As Lea Barrett prepares to wrap up her time with the BrookhavenSchool District, the former superintendent can rest assured thatshe is leaving the district and its students with a strongerfoundation for future success.

Since taking over as superintendent in 2004, Barrett has strived toadvance the district’s curriculum and educational offerings.

Those efforts culminated last year with two schools, BrookhavenHigh School and Brookhaven Elementary, being classified ashigh-performing schools in the latest state assessments. Otherschools have also seen their educational standings advance duringBarrett’s tenure.

Furthermore, Barrett has been an avid supporter of such programs asMississippi Scholars and the Junior Auxiliary’s Reality Town. Theseactivities have been vital in challenging students to be betterprepared – either by taking more rigorous courses or by exposingthem the realities of adult life – for life after highschool.

A familiar challenge for those in leadership positions is to leavesomething better than they found it. Barrett has done that with theBrookhaven School District.