Robertson Charter School continues to show improvements
DECATUR-- One of Decatur’s smallest schools is also one of its top performing.  Robertson Charter School is not your average school, but with only 337 students, the faculty spends more of their time one on one with students.  Principal Cordell Ingram says the extra time with students allows the faculty to see what motivates their students…

“It’s not always easy, but our kids have really bought into the idea of excellence and just competing in everything.  They compete in spelling tests, math tests, sports, just everything and that’s the magic that we have discovered and are doing well with.”

After improving in both reading and math once again last year, Robertson Charter School has become one of the top performing charter schools in the state.  Success isn’t achieved in a day and Principal Cordell Ingram, as well as Bishop Glen Livingston says a number of factors have contributed to the growth of the school…

“We are adding computer programs and doing those sorts of things because we really want to enhance our total product, which in turn will keep our waiting list large.”

Bishop Livingston, who is the President of the Board of Trustees at Robertson echos that statement.

“We are the premier school of choice and out of the over 100 charter schools in the state; we are one of the stop schools in the state and have been performing very, very highly because of a great staff.”

The students tested out last year at a 77% proficiency level in math and a 79% proficiency level in reading.  The levels have the school of 337 students just under state levels all around, and for a school with their demographics, they are performing well above average.


Renovations continue at Eisenhower as the weather turns cold
DECATUR-- In what has become more of a rebuilding of the school, rather than just a renovation, Eisenhower High School is nearly entirely torn down and workers are getting ready to proceed with some new structures. 

After a crew cleared the building of asbestos, workers are beginning to move inside and get some interior work done. 

Facility project manager Phil Hazenfield says that as long as the structural work on the outside is finished by the first freeze, work will not be disrupted…

“We have had excellent weather and we have made a lot of headway outside and we are hurrying to get that done before the ground freezes.  As long as we are able to tarp things off and get some temporary heat, the workers are comfortable at 50 or 55 degrees.”

Hazenfield says that the construction crews are taking notes as they go so when they finish in November of 2013 and move on to MacArthur; they will be able to work smoothly.