T.Y. Fleming Elementary School, the little school in Minter City that beat out bigger schools with its consistent Level 5 status, will close its doors for the last time on Tuesday.
First-grade teacher Almeda Luckey has seen the school both as a student — first through ninth grade — and as a teacher over the past seven years.
“It has a lot of sentimental value to me and an exceptional record,” said Luckey, 56, one of eight children in her family to grace T.Y.’s classrooms and hallways through the years.
Luckey is quick to point out what she thinks is the secret of T.Y. Fleming’s success.
“I give credit to the teachers, because we have some dedicated teachers here. We have some who work full time and some who are retired who are still coming back,” she said.
Luckey, who was involved with Head Start for 28 years before she began her teaching career, said she still lives about 5 minutes away.
“This is home. It’s always been welcoming,” she said.
Come the new school year, Luckey will make the daily commute to Amanda Elzy Elementary School.
The sense of togetherness is what makes T.Y. such a positive force for good.
“Most of the people live in the area,” she said.
Discipline in the classroom is supported by concerned parents and guardians at home, Luckey said.
“The parents will say, ‘You got me. Get ’em if they act up,’” she said.
T.Y.’s remote location — among fertile agricultural fields outside Minter City — also helps kids to concentrate on improving their minds, simply because there is little else to distract them, Luckey said.
“Out here, there is nothing for them to do but study,” she said.
Luckey said the school always has been blessed with wonderful teachers and administrators.
When she was a little girl, Luckey said Robert Lindsey was the school’s principal.
“He was strict but likeable. He never did anything out of spite. Whatever he did was for your benefit. I knew that, but a lot of folks didn’t,” Luckey said.
Byron Haynes, the school’s last principal, said T.Y. benefits from its locale.
“First of all, it’s a small school with small classroom size. They have a committed staff. They have strong parental support. There’s a supporting community, and the children come ready to learn,” he said.
In the fall, Haynes, 44, will become the Leflore County School District’s director of special projects, which includes grant programs such as Even Start, Homeless Education and Teen Parenting Centers.
Haynes started out in the district as assistant principal at Amanda Elzy High School. He then became principal of Amanda Elzy Elementary School and later principal of Amanda Elzy High School.
He has been principal of T.Y. since October.
A 1983 graduate of Humphreys County High School, Haynes received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi Valley State University in 1987.
A former captain in the U.S. Air Force, Haynes served as band director at Humphreys High School.
In 1997, he received his master’s degree in educational leadership from Delta State University.
In 2000, Haynes received his specialist degree from Jackson State University.
Haynes said while there is a hint of sadness at the closing of T.Y., the staff has largely accepted the move.
It’s Haynes’ job to focus on making professional development opportunities for the staff of the school a high priority.
Quardaveon Kelly, 11, a sixth-grader at T.Y., said the school will always be special to him.
When asked what he’ll miss the most about T.Y., he replied without hesitation, “The teachers.”
