Comments on: Atmore Moves Toward City School System; Supporters Want To End Racial Divide, Failing Schools

By: educator

educator — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:43:36 +0000

Starting a new system will not make the same students more motivated to learn and increase involvement. Teachers are teaching and working hard. However, for students to learn, they must put in the work and school must be a priority in their homes. Children cannot learn when they come to school hungry, tired, and undisciplined because they are lacking this at home. I agree high expectations are needed! Our teachers have high expectations but unfortunately many of the homes in our community do not. That is the problem.

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:15:23 +0000

You obviously do not know what you are talking about. Let’s put some facts on here for you and everyone else. If you look up Hugh Fountain you will see how successful his coaching career is NOT just at EA. So what do you want us to do? Why fault a man for being successful in what he does. I am beyond grateful that my son plays football for this man. He is not only a coach but a godly man and truly cares for each player. Coach Fountain became the head master because he is the definition of a great man. Since you obviously don’t know him the definition of a great man is personable, has integrity, is honest, always positive, truly cares, hard working, respectful, dedicated to his job, and loves each of the students. EA is not all about sports he has gotten rid of several teachers to better the students education. The school is constantly trying to get better. My son loves his school and so do I.

By: DJC

DJC — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 20:43:22 +0000

@ Educator:
Very good point of view. Teachers are only a part of it. The schools would need plenty of good counselors and mentors on staff to help guide the students as well.
Education isn’t the only issue. Sex, drugs, and violence is more prevalent at ECHS than other areas. This is an issue everywhere of course, but caring parents hope their kids will graduate without entering a world of drugs or becoming a teen parent.

By: Daphne Cook class of 83

Daphne Cook class of 83 — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:44:35 +0000

Excited to see these amazing leaders come together! College Prep classes were so strong at ECHS in the 80’s that college was easy the first few years bc I was so far ahead of other incoming students. I taught a class at ECHS as a guest last year and I was sad to see the low self esteem and poor hygiene of many students. This community is strong enough to work together and rebuild a great system but I strongly agree that it starts in the HOME! There is no substitute for having a strong moral foundation , showing Respect for self and others and taking personal responsibility for behavior.

By: Educator

Educator — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 13:32:25 +0000

Saying all the smart kids left Atmore schools, is a slap in the face to the students in the Atmore schools. There are many smart kids in the Atmore schools. Saying bring back the white kids and the scores will improve is racist. Why would anyone say the minority children cannot learn. This attitude is unacceptable no matter who is saying it. Does the County system need to do better? Absolutely. But has anyone noticed the State Report Cards improved a letter grade for the Atmore schools? Some making negative statements about schools, teachers and administrators are the very parents that refuse to believe their child is ever wrong. Even with video evidence, some parents insist their child is not to blame. A city system will have the exact same issues if parents, pastors, teachers, administrators and the rest of the community do not work for a common goal, a good education. That starts with students expected by all to do their best academically, but most important to behave at school. For those saying staff members do not care about the students, shame on you. Teachers spend countless extra hours and money out of their own pocket. Are there some staff members complaining? Yes. Why? Probably because they are being held to a higher standard than before. Bottom line we need to work together to help our children. If the city does start a system, we need to work to make it the best we can. If the County continues to educate our children, we need to do the same and all work together.

By: parent

parent — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 12:35:56 +0000

I look at some of the other schools in our area and then think of when my children were in high school at ECHS and think that the real problem is a lack of parents(support, discipline, attention, love, presence….). When you are at a football game and the visitor stands are fuller than the home stands, where are these children’s support system. A tree can’t grow tall without good roots and neither will our children.

By: Puddin

Puddin — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:55:59 +0000

On sorry. I guess it isn’t funny. But it made me laugh to hear Northview described that way.
So, if Atmore does ceded from Escambia School district, how will we pay for the schools? 6 million won’t go very far. Teachers and ESP personnel pay. Insurance. Building and bus maintenance and insurance. Supplies and utilities. This adds up fast. I havent done the math, but I’m guessing 6 mil won’t even touch it.
Perhaps a better way would be for Florida to quit taking in our kids. Then work on making our schools better. We could start with setting higher goals for the students. Rewarding academic achievement instead of wasting time and money on sports. Add in some personal responsibility and back up the teachers. Insist on respect for authority and actual consequences for misbehavior. A safe learning environment where kids, from pre-k thru graduation, dont have to worry about being physically assaulted on a daily basis. I have other ideas, but those are the easiest to fix.

By: Former student

Former student — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 05:43:56 +0000

The problem is definitely not a race issue, thats an excuse. The problem is mainly because of lack of home training, and noone wants to send their kids to a school like that, it has been failing for years. This is the same school that not too long ago had a bunch of kids jump one kid, what we need is to put body cameras on these teachers, so when parents come up there blaming every teacher for the way their children are behaving, and can defend themselves with proof, if the parents don’t get control of the situation after repeated problems then expell them. The teachers are there to teach, not raise your children.

By: Northendbratt

Northendbratt — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 02:07:09 +0000

The smartest person in that room is Mr. Loomed White!!!!You all would be smarter to listen to him…..

By: Oh.Well

Oh.Well — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 00:55:03 +0000

Same tired politicians trying to fix the same old problems in Atmore…in the end nothing will change…although someone will make a lot of money doing the study
Just to find out the city can’t afford it.