Spaulding named top county principal

By FULLER ROYAL

A student at the rear of a line of youngsters on their way from the library catches the eye of Hallsboro Artesia Elementary School Principal Lynn Spaulding.

He intercepts the boy, about 6 or 7 years old, and offers a few words of encouragement and wisdom to the young fellow.

Spaulding, named the Columbus County School’s Principal of the Year, knows his students by name and he knows their parents.

As his young charge catches up with his classmates, Spaulding walks into a nearby classroom where the students are reading.
These advanced reading students, used to daily visits by Spaulding, are too engrossed in their books to pay much attention to their visitors.

“I am elated,” Spaulding said of his honor. It’s the first time in more than two decades of education – mostly as a principal or assistant principal – that he has ever been selected for the honor.

A product of the Farmer’s Union community and a 1976 graduate of the old Hallsboro High School, Spaulding said he feels like he has come full circle.

“This is my 25th year,” Spaulding said. “I am elated that my peers chose me and that they have entrusted me with the opportunity to continue to help set an example for the Columbus County Schools.”

He said he always wanted to be a teacher. A graduate of Campbell University, he taught at Old Dock Elementary before becoming its assistant principal. He was next the assistant principal at the old Nakina High School and then assistant principal at South Columbus High School.

Spaulding’s day begins at 7:15 a.m. He welcomes the teachers and staff and then takes his post in front of the school, welcoming the 468 students at this K-4 school as they arrive by car and bus.

“The parents really appreciate that,” he said. “It makes them feel like they are leaving their children with someone instead of just dropping them off.”

Spaulding spends his day out of the office as much as possible, walking the halls, checking on his teachers, visiting the cafeteria and library and gym.

“I’m not an office principal,” he said. “I’m out and about. Being available to my teachers is very important to me. I want parents, the teachers and staff to have access to me. I want them to feel like they can get to me.”

Under Spaulding’s leadership, Hallsboro-Artesia has performed well in the eyes of the both the state and federal education departments.

Those statistics belie the fact that three-quarters of his student body are considered low-wealth by state and federal standards. Most of the children come from families where few parents have attended college.

“The secret behind our success is a strong community that supports this school and its teachers,” he said. “Without the community and these teachers we couldn’t do this.”

Spaulding said he sets high expectations for all of his students. His students are not supposed to do as well as they do.

Hallsboro-Artesia is, much like Hallsboro Middle and East Columbus High school – one the most equally diverse schools in the county with 27 percent white, 38 percent black and 30 percent Native American.

Historically, schools with such a mix are problematic. Not Hallsboro-Artesia. Spaulding said he’s never had a problem relating to the racial demographics of his school.

“I think setting high expectations for children is very important,” he said. “When I see my students individually in the hallways, I tell them what I expect.”

Spaulding visits the classrooms for pep talks, telling the students what he wants them to achieve.

He has even been known to feed his kids pizza on test day.

Last year, he took the unusual step of inviting parents to come to the school on the mornings of the state end-of-grade tests to wish their children well.

“Every parent who showed up had a student who ended up with scores that were good,” he said. “The parents set the expectations for the children.”

Those test scores are among the best in the county and have enabled Hallsboro-Artesia to make Adequate Yearly Progress, a requirement of the federal government’s No Child Left Behind Act.

The higher school average for test scores is made more difficult at Hallsboro-Artesia since there are only two grades tested – third and fourth. The fifth grade is at Hallsboro Middle.

“Another secret to the school’s success is keeping abreast of curriculum,” he said. “Making sure that teachers have the necessary tools to teach the standard course of study. When teachers have what they need to teach, then they teach hard.”

Hallsboro-Artesia enjoys one of the lowest teacher turnover rates in the county.

“We are a team,” he said. “We use the team approach and we all work hard together. The teachers are happy here.”

Spaulding’s relaxed demeanor can be misleading. He runs a tight ship and in the past he has shown little patience with teachers who moved in and created controversy.

He likes to maintain open communication with his staff and faculty.

Last spring, his staff was worried that he might be offered the post of assistant superintendent. They breathed a collective sigh of relief when they learned he was staying put.

As he answers The News Reporter’s questions, a strategically placed mirror just outside his office allows him to see who’s in the waiting area by the secretary’s desk.

“Come on in,” he tells a cafeteria worked who needs a key. She takes the entire ring with dozens of keys on it.

Another initiative Spaulding is happy with is the governor’s More-at-Four program. His was one of the few schools in the county to expand the program from one to two classes with a total of 36 students.

“You can tell when these children are brought into a structured environment,” he said. “When they get to kindergarten, they are more advanced. They know the routine of school and they are aware of printed materials. They are writing and know some of their basic skills.”

He said the teachers could really tell a difference between the More-at-Four kids and the traditional students.

Spaulding also believes that the EduTest software has been an asset to his faculty. EduTest allows teachers to pinpoint areas of weakness within each child and to concentrate on the skills they lack.

“I love being a principal,” he said. “Every day is a different day. I love the interaction with the children and the faculty and staff. That interaction is a key component of being a principal and I enjoy that interaction.

“I love being with and seeing the parents,” he said. “We are a community school. It’s important that parents, teachers and the community feel like they are proud of their school.”