NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — Patrons of the Greenland School District and their peers in Decatur are probably looking forward to the day when their full and complete recovery from fiscal distress and state administration don’t make the newspaper.
Despite this, congratulations are in order. School board elections are over and both districts have locally elected leadership for the first time since 2008.
A truly fresh start is a rare thing. We want to again commend those who are most responsible for giving such a second chance to the Greenland and Decaturschool districts. Those people are mainly the patrons of those districts
The state took over administration of both districts in 2008, citing the financial distress involved.
State administrators called the ensuing financial turnaround in each district amazing.
The transition was tough, but proved that the districts have the resources needed to survive. What was needed was will and direction. Again, we commend former Greenland interim superintendent Roland Smith and his counterpart for Decatur, LeRoy Ortman, for making the tough decisions - and to the staff of the district, which had to carry out those tough calls. New superintendent Charles Cudney of Greenland and Larry Ben of Decatur have big shoes to fill.
As we’ve said before, getting out from under state administration is nice - but not nearly as important and getting the districts back to a sound financial footing.
We wish that each district has a future that makes their past something forgotten very soon.
Opinion, Pages 5 on 10/28/2010