LUMBERTON — For the second year in a row, Robeson Early College High School has landed itself on Newsweek’s annual “Beating the Odds” list that recognizes schools that prepare at-risk students for college.
The school was the highest ranked North Carolina school on the list — an achievement noted Tuesday at the Public Schools of Robeson County’s monthly Board of Education meeting.
“They were 27th in the nation,” said Linda Emanuel, assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. “In a report from last year, they were 47th.”
According to newsweek.com, the “Beating the Odds” list recognizes schools that “do an excellent job of preparing their students for college while also overcoming the obstacles posed by students at an economic disadvantage.”
The school has a student poverty rate of 77.4 percent, the list says.
According to the list of 500 schools, Robeson Early College prepared 92.9 percent of students for success in college.
“I just give all the credit to the students and the staff because they are the ones that do all of the hard work,” said Sheila Gasque, principal of Robeson Early College High School. “I am privileged to be with them and I consider it an honor to be at Early College High School.”
Early College High School was the only Robeson County school to receive an overall performance grade of an A in annual scores released by the state Board of Education last week.
Tommy Lowry, superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County, said that he and the school system “are very proud at what’s taking place there, from our students to our teachers to the administration.”
In other news, the board:
— Unanimously approved a new honors system. Starting in the 2016-2017 school year, high school students will be issued academic honors of cum laude, summa cum laude and magna cum laude. Emanuel said that many North Carolina school systems had already switched to the new system. With the new system of honors, the student speaker will be chosen via an application and interview process.
— Were told by Stephen Gaskins, assistant superintendent of Human Resources, that the Public Schools of Robeson County would begin “banking” days. Schools will be required to have 350 minutes a day of classroom instruction — almost six hours. By doing this, the system will accumulate four days in case of weather or other unforeseen closures.
— Was told by Shanita Wooten, assistant superintendent of Administration and Technology, that the Maintenance Department is recommending that Kessie Road — a damaged road by Purnell Swett High School — be turned over to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The road may need to be brought up to DOT standards first, but that information would be released after an application is submitted. Erica Setzer, finance officer, said that there is no money in the budget to fix the road, but the financial committee could cut money from other projects.
— Approved a surplus auction for Nov. 7. A preview of the items is scheduled for Nov. 6.
— Was given a budget update. Setzer said that the state authorized a pay raise for beginning teachers. Teachers who have taught zero to four years will now receive a salary of $35,000 — a $2,000 raise. She said she believes state employees may receive a $750 bonus at Christmas, but has received no confirmation.
— Heard from Bobby Locklear on the state Board of Education’s recent release of school test scores.
— Approved school fundraisers and the financial report.
The next Board of Education meeting will be held on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the central offices of the Public Schools of Robeson County.
