Theresa Axford, superintendent of the Monroe County School District, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been going on in the schools.
A recent school board meeting where a superintendent was going to be selected was postponed due to a number of personal issues.
Axford explained, “That was a difficult decision, but board chair, Mindy Conn and I felt a postponement was necessary because Yvette Talbot, her husband, she is our, one of our board members, her husband was in an accident on Monday, and she was going to be unable to attend the meeting. We wanted her to be there and have input into that really big decision. In addition to that, we had a really unfortunate accident and tragedy in the upper keys, and lost one of our students at Coral Shores High School, Merrick Dunn. Just the whole school community has just been convulsed with grief. I mean, it was an awful situation, and our hearts go out to his families and the the faculties at both Coral Shores High School and Plantation Key School.”
The school board meeting will be held next Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Coral Shores High School.
Michael Stapleford of KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM said, “Our sincerest best wishes and prayers go out to Yvette Talbot and her family and her husband, hoping for a recovery. It will probably be a long road. And of course, condolences to the family of Merrick Dunn, that 15 year old student did lose his life Monday evening in that rollover crash. So understandably, the entire community, as well as the entire school district has been rocked by these events, and we can’t say enough about our sympathies going out to those families.”
In terms of the superintendent search, the business community really stepped up.
Axford said, “There were quite a lot of dinners and lunches, and they were in three locations and so our community and Harry Russell, our executive director of HR, he just can’t say enough about the Chambers. So many people just stepped up and really partnered with the school district to make that a wonderful three days last week, it was Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and great time for the candidates. So once again, we’re just thrilled that two of our own are in the running for the position. It just was a really, really great week.”
The Key West High School band concert was held recently.
Axford said, “I can’t even tell you how talented those students are. Just exciting music. The symphonic band had a different repertoire of music, as did the wind ensemble. So you couldn’t have a better night of entertainment in the Keys, and these concerts are going on at schools throughout the Keys, Coral Shores, Plantation Key School. We’ve got the Key West High School fashion show on May 10, and that was a remarkable event last year with girls sewing, and I think it’s a guy in the class, sewing. Just amazing things, even men’s suits. If you can imagine that, they were making those. So I’m really looking forward to that.”
It’s also Teacher Appreciation Week.
Axford said, “We just can’t say enough about our amazing teachers in Monroe County. Our mission is to inspire and bring excellence to every student every day. And boy, did they embrace that. I mean, I’ve been in over 200 classrooms this year, and everyone that I walk into, I’m just so thrilled at the high level work that’s going on there with students. It’s an amazing school district, and I’m very proud of it. We had, in April our partnership with the South Florida Symphony, brought over 1,000 students in contact with Peter and the Wolf, great musical. There were costumes, and, I mean, the students were just enthralled with that. So yeah, exposure to the arts is really, really important. We also have a partnership with the Tennessee Williams Fine Arts Center and we brought theatrical performances, not just to Key West, but to the students throughout the Keys. When I first got involved, it was localized in Key West, but I said, no, we’ve got beautiful performing arts centers in both Marathon and Coral Shores. We need to bring these performances to students throughout the Keys. So we have accomplished that and the people in the Upper Keys really feel gratified because we are doing that, and I’m really happy of that extension to make sure that all the children have those opportunities.”
There are only 16 days left of the school year.
Axford said, “I can’t even believe it. It’s shocking when you hear it like that. Summer school begins June 5, goes to July 4 and we’re having the summer school throughout the Keys at Coral Shores High School, Key Largo School, Marathon High School, Stanley Switlik, Sugar Loaf, Key West High and HOB and then Gerald Adams also. But the kids in K5 will go to Gerald Adams from Poinciana for HOB as well. So that’s going to be like a center school for us this summer, but we’re excited about that, because summer school brings a lot of kids in and helps them, kind of learn some of the things that they missed. All kids can do that, they can all be successful with a little practice and a little support. So we’re excited about that, yes, but may 26 is a holiday that’s Memorial Day.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keysschools.com/