Eufaula City Schools Superintendent interview: Lewis E. Washington

Lewis E. Washington says the next superintendent of Eufaula City Schools will likely have a long-term impact on the system.

He said that person should set a vision which would give the system a “tone and path for the next 20 years.”

“I would hope that is moves from good to great,” Washington said. “I’d like to know that we turn out winners.”

» Washington, who currently serves as an assistant superintendent with Montgomery Public Schools, cited the importance of parental involvement.

“I’d like to start a parental advisory council if you don’t have one,” he said. “We can learn from them, and share with them.”

He said such a council could talk about “hot button” issues such as school uniforms.

“Not to have parents at the discussion would be a disastrous thing to do.”

» Washington said if he is hired, he would plan to stay with the system for at least 10 years.

“It gives anyone an ample opportunity to set goals,” he said.

He said the system’s main focus should be student success in the classroom and once they enter college or the workplace.

“It’s not the awards that our teachers get, our administrators get or our superintendent gets. You measure success by the success of our students. You may not know that after they graduate in some cases.”

» When asked how he would recruit private school students and families, Washington said that current superintendent Dr. Barry Sadler has done a “commendable job" in marketing the system. However, he said there are still challenges.

“Parents will enroll their children in private school based on fallacies and not even enter our doors,” he said.

But Washington later added that he would spend most of his time “concentrating on the 2,700” attending Eufaula City Schools rather than the hundreds attending private schools.

» Regarding technology, Washington said ECS is already doing a good job. He mentioned the importance of opening school buildings after hours to serve as parental centers for parents who may need Internet access.

» Washington touched on student discipline, saying out-of-school suspensions are not ideal because they keep the student out of the classroom.

“Learning can’t happen without discipline,” he said.

He said discipline should be more corrective than punitive.

“The end result of discipline is not how we punish, but how we correct,” he said. “It’s not seeing Johnny back (in trouble) for the same behavior time and time again.”

» He also discussed the importance of alternative school, saying it could “save lives.”

“A student in the alternative school is one step away from the street,” he said. “Turning a 16 or 17-year old in the street, the probability of (the child) having a successful life declines 75 percent.”

He mentioned the success of the HOPE Academy, adding that “it’s where Montgomery is trying to go.”

» Washington mentioned the importance of extracurricular activities such as sports and fine arts. He said that students often make better grades during sports season because they don’t want to be kicked off the team.

“I’ll be checking on the coaches to make sure the coaches are checking on the young people,” he said.

Washington added that the system’s fine arts programs have to be “second to none in the state.”

“You have a good program. Can we make it better? We’ll have to look and see.”

» Washington also commended ECS for its universal pre-kindergarten and HIPPY programs, which target younger students and parents.

“I applaud you for the effort you’ve put in to the K-2 program,” he said. “A child who has not mastered (basic skills) by the second grade is in trouble.”

» Washington mentioned the importance of meeting AYP.

“For a lot of the parents, the only thing they know is if (the system) made AYP.”

» Washington said he was not supportive of year-round schools.

“The burden on teachers and students would really wear them down,” he said, adding it could be a “disastrous approach.”