Principal Kyle Ruggles Answers Student Questions
Kenya Caines
Dr. Kyle Ruggles answering questions at a MavLife press conference.
Kiana Jackson, News Editor
November 17, 2011
Filed under News, Top Stories
MavLife (ML): We heard about your new anti-bullying plans. When do you plan on implementing them?
Dr. Ruggles (DR): We’re still thinking about the specific designed plans, but immediately we’re bringing it up to facilitate change. First, we have to identify the problem. I’ll be going on LCC TV to talk about the problem and how to deal with bullying. Student should walk away, don’t associate yourself with the problem, report it to an adult. We’ll make it confidential so everyone will feel safe.
ML: Will these changes be this year or next?
DR: It won’t happen overnight. I’m asking for funds to get a Challenge Day or Community Day–which has been done before. We want to break down barriers and keep focus on this problem. We need everyone’s help to campaign.
ML: When do you plan on having Challenge Day?
DR: As soon as possible, but there are scheduling restraints. I said no to MTV’s free challenge day, because I want to do it on our own terms.
ML: This year is the first year a Smart Start class has been required for students to park on campus. Have you noticed a difference in students’ driving behaviors after implementing the policy?
DR: It’s too early to tell. I’ve received e-mails of support from parents and students who feel it’s making a change. It’s really all about attitude. [Students need to] be receptive.
ML: We know that during the “Mornings with the Principal” meetings you sometimes hear comments from parents about some teachers on campus. How much control do you have over the jobs of the teachers?
DR: I have a great deal of control over instruction and how to improve it. I make sure that the tenured teachers are superstars. [During the morning meetings] I get questions about policy changes, I bring up API [scores] so everyone knows how we’re doing.
ML: How do you plan on increasing accountability on the part of students for our API score?
DR: I use Renaissance, which tracks GPAs and performance and have luncheons or something to recognize student achievement. We could do a much better job of that. Teacher and student morale should be high, as we facilitate improvement. I get evaluated too–I met with my boss to tell me what to improve on.