ECARE, an Empty School and Dixon’s Journey

During its workshop today, the Escambia County School Board discussed reading progress within the district, the future of a closed campus and the progress of a struggling charter.

Ashley Bodmer, executive director of Every Child A Reader in Escambia (ECARE), made a presentation to the school board detailing the organization’s efforts to better young students’ reading skills. She described its work with area children enrolled in voluntary pre-kindergarten classes.

ECARE is currently in its thirteenth year. The organization focuses on preparing children to enter the school system.

“There is a role to play for the community,” Bodmer said, stressing the importance of community volunteers, “and these are successful interventions for these students.”

School board members appeared encouraged by the ECARE presentation. Following last year’s performance on standardized tests, the district is heavily focused on improving students’ reading ability.

“You’re tackling the number one concern,” said Board President Bill Slayton. “I don’t know what else to say, but ‘thank you.’”
Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas agreed, telling the board that the district’s future success—and that of their students—was tied to the success of the ECARE program.

“You can change their destiny, and that’s what it’s all about,” Thomas said.

The school also discussed the future plans for the closed Spencer-Bibbs Elementary School. Board member Linda Moultrie had requested a status update from the administration.

“Basically, what we’re doing now, is developing a plan,” the superintendent said, explaining that the district hoped to transform the facility into a professional development center for staff.

“As we know more, as far as how it lays out and what the costs are, we’ll be bringing it back to you,” Thomas said.

School board member Patty Hightower told the superintendent that she wished the board had been included in the decision and planning phase. Board member Jeff Bergosh wondered if the district should be selling the property.

Thomas asked if the board was opposed to using the property for a development center—no one was—and told them the project would be paid for with money generated by the sale of other district properties.

Moultrie told the superintendent that people who had spoken to her about the property were concerned it would lie abandoned.

“They just didn’t want to see the property left vacant and eventually boarded up like some of our other properties,” she said.

The school board also heard a report this morning from A.A. Dixon charter school. The charter has been giving regular updates on its progress following a rough initial year, and a near shuttering last school year.

While the charter saw marked learning gains last year, its most recent FCAT scores require the school to apply to the state of Florida for a waiver to remain open. Following the waiver request—which was recently submitted—Dixon must also submit a plan for improvement with the state.

“I would just have to say I would be shocked if there was a refusal,” said Slayton, noting that the state wouldn’t be likely to close a school once the academic year had begun.

Superintendent Thomas said that it could be January before the state gave Dixon an answer. He too thought it unlikely they would reject the school’s plan so far into the year.

“The odds are becoming heavier and heavier that you’ll get through this school year,” Thomas said.

The superintendent, along with the board, seemed encouraged at Dixon’s progress thus far this academic year. They congratulated Principal Dr. Wendy Bennett and praised the school’s art-education focus. Moultrie and Hightower said they had recently visited the charter and told their fellow board members to check out the facility.

“I’m going,” said Slayton. “Mrs. Bennett has to have her clarinet there and I’ll bring my trumpet, we’ll serenade the children.”