By Dan Chapman
Superintendent of Lindsay Schools
The Lindsay Public School System has a tradition of excellence. In 1954, we became one of the first 10 schools in Oklahoma to achieve total accreditation by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges, now known as AdvanceED. To this day, Lindsay Schools maintain this tradition. We were also named in the recent past to a list of the top ten schools in Oklahoma compiled by U.S. News & World Report.
During the last decade, Lindsay school patrons, administrators and staff recognized the need for improving school plant facilities. A year-long campaign resulted in a bond issue passage in September 2015. A new fifth grade center was built in the elementary school. New safe rooms and band and band practice rooms were incorporated into a new basketball arena. A new field house, concessions and football stadium provide new facilities for both football and track athletes with its incorporated track.
The agricultural show barns and facilities include new commons area for meetings, concessions areas and restroom facilities.
Other projected plans include renovating existing space for state-of-the-art technology classrooms, funded by another and most recent bond passage. Through the foresight of progressive Lindsay patrons, the Lindsay Board of Education and Lindsay School staff, the current and future physical needs of students have been ensured.
Lindsay students have annually been recognized among the top academic students in the state. Lindsay High School academic teams reach the State Academic Bowl Competition with regularity. Countless Lindsay High School students have been named Academic and Honorable Mention Academic Bowl All-Staters. Lindsay Elementary and Middle School have also initiated competitive academic teams. In addition, 12 LHS students have been selected Academic All-Staters the highest academic honor bestowed upon high school students in our state.
During the last decade, Lindsay Elementary School implemented a tiered system of supports to assist students with academic and behavioral needs. This system is part of the Oklahoma Tiered Intervention System of Supports and has significantly reduced the number of behavior referrals to the office as well as the number of students who have been referred to special education services. Lindsay Elementary earned distinction as an OTISS Model School, one of only two schools in the state afforded that honor.
The Lindsay Future Farmers of America program has a long history of success. FFA students work toward both chapter and individual awards. In fact, the local chapter participates in all dimensions of the FFA program, ranging from animal science to speech competitions to career development.
The high school’s fine arts program is another outlet for student expression. The art department sends students annually to art and scholastic competitions. The Lindsay High School Band was the 2013 Oklahoma Band Masters Class 2-A State Champion Marching Band, and in addition, vocal students competing in all regional and state contests consistently receiving high marks.
Athletically, Lindsay Schools are known throughout the state for excellence in all sports. With the passage of the 2015 bond issue, Lindsay athletes now compete in some of the newest and best facilities available to high school athletes in Oklahoma. More importantly, we demand excellence from our athletes in the classroom as well as in the competitive arena. Leopards consider themselves scholar-athletes.
We know that the Lindsay School System is headed in a positive direction because of the evident successes of our students and the modernization of facilities. The mission statement of Lindsay Public Schools summarizes the district-wide goal for student success: “Empowering all students for success in an ever-changing worlds.”