Video: New Columbus Superintendent Talks Goals

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Columbus schools’ new leader is spending his first day on the job keeping busy with several meetings throughout the day.

The superintendent took a break to talk to WCBI about his plans for the district.

Philip Hickman says he’s aspired to be a superintendent, and Columbus was the right fit.

“What better area to raise kids, and look at a community that’s thriving, that has a lot of potential for growth, and that’s really waiting on change in the school district,” Hickman said.

Hickman hopes that change will turn Columbus into one of the top school districts in the country.

“My other goal is that the community develops faith back into the district, that this district is the first choice for every community member for their child to attend school.”

He says the way to achieve that is by doing a lot of listening.

“I have to listen to the community members. I have to listen to the civic organizations. I have to listen to the families. I have to listen to the kids about what’s best, and then put together with my cabinet and with the school district, a package together that will really benefit kids, and really grow students,” he said.

Hickman says his biggest challenge to overcome is the public’s perception of the school district.

“I’ve already talked to staff, and I’ve interviewed a lot of our staff members, and will continue to interview throughout the course of this week, and these are some great people, and they’re people who care about kids. It’s really just a change of perception, and really let everybody know that, ‘Hey, we’re doing what’s best for kids, and we’re going to have a lot of improvements in that we want your guys’ support.'”

Hickman says that support is what the district needs to accomplish his new goals.

Hickman says what he’s excited about most, is interacting with the kids. He looks forward to watching them grow from preschoolers to high school graduates.

Categories: Local News

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