Elmerine Bell was named recipient of the Living Legacy Award Saturday at a breakfast hosted by Barry Bassett, Italy ISD superintendent.

Bassett said he hopes this will become an annual award for a community member who has demonstrated a willingness and commitment to become engaged in and be involved in promoting the school and community partnership.

Bassett said the teachers chose this award winner. He said three names kept reoccurring so the teachers voted on the top three nominees.

The superintendent said Bell is involved in the community and is an advocate for the school, describing the retired schoolteacher as an advocate with knowledge. 

Bell received a crystal bowl with children etched on the side.

She was not at the breakfast due to a prior commitment.

Freddie Ivy and Kelly Lewis were the other two nominees who teachers felt met this criterion.

Bassett also presented a Belief Statement slide presentation outlining eight points that school staff assembled:

• All stakeholders share the responsibility of student success. Everyone must be held accountable on an individual level in their responsibilities to the district.

• All students have the ability and desire to be successful learners. Italy ISD will set high expectations, use multiple methods of assessment and transfer knowledge to real life situations.

• Change is inevitable and is a necessary component of continuous improvement.

• All stakeholders should be active partners in working toward a common goal of student success.

• Diversity is to be celebrated, nurtured and embraced. Every student deserves access to a rigorous education.

• All adults should be life-long learners. Adult learning can be assessed by utilizing the learning in a relevant way. Collaborating with peers and modeling for students is imperative in setting high expectations.

• Systems thinking will create a culture that supports students and adult learning through shared beliefs and values.

• Leadership is a cultivated skill. Everyone is responsible and accountable for their role in the district.

In reviewing the individual beliefs, Bassett said there are many ways to be involved in the district, such as being part of a booster organization, attending sporting events, volunteering. He said everyone is fine with change unless they are the ones that must change. Bassett stressed the need for a strong education regardless of the home environment. He continued that adults should be lifelong learners and stressed the need for community education classes at the school.

Bassett not only thanked those 60-75 community members in attendance for attending but he praised the efforts of the school staff.

He said the Italy ISD is fortunate to have the board members currently serving the district. He said no board member has an “agenda.”

Bassett said the board members cut $1 million from the budget this year to create a balanced budget due to state financial cuts and unfunded state mandates.

He said the district has joined forces with other school districts across the state to hold the state accountable for school funding. He said he was proud that this district is a part of leading that charge.

He continued that two positives for the district are the hiring of Jason Miller and Lee Joffre, elementary and high school principals.

He said these two have served along side him this summer often working 12-14 hour days. He said they are dedicated to the education of the students in this district.

He said the new C-Scope curriculum, approved by the school board, is an instrumental tool with the new demands of school testing. He added that these tools do not help unless there is good instruction and a loving concern for the students.

Bassett also praised the efforts of Sharon Davis, high school counselor, and Tanya Snook, curriculum director.

He said Davis is promoting education beyond the high school level. At the same time, he realizes that not every student is college bound and said that Snook is making great strides toward vocation and trade programs for students.