Gone are the dirty carpets and disruptive student behavior in morning meetings - in are the Pledge of Allegiance, and school-wide lunch. “Let’s not talk about (last school year) - it’s in the past, and things are beginning to get better,” said Alvin Smith, a science teacher at the school. “It’s really like night and day.”
Last school year things had become so bad at the school, four employees, including Smith, filed a grievance claiming the campus was turned “into a dumping ground for students.”
In the grievance, employees described the school during the 2007-08 school year as having a student-to-teacher ratio of 60-1 for some classes. The grievance said enrollment was about 180 students and “the facilities could not support this population.
“Furniture is being destroyed. Graffiti has begun to appear on restroom walls and furniture,” the grievance stated. Absenteeism and truancy reportedly was rampant, especially in the afternoon, “with classes having as high as 98 percent absenteeism.”
The grievance said teachers confiscated illegal drugs from students, some of which had a “history of criminal activities, police records and were on probation.”
One teacher filed police reports including $250 worth of vandalism to a vehicle and three Class C misdemeanors for serious student misconduct.
Records provided by the Temple Police Department indicated there were 27 arrests made from November 2007 to May 2008 at the school. In April, seven seniors from the campus were indicted on felony charges of tampering of a government record. A police officer said the students used stolen and forged class credit slips to indicate they had passed courses they did not.
But that was all last year school year. This year, things are quite different. The school got a facelift in August when it was spruced up with new paint and flooring. New computers and applications were purchased, and a new principal and counselor were brought in.
The school refocused its admissions policy. Rather than being an option for disruptive students, Temple High South has become what it was intended for. It is suppose to serve a small population of at-risk students, who elect to attend the school. The goal of the school is to graduate students who may face pitfalls, such as having children, or financial and social circumstances that don’t allow them to attend school regularly.
“We’re getting back to the original intent of the school,” TISD superintendent Dr. Robin Battershell said. “It was truly suppose to be an alternative school.”
This year, students who are admitted to the school must meet criteria set forth by the TISD, including earning a credit and a half each month. Students who attended the school because of behavioral issues have almost all been removed, transferred to other schools, or gone back to Temple High School.
“When you raise the expectations of the students and staff, and you give them the tools to work with, you’re going to see positive results,” said Rita Gillmeister, the school’s new principal.
“Things are not perfect,” Ms. Gillmeister said. “But this isn’t a school for perfect students. This school was designed so students could meet their core demands.”
Ms. Gillmeister, a former teacher in the district who was serving an administrative role, was asked to become the principal at the school over the summer.
“I didn’t have any reservations when they asked me. I enjoy challenges,” she said.
Ms. Gillmeister and TISD officials set up changes in curriculum at the school, which workers claimed in the grievance was not functioning or serving its purpose. Students at the school often use computer applications as structured tutorials for credit completion.
On Thursday, students inside Smith’s class prepared for Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing using brand new computers. “Most of the students who are enrolled here now went here last year. We’ve just gotten rid of a number of students, so our classes are smaller,” Smith said.
This year the school has a total of 37 students. The school has four computer lab classrooms, which house four teachers, and which will feature 22 computers apiece once the district’s planned improvements are complete.
“Mr. Smith isn’t running to the office anymore,” said student Adam Olson, who has attended the school for two years. “There were so many fights here last year. (Mr. Smith) was always in the office with the kids getting in trouble. Now he’s here to help out. Things are easier now.”
Outside the classroom, the mentality of the staff and students has changed as well. In the morning, students meet in a common-area and say the Pledge of Allegiance. According to the grievance, the same area last school year was where most fights and drug deals occurred.
“After we say the pledge, I’ll come in and give them some advice or share a personal story,” Ms. Gillmeister said. “Things are much more structured. The environment is cleaner. Things aren’t as cluttered, which improves the attendance.”
Other employees agree.
“The structure is more rigorous now,” said Temple High South support staff worker Joy Niles, who has worked at the school since 1998. “Before, it could be very stressful because of the fighting and the disruptions. Things seem to be more laid-back, and the atmosphere is better.”
Friday, students at the school made a field trip to Fort Hood, where they participated in an Army rope course. “We’re trying to give (our students) life experiences and prepare them to be successful,” Ms. Gillmeister said.
Smith said he couldn’t be happier about the changes taking place at the school. The school has set a maximum capacity of 100 students.
“Dr. Battershell has been fantastic,” Smith said. “She sat down with us this summer and discussed all of the issues we were having and has helped us out tremendously.
“We’ll see how things go. It’s pretty early in the year, but so far, things couldn’t have been more different than last year,” he said.
Ms. Gillmeister said that as of this time last school year, there had already been “at least 10 major incidents that took place at the school” involving student fighting and disruptions. This year, she said, there have been none.
