1 Unit 3 Common Assessment: Part B Veronica Jenkins EDU 744: School and Community Relations Belhaven University Dr. Holifield July 13, 2024 2 Unit 3 Common Assessment: Part B In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in school-community relations in the South Delta School District. This interest can be perceived as both positive and negative depending on the internal climate of the schools. While understanding the relationship between the school and community can be helpful, relationships are formed that can either facilitate or frustrate efforts to collaborate. Two-way communication and a shared purpose are vital in developing mutually beneficial relations between students, families, educators, and community members. South Delta School District contains four schools and serves 618 students. The district’s minority enrollment rate is 100%, with 68.9% economically disadvantaged students (U.S. News Education, 2023). South Delta reported its highest graduation rate in 2019 under the leadership of Superintendent Sammy Ivy. During that time, the school district's graduation rate was the fifth highest at 95.1%, and its dropout rate was 1.6% (Delta News.tv, February 6, 2020). Mississippi Department of Education's Accountability Report Card reported that South Delta School District's 2024 graduate rate is 88.6% with a dropout rate of 8.6%. The graduation rate has fluctuated from 82.5% in 2017 to 792.9% in 2018 to 91.5% in 2019 to 90.1 in 2020 (Kids Count Data Center, 2022). Although the graduation rate has decreased over three years, South Delta still strives to create an institution of academic achievement for all students. Student enrollment has fallen after the tornado hit the area in March 2023. Community leaders have stepped in to play a vital role in the rebuilding process of the damaged community and schools. Parental involvement has also fallen; however, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) has been revitalized. To help boost parental involvement, South Delta School District uses social media as one of the avenues to communicate with parents and other community 3 stakeholders. Announcements for PTO meetings, game day schedules, updates on upcoming school events, and much more can be found on the district’s Facebook Page. Because of this new source to output information, parental and community attendance has started to increase at school-sponsored events. Additionally, to garner support and improve community relations, the school board changed the day and time of its monthly meetings. These meetings are open to the community to listen to information about the school district or for community members to voice concerns about issues occurring within the school environment. Setting school meetings at a time and place that allows for community and parental involvement is critical in building effective relationships. According to John Evans, School Board President, "These meetings offer valuable insight and opportunity for parents and the community to become knowledgeable of the school's operations" (2024). Mr. Evans further stated, "It is essential that our parents try to foster positive relationships within the school community, and definitely having an open door policy at school board meetings allows the parents to ask questions. As the community rebuilds, so does the school district and its decisions to ensure students receive the best leadership possible. However, some of these decisions could be more favorable to some community members. South Delta School District has been rocked by positive and negative community and school relations concerning this decision. Recently, the school board members voted to demote the superintendent after 19 months in the position. According to the article, “Parents in the South Delta School District are frustrated after the former superintendent was demoted” (Anderson, 2024). After the superintendent's removal, the board voted to reinstate former superintendent Mr. Sammie Ivy, hoping his leadership skills would help promote a more positive and receptive climate within the community. 4 South Delta School District is dedicated to the academic excellence of all students. As a part of its initiative to improve students' learning, students in grades 9th-12th are provided Chromebooks, and students in grades 1st-8th are provided iPads to ensure access to modern educational tools (South Delta School District, 2024). This emphasis on technology equips students with essential digital skills, supports innovative teaching methods, and meets state testing requirements. In recent news, the South Delta School District was gifted additional laptops for students from Congressman Bennie Thompson (Delta News.tv, n.d). This impressive accomplishment highlights the district's dedication to academic excellence and its successful strategies for student retention and success. South Delta School District faces considerable socio-economic challenges, with a median household income of $41,000 and a poverty rate of 35.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023). These economic difficulties significantly impact student performance and community support for educational programs. Families with lower incomes often struggle to access resources that enhance academic achievement, such as tutoring, extracurricular activities, and reliable internet. Moreover, financial stress can contribute to instability at home, further hindering students' ability to concentrate and succeed in school. These economic challenges also impede community support for educational initiatives. Schools in economically disadvantaged areas frequently need help in obtaining funding for programs, technology, and facility upgrades. Burdened by their financial struggles, parents and community members may need help participating in fundraising or volunteering. This shortage of resources can perpetuate a cycle of underperformance and restricted opportunities, intensifying educational inequities. 5 In addition to building a school culture dedicated to student success, South Delta has created an outstanding athletic program. After the tornado, all sports at South Delta had to rebuild. The most noticeable football team received new uniforms and equipment from local and state sponsors. The team also received accolades for making it to the second round of the state championship. The girl's and boys' basketball teams have had successful seasons, with both teams winning district championships and making it to the state playoffs (Chavez, 2024). As with its success in athletics, South Delta also promotes academic excellence off the field and court. South Delta's efforts to promote academic excellence over sports can be seen in the academic success of student-athletes who have chosen to attend college on academic scholarships. These athletic achievements foster community pride, boost school spirit, and offer students valuable opportunities for personal growth and teamwork. South Delta School District has struggled to build a functional relationship with its community stakeholders over the past five years. The changing over of three superintendents and several principals in that time frame has yet to give community members the trust they need to believe that South Delta is thriving. However, despite these setbacks, South Delta still strives to build an educational environment conducive to learning for all students. Meaningful relationships where the community feels a part are a vision of the South Delta School District. Despite the difficulty it faces, the increased willingness of the students, educators, and administrators of the schools showcases that the school community has made remarkable strides in academic and extracurricular areas. To bolster community relations and advocate for the needs of the schools, the district can capitalize on its achievements. Regular engagement with community leaders, sharing stories of student success, and actively involving parents in school initiatives can build stronger ties and foster trust. 6 In summary, the continuous rebuilding of the district, along with its history and academic achievement trends over the past five years, reflects a resilient entity making notable progress. By enhancing community connections and emphasizing its accomplishments, the district can create a more supportive environment for students and secure the resources needed for continued success. 7 References Anderson, J. (March 21, 2024). South delta parents unset by superintendent’s demotion. https://www.wjtv.com/news/education/south-delta-parents-upset-by-superintendentsdemotion/ Chavez, M. (2024). How south delta basketball rallied after tragedy to reach NHSAA class 1A semifinals. https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/high-school/2024/02/23/mhsaabasketball-south-delta-tornado-tragedy-1a-playoffs-semifinals/72656183007/ Delta News.tv (February 6, 2020).South delta school district celebrating graduation rate. https://www.deltanews.tv/news/south-delta-school-district-celebrating-graduationrate/article_f41798f8-4932-11ea-a429-a33a1d2130e9.html Delta News.tv (April 3, 2024) South delta school district receives computer donations. https://www.deltanews.tv/local-events/south-delta-high-school-receives-computerdonation/article_a02237fe-f1ed-11ee-a022-4fe6d5a6b7f2.html Evans, J. (2024, June 25). Personal communication Kids Count Data Center. (April 2022). Graduation rates in Mississippi. https://datacenter.aecf.org/data/tables/7549-graduationrates#detailed/2/any/false/2048,574,1729,37,573,869,36,868/any/14680 Mississippi Department of Education. (2024). Accountability report card. https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/Offices/MDE/OEA/OPR/2024/grad_dropout_ rates_2024_report_1.pdf South Delta School District (2024). www.southdelta.k12.ms.us United States Census Bureau. (2023). Sharkey county, M.S. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/sharkeycountymississippi 8 U.S. News Education (2023). South delta school district. https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/mississippi/districts/south-delta-school-district102860