Hardy's vision for LCS is in development
On July 1, Lexington City Schools began operating under a new regime. Dr. Nakia Hardy, who most recently served as deputy superintendent of Durham Public Schools, began her tenure as superintendent of LCS.
Since her arrival, Hardy has been traversing the city. Before the school year commenced, she began holding a series of community meetings. Her reasoning centered around wanting to see the city through the eyes of those who lived in and are invested in the community. It also provided Hardy with an opportunity to learn more intricate details about what makes Lexington special.
“I share with people during our community meetings that when you look kind of at my profile and where I’ve been, Lexington is unique to other places where I’ve been. I went after this job. I wanted this job. I wanted it because in doing my research about Lexington, it’s a strong community. I knew if there’s a strong community and that community believes in its schools then the schools are successful and the community is successful. It is the perfect synergy.”
The ability to acknowledge that harmony was the catalyst to a seed that was planted within Hardy years ago when she was a young girl being raised in Alamance County, North Carolina. With dreams of becoming an OB/GYN and finding a cure for ovarian cancer, Hardy had her eyes locked in on a life of healthcare, patients and research. However, her mother’s keen eye revealed a path Hardy hadn’t expected to travel.
“I don’t want to speak for my mom. She’s getting ready to be 80 years old and she’s got a lot that she can say for herself. I’ve always been a servant and always wanted to help. When I was little, they would call me a ham. My mother and father read to me quite a bit. If you would come over, I’d read you my favorite book. I think some of those are the things she saw in me early.”
Upon graduating from Williams High School in Burlington, North Carolina, Hardy attended Appalachian State University on a teaching fellows scholarship. She continued her coursework at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill where she earned a master’s and doctoral degree. As an educator, Hardy taught for five years, was an AP college board reader, a middle school intern, a high school assistant principal and a middle school principal. With the exception of her work as a board reader, she held all those positions within the Alamance-Burlington School System. Additionally, at the central office level, she’s worked in Rockingham and Guilford counties and Baltimore.
In her quest to lead LCS forward, Hardy notes she’s drawing on her life experiences from childhood to where she is now to help guide her. “My passion is working with caregivers, teachers and the community to ensure folks have an experience like I had. That’s what motivates me.”
The reason for her statement centers around the difficulty she experienced with reading when she was younger. Hardy’s teacher, Ms. Hester, recognized her struggles and consulted with her mother to ensure the girl improved in this area.
Having had that transpire in her life and believing in the strength of community in Lexington, Hardy believes the city is poised to create the same atmosphere.
“One of the questions I ask of internal and external folks is tell me what’s special about Lexington. They almost always say the same answer: community or people.”
Having now had almost 90 days to assess the system and city, the strength has been confirmed while the challenges are still being sorted out. At her community meetings, attendees participated in an activity called Start, Stop, Continue. Breakout sessions were held and participants wrote down issues they believe needed to start, stop or continue at the schools and/or within LCS. From this exercise, challenges rose to the surface. One being retention and turnover. While Hardy acknowledges this is a national crisis, she wants to focus on how LCS can adapt.
“I want people to know I went to school to be a teacher. We’re now in a place in education where most folks are alternatively licensed. I’m so appreciative of those who are coming to us and wanting to teach. We work with them through universities to make sure they get their licensure. Wehave leaned into recruiting international teachers. I’m extraordinarily appreciative of those we have – some from Jamaica, the Philippines and others. At the same time, I want us to acknowledge this is a bigger problem. We are training the future and we need the absolute best talent working with our babies. How we think about and value education is critically important.”
Hardy stated there are some ideas that have been brought to the table they’re considering such as longer initial contracts for administrators, signing bonuses and encouraging perfect attendance with bus drivers. Concerns were also raised about school transitions, safety and security.
During many conversations, she’s also heard from stakeholders who expressed their displeasure about people who are from Lexington or have worked with LCS for years leaving. Hardy responded by saying, “I want to acknowledge the loyalty and legacy of the staff we’ve had here. What they have given and brought to Lexington is something that will never be forgotten and is very much appreciated. Some of the transitions will allow us to elevate current staff. We have great talent here.”
One of the ways the new superintendent hopes to alleviate this issue is by embracing Lexington Senior High School alumni in whatever way alums want to be part of creating an environment where current students can thrive.
“I want to utilize alumni in any and every way possible. Bring it on! There is such pride in being a Yellow Jacket. We want and need alumni to talk to our kids, to help our kids commit to being in Lexington. How do we continue to leverage our alumni who are brilliant? There are so many things they’ve done and our children need to hear that. What better way to hear from someone who lives right down the street or knew your grandma and mama and this is what they were able to do.”
As Hardy closes in on her first 100 days as superintendent, she wants those who love LCS and Lexington to know how much it means to her to be in this position. “I just want people to know I’m so excited to be here. What I’ve learned so far is Lexington is a community that values its people. People are what make this community great. It’s an honor and a privilege to have the chance to serve.”
