T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
Ronnie Thompson, Superintendent Liberty-Eylau Independent School District (LEISD) photo by Brian Jones
Chad Pirtle, Superintendent Pleasant Grove Independent School District (PGISD) photo by Brian Jones
Dr. Doug Brubaker, Superintendent Texarkana Independent School District (TISD) photo by Brian Jones
Dr. Becky Kesler, Superintendent Texarkana Arkansas School District (TASD) photo by Brian Jones
I have, I had the opportunity to really see that in full effect with the pandemic being such a challenging time.” “In Pleasant Grove Independent School District, we talk about a ‘state of mind,’” explained Pirtle (PGISD). “We highlight ‘state’ because in everything we do, we are striving to be the best in the state. I’m passionate about taking care of our people. I also think the positivity and joy that radiates through our campuses is unique.” “One of the big things we did during the pandemic was we made sure our kids got fed,” said Thompson (LEISD). “That was important because for a lot of them, their meals for the day happened when they came to school. When COVID shut schools down, our Food Services Department was still working pretty much full time. We would use our bus routes and deliver breakfast and lunch meals. There were also some federal funds that flowed through the State that allowed us to buy technology and Personal Protection Equipment and gear that we needed. We also actually got with our Career and Technology Department, and they built us hand sanitizing stations. They’re building 30 more this summer, so we’ll have even more on our campuses this school year. That was important because they were on back order for months. Our
welding teacher said he thought he could make it. He made one, and the rest is history.” As we settle into a “new normal” this fall, educators have a monumental task on their hands. With such a challenging year in the rear-view mirror, the consensus among the group was to focus on a positive school experience and celebrate progress in their districts. “I think assessing and addressing the individual needs of students as we kick off the school year is going to be one of the most important challenges we face,” said Brubaker (TISD). “In terms of setting a positive tone, I think about what has been accomplished over the last 18 months. TISD staff members and their peers across the state have kept schools functioning for kids. That’s an amazing accomplishment. I’m also really excited about a strategic planning initiative we have set up this fall. We’re going to be engaging the community in dialogue about what we want our schools to look like five years from now.” Thompson (LEISD) further explained that public schools have to accept that “the biggest challenge is closing the educational gaps that were developed during the pandemic. Even for kids who chose face-to-face learning the entire school year, they still had
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C OMM U N I T Y & C U L T U R E
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