Larry Ben Takes Reins

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT LOOKS TO REVIVE DECATUR SCHOOLS

Dr. Larry Ben, new superintendent of Decatur schools, walks the grounds of the high school on July 19 in Decatur. The Decatur School District has been run by the state for the past two years because of fiscal distress. Ben comes to the new post from the Rogers School District where he served as an administrator and coach.
Dr. Larry Ben, new superintendent of Decatur schools, walks the grounds of the high school on July 19 in Decatur. The Decatur School District has been run by the state for the past two years because of fiscal distress. Ben comes to the new post from the Rogers School District where he served as an administrator and coach.

— Larry Ben has a vision of what he wants the Decatur School District to become.

“My focus is academic achievement,” Ben said. “My goal is restoring the confi dence of the parents and people in the community.”

Ben, 51, is the new superintendent for the district.

Decatur was under state control while it worked to get off the state’s fiscal distress list the past two years. The district, now in stable financial standing, was released from state control.

Ben, a former administrator and coach in Rogers, was hired in early May. His salary is $87,000.

“It is always a great thing whenthe state is able to return control to the local community,” said Julie Johnson Thompson, spokeswoman for the Arkansas State Board of Education. “When the state steps into the district, it has come to a critical point. It can’t always be resolved, but we were really happy that in Decatur’s case financial stability was reached again.”

Ben has experience in teaching,coaching and in administration.

“This is an opportunity for me to learn and grow and do something exciting,” Ben said.

The Arkansas State Board of Education appointed Ben. More than 20 people applied and were reviewed by a local panel made up C.L. Abercombie, Decatur PublicSchools Foundation member; Terri Burden, business director for the district; and Ikie Owens, a community member. Four applicants were recommended by the panel to the state.

“There were several applicants for the position,” Johnson Thompson said. “They determined (Ben) was the best fit for that job. He had the correct leadership skills to keep the district moving in the right direction.”

Stacy Brooks of Decatur plans for his children, Deegan, 5, and Sydnie, 2, to one day graduate from Decatur.

“I’m thrilled to have the new superintendent,” Brooks said. “He seems really sharp, down to earth and a straight shooter. He also knows the area and the people and has the ability to get the job down.”

Ben seems ready for the task.

“I am not afraid,” Ben said. “The main concern that could hurt us now would be to lose students.”

The district’s enrollment has dropped by more than 100 students the past four years. The 2006-07 school year ended with 600 students. That dropped to 582 at the end of the 2007-08 year and to 487 after 2008-09. Last school year, the district averaged 483 students.

“Parents are going to put their children in this school because the school can teach them and provide them a good education,” Ben said. “There are no smoke and mirrors that will provide lasting results.”

Setting a curriculum, teaching the curriculum, accessing the curriculum and adjusting the curriculum based on assessment are steps that must be taken to improve academic achievement, Ben said.

“That does not mean you wait until the end of theyear to figure out how well you did,” Ben said. “You are checking every week.”

Ben also wants a sound fi nancial structure.

“I don’t want to say the financial part is not important. I cannot let that happen again,” Ben said. “If you don’t have the money, you don’t have the school. If you don’t have the instruction, you won’t have the money.”

Strong management and being good stewards with money are two ways Ben plans to tackle the fi nancial issue.

“We are fi nancially stable at the moment,” Burden said. “If we can just maintain and build on that we are good. We need to stay the course and hope that our enrollment comes.”

Brooks would like to see the new administration’s emphasis on technology. He also hopes to see programs that includes parental involvement.

“I was very worried the school would be consolidated. I think it is extremely important for our community to have a school, not only for education but also athletics and extracurricular,” Brooks said. “A school ties into the community and brings an identity to it.”

A new school board will be elected in September since the district is back under local control.

School starts in Decatur on Aug. 19.

News, Pages 1 on 07/26/2010

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