COLUMBUS COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – Severing his first year as superintendent Eddie Beck is looking to make long-term changes that will hopefully benefit students and staff.
For the new school year, Beck says they have developed a six-year Learning Framework plan. The plan helps serve as a blueprint for leadership to follow. The end goal is to create consistency and equity for all students and staff.
“What I want to do is allow students to be afforded the same opportunities of educational initiatives that I was afforded as a student. Hopefully help improve their experiences where they can be successful in their future endeavors,” said Beck.
The plan also looks to support students after graduation whether they choose to enter into the military, a trade or go to a university.
Beck says the county wants to increase student test scores by 6%. The Framework plan was developed in response to the data released last school year. Several schools underperformed, and Beck says a big problem was chronic absenteeism for teachers and students.
“We need teachers in the building teaching if teachers are happy, the morale is high then they are going to be prepared and they are going to want to come to work. So we are placing a major emphasis on morale also placing a major emphasis on student morale because you know education is supposed to be fun,” said Beck.
In other changes, the school district plans to use COVID funding to revamp the back of West Columbus High School and get rid of old infrastructure.
Because of a $52 million needs-based grant, Acme-Delco and Hallsboro Artesia Elementary will be consolidated into one school. The school is set to open in July of 2027.
Columbus County Schools also has only six teacher vacancies for the new school year according to Beck. He says a majority of the teachers who work in Columbus County grew up in the area and he has lived and worked alongside them for years.
“It makes me really proud. There is a new social studies teacher at West Columbus who was actually a student while I was the principal at South Columbus so I’ve watched her leave the student role and go into college and come back into education to teach and coach. Stories like that just make my heart feel good because you want your students to go off to college. But you also want them to return home,” said Beck.
Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.