Breaking News

Opinion

Reader: New school is 'no small miracle'

Letters to the Editor

In the fall of 2024, residents of the Harman community urged members of the Randolph County Board of Education to keep Harman School open. In January of 2025 in a 4 to 1 vote, the Board of Education gave the school a brief reprieve from closure. However, only 10 months later in October of 2025, members of the Board of Education voted 4 to 1 to close Harman School. That decision was followed by the State Board of Education’s vote on December 10, to affirm the Randolph County Board’s decision to close Harman School. The State’s decision seemed like the death of a school, the ...

Appeal for votes or farewell tour?

Columnists

Lately, Donald Trump has been looking for "love" in all the wrong places. Instead of focusing on competitive states, he has gone to previously solid red states. In Mobile, Alabama, he seemed almost pleading for support. It resembled more a farewell tour than an aggressive appeal for votes. He scarcely recognizes the loyalist candidates he is supposed to support. It is not “I need him back in Washington,” but more like he is nice — whatever. Contrition is not Trump's style; he has not done it, exactly, but his remarks that he has failed to properly explain his record are as close ...

High performance needs clarity, accountability

Columnists

Why do you feel your leader is successful? I am fortunate that I get to observe many leaders and organizations.   I was at an extremely high-performing organization. By high-performing, I mean they are rated number one in their area in consumer trust. They have incredibly low employee turnover. They rate in the top 1 percent in having a culture of safety. They are financially successful. I spoke with a number of people in leadership at this organization and asked them what they feel creates and sustains their high performance. The three characteristics mentioned most are clarity, ...

SMART Tutoring Program beginning

Columnists

Kump Education Center is starting the SMART tutoring program this coming week for 5th grade students from Elkins Middle School. SMART stands for Science, Math, and Reading Tutoring. We want our students to develop the curiosity that will make school more interesting and their lives more meaningful. The early grades focus on basic reading and math skills, but not much science. The 5th grade year is the perfect time for students to make an important shift from “leaning to read to reading to learn.” In early grades, students practice phonics, sight words, and reading short ...

Season of school closure discussions

Editorials

You could hear groans all over Randolph County this week when Superintendent of Schools Dr. Derek Lambert told the county Board of Education that declining student enrollment may lead to more school closures. Lambert said Randolph County Schools is looking at a projected loss of 240 students this school year, which translates to roughly a $2 million reduction in funding, or approximately 30 staff member positions. He told the BOE that “finding another 30 positions to reduce, while maintaining our current number of schools, is going to be extremely difficult, if not ...

Understanding too often comes last

Columnists

I often write and present on change. A change formula that I find helpful is B+A=O=U=F. The letters stand for Belief, Action, Outcomes (results), Understanding, and Faith.  Belief is the first step. There is the belief that a change will make a difference. That belief might be based on experience or an innate conviction that something can be better. This can be anything from a community project to organizational performance. If the CEO believes in a new process or technology, things will move more quickly. This does not mean someone else cannot start the process, but it will take a ...