Marchant can have positive impact on school

What can we expect from Dr. Don Marchant, the long-time school administrator chosen as the next superintendent of schools for McCook School District 17?

"He's the kind of guy who lays his cards on the table," said Bob and Mary Lou Ross, Culbertson residents who became friends with Don and his wife, Lauri, when Marchant served as Culbertson's principal from 1975 to 1980.

"He doesn't pull any punches," Bob says. "If he makes a mistake, he'll admit it; and he expects the same from the people he is dealing with."

A similar assessment came from the McCook schools' business manager, Randall Datus, who sat in on interviews with Dr. Marchant.

"He's a very dynamic individual," Datus said. "What I like best about him is that he is student-centered. He will provide excellent leadership for the district and will enhance learning opportunities for youngsters."

Ross and Datus agree that Dr. Marchant will bring a professional approach to the administration of McCook schools. Marchant has developed his dedication to quality education during a 33-year educational career which has led him from a math and science teaching job in Lewellen in 1969 to the superintendency at the Lead-Deadwood Public Schools in South Dakota from 1997 until the present. He will remain as the Lead-Deadwood superintendent until July 1 when he assumes the school leadership post in McCook.

Many challenges await him.

One of the major concerns is funding, with Nebraska law limiting the school's general fund budget to $1 per $100 of valuation. That has caused a crunch because the state is cutting back state aid due to a slowing of the growth of state tax revenues.

In addition, Dr. Marchant is coming into a district which has defeated two bond issues in a row, including -- most recently -- a $9.7 million bond election to upgrade the elementary schools in October of 2001.

When Dr. Marchant was in McCook Friday for his interview, he described the condition of the buildings as among the district's greatest challenges. Because the educational structures have deteriorated, Marchant said they present barriers to learning and must be addressed before the fire marshal steps in.

It's like Bob Ross says: Dr. Marchant doesn't pull any punches.

That kind of honesty and candor will be important for the new superintendent, who will take over operation of a district with approximately 1,400 students ... close to 200 staff members ... and a budget in excess of $13 million.

It's a big job ... and Dr. Don Marchant is dedicated to rising to the challenge. With the support of students, staff and district residents, he has an opportunity to have a positive impact on educational opportunities in the McCook area.