The saga at Hollywood High

‘For the last two years, I have engaged Lakewood’s principal and area superintendent regarding the number of scholars who were not on track to graduate,’ said Goliath Davis, III, Ph.D.

BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, PH.D

ST. PETERSBURG — For some time now, Lakewood High School has been undergoing a physical facelift. The renovations are improving the appearance of the school in a dramatic way, and sports are heralded. But based on the phone calls I receive, and concerns expressed by community members, the salient question is, what is the status of education at Lakewood?

For the last two years, I have engaged Lakewood’s principal and area superintendent regarding the number of scholars who were not on track to graduate. I was discouraged by the news the first year and thoroughly annoyed the second year when the situation repeated itself. 

Erin Savage, Lakewood High School principal

I could not believe that after working with the principal, Erin Savage, and Area Superintendent, Dr. Dywayne B. Hinds Sr., the exact situation repeated itself the second year. Both incidents occurred late in the academic year resulting in last-minute scurries to rectify the problems. 

Additionally, I was given less than candid information regarding why the scholars were in peril. Failure to perform adequately on the state exam may prevent a student from graduating. However, it is not the only reason. 

Attendance, insufficient credits, grade-point average and failure to take or pass required courses may also preclude graduation. I requested data from the area superintendent to delve deeper into the matter, and the response was less than candid. I will not speculate about the reason why.

This year, I learned leadership team members are being worked with to improve the educational environment for Lakewood scholars. Naturally, I inquired about the situation with the area superintendent and asked if the principal was also included. He respectfully indicated he could not discuss personnel matters, and I fully understand the response. 

However, I inquired further and asked whether or not there was a comprehensive, holistic plan to improve Lakewood’s educational environment and received a positive response. When I expressed my desire to review the plan with Hinds, I was sent a copy of the School Improvement Plan.

School Improvement Plans were in effect during the aforementioned two years, and yet scholars were in peril. In other words, those who know are aware School Improvement Plans are not the answer to the questions I raised.

To be fair, parents and students alike share some responsibility for their education. However, we all know absent leadership and guidance, some students and some parents will not meet the challenge. 

Area Superintendent Dr. Dywayne B. Hinds Sr.

Additionally, some parents are not equipped to navigate the system, given the difficulties they had in school. Without effective leadership, teachers are stuck doing their best to educate our scholars with limited support.

If things are going to change, the entire leadership team must be engaged. The school’s principal is essential, and it is not sufficient to focus only on a few. All non-performing members of the team must be addressed, and the baseball coach who reportedly uses racial slurs and tolerates the same behavior by some players must be corrected. The CAT and journalism programs also need support and advocacy.

Hopefully, Stephanie Woodford, the “miracle worker” from Lakewood Elementary, is prepared in her new role as second in command to the superintendent to step in and ensure the scholars at Lakewood, along with the teachers and staff, get what they need to be successful. After all, she saved Lakewood Elementary.