HAMLET — Dropout Prevention Coordinator Arthur Gilliam presented an update on graduation rates at the Richmond County Schools Board of Education meeting, emphasizing his focus on students rather than data alone.
“If you know anything about me, I never look at the number. I probably get fussed out a lot because I’m supposed to look at the number, but I believe if I focus on children, the number will go up,” said Gilliam. “My goal is the children, and hopefully, the number is a result of impacting children. We’ve seen that, because it went up — so grateful about that.”
Gilliam discussed the Mentoring & Me program, which has contributed to improved graduation outcomes. The program uses a nine-week evaluation rubric based on attendance, grades, discipline referrals and tardiness.
Gilliam personally reviews approximately 1,600 report cards by hand, assigning point values in each category. Students are then placed into color-coded categories: green (8–10 points), yellow (5–7 points), red (2–4 points) and black (0–1 point), indicating increasing levels of risk for dropping out.
The program’s goal is for 80% of students at Richmond Senior High School to fall within the green category, with smaller percentages in the other categories.
“I don’t want anyone in the black, but I’m going to give us 5% leeway because we’re human,” said Gilliam.
He shared data from the first and second nine weeks and explained his approach to analyzing it.
“Now, most would immediately go to the green and say, ‘Wow, we’re not at 80%,’” Gilliam said. “I don’t look at that. I immediately go to the black and red. And if you look at the black, we are pretty much in good standing. We’re between that zero and 5%. So, that is a good thing.”
He also noted a significant number of students fall into the yellow category.
“I also begin to look at the yellow and realize there’s a lot of kids in yellow. There’s a lot of kids teeter-tottering. Maybe one or two points we can get them to green,” he said.
By the second nine weeks, the percentage of 12th-grade students in the black category increased to 6%. Gilliam said trends show ninth- and 10th-grade students generally performing better than 11th- and 12th-graders.
“But that’s for several reasons, right? If you know anything about middle school, at middle school, they have to walk a straight line,” Gilliam said. “But when they get to ninth grade, you have a little bit more freedom.”
He added that the ninth grade academy transition no longer exists, meaning students now go directly to Richmond Senior High School.
“11th and 12th grade, they’re kind of used to Richmond. They have that kind of freedom and so they’re kind of towing that line as much as they can,” Gilliam said. “Seniors are getting into senioritis and different things of that nature — that’s where Mentor & Me comes to play.”
Gilliam said the Mentoring & Me team is made up of support and classified staff who work together to support at-risk students. The staff includes Donald Pettigrew, Dominique Greene, Derrick Wiley, India Fields, Casey Smith, Barbara Dumas and Tonia Breeden.
“What we do is after those nine weeks and we get the data back, we go and we immediately target the kids who are at risk,” Gilliam said. “Those kids that are in the red and black … we try our best to assign them to a mentor, someone who they can develop a relationship with.”
Mentors meet with students daily, set goals and maintain communication with families.
“We monitor … our mentors meet with our at-risk students daily, setting goals with them, holding them accountable,” Gilliam said. “There’s also a family communication component … so when something happens, not only are we holding you accountable, but we have a relationship with your family.”
Gilliam shared student success stories, including Kydaven Diggs, who returned to Richmond Senior High School through the program.
“Kydaven’s journey is a powerful example of how consistent mentorship and strong support can help a student stay on track,” Gilliam said. “His story reminds us that when students have someone walking alongside them … their trajectory can truly change.”
He also highlighted Quincy Byrd, a senior who will graduate this year after overcoming challenges.
Before Byrd transferred schools, Gilliam told him he would continue to support him.
“Just because he was going to Ashley Chapel didn’t mean he would be forgotten,” Gilliam said.
Within one semester, Byrd returned to Richmond Senior High School and has since developed an interest in construction, taking drafting courses and participating in workforce training.
“Quency’s story is a reminder that when students have relationships, support from their family … and the determination to keep moving forward, the future will remain full of possibilities,” Gilliam said.
Gilliam closed by reiterating his focus on student impact.
“My hope and my prayer is that this graduation rate will be even better,” he said. “But just know it’s not about the number, it’s about directly impacting these babies.”
Other business
The board also recognized Martin Luther King Jr. poster and essay contest winners, including Cross Pha, an eighth grader at Hamlet Middle School, and Marcus Henderson, a senior at Richmond Senior High School.
Assistant Superintendent of Safety and Support Services Melvin Ingram thanked organizers and families.
“I would like to extend a sincere appreciation to Mr. Curtis Ingram, Miss Angeline David, and the entire MLK celebration essay postal contest committee for their leadership and this opportunity,” said Ingram. “Also want to thank the parents of the participants that we’re recognizing tonight for their help. We look forward to see what the future holds … We also want to thank Miss Karen Good for her support as well with the art teachers.”