Superintendent Speaks to Lions Club

Lions Club Member Gary Harrison and Superintendent Bobby Acklin

Warren School Superintendent Bobby Acklin was guest speaker for the Warren Lions Club meeting held August, 10th.  His presence was arranged by Lion Gary Harrison.  Mr. Acklin told the members that he grew up in Mayflower, attended college at Hendrix and began his teaching career at West Memphis.  Along the way he moved from coaching to being a principal and then assistant superintendent at North Little Rock for some 24 years.  He was then recruited by the state to be the superintendent at Dollarway and helped get that district back in compliance with state requirements.  He then was hired at Warren and stated he felt very much at home here and believes this is a great fit for him and for the district.

Mr. Acklin told the club that everyone is important in the school business.  This includes the citizens, the parents and the teachers.  He went on to say the most important people to work for is the kids of the district.  They are his priority.

The superintendent then showed a short video on the implementation of Standards Based Education and how it should allow students to learn at the pace best suited to them and master the educational standards of Arkansas.  Mr. Acklin told the Lions that the school district is tweaking the program as needed and will keep working to make it better.

He then provided an update on the new turf project for Jim Hurley, Jr. field.  He said the people and supporters of the district have been very generous and the turf is installed and ready to be used with just a few punch list items remaining.  He went on to state that other upgrading work is going on and installation of new fencing, some of which was damaged by high winds, is is moving along. The field and stadium will be ready for the first home game.

The superintendent also talked about the need for a new gym and new Eastside School.  He stated that discussions are proceeding on the amount of money that will be needed to fund the two projects and according to the school's financial advisor, Stephens, Inc., the school may be able within the next two to three years to pay for either the gym or elementary school with current revenues and complete both projects with a modest millage increase.  Planning is still underway and no final decisions have been made.

Mr. Acklin concluded his remarks by reading form a letter by the school district's social worker asking for the donation of school supplies, new or used, that can be provided to students in need.