Editorial by Rickie R. Harris

A new school year is here and we are eager to begin. We look forward to “Achieving the Dream” and excelling at the highest of levels. We will do so with a number of new leaders.

Robin Hataway is our new Director of Finance. She began her service with us as a staff accountant and most recently served as our Interim Finance Director. We are pleased to welcome her to the position full-time.

North Early Leaning Center Head Start teacher Ola Conner is the new Dean of Instruction at the campus. Mrs. Conner has been a teacher at North for the past nine years and has served as a campus instructional leader since 2011.

At West Orange – Stark Elementary School, we welcome Dr. Larry Haynes and Karl Whitley as assistant principals.

Dr. Haynes joined us during the last school year. He has been an educator in the Golden Triangle for 26 years. He has worked within the Orangefield and Port Arthur school systems, as well as with Beaumont’s Ehrhart School.

Mr. Karl Whitley is originally from the Golden Triangle. He most recently served as an assistant principal at Snook ISD; and, prior to that, was an educator at College Station ISD.

At West Orange – Stark Middle School, English teacher Kenneth Vincent will now serve as an assistant principal. Mr. Vincent has served as a member of the campus instructional leadership team and department chair. He has also previously served as a summer school principal.

Lawrence Dunbar will also serve as a new Middle School assistant principal. He has experience in the Lancaster and Beaumont school systems as a classroom teacher, department chair, and principal intern, respectively.

Former West Orange – Stark Elementary Assistant Principal Courtney Charles will now serve as an assistant principal at WO-S High School. He holds experience as a high school teacher and administrator.

Angela Greer will serve as the Dean of Instruction at West Orange – Stark High School. She has been an educator for 18 years; serving 11 years of those at WOCCISD. Most recently, she served as our Fine Arts Coordinator.

These new leaders and all of our staff will welcome students August 22. In preparation for the first day of school, we are asking that all of our parents complete our new on-line pre-registration process through the Family Access Parent Portal. It is accessible through our website: www.woccisd.net

Our theme for 2016-2017 is “Achieving the DREAM.” As a team, our staff will work to make certain that every student that graduates from this system is able to compete in a global market to fulfill their individual dream. It will take Determination, Resiliency, Enthusiasm, Anticipation, and Modifications along the way. With your support, I believe we can achieve the dream together.

As contemporary author John Maxwell said, “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.”

Go Mustangs!

Rickie R. Harris is the Superintendent at West Orange – Cove CISD