Academic failures within the district were discussed at length during the committee meeting for the Lincoln County Board of Education held on Nov. 13. Failure rates, for one class or more, in the first quarter are at approximately three times the rate as they were last year at this time, according to Dr. Heath Belcher, Lincoln County Schools assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.  Overall, 20% of students in the middle and high schools are failing one or more courses. Some schools have a failure rate of 21% while others at upwards of 41%. The median range within the middle and high schools is 30%.Â