After slipping to a C-level school last year, the Mississippi Department of Education recently recognized the Hattiesburg Public School District’s Woodley Elementary School as having achieved level ‘B’ status, which Woodley Principal Felicia Morris credits to an experienced faculty and staff committed to helping its students adjust to changes to statewide testing.
Morris, who began her 15-year career with the district as a teacher at Woodley, said prior to the Nov. 8 HPSD Board of Trustees meeting she’s pleased with the school’s rebound, noting that it missed acquiring ‘A’ status by just a few points.
“We begin each school year with the end (completion) in mind, making sure the students know what the expectations are from the start,” Morris said. “And we’ll continue striving to reach that (A) level, while working with each student to help them reach their potential.”
“Teaching and learning are the two main ingredients in academic achievement,” said Board of Trustees President Delores McNair. “We’re proud of the B-status at Woodley Elementary School, and the growth in many areas throughout the district. It exemplifies the hard work of all our students and employees to keep moving the district in a positive direction.”
SUPERINTENDENT MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE JOB
HPSD Superintendent Robert Williams has marked his second year as leader of the district. After being named interim superintendent in the summer of 2016, he was approved by the board of trustees to officially take over the post in late October of that same year.
Williams has helped lead the district back to more stable financial footing following a budget crisis that saw its reserves drop below $1 million. Since then, the district has garnered increased community support, evidenced by a bond referendum that was passed overwhelmingly by voters earlier this year; gradual academic improvement that has included an approximately 95 percent third grade gate literacy rating, which measures the reading capacity of students at that level any beyond; and growth in community partnerships, including those with local higher education institutions that provide dual enrollment opportunities for the district’s students, among other achievements.
“I’m pleased with how far we’ve come, but I want us to continue working to get even better,” Williams said.
