a rabbit hunt,” Hankins said. “We don’t kill anything. We’re just following the dogs. There are judges out there watching to see which dog is doing the best. It’s just a whole lot of fun watching them do what they were made to do and seeing all those instincts kick in. You will quit rabbit hunting if you start beagling-–it’s so much fun.”
The Fun Run begins at 6:30 a.m. and there will be a cookout at lunch time for all the participants. The Ark-La-Miss kennel is located at 331 Clinton Road, Mayflower. It is located on the Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area.
The club holds its monthly meetings at Western Sizzlin’ in Jacksonville at 7:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next meeting will be in October as club members will spend September’s meeting at the kennel preparing for the Fun Run.
Anyone interested in participating in the free Fun Run can contact Hankins at 501-681-7290.
SPORTS STORY >> Panther golf full of potential
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The Cabot golf team returns a lot of players from last year, but is still fairly young with plenty of depth. The Panthers have a dozen or more players on the boys and girls teams and Cabot coach Ronnie Tollett is using the early matches as an opportunity to evaluate as many players as he can in the short season.
Only five players can play in a given match, with the top four scores tallied for the team score. Tollett has taken a different five to the first two matches, and everyone who hadn’t played yet to the third and most recent match at Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs.
“We have a couple of players that have played pretty well,” Tollett said. “We’ve got some young kids who didn’t play a lot of varsity this year who are trying to make a place for themselves. You can only take five to the conference tournament, so we’re trying to get a good look at all of them.”
Drake Oats is a junior who has played in the conference meet since his freshman year, and turned in a good score in his one match so far. Junior Joseph Denomie also played in state as a freshman, and Hayden Russell draws praise from Tollett for the improvement he’s shown since last season.
“Hayden has improved his game quite a bit and is probably our most-improved player,” Tollett said. “In two matches so far, he’s had one bad hole in each one or he’d be down there in the medalist range. He shot a 77 at North Little Rock, and took a 9 on a par 4. Butthat’s what this early stuff is about. We’ve got quite a bit of competition for our five spots.”
Senior Marlena Weatherly returns as the most experienced and consistent player on the girls team. Tollett is hesitant to single out anyone else as a top performer for the girls.
“The other four spots are very closely contested by all the other girls,” Tollett said. “Marlena is the most consistent at this point. She’s been in the top five in two of the tournaments. In a one-day match, one hole can be the difference in a big way as far as places. Every player is looking for that consistency and that’s what these early matches are about.”
Though the head Panther was reluctant to name very many leaders this early, he does see potential in the whole team.
“From my end, I’m expecting lots of improvement,” Tollett said.
“We have a number of players in boys and girls that are competing for consideration for district and state. We just need to see some more consistency. It’s a lifetime sport and it’s a game you learn in phases. You have to learn to get off the tee box, then you have to learn to play the fairways, and you learn the short game and then you learn to putt. It doesn’t come all at one time. So nothing is really set. Their performances are going to determine those spots and we have several that are very capable.”
Leader sports editor
The Cabot golf team returns a lot of players from last year, but is still fairly young with plenty of depth. The Panthers have a dozen or more players on the boys and girls teams and Cabot coach Ronnie Tollett is using the early matches as an opportunity to evaluate as many players as he can in the short season.
Only five players can play in a given match, with the top four scores tallied for the team score. Tollett has taken a different five to the first two matches, and everyone who hadn’t played yet to the third and most recent match at Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs.
“We have a couple of players that have played pretty well,” Tollett said. “We’ve got some young kids who didn’t play a lot of varsity this year who are trying to make a place for themselves. You can only take five to the conference tournament, so we’re trying to get a good look at all of them.”
Drake Oats is a junior who has played in the conference meet since his freshman year, and turned in a good score in his one match so far. Junior Joseph Denomie also played in state as a freshman, and Hayden Russell draws praise from Tollett for the improvement he’s shown since last season.
“Hayden has improved his game quite a bit and is probably our most-improved player,” Tollett said. “In two matches so far, he’s had one bad hole in each one or he’d be down there in the medalist range. He shot a 77 at North Little Rock, and took a 9 on a par 4. Butthat’s what this early stuff is about. We’ve got quite a bit of competition for our five spots.”
Senior Marlena Weatherly returns as the most experienced and consistent player on the girls team. Tollett is hesitant to single out anyone else as a top performer for the girls.
“The other four spots are very closely contested by all the other girls,” Tollett said. “Marlena is the most consistent at this point. She’s been in the top five in two of the tournaments. In a one-day match, one hole can be the difference in a big way as far as places. Every player is looking for that consistency and that’s what these early matches are about.”
Though the head Panther was reluctant to name very many leaders this early, he does see potential in the whole team.
“From my end, I’m expecting lots of improvement,” Tollett said.
“We have a number of players in boys and girls that are competing for consideration for district and state. We just need to see some more consistency. It’s a lifetime sport and it’s a game you learn in phases. You have to learn to get off the tee box, then you have to learn to play the fairways, and you learn the short game and then you learn to putt. It doesn’t come all at one time. So nothing is really set. Their performances are going to determine those spots and we have several that are very capable.”
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
EVENTS>>8-14-2013
GROUP WILL OFFER KIDS’ ID PROGRAM
The Jacksonville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association will hold a free children’s identification event at Walmart on John Harden Drive from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to educate residents about the importance of having up-to-date information about their children to provide to police in case of an emergency.
The group’s members have been trained by the Arkansas State Police to fingerprint kids. They will also give instructions and identification kits for parents or guardians.
The event will also include a fundraiser for the Jacksonville Police Department’s K-9 unit, which is seeking a replacement for Roby, a longtime member and department asset that will soon be retired after years of dedicated service. Some K-9 unit handlers, along with their canines, will be on hand to meet and greet residents and their children.
Call Barbie Mellinger at 501-256-4487 for more information.
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH FEATURES DURON BROTHERS
The Duron Brothers will perform at Cabot Assembly of God’s back-to-school bash at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Singer Dez Duron, one of three brothers, placed eighth among top finishers on the television show The Voice. He will be joined by his brothers, David Dee Duron and Denny Rodney Duron, in gospel and spiritual singing.
Pastor Danny Duvall said Sunday’s event is designed for Cabot and other area youth. He described the Duron Brothers as role models, athletes and musicians. Dez, he said, scored more touchdowns than any quarterback in Lousiana history when he played for Evangel Christian Academy.
The church is at 2100 N. Second St.
PINEWOOD SEEKS DADS FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Pinewood Elementary School and The Black Star Project are sponsoring a Million Father March this school year.
On the first day of school in more than 600 cities across America, men will take children to school to help keep them safe and to help them become better students.
Men and women of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds are invited to participate. In the Pulaski County Special School District, school begins on Aug. 19.
For more information, call 501-982-7571.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETING THIRD SATURDAYS
The Caring Hearts grief and loss support group meets the third Saturday of each month. The next meeting is 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Christian Church in Jacksonville.
The church is at 200 E. Martin St.
Individual sessions can be scheduled by calling Steve Summers at 870-710-1508.
GOSPEL GROUPS WILL PERFORM IN McRAE AUG. 24
The Bull Creek Band and Hickory Hill Bluegrass Gospel will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at McRae First Baptist Church, 703 E. Second St. A love offering will be taken for Ted Holt to help with medical-related expenses for his surgery that has temporarily rendered him unable to work.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT AT EVANGELISTIC MINISTRIES
H.O.P.E.’s (Helping Out People Everywhere) will hold its annual Community Back to School Summit from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday in the Evangelistic Ministries Church parking lot, 101 N. Elm St. in Jacksonville. The event features free food, entertainment, free back-to-school supplies and school uniforms.
DONOATIONS WANTED FOR ‘BARKING LOT SALE’ SEPT. 14
The Jacksonville Animal Shelter at 217 S. Redmond Road is still accepting donations for its barking lot sale fundraiser that will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at the shelter.
There will also be a dog wash that day to benefit the shelter and an adopt-a-thon from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
FISH FRY ON AUG. 23 FOR MEN'S MINISTRY
The Men’s Ministry of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cabot will host a Men’s Fellowship Fish Fry at 6:30 p.m Saturday, Aug. 23 in the church’s fellowship hall.
The meal will be catered by N & N Family Restaurant of Cabot. Roy Thompson will speak.
There will be a lot of door prizes. Tickets are $10 per person and are available by calling 501-988-4989, 866-212-7874 or e-mailing zhbc@centurytel.net.
The church is on Zion Hill Road near Hwys. 89 and 107, about seven miles west of Cabot.
‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ WILL BE PERFORMED IN CABOT
Cabot Community Theatre will kickoff its 2013-14 season with “Steel Magnolias” Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6.
Reservations are required and may be made starting on Aug. 26.
Actresses include Autumn Watson, Larrissa Kohler, Shann Nobles, Scarlett McLain, Cecelia Wilson and Kathy Whitt.
The Jacksonville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association will hold a free children’s identification event at Walmart on John Harden Drive from noon until 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday to educate residents about the importance of having up-to-date information about their children to provide to police in case of an emergency.
The group’s members have been trained by the Arkansas State Police to fingerprint kids. They will also give instructions and identification kits for parents or guardians.
The event will also include a fundraiser for the Jacksonville Police Department’s K-9 unit, which is seeking a replacement for Roby, a longtime member and department asset that will soon be retired after years of dedicated service. Some K-9 unit handlers, along with their canines, will be on hand to meet and greet residents and their children.
Call Barbie Mellinger at 501-256-4487 for more information.
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH FEATURES DURON BROTHERS
The Duron Brothers will perform at Cabot Assembly of God’s back-to-school bash at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Singer Dez Duron, one of three brothers, placed eighth among top finishers on the television show The Voice. He will be joined by his brothers, David Dee Duron and Denny Rodney Duron, in gospel and spiritual singing.
Pastor Danny Duvall said Sunday’s event is designed for Cabot and other area youth. He described the Duron Brothers as role models, athletes and musicians. Dez, he said, scored more touchdowns than any quarterback in Lousiana history when he played for Evangel Christian Academy.
The church is at 2100 N. Second St.
PINEWOOD SEEKS DADS FOR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Pinewood Elementary School and The Black Star Project are sponsoring a Million Father March this school year.
On the first day of school in more than 600 cities across America, men will take children to school to help keep them safe and to help them become better students.
Men and women of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds are invited to participate. In the Pulaski County Special School District, school begins on Aug. 19.
For more information, call 501-982-7571.
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP MEETING THIRD SATURDAYS
The Caring Hearts grief and loss support group meets the third Saturday of each month. The next meeting is 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Christian Church in Jacksonville.
The church is at 200 E. Martin St.
Individual sessions can be scheduled by calling Steve Summers at 870-710-1508.
GOSPEL GROUPS WILL PERFORM IN McRAE AUG. 24
The Bull Creek Band and Hickory Hill Bluegrass Gospel will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at McRae First Baptist Church, 703 E. Second St. A love offering will be taken for Ted Holt to help with medical-related expenses for his surgery that has temporarily rendered him unable to work.
BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT AT EVANGELISTIC MINISTRIES
H.O.P.E.’s (Helping Out People Everywhere) will hold its annual Community Back to School Summit from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday in the Evangelistic Ministries Church parking lot, 101 N. Elm St. in Jacksonville. The event features free food, entertainment, free back-to-school supplies and school uniforms.
DONOATIONS WANTED FOR ‘BARKING LOT SALE’ SEPT. 14
The Jacksonville Animal Shelter at 217 S. Redmond Road is still accepting donations for its barking lot sale fundraiser that will be held at 7 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14 at the shelter.
There will also be a dog wash that day to benefit the shelter and an adopt-a-thon from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
FISH FRY ON AUG. 23 FOR MEN'S MINISTRY
The Men’s Ministry of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Cabot will host a Men’s Fellowship Fish Fry at 6:30 p.m Saturday, Aug. 23 in the church’s fellowship hall.
The meal will be catered by N & N Family Restaurant of Cabot. Roy Thompson will speak.
There will be a lot of door prizes. Tickets are $10 per person and are available by calling 501-988-4989, 866-212-7874 or e-mailing zhbc@centurytel.net.
The church is on Zion Hill Road near Hwys. 89 and 107, about seven miles west of Cabot.
‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’ WILL BE PERFORMED IN CABOT
Cabot Community Theatre will kickoff its 2013-14 season with “Steel Magnolias” Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6.
Reservations are required and may be made starting on Aug. 26.
Actresses include Autumn Watson, Larrissa Kohler, Shann Nobles, Scarlett McLain, Cecelia Wilson and Kathy Whitt.
EDITORIAL>>Give credit where due
Recent Benchmark scores showed some of our schools are scoring advanced or approaching advanced and it showed others located at the opposite end of the spectrum.
Both need to be examined. Schools with good scores needed to be applauded for their performance and then observed or questioned as to what they are doing right and can that “rightness” be modeled by those schools in need.
Every year students from the third grade through the eighth must take the state-required Benchmark exams in math and literacy. Students in fifth and seventh grades also take an additional science test. The scores are used to determine whether a students is doing well or not, if a teacher is doing well or not, and likewise for schools and districts.
This current form of the Benchmark will be given through this year and by then, all students should, according to No Child Left Behind, be at or above grade level in math and literacy.
After this school year a new test or assessment, as educators call them, will be developed to take in consideration the new style or emphasis of instruction known as Common Core which started to be implemented about three years ago.
Student Benchmark scores can be placed in one of four categories: Advanced or the equivalent of an A; Proficient, or roughly a B; Basic which equates to a C; or Below Basic, which by any account is a failing score.
Schools need to be commended for either having a high number of students at the proficient or advanced levels, meaning at or above grade level, and should also be applauded for having no students in the Below Basic or failing category.
The standout among third-graders was Sher-wood’s Lisa Academy North, where all 46 students scored proficient or advanced in math and 95 percent did so in literacy.
At Searcy’s Westside Elementary, 96 percent of the 98 third-grade students made the cut in math and 94 percent did so in literacy. Overall, the school had fewer than five students with struggling scores.
Salutes go to Cabot’s Magness Creek third-graders who were also 96 percent proficient or better in math (with none below basic) and 93 percent likewise in literacy. Salutes also to Mountain Springs with 92 percent doing well in math and 96 percent making the cut in literacy.
Among the Pulaski County Special School District campuses, Little Rock Air Force Base’s Arnold Drive Elementary third-graders were tops with 93 percent making the grade in math and 91 percent in literacy.
Other third-graders may not have had as many scoring proficient or better but still need recognition because they had no students in the failing category. Carlisle, Westside, Southside, Sherwood, Sylvan Hills, Oakbrooke and Murrell Taylor elementary schools had no third graders fall into the dreaded below basic category. Congrats!
Among fourth-graders, Cabot’s Mountain Springs and Stagecoach elementary schools had the best math scores at 97 and 96 percent, respectively. Cabot Southside was tops in literacy with 95 percent of the students doing well, followed by Mountain Springs and Eastside, both at 94 percent proficient or better, and Sylvan Hills at 93 percent..
Schools with no fourth-graders in the failing category included Mountain Springs, Stagecoach and Magness Creek in math. In literacy, Carlisle, Central, Ward Central, Magness Creek, Stagecoach and Pinewood elementary schools had no below basic scores. Super!
When it came to fifth-grade math scores, Cabot Middle School North was tops in the area with 85 percent of its 426 fifth-graders making the grade. The school was closely followed by its counterpart, Cabot Middle School South, and Bayou Meto Elementary, both at 84 percent proficient or better. In fifth-grade literacy, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s Upper Academy bested everyone at 96 percent proficient or better, with none in the below basic category. Next came Searcy Southwest Middle School and Cabot Middle School South, both at 92 percent. Sylvan Hills had no students fall below basic, or failing, category. Nice!
Cabot Middle Schools did well at the sixth- grade level. In math, Middle School North was at 87 percent, South at 86 percent. Just behind was Lonoke Middle at 85 percent proficient or better. In literacy, it was Lonoke Middle School at the top with 88 percent proficient or better, followed by Cabot Middle School South at 86 percent. Kudos!
Seventh-graders at Searcy’s Ahlf Junior High bested the area in math at 88 percent. At a distance second were Lisa Academy North and the Lighthouse’s Upper Academy, both with 74 percent. In literacy, it was Ahlf again, at 90 percent proficient or advanced, followed by Lisa Academy North at 86 percent. The school also had no seventh-grader in the below basic category. Superb!
It was Ahlf and Lisa Academy again at the eight-grade level in math, with both schools at 84 percent proficient or advanced. In literacy, it was Ahlf Junior High at 90 percent proficient or better, followed by Cabot Junior High North at 86 percent, then Cabot Junior High South and Lisa Academy North, both with 84 percent of its eighth-graders making the cut.
Congratulations to all those hardworking and outstanding students, teachers and their schools.
Both need to be examined. Schools with good scores needed to be applauded for their performance and then observed or questioned as to what they are doing right and can that “rightness” be modeled by those schools in need.
Every year students from the third grade through the eighth must take the state-required Benchmark exams in math and literacy. Students in fifth and seventh grades also take an additional science test. The scores are used to determine whether a students is doing well or not, if a teacher is doing well or not, and likewise for schools and districts.
This current form of the Benchmark will be given through this year and by then, all students should, according to No Child Left Behind, be at or above grade level in math and literacy.
After this school year a new test or assessment, as educators call them, will be developed to take in consideration the new style or emphasis of instruction known as Common Core which started to be implemented about three years ago.
Student Benchmark scores can be placed in one of four categories: Advanced or the equivalent of an A; Proficient, or roughly a B; Basic which equates to a C; or Below Basic, which by any account is a failing score.
Schools need to be commended for either having a high number of students at the proficient or advanced levels, meaning at or above grade level, and should also be applauded for having no students in the Below Basic or failing category.
The standout among third-graders was Sher-wood’s Lisa Academy North, where all 46 students scored proficient or advanced in math and 95 percent did so in literacy.
At Searcy’s Westside Elementary, 96 percent of the 98 third-grade students made the cut in math and 94 percent did so in literacy. Overall, the school had fewer than five students with struggling scores.
Salutes go to Cabot’s Magness Creek third-graders who were also 96 percent proficient or better in math (with none below basic) and 93 percent likewise in literacy. Salutes also to Mountain Springs with 92 percent doing well in math and 96 percent making the cut in literacy.
Among the Pulaski County Special School District campuses, Little Rock Air Force Base’s Arnold Drive Elementary third-graders were tops with 93 percent making the grade in math and 91 percent in literacy.
Other third-graders may not have had as many scoring proficient or better but still need recognition because they had no students in the failing category. Carlisle, Westside, Southside, Sherwood, Sylvan Hills, Oakbrooke and Murrell Taylor elementary schools had no third graders fall into the dreaded below basic category. Congrats!
Among fourth-graders, Cabot’s Mountain Springs and Stagecoach elementary schools had the best math scores at 97 and 96 percent, respectively. Cabot Southside was tops in literacy with 95 percent of the students doing well, followed by Mountain Springs and Eastside, both at 94 percent proficient or better, and Sylvan Hills at 93 percent..
Schools with no fourth-graders in the failing category included Mountain Springs, Stagecoach and Magness Creek in math. In literacy, Carlisle, Central, Ward Central, Magness Creek, Stagecoach and Pinewood elementary schools had no below basic scores. Super!
When it came to fifth-grade math scores, Cabot Middle School North was tops in the area with 85 percent of its 426 fifth-graders making the grade. The school was closely followed by its counterpart, Cabot Middle School South, and Bayou Meto Elementary, both at 84 percent proficient or better. In fifth-grade literacy, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s Upper Academy bested everyone at 96 percent proficient or better, with none in the below basic category. Next came Searcy Southwest Middle School and Cabot Middle School South, both at 92 percent. Sylvan Hills had no students fall below basic, or failing, category. Nice!
Cabot Middle Schools did well at the sixth- grade level. In math, Middle School North was at 87 percent, South at 86 percent. Just behind was Lonoke Middle at 85 percent proficient or better. In literacy, it was Lonoke Middle School at the top with 88 percent proficient or better, followed by Cabot Middle School South at 86 percent. Kudos!
Seventh-graders at Searcy’s Ahlf Junior High bested the area in math at 88 percent. At a distance second were Lisa Academy North and the Lighthouse’s Upper Academy, both with 74 percent. In literacy, it was Ahlf again, at 90 percent proficient or advanced, followed by Lisa Academy North at 86 percent. The school also had no seventh-grader in the below basic category. Superb!
It was Ahlf and Lisa Academy again at the eight-grade level in math, with both schools at 84 percent proficient or advanced. In literacy, it was Ahlf Junior High at 90 percent proficient or better, followed by Cabot Junior High North at 86 percent, then Cabot Junior High South and Lisa Academy North, both with 84 percent of its eighth-graders making the cut.
Congratulations to all those hardworking and outstanding students, teachers and their schools.
TOP STORY>>Faught always for Cabot
By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
Dewey Faught is perhaps best known in the Cabot area as the man who started the chamber of commerce and for spearheading the drive to build a monument honoring the veterans who lived in the area.
He was known as a man who saw a need and insisted that it be filled even if that meant he had to do much of the work himself. As director of the chamber for more than 22 years, he did it all: director, secretary and treasurer.
Faught died Aug. 10, about 10 years after the monument he wanted was built beside the community center, the Veterans Memorial Park Com-munity Center. He was 78.
Faught was proud to be a veteran of Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. He believed the service of all veterans should be acknowledged, a fact that was made clear when he stood before the Cabot City Council more than once and said it was a shame that a community with so many veterans had no monument to honor them.
“I remember Dewey as someone who intently supported Cabot and was interested in it growing,” Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert said. “He was a very honorable man who wanted to help the city as well as those in need.”
Anyone who knew Faught understood that he was not to be taken lightly, Cypert said. He appreciated that part of Faught’s personality. The mayor noted that he was straightforward and you always knew where you stood with him.
“I liked the guy,” Cypert said.
Faught was born on Feb. 6, 1935 in Jonesboro to Mack Dewey and Thelma Faught.
His first career was in the military. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a senior master sergeant. As a career military man, Faught was a sustaining member of VFW Post 4584, a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans, a member of the American Legion as well as a lifetime member of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
He was awarded a plaque naming him Cabot Citizen of the Year in 2001 and 2002 by the Michael W. Ray VFW Post 4548 Ladies Auxiliary.
He was secretary and treasurer of the Cabot Lions Club for more than 19 years and was president from 1999-2000.
Faught holds many honors and certificates and was listed in the September 2000 International Lions Magazine Higher Key as well as a participating member of AARP.
Faught was active in his church and many other organizations. He was Cabot’s citizen of the year in 1983 and received the Community Leader Award in 1999. In 2002, he was named honoree of the fifth Roast and Toast by the Cabot Scholarship Foundation for his work in the community.
In March 2000, Rep. Marion Berry paid a tribute to him in Congress, saying: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who is a dear friend of mine, Dewey Faught. Dewey Faught is a great American and a great Arkansan. He is the kind of citizen that made this nation the great place it is today. He has made Cabot a great place to work, live and raise a family. I am proud to call him my friend. Dewey has been married for 54 years to Jane Powell, formerly of Gillett, Arkansas, and they have five sons, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.”
In 2000, the state legislature awarded Faught the State of Arkansas Citation, which recognized his principles of strong character, good citizenship and commitment to God and country.
A memorial service will be held at Victory Baptist Church today at 10 a.m. with interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Cabot.
The family suggests donations be made to Victory Baptist Church, where Faught was a member.
Leader staff writer
Dewey Faught is perhaps best known in the Cabot area as the man who started the chamber of commerce and for spearheading the drive to build a monument honoring the veterans who lived in the area.
He was known as a man who saw a need and insisted that it be filled even if that meant he had to do much of the work himself. As director of the chamber for more than 22 years, he did it all: director, secretary and treasurer.
Faught died Aug. 10, about 10 years after the monument he wanted was built beside the community center, the Veterans Memorial Park Com-munity Center. He was 78.
Faught was proud to be a veteran of Korea, Vietnam and the Cold War. He believed the service of all veterans should be acknowledged, a fact that was made clear when he stood before the Cabot City Council more than once and said it was a shame that a community with so many veterans had no monument to honor them.
“I remember Dewey as someone who intently supported Cabot and was interested in it growing,” Cabot Mayor Bill Cypert said. “He was a very honorable man who wanted to help the city as well as those in need.”
Anyone who knew Faught understood that he was not to be taken lightly, Cypert said. He appreciated that part of Faught’s personality. The mayor noted that he was straightforward and you always knew where you stood with him.
“I liked the guy,” Cypert said.
Faught was born on Feb. 6, 1935 in Jonesboro to Mack Dewey and Thelma Faught.
His first career was in the military. He retired from the Air Force in 1974 as a senior master sergeant. As a career military man, Faught was a sustaining member of VFW Post 4584, a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans, a member of the American Legion as well as a lifetime member of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
He was awarded a plaque naming him Cabot Citizen of the Year in 2001 and 2002 by the Michael W. Ray VFW Post 4548 Ladies Auxiliary.
He was secretary and treasurer of the Cabot Lions Club for more than 19 years and was president from 1999-2000.
Faught holds many honors and certificates and was listed in the September 2000 International Lions Magazine Higher Key as well as a participating member of AARP.
Faught was active in his church and many other organizations. He was Cabot’s citizen of the year in 1983 and received the Community Leader Award in 1999. In 2002, he was named honoree of the fifth Roast and Toast by the Cabot Scholarship Foundation for his work in the community.
In March 2000, Rep. Marion Berry paid a tribute to him in Congress, saying: “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a man who is a dear friend of mine, Dewey Faught. Dewey Faught is a great American and a great Arkansan. He is the kind of citizen that made this nation the great place it is today. He has made Cabot a great place to work, live and raise a family. I am proud to call him my friend. Dewey has been married for 54 years to Jane Powell, formerly of Gillett, Arkansas, and they have five sons, 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.”
In 2000, the state legislature awarded Faught the State of Arkansas Citation, which recognized his principles of strong character, good citizenship and commitment to God and country.
A memorial service will be held at Victory Baptist Church today at 10 a.m. with interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Cabot.
The family suggests donations be made to Victory Baptist Church, where Faught was a member.
TOP STORY>>$5 million sought in kids’ deaths
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
The fathers of four children who were killed in a March 2012 fire at a Jacksonville duplex are seeking more than $5 million in a lawsuit claiming firefighters and the housing authority were negligent.
Marilyn Beavers, 30, and her children — Dequan Singleton, 10, Sydni Singleton, 9, Haylee Beavers, 6, and Emily Beavers, 4 — died from smoke inhalation between 2:21 and 5:46 a.m. inside their Max Howell Place apartment at 3A S. Simmons Drive.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority manages Max How-ell Place, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program that provides homes to low-income families.
Marilyn Beavers’ fiancé, Furlandare Singleton — the father of Dequan, Sydni and Haylee — and Clyde Hatchett, Emily’s father, filed the lawsuit with the Pulaski County Circuit Court on Friday.
The fathers’ complaint claims the one smoke detector in the apartment did not sound an alarm.
The Leader previously reported that the detector should have been replaced in 2003.
A label stating that is visible in a photo provided as part of a 250-page report released after the tragedy.
According to that report, the detector — found on the floor just inside the doorway of a bedroom — failed to operate, its wires had been cut, and it didn’t have a backup battery.
But two maintenance men who discovered the victims’ bodies told police it was going off when they entered the apartment.
In July 2012, William M. Griffin III with Friday, Eldridge and Clark law firm of Little Rock, the attorney for the housing authority, provided The Leader with a work order from January 2012 and six others from 2011.
The documents indicated that the detector was checked, and it was working, when maintenance men came to the apartment to make several repairs requested by Marilyn Beavers.
According to Patricia Campbell, a HUD regional public affairs officer, smoke detectors are required in the hallways and in the kitchens of older buildings. Max Howell Place was last inspected in September 2012. It scored 84 out of 100, making the complex a “standard” performer that is inspected every two years, she said.
Firefighters first responded to the address around 5:50 a.m. — four minutes after the latest time of death — because the next-door neighbor, Jennifer Gray of apartment B, said she smelled smoke.
She was told that smoke had drifted from another fire across the freeway, about a mile away. That fire leveled an unoccupied home at 3400 Northeastern Ave.
The firefighters knocked on the door of Beavers’ apartment and, after there was no response, didn’t attempt to go inside.
According to the report, at least one of them looked in a window and saw that the living room didn’t have fire damage. Most of the damage was to the kitchen, where the fire started.
The firefighters claim they saw no evidence of a fire. They left about 30 minutes later.
The fathers allege that the firefighters weren’t properly trained on the thermal imaging equipment they used to check for signs of a fire at the apartment. The equipment is designed to detect heat.
The fathers also believe an “adequate and complete perimeter check” wasn’t performed.
The bodies were found around 7 a.m., when the maintenance men noticed some signs of smoke near the rain gutter.
The complaint states that, when firefighters first responded to the address, there were large pieces of glass from the kitchen window on the ground, signs of smoke on at least one front window and burn marks on the exterior part of the roof.
Gray, the next-door neighbor who called 911 when she smelled smoke, told a detective that she “didn’t think the firemen walked around the apartment complex,” and “the firemen were playing pranks on each other and not taking it seriously.”
She also told The Leader that, although she often heard the children laughing and playing through the thin wall that divides the duplex, she didn’t hear a smoke detector going off.
Unattended cooking caused the fire and the deaths were accidental, the report states.
It is believed that Marilyn Beavers tried to extinguish it because she had severe burns on her hands, arms, forehead and neck.
She was found in the bathroom with her daughter, Haylee, cradled to her chest. The other children were found in their beds.
The fire was out when the firefighters arrived at the apartment for a second time around 7:30 a.m. that day, but the burner was still turned on, according to the report.
Director of Administration Jim Durham said on Tuesday afternoon that the city had not been served the fathers’ lawsuit yet and didn’t know what entity would respond to the complaint.
Mayor Gary Fletcher and housing authority executive director Phil Nix said they were advised by legal council not to comment. The city approves appointments to the board of commissioners that governs the housing authority.
Fire Chief Alan Laughy didn’t respond to an e-mail from The Leader by press time.
Laughy replaced 42-year veteran John Vanderhoof, who was the chief when the tragedy occurred and retired in February.
Leader staff writer
The fathers of four children who were killed in a March 2012 fire at a Jacksonville duplex are seeking more than $5 million in a lawsuit claiming firefighters and the housing authority were negligent.
Marilyn Beavers, 30, and her children — Dequan Singleton, 10, Sydni Singleton, 9, Haylee Beavers, 6, and Emily Beavers, 4 — died from smoke inhalation between 2:21 and 5:46 a.m. inside their Max Howell Place apartment at 3A S. Simmons Drive.
The Jacksonville Housing Authority manages Max How-ell Place, which is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 program that provides homes to low-income families.
Marilyn Beavers’ fiancé, Furlandare Singleton — the father of Dequan, Sydni and Haylee — and Clyde Hatchett, Emily’s father, filed the lawsuit with the Pulaski County Circuit Court on Friday.
The fathers’ complaint claims the one smoke detector in the apartment did not sound an alarm.
The Leader previously reported that the detector should have been replaced in 2003.
A label stating that is visible in a photo provided as part of a 250-page report released after the tragedy.
According to that report, the detector — found on the floor just inside the doorway of a bedroom — failed to operate, its wires had been cut, and it didn’t have a backup battery.
But two maintenance men who discovered the victims’ bodies told police it was going off when they entered the apartment.
In July 2012, William M. Griffin III with Friday, Eldridge and Clark law firm of Little Rock, the attorney for the housing authority, provided The Leader with a work order from January 2012 and six others from 2011.
The documents indicated that the detector was checked, and it was working, when maintenance men came to the apartment to make several repairs requested by Marilyn Beavers.
According to Patricia Campbell, a HUD regional public affairs officer, smoke detectors are required in the hallways and in the kitchens of older buildings. Max Howell Place was last inspected in September 2012. It scored 84 out of 100, making the complex a “standard” performer that is inspected every two years, she said.
Firefighters first responded to the address around 5:50 a.m. — four minutes after the latest time of death — because the next-door neighbor, Jennifer Gray of apartment B, said she smelled smoke.
She was told that smoke had drifted from another fire across the freeway, about a mile away. That fire leveled an unoccupied home at 3400 Northeastern Ave.
The firefighters knocked on the door of Beavers’ apartment and, after there was no response, didn’t attempt to go inside.
According to the report, at least one of them looked in a window and saw that the living room didn’t have fire damage. Most of the damage was to the kitchen, where the fire started.
The firefighters claim they saw no evidence of a fire. They left about 30 minutes later.
The fathers allege that the firefighters weren’t properly trained on the thermal imaging equipment they used to check for signs of a fire at the apartment. The equipment is designed to detect heat.
The fathers also believe an “adequate and complete perimeter check” wasn’t performed.
The bodies were found around 7 a.m., when the maintenance men noticed some signs of smoke near the rain gutter.
The complaint states that, when firefighters first responded to the address, there were large pieces of glass from the kitchen window on the ground, signs of smoke on at least one front window and burn marks on the exterior part of the roof.
Gray, the next-door neighbor who called 911 when she smelled smoke, told a detective that she “didn’t think the firemen walked around the apartment complex,” and “the firemen were playing pranks on each other and not taking it seriously.”
She also told The Leader that, although she often heard the children laughing and playing through the thin wall that divides the duplex, she didn’t hear a smoke detector going off.
Unattended cooking caused the fire and the deaths were accidental, the report states.
It is believed that Marilyn Beavers tried to extinguish it because she had severe burns on her hands, arms, forehead and neck.
She was found in the bathroom with her daughter, Haylee, cradled to her chest. The other children were found in their beds.
The fire was out when the firefighters arrived at the apartment for a second time around 7:30 a.m. that day, but the burner was still turned on, according to the report.
Director of Administration Jim Durham said on Tuesday afternoon that the city had not been served the fathers’ lawsuit yet and didn’t know what entity would respond to the complaint.
Mayor Gary Fletcher and housing authority executive director Phil Nix said they were advised by legal council not to comment. The city approves appointments to the board of commissioners that governs the housing authority.
Fire Chief Alan Laughy didn’t respond to an e-mail from The Leader by press time.
Laughy replaced 42-year veteran John Vanderhoof, who was the chief when the tragedy occurred and retired in February.
TOP STORYS>>Jacksonville’s new high school
By SARAH CAMPBELL
Leader staff writer
Hundreds gathered Mon-day morning to celebrate the completion of Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s new high school, the College Preparatory Academy, on North First Street.
The $8.7 million, two-story facility is 40,000 square feet. It houses 22 classrooms, two science labs, a media center and an auditorium that doubles as a cafeteria, half of a basketball court and a full volleyball court.
The new high school for grades 9-12 is adjacent to the 28,000-square-foot elementary school (grades K-6) that opened in 2009 on 11 acres off North First Street.
The College Preparatory Academy project was primarily financed through tax-exempt bonds issued by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, $4.5 million of which are guaranteed by ADFA. The bonds were underwritten and marketed by Crews and Associates of Little Rock.
The Walton Family Foun-dation provided an additional $925,000 in zero-interest subordinate debt and the Charter School Financing Program, a nonprofit entity, provided a $625,000 grant funded through a program of the U.S. Department of Education.
Mike Ronan, president and CEO of Lighthouse Academies, called the dedication ceremony a “historic moment.”
He said, “I think this outcome is a testimony of what can happen when adults come together to work as a community.”
Ronan noted that he founded Lighthouse Academies, which operates 21 schools in eight states, because “we have an obligation not only to serve ourselves but to serve others.”
He said college graduates make $1.9 million more in their lifetimes than high school dropouts.
The charter school system’s mission is to prepare students for college through a rigorous arts-infused curriculum.
Ronan also noted that the unemployment rate among college graduates is around 3 percent, while it is between 10 and 20 percent for high school dropouts.
Jacksonville Lighthouse schools have community support, great teachers and students, also known as scholars, who are engaged in learning, he continued.
These things are needed to achieve the goal of having 100 percent of Lighthouse students attend college, Ronan said.
Ronan explained that, even though it seems like an impossible goal, “we at Lighthouse believe. That’s what makes us Lighthouse.”
Before Ronan spoke at the dedication ceremony, Lighthouse scholars Jordan McNair and Cody Anderson shared their hopes and dreams with the crowd.
McNair said, “With this new facility, we have new opportunities. We have new tools and resources we didn’t have before. We have been given much, and we know there’s a lot to do.”
Anderson said, “My goals for this year are to keep my GPA (grade point average) above 3.5 and push myself beyond the classroom.”
He has been a Lighthouse student since the school opened the Jacksonville campus in 2009.
Anderson concluded, “I have watched the school grow bigger and better every year. We can put Arkansas on the map.”
College Preparatory Academy Principal Chris Carter added that Anderson scored in the 99th percentile on the state-mandated end-of-course biology test.
Former state Rep. Mike Wilson, who helped organize the effort to bring a charter school to Jacksonville, told the audience that the students said it best.
Wilson said, “To whom much is given much is expected. It’s clear to me that you (students) expect much from yourselves, and that is the one of the most inspiring things anyone could hear.”
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher told the audience there are still people who believe kids can do anything they set their minds too. Those people built the College Preparatory Academy, he said.
The mayor noted that Robert F. Kennedy once said some people look at the way things are and ask why, while others dream of things that never were and ask why not.
Fletcher said, “The people who think why not got together to build this.”
He told the students, “I pray you young people dream the highest dreams.”
High school English and journalism teacher Ginny Blakenship noted that she has never seen a charter school build a facility that is the envy of public and private schools statewide.
About Lighthouse teachers, she said, “We are overeducated, over achieving, overworked and underpaid public servants. And we are lucky to do it.”
Blakenship told the students that their teachers want them to, as Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
She added, “We’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Also attending the dedication and ribbon cutting were state Rep. Mark Perry (D-Jacksonville), school board president Keri Urquhart, chamber treasurer Roger Sundermeier and Phillis Anderson, senior vice president of the Southern and East coast region of Lighthouse Academies. The high school’s drumline performed in front of the school as guests were arriving at the ceremony.
The brass band, during a brief interlude inside the auditorium, played “Do Whatcha Wanna,” which the director called an upbeat New Orleans-inspired selection.
Leader staff writer
Hundreds gathered Mon-day morning to celebrate the completion of Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School’s new high school, the College Preparatory Academy, on North First Street.
The $8.7 million, two-story facility is 40,000 square feet. It houses 22 classrooms, two science labs, a media center and an auditorium that doubles as a cafeteria, half of a basketball court and a full volleyball court.
The new high school for grades 9-12 is adjacent to the 28,000-square-foot elementary school (grades K-6) that opened in 2009 on 11 acres off North First Street.
The College Preparatory Academy project was primarily financed through tax-exempt bonds issued by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority, $4.5 million of which are guaranteed by ADFA. The bonds were underwritten and marketed by Crews and Associates of Little Rock.
The Walton Family Foun-dation provided an additional $925,000 in zero-interest subordinate debt and the Charter School Financing Program, a nonprofit entity, provided a $625,000 grant funded through a program of the U.S. Department of Education.
Mike Ronan, president and CEO of Lighthouse Academies, called the dedication ceremony a “historic moment.”
He said, “I think this outcome is a testimony of what can happen when adults come together to work as a community.”
Ronan noted that he founded Lighthouse Academies, which operates 21 schools in eight states, because “we have an obligation not only to serve ourselves but to serve others.”
He said college graduates make $1.9 million more in their lifetimes than high school dropouts.
The charter school system’s mission is to prepare students for college through a rigorous arts-infused curriculum.
Ronan also noted that the unemployment rate among college graduates is around 3 percent, while it is between 10 and 20 percent for high school dropouts.
Jacksonville Lighthouse schools have community support, great teachers and students, also known as scholars, who are engaged in learning, he continued.
These things are needed to achieve the goal of having 100 percent of Lighthouse students attend college, Ronan said.
Ronan explained that, even though it seems like an impossible goal, “we at Lighthouse believe. That’s what makes us Lighthouse.”
Before Ronan spoke at the dedication ceremony, Lighthouse scholars Jordan McNair and Cody Anderson shared their hopes and dreams with the crowd.
McNair said, “With this new facility, we have new opportunities. We have new tools and resources we didn’t have before. We have been given much, and we know there’s a lot to do.”
Anderson said, “My goals for this year are to keep my GPA (grade point average) above 3.5 and push myself beyond the classroom.”
He has been a Lighthouse student since the school opened the Jacksonville campus in 2009.
Anderson concluded, “I have watched the school grow bigger and better every year. We can put Arkansas on the map.”
College Preparatory Academy Principal Chris Carter added that Anderson scored in the 99th percentile on the state-mandated end-of-course biology test.
Former state Rep. Mike Wilson, who helped organize the effort to bring a charter school to Jacksonville, told the audience that the students said it best.
Wilson said, “To whom much is given much is expected. It’s clear to me that you (students) expect much from yourselves, and that is the one of the most inspiring things anyone could hear.”
Jacksonville Mayor Gary Fletcher told the audience there are still people who believe kids can do anything they set their minds too. Those people built the College Preparatory Academy, he said.
The mayor noted that Robert F. Kennedy once said some people look at the way things are and ask why, while others dream of things that never were and ask why not.
Fletcher said, “The people who think why not got together to build this.”
He told the students, “I pray you young people dream the highest dreams.”
High school English and journalism teacher Ginny Blakenship noted that she has never seen a charter school build a facility that is the envy of public and private schools statewide.
About Lighthouse teachers, she said, “We are overeducated, over achieving, overworked and underpaid public servants. And we are lucky to do it.”
Blakenship told the students that their teachers want them to, as Henry David Thoreau said, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”
She added, “We’ll be with you every step of the way.”
Also attending the dedication and ribbon cutting were state Rep. Mark Perry (D-Jacksonville), school board president Keri Urquhart, chamber treasurer Roger Sundermeier and Phillis Anderson, senior vice president of the Southern and East coast region of Lighthouse Academies. The high school’s drumline performed in front of the school as guests were arriving at the ceremony.
The brass band, during a brief interlude inside the auditorium, played “Do Whatcha Wanna,” which the director called an upbeat New Orleans-inspired selection.
SPORTS STORY>>Head coach is happy with Jackrabbits’ improvement
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The countdown to the start of the 2013 high school football season has entered its second week for the Lonoke Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbits opened their second week of fall camp with their annual media day for team and individual pictures followed by a morning practice.
Week two is especially trying for coaches around the state with the added hassle of teacher workshops on top of daily practice. Head coach Doug Bost said the team will go with four-hour sessions through Thursday before the length of practice time is shortened. Bost was pleased with the progress made in the first week.
“It got better Thursday and Friday,” Bost said. “We got to put the shoulder pads on, got everything done on offense Thursday, and Friday, just brushed up on some things. Defense, we were able to pick it up a little bit speed wise since we had the shoulder pads on. From where we were Monday and Tuesday to where we ended up, we were pleased as a coaching staff.”
The second week also means added focus on defense now that full contact is allowed on the practice field. The coaching staff got the opportunity to evaluate talent on the offensive side last week, and with all of the offense installed through the spring and summer, the focus can turn to defense. Some of the returners on defense are familiar faces, only in different spots.
Junior Chandler Elmore started at cornerback from the second game on last season at a light 137 pounds. He expressed interest to play outside linebacker to which Bost challenged him to bulk up, which is exactly what he did. Elmore, who holds a 4.0 GPA in the classroom, has shown just as much dedication to football over the past 12 months.
“He got in the offseason, hit the weight rooms, shakes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Bost said. “He gained 55 pounds. He’s up to 195 pounds, and he’s going to play outside linebacker now. He’s faster. He’s down to a low 4.6, and he’s the best we have technique wise. He calls out our coverages and secondaries, so we’re really pleased with how he’s coming along.”
The plan for the remainder of the week is to continue reviewing offensive plays while picking up the intensity with full contact on defense.
“We’ve got teacher meetings, so we can’t go as long,” Bost said. “I think Thursday’s really our last four-hour practice. We’ll be able to start hitting a little bit and go from there.”
The Jackrabbits will not open the season until Sept. 6 at Star City, making their fall practice stretch nearly five weeks.
With the offense already in place and much of the leg work done defensively, Bost said part of the battle in fall camp is warding off monotony.
“It does, (get difficult to stay focused only practicing for a month) especially this year with the first game not being until after Labor Day,” Bost said. “When you start Aug. 2, yes, it does go for a long time. When Arkansas (Activities Association) said we can do team camps and do 7-on-7, everybody in the state does that now.
“A few years ago, when it came August, you were teaching from scratch. Now, that’s already in, so you’re just brushing up and refreshing stuff. It does get long, and there are times you cut practice down just to change things up so the kids don’t get into a rut of doing the same thing over and over.”
Leader sportswriter
The countdown to the start of the 2013 high school football season has entered its second week for the Lonoke Jackrabbits. The Jackrabbits opened their second week of fall camp with their annual media day for team and individual pictures followed by a morning practice.
Week two is especially trying for coaches around the state with the added hassle of teacher workshops on top of daily practice. Head coach Doug Bost said the team will go with four-hour sessions through Thursday before the length of practice time is shortened. Bost was pleased with the progress made in the first week.
“It got better Thursday and Friday,” Bost said. “We got to put the shoulder pads on, got everything done on offense Thursday, and Friday, just brushed up on some things. Defense, we were able to pick it up a little bit speed wise since we had the shoulder pads on. From where we were Monday and Tuesday to where we ended up, we were pleased as a coaching staff.”
The second week also means added focus on defense now that full contact is allowed on the practice field. The coaching staff got the opportunity to evaluate talent on the offensive side last week, and with all of the offense installed through the spring and summer, the focus can turn to defense. Some of the returners on defense are familiar faces, only in different spots.
Junior Chandler Elmore started at cornerback from the second game on last season at a light 137 pounds. He expressed interest to play outside linebacker to which Bost challenged him to bulk up, which is exactly what he did. Elmore, who holds a 4.0 GPA in the classroom, has shown just as much dedication to football over the past 12 months.
“He got in the offseason, hit the weight rooms, shakes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches,” Bost said. “He gained 55 pounds. He’s up to 195 pounds, and he’s going to play outside linebacker now. He’s faster. He’s down to a low 4.6, and he’s the best we have technique wise. He calls out our coverages and secondaries, so we’re really pleased with how he’s coming along.”
The plan for the remainder of the week is to continue reviewing offensive plays while picking up the intensity with full contact on defense.
“We’ve got teacher meetings, so we can’t go as long,” Bost said. “I think Thursday’s really our last four-hour practice. We’ll be able to start hitting a little bit and go from there.”
The Jackrabbits will not open the season until Sept. 6 at Star City, making their fall practice stretch nearly five weeks.
With the offense already in place and much of the leg work done defensively, Bost said part of the battle in fall camp is warding off monotony.
“It does, (get difficult to stay focused only practicing for a month) especially this year with the first game not being until after Labor Day,” Bost said. “When you start Aug. 2, yes, it does go for a long time. When Arkansas (Activities Association) said we can do team camps and do 7-on-7, everybody in the state does that now.
“A few years ago, when it came August, you were teaching from scratch. Now, that’s already in, so you’re just brushing up and refreshing stuff. It does get long, and there are times you cut practice down just to change things up so the kids don’t get into a rut of doing the same thing over and over.”
SPORTS STORY>>Beebe golf team green, committed
By JASON KING
Leader sportswriter
The numbers are typical and the experience level is below average, but Beebe golf coach Justin Moore is enthusiastic about the group he has this year. The Badgers are coming off a solid season debut at the Eagle Mountain course in Batesville last week and are preparing for a slate of conference home matches this year at the Greystone course in Cabot.
Beebe is coming off a successful 2012 season in which the boys’ team took third place in conference and finished seventh in class 5A while girls player Taylor Harrell won the 5A East title and finished third at the state level as an individual. Most of the top players, including Harrell, have since graduated, leaving Moore with a group of less experienced players, many of them juniors.
“It’s pretty common,” Moore said of the 11-player group that includes six boys and five girls. “Two years ago, when I took over this program, they gave me a list of 10 names, and that was what we had. We get 10 to 15 sign up every year. We had 15 sign ups for this season. A lot of the girls don’t have much experience, but they all showed up, and they’ve been here every day.”
Moore said that for the female players, the willingness to learn and improve has overshadowed lack of experience. Two of the players are not even officially listed on the roster, but junior players Valerie Cook, Emily Walls and Baylee Halford make up the core of the girls’ squad.
Halford, who is also a standout on the Lady Badger softball team, led the way at Eagle Mountain last week with a 115. Moore pointed out that while it may not sound like an impressive score, the winning score on the girls’ side was a 100, meaning that Halford, a true novice when it comes to golf, is not far off the pace.
Junior Cole McNeil is the only player returning with significant experience. McNeil finished a close second place at Eagle Mountain last week with a 79, and Moore said he expects McNeil to win a number of tournaments individually this year.
Another junior, Hunter Davis, also has experience, but will most likely have to sit out the season following elbow surgery to replace a screw left in from a previous procedure. Davis is expected to be fully recovered by October towards the end of the season, making his return in 2013 questionable at this point. That gives a larger role to Davis’ younger brother and freshman Landon Davis, who shot a solid 86 at Eagle Mountain.
“The biggest thing is looking to see if we can piece a team together or have to play as individuals,” Moore said. “They are very capable of qualifying as individuals, but it just makes it easier mentally knowing you’re part of a group. We’re going to be talented at the top and looking for people to fill in below that.”
The Badgers will return to Eagle Mountain on Aug. 20 for another match before hosting their first match on Aug. 22 at Greystone.
Leader sportswriter
The numbers are typical and the experience level is below average, but Beebe golf coach Justin Moore is enthusiastic about the group he has this year. The Badgers are coming off a solid season debut at the Eagle Mountain course in Batesville last week and are preparing for a slate of conference home matches this year at the Greystone course in Cabot.
Beebe is coming off a successful 2012 season in which the boys’ team took third place in conference and finished seventh in class 5A while girls player Taylor Harrell won the 5A East title and finished third at the state level as an individual. Most of the top players, including Harrell, have since graduated, leaving Moore with a group of less experienced players, many of them juniors.
“It’s pretty common,” Moore said of the 11-player group that includes six boys and five girls. “Two years ago, when I took over this program, they gave me a list of 10 names, and that was what we had. We get 10 to 15 sign up every year. We had 15 sign ups for this season. A lot of the girls don’t have much experience, but they all showed up, and they’ve been here every day.”
Moore said that for the female players, the willingness to learn and improve has overshadowed lack of experience. Two of the players are not even officially listed on the roster, but junior players Valerie Cook, Emily Walls and Baylee Halford make up the core of the girls’ squad.
Halford, who is also a standout on the Lady Badger softball team, led the way at Eagle Mountain last week with a 115. Moore pointed out that while it may not sound like an impressive score, the winning score on the girls’ side was a 100, meaning that Halford, a true novice when it comes to golf, is not far off the pace.
Junior Cole McNeil is the only player returning with significant experience. McNeil finished a close second place at Eagle Mountain last week with a 79, and Moore said he expects McNeil to win a number of tournaments individually this year.
Another junior, Hunter Davis, also has experience, but will most likely have to sit out the season following elbow surgery to replace a screw left in from a previous procedure. Davis is expected to be fully recovered by October towards the end of the season, making his return in 2013 questionable at this point. That gives a larger role to Davis’ younger brother and freshman Landon Davis, who shot a solid 86 at Eagle Mountain.
“The biggest thing is looking to see if we can piece a team together or have to play as individuals,” Moore said. “They are very capable of qualifying as individuals, but it just makes it easier mentally knowing you’re part of a group. We’re going to be talented at the top and looking for people to fill in below that.”
The Badgers will return to Eagle Mountain on Aug. 20 for another match before hosting their first match on Aug. 22 at Greystone.
SPORT STORY>>Red Devils, Panthers look strong this season
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
Cabot and Jacksonville once again open the football season against each other when they meet at Panther Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 3. But with the Backyard Brawl being put on the backburner, at least for a time, the two teams could put on a show in what might be the series finale.
Both teams are expected to have strong offenses, so points could be plentiful and the entertainment value high. But it’s not a given. Jacksonville usually has, and is known for, strong defenses. Years of now head coach Rick Russell being the defensive coordinator is a big reason for that. Cabot won last year’s game 28-7, but most of those points were short-field touchdowns after Jacksonville turnovers. Cabot’s defense yielded almost nothing in that game, and the Panthers should be better on that side of the ball this year.
The final matchup between the two teams will be one in which both schools believe they have one of their most talented groups in a while.
Jacksonville is loaded at the skill positions, but is short on linemen, and even shorter than expected now that two prospective starters have fallen short of academic eligibility.
Cabot is in somewhat of the same boat. Two returning offensive line starters are no longer with the team, but the Panthers have more depth than Jacksonville.
And they should have more depth, and that’s a big reason why this game probably won’t happen again, at least until Jacksonville finally begins operating as its own school district and merges with much of North Pulaski’s drawing area.
As it stands, the latest enrollment figures show Cabot as more than three times larger than Jacksonville with 2,258 students to JHS’s 680. Cabot typically has between 85 and 100 players on the first day of practice while Jacksonville had 45 this year.
Even if you add North Pulaski’s entire current enrollment of 609 to Jacksonville’s, there’s still a gap of nearly 1,000 students, and Jacksonville’s new district almost certainly won’t include all of NPHS’s current drawing area.
The current numbers are almost never conducive to a competitive football game. Jacksonville has managed to keep it competitive in most years, but has only managed two wins in the last 15 years, and none since 2006.
Neither the Panthers nor Red Devils predicate their seasons on what happens in a week-one game with such a numbers disparity, Jacksonville even less than Cabot.
“We’re going to compete and we’re going in there to win the game, but if we don’t, it doesn’t make or break our season,” Jacksonville coach Rick Russell said during the first week of practice.
Cabot may be the heavy favorite, but the game only provides a potentially negative beginning to the season. Everyone expects the state’s third largest school to beat the 46th largest, so a win gains them little credit. But a loss, no matter how competitive Jacksonville is supposed to be in their 5A division, would be considered a sign of a disappointing season to come for the Panthers.
The game has only existed this long for monetary reasons. It’s a good gate with good concession sales, and it’s good for advertisers and generating advertisement dollars. But it serves no other purpose anymore. Some may say money is a good reason to continue the game, but that’s not what scholastic athletics is supposed to be about.
Beyond game one, Cabot and Jacksonville both have a rare chance to run the table.
Jacksonville may not be an underdog in any other game this season, but will have to find the kind of consistency that has eluded it the past several years to pull off the feat.
Cabot will need one big upset to go undefeated, but will be on at least equal footing with all its opponents except for the Pulaski County All-Stars, otherwise known as the North Little Rock Charging Wildcats.
Leader sports editor
Cabot and Jacksonville once again open the football season against each other when they meet at Panther Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 3. But with the Backyard Brawl being put on the backburner, at least for a time, the two teams could put on a show in what might be the series finale.
Both teams are expected to have strong offenses, so points could be plentiful and the entertainment value high. But it’s not a given. Jacksonville usually has, and is known for, strong defenses. Years of now head coach Rick Russell being the defensive coordinator is a big reason for that. Cabot won last year’s game 28-7, but most of those points were short-field touchdowns after Jacksonville turnovers. Cabot’s defense yielded almost nothing in that game, and the Panthers should be better on that side of the ball this year.
The final matchup between the two teams will be one in which both schools believe they have one of their most talented groups in a while.
Jacksonville is loaded at the skill positions, but is short on linemen, and even shorter than expected now that two prospective starters have fallen short of academic eligibility.
Cabot is in somewhat of the same boat. Two returning offensive line starters are no longer with the team, but the Panthers have more depth than Jacksonville.
And they should have more depth, and that’s a big reason why this game probably won’t happen again, at least until Jacksonville finally begins operating as its own school district and merges with much of North Pulaski’s drawing area.
As it stands, the latest enrollment figures show Cabot as more than three times larger than Jacksonville with 2,258 students to JHS’s 680. Cabot typically has between 85 and 100 players on the first day of practice while Jacksonville had 45 this year.
Even if you add North Pulaski’s entire current enrollment of 609 to Jacksonville’s, there’s still a gap of nearly 1,000 students, and Jacksonville’s new district almost certainly won’t include all of NPHS’s current drawing area.
The current numbers are almost never conducive to a competitive football game. Jacksonville has managed to keep it competitive in most years, but has only managed two wins in the last 15 years, and none since 2006.
Neither the Panthers nor Red Devils predicate their seasons on what happens in a week-one game with such a numbers disparity, Jacksonville even less than Cabot.
“We’re going to compete and we’re going in there to win the game, but if we don’t, it doesn’t make or break our season,” Jacksonville coach Rick Russell said during the first week of practice.
Cabot may be the heavy favorite, but the game only provides a potentially negative beginning to the season. Everyone expects the state’s third largest school to beat the 46th largest, so a win gains them little credit. But a loss, no matter how competitive Jacksonville is supposed to be in their 5A division, would be considered a sign of a disappointing season to come for the Panthers.
The game has only existed this long for monetary reasons. It’s a good gate with good concession sales, and it’s good for advertisers and generating advertisement dollars. But it serves no other purpose anymore. Some may say money is a good reason to continue the game, but that’s not what scholastic athletics is supposed to be about.
Beyond game one, Cabot and Jacksonville both have a rare chance to run the table.
Jacksonville may not be an underdog in any other game this season, but will have to find the kind of consistency that has eluded it the past several years to pull off the feat.
Cabot will need one big upset to go undefeated, but will be on at least equal footing with all its opponents except for the Pulaski County All-Stars, otherwise known as the North Little Rock Charging Wildcats.
SPORTS STORY>>NP ladies youthful this year
By RAY BENTON
Leader sports editor
The North Pulaski volleyball team will be relying heavily on youth for the upcoming 2013 season. The Lady Falcons have only two seniors and a lot of sophomores, but one of those seniors will be a huge key to NP’s success.
Emily Long will be a three-year starter and one of the most experienced players in North Pulaski’s 5A-Central Conference. North Pulaski coach Ben Belton went beyond comparing her to his conference, and heaped high praise on his setter.
“In my opinion, she’s the best setter in the state,” Belton said. “We haven’t played together much this summer, but she did and she came back as good as she’s always been and probably a little better. We have a young team. Emily is our setter and that’s the only given right now. We’re going to have to come together around her and just play.”
Casey Mullen is the other senior and a returning starter, though she missed some of last year with an injury. The Lady Falcons will also rely heavily on Mullen as one of three full-rotation players. Sophomore Raigen Thomas is the third.
“Casey and Raigen both will have to serve receive and that’s something we’re struggling with right now,” Belton said. “It’s something that I think is getting better the more we play together, but it’s got to get a lot better if we want to compete and make it back to state. I think, with Casey’s experience, she’s going to start bringing some of that consistency we need when we get more practice time in.”
Thomas’ role will be predominantly as a hitter, but her versatility makes her valuable even on the back row.
“She’s not very tall but she’s got a chance to be one of the best outside hitters we’ve ever had here,” Belton said. “She’s just an athlete. She strong and she can jump. We’ve got to work on our timing but she’s got a lot of potential.”
Sophomore Kierra Evans brings height to the middle and fills out the early starting rotation. The other two starting rotation position is still open, according to the head Falcon.
“We’re looking for that player or those players who are going to step up and show the consistency we need,” Belton said. “We’ve been to two camps and we’re still making some pretty big mistakes, like serving errors. At this level, serving in volleyball should be like shooting free throws in basketball. You just ought to be able to do it, but we’re not right now. So we’ve got them on a serving regimen where they have to serve so many every day and we chart them.”
The Lady Falcons went to a team camp at UCA in late July and went to another camp at Vilonia last week. Belton says play improved through both camps.
“At UCA we looked really rusty,” Belton said. “You could tell it was our first time out all summer. At Vilonia we got better every day. On the last day we played the best we’ve played so far. We had Vilonia beat for second place in our little pool, but we just didn’t get it done.”
The Lady Falcons lost to the host team 25-23 and 25-22.
“If we can just continue to get better from that match, we could possibly finish way up in the conference,” Belton said. “But right now, with the service errors and the mistakes we make serve receiving, we’re not going to qualify unless we improve, and that’s just going to take a commitment to getting better.”
Leader sports editor
The North Pulaski volleyball team will be relying heavily on youth for the upcoming 2013 season. The Lady Falcons have only two seniors and a lot of sophomores, but one of those seniors will be a huge key to NP’s success.
Emily Long will be a three-year starter and one of the most experienced players in North Pulaski’s 5A-Central Conference. North Pulaski coach Ben Belton went beyond comparing her to his conference, and heaped high praise on his setter.
“In my opinion, she’s the best setter in the state,” Belton said. “We haven’t played together much this summer, but she did and she came back as good as she’s always been and probably a little better. We have a young team. Emily is our setter and that’s the only given right now. We’re going to have to come together around her and just play.”
Casey Mullen is the other senior and a returning starter, though she missed some of last year with an injury. The Lady Falcons will also rely heavily on Mullen as one of three full-rotation players. Sophomore Raigen Thomas is the third.
“Casey and Raigen both will have to serve receive and that’s something we’re struggling with right now,” Belton said. “It’s something that I think is getting better the more we play together, but it’s got to get a lot better if we want to compete and make it back to state. I think, with Casey’s experience, she’s going to start bringing some of that consistency we need when we get more practice time in.”
Thomas’ role will be predominantly as a hitter, but her versatility makes her valuable even on the back row.
“She’s not very tall but she’s got a chance to be one of the best outside hitters we’ve ever had here,” Belton said. “She’s just an athlete. She strong and she can jump. We’ve got to work on our timing but she’s got a lot of potential.”
Sophomore Kierra Evans brings height to the middle and fills out the early starting rotation. The other two starting rotation position is still open, according to the head Falcon.
“We’re looking for that player or those players who are going to step up and show the consistency we need,” Belton said. “We’ve been to two camps and we’re still making some pretty big mistakes, like serving errors. At this level, serving in volleyball should be like shooting free throws in basketball. You just ought to be able to do it, but we’re not right now. So we’ve got them on a serving regimen where they have to serve so many every day and we chart them.”
The Lady Falcons went to a team camp at UCA in late July and went to another camp at Vilonia last week. Belton says play improved through both camps.
“At UCA we looked really rusty,” Belton said. “You could tell it was our first time out all summer. At Vilonia we got better every day. On the last day we played the best we’ve played so far. We had Vilonia beat for second place in our little pool, but we just didn’t get it done.”
The Lady Falcons lost to the host team 25-23 and 25-22.
“If we can just continue to get better from that match, we could possibly finish way up in the conference,” Belton said. “But right now, with the service errors and the mistakes we make serve receiving, we’re not going to qualify unless we improve, and that’s just going to take a commitment to getting better.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)