Lee Williford

Lee Williford, superintendent of the Northern Community Schools of Tipton County, reported no problems with the first day of school.He said teachers are learning to use a new student management system on their computers, and once they are comfortable with that system, parents will be able to access it to see how their children are performing at school.

Williford expects stable enrollment this year.

Tri-Central Elementary will have full-day for the first time in recent years, Superintendent Lee Williford said.Parents will have a half-day option, but will be informed that first-graders will be expected to know what was taught in full-day classes when they start first grade.There will be no charge for the full-day program, he said.

Williford said full-day kindergarten acclimates children to school culture and is causing teachers to restructure curriculum in the primary grades.

"A lot of times we've seen reports that new families feel like they're not being able to spend enough time with their children," Superintendent Lee Williford said."With in-house day care, our teachers are able to bring their children to their work, and during a prep period or lunch they can go visit with their children."

The school provides the space and contracts with Heartland Ministries to provide child care staff.Teachers pay Heartland Ministries for the care.

Williford said Northern also has recognition programs for its teachers, and its turnover rate is low.

Lee WillifordNorthern Community Schools of Tipton County

In Northern Community Schools of Tipton County, Superintendent Lee Williford said he'll have a better idea of how the change will affect his school after the March 17 kindergarten roundup.

He said there is plenty of room available because of an expansion project in 2000, but he's concerned about funding, in light of recent school budget cuts.

That offering might also help students who have problems with attendance or discipline in high school, said Northern Community Schools Superintendent Lee Williford.

"Anybody in education knows that if kids aren't in school, it's difficult for them to learn.Whatever we can do to keep kids in school is a plus," he said.
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While Williford sees the annual career review plan as a good idea, there is a problem with staffing, especially at small schools.

"We have two counselors for 1,050 kids.One of those is at the elementary," he said.

"Right now, the assessment is that [Tipton County Highway Department] are standing by until the winds and snow let up," said Lee Williford, superintendent of Northern Community Schools of Tipton County."When they can get the roads clear and it's safe for our buses, that's when we will consider going back."

Northern has 105 square miles in its district.

"That's a lot of roads you have to be sure are open in order to have schools," Williford said.

Lee WillifordNorthern Community SchoolDistrict Superintendent