The Laurel School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved a new contract for Superintendent Dr. Toy L. Watts at a recent special called meeting. The three-year contract begins July 1, 2021 at the close of the current contract.
“The Laurel School District has experienced many tragedies and triumphs over the years, but this past year has been one for the record books. We have faced many challenges that have defined our fortitude and realigned our paths. Through natural disasters to those man-made, our district continues to define what it means to be golden,” Watts said.
“Throughout this year, the district team has tackled the challenges with dedication and determination, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished during these times of hardship.”
During her time as the superintendent, the district has seen digital upgrades in all areas of operation, increased recruitment leading to the employment of high caliber applicants in the areas of teaching and administration, four of the district’s six schools saw gains on state test scores with the magnet school achieving the district’s first A rating. On the high school level, college scholarship offers doubled and the school achieved a 90 percent graduation rate, the highest since tracking began. Additionally, the district underwent a complete restructuring, including moving campuses, creating grade-level schools and increasing early education opportunities. The district faced the challenges of an EF3 tornado, two devastating fires and a pandemic, all within the past year.
“The cancellation of MDE State Assessment Tests for the 2019-2020 School Year robbed our students, teachers, and administrators of demonstrating the gains that all their hard work would have undoubtedly shown. With her current contract set to end on June 30, 2021, the Board felt it was important to send a clear message of support and maintain the continuity of quality leadership Dr. Watts has demonstrated over the last three years,” said Board of Trustees President Dr. James Johnson-Hill. “During unpresented times, Dr. Watts has faced significant challenges that she did not create but was charged to fix. Most importantly, the Board wanted Dr. Watts to keep her focus on the education of our children, the support of our teachers whose job has become even more challenging in the face of COVID-19 and the support of parents, guardians and families who have become de facto home educators.”
In the area of student achievement, the district has seen gains in many areas. With the COVID-19 school-shutdown causing the cancelation of the 2020 state assessments, new data will not be available until 2021. On the school year 2019 data, Laurel Magnet School of the Arts achieved district’s first A rating and had 100% pass rate on the 3rd grade reading gate. Laurel High School was moved to a 4x4 block schedule, and increased dual enrollment courses through partnerships with Jones College and William Carey University, over doubling enrollment. Mason Elementary School moved from an F to a D rating, and was removed from the state’s School Improvement list due to academic gains.
“There is still a lot of work to be done and the Board is full of hope and expectancy that Dr. Watts and the team she has assembled will continue to instruct and motivate our children to grow into their amazing potential. The full impact of COVID on the education of our children has still not been fully realized. It is going to take a comprehensive plan lead by skilled administrators in partnership with dedicated teachers and the support of the community to serve the needs of the students in the Laurel School District,” Hill said.
“We believe we have the personnel in place to ensure a very bright future for the Laurel School District and the pursuit of that bright future will continue under the leadership of Dr. Toy L. Watts.” Watts’ new contract will extend through June 30, 2024.
“School year 2020 has been an unprecedented journey, and has brought forth challenges both great and small,” Watts said. “The learning loss has and will continue to be a challenge for years to come. COVID-19 not only brought sickness and death, it brought loss of valuable instructional time and emotional supports that our students so desperately needed. Even midst the challenges, I will continue to move forward with steadfast dedication to the children of Laurel.”