Denver -- For Lincoln County Schools associate superintendent Dr. Elaine Jenkins, retirement is going to have to wait a couple of months.
She told members of the Denver/Lake Norman Rotary Club she was supposed to retire at the end of June…that is, until Dr. Jim Watson announced his retirement.
“The Lincoln County Board of Education came to me and asked me to serve until a replacement could be found for Dr. Watson,” said Jenkins. “I agreed.””
Dr. J. David Martin -- the 2006 Virginia Superintendent of the Year -- was named June 1 as Watson’s replacement and will take the helm of Lincoln County Schools on Sept. 1.
Jenkins took time during her presentation to praise the work of the Denver/Lake Norman Rotary Club in Lincoln County’s third grade classrooms with Junior Achievement.
“We’re proud of what the club has done regarding Junior Achievement,”” said Jenkins. “The program has touched our children across the county.”
Jenkins added she’s proud of the work Lincoln County Schools have done. However, she added, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
During the 2006-07 school year, the system opened two new schools and made significant additions to three of four high schools.
“We also received the new Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (Jr. ROTC) program at Lincolnton High School,” said Jenkins. “We’ve received preliminary feedback that we’ve been approved for Navy Jr. ROTC programs at East Lincoln and North Lincoln High Schools.”
Jenkins said the biggest challenge during her tenure as interim superintendent is opening the new North Lincoln Middle School. The school was constructed in response to overcrowding at Pumpkin Center Middle School.
In meetings with LCS construction supervisor Darrell Gettys, Jenkins said she learned the construction of the new school is on schedule.
“We’re on a very tight timeline,” said Jenkins, adding that once NLMS opens, Pumpkin Center Elementary will be split into two schools: Pumpkin Center Elementary will house grades kindergarten through two while Pumpkin Center Intermediate will house grades three through five.
Jenkins also outlined the strong student growth over the last 10 years in the system.
“In 1997, we had around 10,000 students,” said Jenkins. “This year, we had 12,000 students and we’ll have 13,000 students in the system by 2009.”
Jenkins also talked about the $44.6 million school bond, scheduled for voter approval or disapproval in May 2008.
“$30 million of that bond will be spent in eastern Lincoln County,” said Jenkins. “The money used will include renovations and repairs.” Jenkins added plans with the bond money are to construct a new elementary school in eastern Lincoln County.
“We’ve been successful with the previous two bonds,” said Jenkins. “Through that, we’ve opened new facilities. We’re in good shape, but if the voters pass the bond in 2008, we’ll be in great shape.”
Looking into the future, Jenkins said some course offerings may go online.
“The face of education is beginning to change,” said Jenkins. “More children will be taking courses on the Internet and sitting in front of a computer.”
Jenkins learned Wednesday morning that Lincoln County Commissioners cut the system’s proposed $2.3 million budget almost in half Monday.
The Lincoln Tribune was first to report on the unanimous vote to go with county manager Stan Kiser’s recommendation to give LCS $1.2 million for operating expenses and $193,000 towards capital outlay.
“That’s going to be a challenge for us,” said Jenkins. “I’m disappointed.”
The comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content.
By Jon Mayhew, Editor
