Published: May 21, 2008 09:43 am            

Renaud says goodbye to Bethel Grade School

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — After four years with Bethel Grade School, Superintendent Matt Renaud is moving on to work for Iuka Grade School.

“Our little school has come a long way,” Renaud said. “The kids have changed so much over time.”

When Renaud took the reins of the school, he had several goals, and Renaud said many of the goals have been attained.

“Most of them were open-ended,” Renaud said. “They were set up so the school could always be growing and getting better.”

Renaud said the thing he is most proud of during his sojourn with Bethel Grade School is the kids.

“The kids are more united now,” Renaud explained. “They feel like they’re part of the group and that it means something to be from here.”

One way the children have shown they have developed a pride in their school and community is their participation as a school in the City Wide Cleanup event, in which the school team has won first place for the last three years with the most volunteers — 104 volunteers this year, up from 58 volunteers last year.

“I was amazed that the kids came through like that,” Renaud said prior to the award presentation. “Everyone says they want to do it, but when it comes time to show up, sometimes they fall short. This time, they showed up. It’s amazing.”

In addition to the cleanup project, the 120 students at the school have undertaken other community service projects, such as the collection of more than 100 pounds of supplies, gifts and snack foods for troops serving overseas during a three-day event in November. Under Renaud’s direction, the district also earned the 2006 Excellence Award for Exemplary Academic Performance from the state.

“I’m passionate about this school,” Renaud said.

Renaud’s last day at Bethel will be June 30, and he will begin superintendent duties at Iuka on July 1. At Bethel, Renaud’s responsibilities included superintendent and principal duties, whereas at Iuka, which has about 300 students, Renaud said he will be working with an “outstanding” principal, which will allow him to concentrate more on the administrative duties of superintendent.

        

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