The Interview: Dr. Alan Lee

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Baldwin County School Superintendent Dr. Alan Lee wants his schools to be a lighthouse for all to see how good the Gulf Coast’s schools can be. 

Lee knows it will be a challenge as schools continue to be forced to economize- cutting the budget, teachers and staff.    

"I had someone tell me they thought I had the hardest job in Baldwin County, or maybe in Alabama, and I said, ‘No, I've got the best job.’ I do love it. Love it. It’s the best job,” Lee said.

Lee's job is to successfully manage a continuously growing school system of more than 26,000 students and nearly 4,000 educators and staff.

 Lee said his focus is more than just education.

"I think that we've got some great schools. Most of my life is thinking about how to improve our schools and how to improve the quality of life in Baldwin County. I'm not just an educator, but I'm a cog, a piece of the wheel that creates a good life environment for everybody, and I do that through education,” Lee said.

FACING CHALLENGES

These are tough times for schools with state funds cut, passing a sales tax increase for Baldwin County schools in 2010 and cities considering leaving the system.

Lee said tough cuts have been required.

"I think we like to, as individuals, think we're in the toughest times that ever existed. But, I don't think so. I think it’s just another day,” Lee said."We've done a lot of things to economize. We have eliminated 539 positions, which obviously can’t happen without having an impact on the schools. We still have very good programs going on. But, Baldwin County does not have the resources that it needs for our children to have the programs that are going to make them able to compete in the world that they're going to walk out into.”

 

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND

 Lee said another major challenge is No Child Left Behind. He said it’s an emotional issue for many of his educators.

“Educators don't want someone to say their school isn't doing a good job. Personally, I believe that it’s unrealistic to expect that every child is going to perform at a certain level at the same age,” Lee said. “But, reality isn't dealing with No Child Left Behind,it’s dealing with the individual student and trying to be sure that they get what they need every day in every classroom in our schools.”

ALTERNATIVE SCHOOLS

Baldwin County has an alternative school that’s been put in place since Lee's arrival. He said it successfully addresses discipline problems and other behavioral issues in the county's schools.

"Kids are polite. Kids are quiet. Most of the kids are well behaved, but that doesn't take away the issue of violence and/or bullying. We don't tolerate violence. I won't tolerate violence. Something that's a threat to a child, we're going to deal with it,” he said.

Lee said students sent to the alternative school must say they want to attend, stay in school and will follow the rules.

"The expectation is there will be no violations of rules; there will be no back talk. There will be no misbehavior; and if there is, you're gone,” Lee said.

He said the alternative school is also having an impact on lowering the dropout rate.

ANTI-BULLYING PROGRAM

Baldwin County schools also have a program in place to deal with bullying.

"I have the greatest respect for the Peer Helper program because you've got kids who are willing to go to another child and say I'm having a problem,” Lee said.

LIFE OUT SIDE OF SCHOOL

Lee lives on a central Baldwin County farm near the Blackwater River. His future plans for the farm include raising grass fed cattle.

About five years ago, Lee found discovered horseback riding as an escape from the challenges of the stresses of his job. He boards some horses on his farm, and he owns a young horse.

"It’s the most relaxing thing I can do,” he said.

IMPROVING SCHOOLS

Lee said he plans on retiring on his Baldwin County farm in a few years.  

In the meantime, Lee said he is focused future he sees for Baldwin County schools.

He's very proud of the new digital renaissance initiative,which will put a laptop computer into the hands of every student in the county's high schools by 2013.Baldwin County High School was the first to get them, and its success is also helping to lower the school's dropout rate.

"We've got some excellent educators and people who are committed to children. I want to see the school system leap forward and become a lighthouse for not only all of Alabama, but for the U.S. and the world,” Lee said. "I want it to be the best school system there is."