Facing Change Together

Thomas B. Lockamy, Jr. Instant is not one of my favorite words. Instant breakfast, instant potatoes, instant kharma, instant gratification, instant grits and instant fixes all fall into the same category; good intentions typically resulting in poor results.

The reality is - there are no instant fixes in education. Over the past four years, with the support of our broader community, we have moved collaboratively in the right direction. We have introduced a number of key ingredients to the mix: differentiated instruction, specialized data teams, assessment teams, ESPLOST, school construction, PTA, community engagement, improved bus service, more rigorous curriculum, high expectations, school uniforms, and the list goes on and on. Creating a world class educational system takes time, patience, and experience using just the right mixture of ingredients and synergies.

Now we approach yet another challenge that we must consider together with thoughtful deliberation and careful regard for families, communities and most importantly, our students. The next challenge before us is redistricting our schools into fully energized yet harmonious learning communities.

Before we begin there must be unilateral agreement; redistricting is not an instant fix. It is not a magic bullet. It is simply the next step on our journey to World Class. It is a necessity, albeit challenging, but it is an absolute necessity.

Local school attendance zones have not been redrawn in several years. In the meantime our population has migrated. For example, I am reminded of the prevalent joke in the 70's and 80's about the possibility of Wilmington Island sinking due to over growth. While Chatham County has not witnessed exceptional growth in the last ten years, we have witnessed an east-to-west migration or rather a reversal of the growth pattern from just 30 years ago. No one can deny the exceptional expansion and growth in West Chatham County. In addition, other communities have sprouted in various corners of our county while older, more established communities have waned and in some cases replaced with all new communities. Where neighborhoods once housed families with children, some communities have matured with the younger families residing in other parts of our county. The former children have grown, graduated and moved on to another community to raise their own children and thus, the cycle continues.

Moreover, the high cost of transportation and fuel cannot be dismissed. As good stewards, we must summon the will and courage to redistrict our schools more closely aligned within their own neighborhoods all-the-while ensuring an equitable allocation of resources. Still, knowing and understanding the logic and reasoning behind the process does not minimize the collision of emotion and logic.

If we are to be successful in our journey to World Class, together we must face redistricting with frankness, with our eyes clearly focused on the goal of creating greater communities within our schools, supporting our schools, and infusing our schools with the energies necessary to produce an educational outcome second to none.

Instant redistricting is foolhardy. Instant redistricting is often accomplished in a closed room with only a map and population grids without regard for the broader scope and relationship between communities. Instant redistricting is an instant recipe for failure. On the other hand, successful redistricting is a process not an instant fix, encouraging input from the total community. Successful redistricting is formulated in the light of day as a public process with credibility and community ownership; it is not achieved in a vacuum. And successful redistricting is accomplished with due regard for the present but also with an eye to the future. Regardless, once the smoke clears and attendance zones are drawn three elements will remain that deserve measured yet deliberate consideration - the important issues, heightened emotions and relevant questions.

My father taught me three very valuable lessons to live by; learn from your mistakes, listen to your complaints and always keep your promises. In my four year tenure I have endeavored to be responsive to all three. As we move forward with the redistricting process, transparency will be our mode of operation. We will listen, learn, and where mistakes are evident; they will be corrected. Most importantly, we will keep our promise to maintain our focus on the larger goal, excellence in education.

This is your school system, your schools and I am responsible as your steward of trust. As this process begins and moves forward, our entire school system emphatically elicits your opinions, input and support. All Means All!