ALMA, Ark. — Retired educators in Alma met at their local Cracker Barrel for an annual first day back to school breakfast.
The retired Airedales share a combined 761 years in education and continue the annual tradition of meeting for eggs and coffee. This year though, they added a tour of new facilities.
Retired Superintendent David Woolly is a sophomore joining the retired educators. Retiring after 50 years in education, he says they typically don't talk about school at the breakfast.
"We're catching up on each other's lives, who's doing what, who's traveled where, who has new grandkids, that sort of conversation," Woolly said.
With new facilities finally being taken into full possession by the district on the first day, the retired educators were once again roaming the new halls of their alma mater. The teachers rode in the district's newer electric buses to the facilities and got a tour from Assistant Superintendent Travis Biggs.
"The truth is, it's not about facilities, even though we give great facilities here, it's about the opportunity that we're giving our kids, and our kids get any opportunity. As the legendary Charles Dyer said, in Alma America, our kids in Alma deserve what every kid in America deserves. So he thought facilities was a part of giving back to our kids. Our kids deserve everything," Biggs said.
Although Woolly had retired from the district, he still visited the projects he started to see their growth.
The district unveiled its Student Activity Center which features an airconditioned indoor field, a new workout room, softball and baseball lockers, a batting cage among other rooms.
The retired educators also discussed the use of their new agri-science classrooms and lab.
"The school is going to continue to do very well in every respect. I see nothing but continued success. I see nothing but great success for our students, for our graduates, and it's just all great," Woolly said.
"The green and gold is very important in Alma America, the Rockin A is very important in Alma America, and it's our responsibility to continue that, to continue on the tradition that's already been built by so many wonderful people," Biggs said.
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