Bartlesville Public Schools can take pride in job well done in 2006

(Published Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006 in Examiner-Enterprise)

Though the promise of a new year is always exciting, in some ways I'll be sad to see the current one come to an end.

Bartlesville Public Schools accomplished a great deal in 2006. It's been a very good year.

Earlier this month, the Bartlesville Public School District played host to a dedication ceremony at the new Bartlesville High School Fieldhouse. A ribbon-cutting event and alumni game were featured and refreshments were handed out as well. Approximately 150 people braved the snowy weather conditions to attend the event, and we feel it was well worthwhile.

The BHS Fieldhouse is a spectacular facility which seats approximately 2,200 people. It has a state-of-the-art scoreboard, several spacious locker rooms and a fine hospitality space. The building was funded by the $30.5 million bond issue which was passed in 2001 and should serve as a source of Bartlesville pride for years to come.

The media center, which like the connecting link is another product of the bond issue, should be ready for use by the start of the 2007-08 school year. It is being constructed in the old BHS auditorium space and will feature more computers and general room for use by students and teachers alike. A conference area will be featured as well. Kim Lashbrook, the BHS librarian, was instrumental in helping to design the new media center.

There are plenty of other sources of pride within the school district as well. When the 2006 Academic Performance Index scores were released, we saw several of our institutions make their best showing ever. API scores are based largely on state testing in math and reading as well as school attendance figures. The top possible score in the API is 1,500 and the state average in 2006 was 1,180. All told, Bartlesville Public Schools tallied a cumulative score of 1,327 – our best showing since the API was instituted in 2002. Most of our district schools turned in their top scores ever.

Our schools are excelling in the ACT tests as well. In 2006, BPS students averaged a 22.1 in the college entrance exam, which far exceeded the state average of 20.5.

The Bartlesville Public School District has long been home to a myriad of fine teachers. Among them is Mitsuye Conover, who was named Oklahoma Teacher of the Year in 2000. In 2006, we recognized another fine instructor in Jennifer Rainbolt, who teaches at Hoover . She was named the BPS Teacher of the Year. We anxiously await the 2007 Teacher of the Year reception which is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the Fine Arts Center.

A teacher at the Bartlesville Mid-High earned state accolades this year. Erica Derryberry, a biology and physical sciences instructor, was named the 2006 Outstanding Biology Teacher for Oklahoma by the National Association of Biology Teachers. Derryberry, who is in her sixth year of teaching science at the Mid-High, was recognized at an Honors Luncheon during the NABT's National Conference in Albuquerque , N.M. , on Oct. 13. Winners from all 50 states were recognized at the event.

We currently boast more than 20 National Board Certified Teachers on staff, and added Debbie French, Susie Matke, Stephanie Harris and Julia Quinn this year.

In 2006, we implemented a new program designed to aid those students who need extra assistance – the Academic Interest and Mentoring Society. Initiated in February, the program originally focused on Mid-High students who were struggling in Algebra I and seemed to need tutoring assistance. Mentors are adults who come from all walks of life and are expected to show an interest in the academic achievements of the student as well as his or her general well-being. A dozen students initially went through the program and another 16 have since been targeted. We think it's a great program which will further aid our youngsters.

As we strive to ensure the well being of our students, we began meeting with community leaders this year to formulate safety plans at each of our 12 schools. We have met with people such as Bartlesville Police Department Chief Leo Willey, Bartlesville Fire Department Chief Bob Hasbrook and Washington County Emergency Management Director Kary Cox and began taking them on tours of each of the buildings. We want them to know as much as they can about each of the schools – and the people in them – so they can best respond in case of an emergency.

The Bartlesville Board of Education does an outstanding job, and in 2006, president Barry W. Lowe was recognized with the Buddy Spencer Leadership Award. The award is presented to one of the All-State School Board members for demonstrated leadership on the local or state level as well as a dedication to improving his or her boardsmanship. A board member since 2001, Mr. Lowe has served three times as president and has worked on several committees focused on special education and reading.