Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Another school year has begun. There is always excitement in the air as teachers and students prepare to face new challenges and expectations in an ever-changing learning environment. Some districts across the nation are going in different directions, either through changes by new board members or by legislative instructions by the state. As always, the kids that attend our schools will not be the focus of many academic concerns but cultural concerns. The other day, this reporter drove by Carroll High School in Monroe, LA, and saw the construction of the school’s new band building. Many are hailing that as progress for the school while others may agree, except that the building should not have been so close to Renwick St. One concerned citizen believes that the building should have been built next to the choir room at the back of the campus. In addition, that same citizen said that the elevation of the band building is only a few feet from the sidewalk which could be an issue with flooding for students after one of Monroe’s heavy downpours. The water will have to go somewhere, which is usually downhill. Another concern with the building is that it is within feet of the medical magnet and science buildings, making the front of the campus congested and removing an area of the once open grounds. The construction of new buildings on school grounds is always welcome, but there is the feeling that perhaps not enough thought was given to another location on the campus, as there is enough room in the back. Another concern was that if the practice occurs while students are in the science or medical buildings, will that be a distraction for those students? What about parking now that the band building is taking up so much space at the front of the school? Football season is starting with the Bulldogs gearing up for another exciting season. While expectations will be high even with the arrival of a “new”, but interim coach, the press box still had more work that needed to be completed, and many want to see the ticket booth inside somewhere on the campus. Homecoming activities( the game) should go smoothly despite what happened in Franklin Parish last year.

The direction of where Carroll is headed has been the subject of many discussions and changes. There will be another change in leadership at the school, as an old familiar face, Pat Taylor, will be returning as principal. Many believed that Dr. Eric Davis was the answer, but now he is gone. We are told that academic accountability is the focus, but how can that be if there seems to be some internal turmoil at the school? How is the school performing when it comes to test scores? Extracurricular activities are vital to a school’s growth, just as is its academic reputation. Someone asked the question of using the old band room as a “student success center” to help improve the overall test scores performance woes.

Construction is also being done at Neville High School, with a new multi-purpose building currently under construction. When completed, it will be the home of the band, choir, and symphony. That building will be in the back of the campus, as it will not take anything away from a “university-type look” when traveling on Forsythe Ave. That is why many were/are hoping that Carroll will take on the appearance of an upper-level institution instead of an elementary institution. Carroll may never be a Neville, but it can emulate some of the things it has done to improve its academic standing and attractiveness for new students to attend. The community wants Carroll to succeed despite the school's setbacks over the years. Academic accountability has to come first. The students that attend Carroll are deserving of that. “Chillens, we’re not there yet,” a wise woman once said. Let’s hope that our leaders know where they are taking us.