Cookeville High School - Cookeville, Tennessee

Dr. Martin looks to the future

Jonathan Uhles, Charger Staff

As the 2001-2002 school year moves toward a close, many students and teachers are reflecting on the year that has seemed to pass by so quickly. Yet at the same time, some teachers are looking to the future and wondering where they will be this time next year.

Recently, Putnam County’s Director of Schools, Dr. Michael Martin, was forced to send pink slips to non-tenure teachers, which informed them that there is not gurantee they will be hired back for next year. Due to the state legislature’s inability to pass a state budget, school systems acros Tennessee are having to prepare for cuts in state funding.

At this time, the only budget on the table for the state is the D.O.G. Budget, or downsizing of government. Under this plan, Putnam County Schools woul dlose $4 million in revenue from the state. For that reason, one-sixth of the county’s teaching staff would not be rehired. At this time, however, the budget has not passed. Recently, Dr. Martin had this to say about the situation, “I don’t want to have to let anyone go. At this point, however, I have to prepare for the worst and hope for th ebest.”

The $4 million state revenue cut is a drastic comparison to the $1 million dollar cuts that were faced by the School Board last fall. Despite the budget dilema in 2001, however, Martin worked hard to insure that schools were up and running. He worked hard to eliminate programs, yet make sure the schools could still do their duty to the students.

In addition, Martin spent a great deal of time and energy searching for other forms of revenue for Putnam County Schools. Many of these funds were approved through state grants for programs like the Early Education Program.

Submitting an application to the state, which requested Putnam County be a pilot school system for the program, Martin’s request was approved, and Parkview became the first school in Putnam County to test this program.

While the state has failed to pass a budget, Dr. Martin and the school board are making plans for the future. Some of these programs include the International Baccalaureate program, high technology classrooms, lower student-teacher ratios, and schools within schools.

Through the International Baccalaureate program, students wishing to take classes more advanced and challenging than AP courses, would have the opportunity to take them. Currently, the board hopes to have the program in place by the 2005-2006 school year.

In addition, the school board hopes to add higher technology classrooms to various schools. Dr. Martin stated, “We’re not just talking about computers. These classrooms would essentially have endless capabilities, because they will be linked to satellites around the world.” Through high technology classrooms, students would be able to take any course that

Hopes for the future are not focused only on new programs, however. Several plans have been approved to make the education experience a better for all students. For example, the board recently voted to lower the student-teacher ratio to 23 to 1, which is a drastic decrease compared to the current 30 to 1 ratio. “Studies have shown that smaller classes stimulate learning and increases test scores.” says Martin.

Equally important, the school board is looking to create “schools within schools,” where students obtain state graduation requirements and take classes to prepare them for their futurecareer.

While all of these new program sound interesting, the truth is, they may not become a reality for a long time, because their implementation depends on the state budget, which is bleak at this point.

Whether or not the state realizes the need to fund education, this is clear - Dr. Martin does understand the need. He has worked hard to improve Putnam County Schools, by listening to students and working to improve their education. It is clear that the schools have a battle to fight in th e near future, but there should be little worry. Dr. Martin will continue to fight for education, despite the odds. After all, a picture which was drawn by an elementary school student and hangs in Dr. Martin’s office states, “Dr. Martin - Heavy Weight Champion of the World.”