REXBURG—Madison School District Superintendent Randy Lords recently visited the state capital to receive the State Superintendent of the Year Award.
The success of the district comes from a group effort, Lords said. The school board, the parents, the teachers. This award also reflects their efforts.
“It’s an honor that’s not just mine. We here in Madison School District have the number one formula: we have great teachers, an amazing school board, supportive parents and the best students around,” Lords said.
A major goal the district shares is high literacy rates. Lords doesn’t want anyone to graduate from Madison High School without knowing how to read.
“I believe that when a kiddo can read, they can do math, science, English, but if they can’t read and they don’t have those literacy skills, the world is closed to them,” Lords said. “But by being able to read, the world is wide open, they can do whatever they want.”
As Rexburg is home to BYU-Idaho, Lords said this is an education community. That’s why literacy continues to be a goal for the district.
Another large goal the district holds is increasing their graduation rate. Currently, they see 94% of students leave Madison High School with a diploma. The district wants that number even higher.
“I’d love to see us at 98% graduation rate,” Lords said.
Before arriving at Madison, Lords was a P.E. teacher and a baseball coach in Shelley. The work ethic that comes from physical education helped Lords develop leadership skills that he says helps him in his professional life.
With major growth in the Upper Valley, Lords prepares the district by making smart financial choices.
“We try and do things within our own budget before we go out to a bond,” Lords said.
Another change the district is anticipating is preparing the high school to receive 9th graders.
Currently they have 10-12 at the school, whereas the majority of high schools throughout Eastern Idaho have students from 9-12.
In October, all 50 superintendents of the year gather in Washington, D.C. and go through about a day and a half of training where they go over superintendent issues.
One of the nights, there’s a gala where all 50 superintendents are recognized.
In April, one of the 50 was named the National Superintendent of the Year and they will also be recognized.