By Abigail Roberts
Lincoln County Superintendent Bruce Smith has publicly shared emails that he sent to school board members regarding Highland Elementary.
Last week, School Board member Phillip Coots called for transparency when it comes to the discussion about the potential closure of Highland Elementary.
Coots said while there has been no public discussion of the matter, on April 20 Superintendent Bruce Smith sent an email to all five board members with information about vacancies at Highland and Waynesburg stating now would be a good time to have the discussion about closing Highland Elementary.
Coots said his response was that the topic should be placed on the meeting agenda for public discussion. Parents quickly took to social media demanding transparency.
This week, Smith released those emails that he believes were taken out of context, and explained how he did not and has not been advocating for a specific decision to be made, but rather sharing information with board members so that they can begin the discussion.
“I understand that this is an emotional issue for students, families, staff and the Highland community,” Smith said in his letter that accompanied the emails. “Any conversation about the future of a school should be handled carefully, respectfully and transparently.”
As a former school board member, Smith said he voted in 2022 to keep Highland Elementary open.
“I understood then as I do now, how important Highland is to the families and the community it serves,” Smith said. “However, my role today is different. As superintendent, my responsibility is not to advocate for one outcome over another. My role is to provide the Board of Education with accurate information, answer questions, identify financial and operational considerations and carry out the decisions made by the board. I want to be very clear, I am not pushing for the closure of Highland Elementary. My responsibility is to make sure the board has the facts it needs if it chooses to have that discussion.”
Smith said the school board has a difficult responsibility that has to balance the needs of students, families, employees, communities, facilities, staffing, transportation and the longterm financial health of the district.
“Good fiscal decisions are not always easy, and they must be weighed alongside the deep emotional and historical value a school hold for its community,” he said. “No decision has been made. Since the matter has been placed on the board agenda it should be discussed openly, with facts available to the public and with opportunities for people to express their thoughts respectfully.”
Smith said he cares about the students, staff and community of Highland Elementary.
“I also care about the entire Lincoln County School District and the responsibility we have to serve all students,” he said. “My commitment is for transparency, fairness, and making sure any discussion is based on accurate information rather than rumor or assumption.”
The superintendent asks that everyone approach the conversation with patience, respect and understanding.
“This is an important issue, and it deserves a thoughtful and honest process,” he said.
You can view a copy of Smith’s letter and emails below.
SO YOU KNOW:
The Lincoln County Board of Education working meeting is tonight (May 7) at 5:30 pm at the central office.
Agenda- https://members.ksba.org/eMeeting/Public?agencyId=103
Livestream- https://youtube.com/live/XEDO_v8u80Q?feature=share
Board Member Feedback on Possible Consolidation of Schools is listed as an agenda item for tonight’s meeting.
