Blaine County's new school superintendent said Thursday that today's students are a "pivotal generation that can change the world," and he beseeched the district's educators to make sure those students are prepared for the challenges of the future.
"We are the ones who are going to guide those children," Lonnie Barber told nearly 600 Blaine County School District employees at an all-staff meeting at the Community Campus in Hailey.
"If we don't, our earth is in trouble," Barber said. "Be excited, don't shirk away from that responsibility.
"You know what? They have to do better than my generation, and they will, they will."
It was Barber's first formal address to the staff as district superintendent. He was appointed in July to replace retiring Superintendent Jim Lewis. Though he is well known in the district, having served two years as assistant superintendent, he was formally introduced to the assembly by District Curriculum Director Matt Murray.
Murray noted that Barber is "stepping into some big shoes," but said "one thing we can all be sure of is that we have a new superintendent who will make sure that our students get the best education possible."
Barber received a standing ovation as he walked to the podium on the stage of the Community Campus auditorium. He had seven pages of notes for a speech, but tossed them aside, took off his suit jacket and spoke impromptu as he walked back and forth across the stage speaking enthusiastically to the staff.
"The challenges facing teachers now have never been greater," Barber said. "I don't know what education is going to look like in 10 years, it is changing so, so fast right now. We don't know what it's going to look like, so we can invent."
Barber said the school district should become a model for effective education and noted that it already has some of the highest Idaho Standard Achievement Test scores in the state.
"But it's not about scores, it's about teaching kids," Barber said. "Just keep teaching kids the way you are and the rest will follow.
"They're the best educated children in Idaho—and I can prove it."
Plant facilities levy
The superintendent also addressed a new plant facilities levy that is tentatively scheduled to be put to Blaine County voters on Oct. 29.
The amount the district will be seeking over the next 10 years has not been determined, but Barber said it will not exceed the $62 million collected from an existing plant facilities levy and an existing school bond. The existing levy expires in July 2010 and the bond is expected to be paid off by then.
He said the district will not be able to maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio if the levy is not approved and will likely have to reduce staff.
"It is the thing that preserves our class size," he said.
Barber said he and other district administrators will continue to oppose legislation that requires or makes it easier for school districts to reduce teaching staff.
"We're going to fight to the bitter end to make the state Legislature recognize teachers as professionals," he said.
Brent Carnduff, president of the Blaine County Education Association, added his support for the plant facilities levy in a brief address to the assembled staff.
"We're fortunate that our district is very supportive of us as teachers," said Carnduff, a teacher at Hemingway Elementary School in Ketchum.
"There are personal and professional ramifications for us if it [the levy] doesn't pass," Carnduff said. "We shouldn't just assume that it's going to pass."
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com
Lewis retirement party
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 26, for a "going fishing party" for retiring Blaine County School District Superintendent Jim Lewis. The event is scheduled from noon to 3 p.m. at Wood River High School. Lewis left the superintendent post in July but has continued through August as transition coordinator for new Superintendent Lonnie Barber.
Lonnie Barber, Blaine County School District’s new superintendent, gave his first formal address to the district’s some 600 employees at an all-staff meeting Thursday morning at the Community Campus in Hailey. Barber told the assembly that the district has the “best educated children in Idaho—and I can prove it.” Photo by David N. Seelig
