Talking it out

If you want to know firsthand what’s going on in the Clarke Community School District, the best way is to get in the trenches and find out.

Clarke Superintendent Steve Seid is using this approach and scheduling student lunches every month to find out the positives and negatives students have with their school district.

At the end of February, Seid sat down with high school students Sydnee Redman, Vanessa Bakley, Gabe Crawford, Timber Kent, Morgan Kline and Brian Rosales.

During previous lunches, Seid has hosted middle and elementary school students.

Teachers

First, Seid asked the students what staff member has had the most positive impact on them and for what reason.

A few of the answers were Matt Bell and Ron Pendegraft.

Redman and Kent both said their band teacher Brad Lampe.

“He’s our band instructor, but at the same time, I almost see him as a father, kind of,” Kent said.

“Like the other day, I asked him how to write a letter of recommendation, so he helped me with that. … He’s kind of, like, a life-lesson person, too, along with his teachings,” Redman added.

Crawford said he had two people — his coaches Aaron O’Tool and Brian Cole.

“With him and Coach Cole, I could like, text them or call them any time of day if I needed anything, and they’d be there for me,” Crawford said. “They’re kind of, like, not really an older brother, but not really kind of like a father, but kind of like a mix. They always give me good advice.”

Positive things

Next, Seid asked the students to share some positive things they had seen in the school district.

Some of the comments were about the nicer gym floor and the middle school’s Leader in Me program.

Other positive comments were about coaches who had a lot of motivation for their teams.

“I think things are going to change. We’re not just going to be losing all the time,” Crawford said.

Needs more work

At the end of the lunch, Seid finished his list of questions by asking the students to give insight into what can be improved in the school district.

Kline said students’ bad attitudes.

“There’s been a lot of fights this year. They need to learn to get along with each other,” Kline said.

The students also had concerns about the school being more modern, welcoming and visually appealing to people.

“We’re in the process here at Clarke of doing just what you’re talking about in terms of facilities,” Seid said. “We’ve divided it up into phases and the first phase concentrating on the high school office.”