Tuesday, July 8, 2014 cessful work toward increasing the number of minority teachers as well as our efcontinued from page 1 forts to create a Leadership Academy and readiness (by the State Board of Regents removed both recommendations from 2008 with the reaccreditation in 2013. in 2013). “My hope is that our parish is going to The Graduation Cohort Rate (the percentage of first-time ninth graders who grow, that the retirement systems will stagraduate in four years or fewer with a bilize, and that the State will back public regular diploma), having increased 15 education once again by providing muchpercent, “exceeds the 80 percent mark needed funding. Until then, we will have to keep reallocating funds to meet our for the first time in history.” West Feliciana has also received rec- students’ needs. We have redesigned and ognition for the smallest percentage of repurposed many of our higher-paid postudents needing remediation in college sitions to save money. Times are tough. in 2013, and recognition as an Apple Dis- Our plan is to continue to explore new tinguished School for three consecutive ways to operate more efficiently, but our goal is to avoid deeper cuts that would years. In addition, the West Feliciana public impact our students and employees.” In addition, West Feliciana has a longschool system has achieved a graduation term goal of continuing to increase the rate of over 85 percent. Further, Milton says, “We have also number of minority teachers. “First,” the increased the number of students reach- superintendent explains, “we have ining grade-level expectations. We have creased the percentage of minority teachadded a Talented Arts Program and ers from 23 percent in 2010 to 29 percent have expanded the one-to-one computer last year. That is an amazing feat when program in the Ninth Grade Academy you consider that during the same period, at West Feliciana High School.” Also we lost 17 teaching positions due to cuts. “Our plan is quite simple: Increase the growing, Milton says, is the number of Advanced Placement ourses, Dual En- pool of minority candidates and, through rollment Courses for college credit, and time, our district will become more diverse. I am confident that we can achieve on-line course offerings. “I am also proud of the school mar- success in this area. Our belief is that quee on Highway 61, because I felt that by recruiting and retaining high-quality we needed to honor former Superinten- minority teachers, we can improve our dent Lloyd Lindsey for his many con- school system. We are committed to this tributions. The marquee made so much belief, and it will play out in our actions. sense for so many reasons; it promotes Just look at what we have already accomthe accomplishments of the children of plished in four years.” “We will become more assertive in this district, which Mr. Lindsey was all recruiting minority teachers, and we’ll about.” Anticipating the 2014—2015 continue to become more diverse over school year - Milton says that he is look- time,” Milton says, adding that he hopes ing forward to “our grant with LSU, some of his students will return to West which will help us bring more opportuni- Feliciana to teach. As for developing leadership, the ties to our students through new courses for college credit, Advanced Placement grants, in particular the LSU grant, will courses, and Science, Technology, En- help build leadership qualities in teachers gineering, and Mathematics enrichment and students. And as for improving communicaactivities at both the West Feliciana Middle School and High School. This tion between the schools and the comgrant, the LSU Believe and Prepare munity, Milton notes that he brought “an Grant, builds collaboration between LSU automated call out system to the district and West Feliciana, not only to promote four years ago, and we now depend on STEM instruction for our students, but this system extensively. I believe that the also to offer professional development marquee helps with communication, as resources to our teachers and to recruit does other technology, such as texting, high-quality science and math teachers. tweeting, and emailing, and we also have We are the only grantee connected with a West Feliciana App. We will continue LSU, and our relationship with LSU is to work on new ways to reach the comnow flourishing. The LSU Believe and munity, including community meetings Prepare Grant will allow us to align our this fall.” Family, role models - “My dad’s star with LSU’s star. “I am also excited about the funding great grandparents moved to the Florida we received from Mr. Lane Grigsby, a Parishes as lumberjacks to harvest the philanthropist out of Baton Rouge, al- vast numbers of trees in the region. My lowing us to offer one of the best char- mom’s grandpa was a Choctaw Indian; acter education programs in the nation to because of my ancestry, I have a deep inour students at Bains Lower Elementary, terest in Native American culture. “My parents, Catherine and Hollis, Bains Elementary, and West Feliciana Middle School. The Leader in Me pro- Sr., who still live in Hammond, influgram will help our students build strong enced me more than anyone to make my career in education. They have both character and leadership skills.” The superintendent cites also the Lit- worked very hard and have always been eracy Grant (The Striving Readers Com- humble. And they have always been selfprehensive Literacy Grant Program), sufficient, as they are very disciplined. which he says is “the largest federal grant My father worked in the chemical plants in West Feliciana history, offering exten- and farmed commercially. He would sive reading programs for Pre-Kindergar- come home from the plant and then work ten through 12th grade.” In addition, the his land until dark, and I helped him. “I enjoyed helping my grandfather Louisiana Department of Education Early Childhood Cohort Grant will expand sell his oranges out the back of his car opportunities for the youngest children on the side of the road. My mother went in the parish. Further, the Capital Area back to earn her GED at night after leavUnited Way Summer Bridge Program ing school in the 11th grade. I hope to live “has provided funding for three years to up to what they taught me.” “As for my career, my dad told me extend school an additional month for that he thought I would like to teach bethree-year-olds in Head Start.” Challenges in the school system - cause of my love for history. My mom The district, Milton says, will continue thought I would be good with kids. The to work on “a long-term plan to arrive at rest, as they say, is history.” Another “tremendous influence,” financial stability.” In 2008, AdvancED made two recommendations: 1) Increase Milton says, was his neighbor, Mervin the number of minority teachers, and Avants, a World War II veteran. “Mr. 2) create a plan to build leadership. “In Avants completed four tours of duty in 2013, AdvancED recognized our suc- Europe. He told me, ‘As a teacher, you
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have a battle in the trenches to make a difference, to strengthen our country’s future.” “I was teaching in New Orleans on 911, when the towers were hit. When I left New Orleans, there was no traffic on the interstate, there were no planes near the airport. I stopped at my parents’ in Hammond. At this point, Mr. Avants was 80 years old. He was out in his yard putting up an American flag. I asked him, ‘How should we handle this?’ He answered, ‘We have to come together as a nation, and we’ll get through it.’ He is buried now in Port Hudson, so, in a way, we’re neighbors again.” In addition to his family and Mr. Avants, Milton cites another influence: “I went into leadership after my former principal and mentor at Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet School in Baton Rouge, Phyllis Crawford, prepared me for the role.” Crawford, he says, has worked in education for over 40 years, and Sherwood Middle is “one of the highest-performing schools in the State. “She really worked me!” Milton says. “She had high expectations, and she assigned extra jobs, extra work to me. Luckily, I was never brave enough to tell her no. But of course, all of the work was good for the kids and helped me grow.” He moved into administration at Southeast Middle and was named Principal of the Year in 2006. “I am humble to lead, and I am thankful to have worked with so many dedicated people. The dedication and commitment that our teachers give to our students and our community is an inspiration. I am very thankful for their hard work.” Career Path - While in New Orleans, Milton taught one year at McDonogh 28 and one semester at John Mack Senior High School, where his students were from the 7th and 9th Wards. “I started teaching in New Orleans in 1999 and was voted second place as Teacher of the Year in 1999 (my first year of teaching!). I enjoyed teaching in New Orleans, and I love the city, but I was not going to live in New Orleans. Baton Rouge was a place where I felt I could live, work, and raise a family. “Of course, there’s no place like St. Francisville to raise a family!” From 2000 to 2003, Milton taught eighth grade social studies and seventh grade life science at Sherwood Middle School in Baton Rouge. During his tenure, he received the Kelly Gene Cook Grant and the Louisiana Resource Center for Educators Colonial Williamsburg Grant. He served also as the Social Studies Chairperson and was a member of the Sherwood Middle Magnet Committee. From 2003 to 2006, he was assistant principal and Dean of Students for Prescott, Sherwood, and Glasgow Middle Schools. He served as an instructional leader, a School Improvement Plan Coordinator, a School-wide Data Coordinator, the Technology Coordinator, and princi-
pal of the 2005 Parish Summer School Program. In addition, he was named Teacher of the Year for 2003—2004 and for 2001—2002. His last stop before arriving in St. Francisville was Southeast Middle School in Baton Rouge, where, from 2006 to 2010, he supervised over 90 employees and 900 sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. During his time as principal, proficiency levels increased in all grades and content areas from 2008 to 2009, the number of students achieving honor roll increased 33 percent since 2006, and the number of suspensions fell by 15 percent throughout the four years. He was also named Principal of the Year for 2006—2007. Memberships and Leadership Experience - The superintendent’s memberships include: Proposed board member for the School Leadership Council of New Orleans; the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, vice president, 2014, and secretary and treasurer, 2013; Parish Superintendents Advisory Council, 2011—present; National Teacher Evaluation Program Committee, current; Houghton Mifflin Harcourt National Leadership Council Member, 2013; Leadership North (Baton Rouge) 2013 graduate; Leadership Louisiana Participant, 2014; West Feliciana Economic Development Board, 2011—present; West Feliciana Concerned Citizens Committee, current; St. Francisville Rotary. Superintendent’s vision and goals for the school system - “Our vision is to prepare students for college, career, and life in the 21st Century. To reach this vision, we must continue to expand opportunities for our students to take college credit courses (dual enrollment), more Advanced Placement courses, technical courses such as welding that can lead to an industry-based certificate, and STEM electives. As a district, we must increase project-based learning opportunities, student use of technology, and character education. These opportunities will help our students succeed in a more competitive world. We have to keep our focus on what is best for them.” Final message for students, parents, and the community - “I heard Pastor John Thompson speak last week at the Annual Minister’s Conference, and I was inspired by his powerful message, which was: We must reinvest in our families so that they are strong units, and we have to move forward so that our parish can make progress. “I would like to share his message, with two additional points: We must continue to work together as one community with one goal of building a better future for our children. We control our destiny, and I believe our future is bright. I see it in the smiles of our children.” Kudos - Dr. Henderson Lewis, Jr., Hollis Milton’s counterpart in East Feliciana Parish, says of West’s superintendent: “He is a dynamic leader with a heart for children.”