Well, did you think I had abandoned the blog?!? To tell you the truth, I haven't had time during the day to write a posting and when I finally reach my warm, cozy home at night, the last thing I want to do is to get back on the computer. I will try to do better!
For those of you who continue to write with questions about standards-based report cards, please let me refer you to Dr. Peggy Connell's blog. It is her department who began that initiative prior to my coming to Muscogee County School District and she can fill you in on the progress of that project. Her blog is full of information that I would only be repeating here.
This past Saturday, the Board of Education met in a retreat setting for the administration to share with them our progress on all things SPLOST! We met for three hours and discussed with them the tremendous amount of work we have been doing so that we can move forward. It is very important that we plan laboriously and that we think of all of the details involved in getting everything in place. We wanted to make sure that we were heading in the direction that the Board of Education wanted us to go and that we were keeping them informed. They provided consensus on our direction and we are moving ahead!
Let me share a few of the items with you. We discussed the pros and cons of different project delivery methods such as design-bid-build, construction-management-at-risk, and bridging. As we prepare to complete each project, we will make a recommendation to the Board about the delivery method we would like to use. Now that the Board has heard the presentation, they will have the information they need to consider our recommendations.
We also talked about whether or not we needed the assistance of an outside project manager. We have a construction department which has done a great job managing projects, but the department personnel is limited, not in their knowledge, but in their time. We will have over $200 million worth of projects and we want to provide them the support they need to keep those projects moving in a productive way. The board agreed that we would develop an RFP for some specific assistance, but we would not hire a program management firm who would be fully responsible for carrying out the projects. Our construction team will continue to lead the way with outside assistance on specific areas.
We also discussed the relocation of Carver students. We shared with the Board our decision-points on the recommendation that we brought to them to move Carver students to Baker Middle School and moving the Baker students to Marshall where they will operate as a school within a school while Carver is being built. There have been many hours of determining how and where we would accomodate the Carver students while the new Carver is being built. We feel confident that this recommendation is the best one and was made after many internal discussions.
We talked about the individual projects and discussed the phases of the projects. We don't have a specific timeline yet because our bond underwriter and financial partner hasn't been selected yet. That firm will assist us in developing our projected cash flow and then we can insert dates into the phases. That recommendation will be coming to the Board at the December 7 meeting.
I will write about the phases in my next posting and tell you our thinking behind the way we developed that. You can see an overview in last Sunday's Ledger-Enquirer article.
As you can see, we have been busy working on strategy, planning this retreat, and getting everything done that we possibly can prior to collecting the first penny on the 2010 SPLOST. Thinking through to the strategic details takes time and effort and the staff has done a great job. The work we are doing now is critical. We have started "with the end in mind" as Stephen Covey teaches and we are working backwards to make sure everything is in place. In the "end" all of the projects will be completed, on time and within budget! That is our goal!!!! I will keep you posted!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Standards-Based Report Cards
I was asked to post a blog about Standards-Based Report Cards. There is so much to talk about on this subject and I am pondering where to begin. I suppose I will begin with the definition of standards:
Standards: Standards are written descriptions of what a child should know or be able to do in a particular subject in a particular grade. For example, a third grade writing standard states: students will write in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature. (Third grade students love the word "genre" and like to say it over and over!) A high school Math I standard is that students will investigate properties of a geometric figure in the coordinate plane.
Teachers develop rubrics, similar to checklists, will all of the elements of the standards and they compare student work with the rubrics to determine if a student has mastered or learned the standard and to what level the student has learned the standard.
After this occurs, the teacher must determine how to communicate to the parents how well the child has learned. That is where standards-based report cards come in. The traditional report card and assessment reflects an average of the student's work over time. A standards-based report card should reflect how far along the continuum of mastery of the standard the student has come. The standards-based report card lists all of the standards for each subject taught. That is why it is lengthy and will take up many pages.
The problem that parents face with understanding the standards-based report card is that they are accustomed to seeing an A, B, or C or a percentage (90, 78, 88) as a grade for their child. Parents understand this grading system because it is familiar to them. With a standards-based report card, parents often ask the question: How well did my child learn the content? Did my child learn 70%, 80%, or 90%? Is my child at the top of his/her class, in the middle of the class, or at the bottom of the class? These questions that parents want answered make it difficult to implement true standards-based assessments.
In Muscogee County, all elementary schools are using standards-based report cards for grades K-3. The program was piloted for several years prior to going system-wide. We will continue to monitor the implementation of these communication tools with parents. Your input and comments are appreciated.
For more information on standards-based classrooms, Muscogee County School District has published a brochure entitled Understanding Standards-Based Report Cards.
This is a short explanation. There have been many books written on this subject that are available for parents and educators. Hope this explanation provides you with the beginning of the answers to your questions.
Standards: Standards are written descriptions of what a child should know or be able to do in a particular subject in a particular grade. For example, a third grade writing standard states: students will write in a variety of genres, including narrative, informational, persuasive, and response to literature. (Third grade students love the word "genre" and like to say it over and over!) A high school Math I standard is that students will investigate properties of a geometric figure in the coordinate plane.
Teachers develop rubrics, similar to checklists, will all of the elements of the standards and they compare student work with the rubrics to determine if a student has mastered or learned the standard and to what level the student has learned the standard.
After this occurs, the teacher must determine how to communicate to the parents how well the child has learned. That is where standards-based report cards come in. The traditional report card and assessment reflects an average of the student's work over time. A standards-based report card should reflect how far along the continuum of mastery of the standard the student has come. The standards-based report card lists all of the standards for each subject taught. That is why it is lengthy and will take up many pages.
The problem that parents face with understanding the standards-based report card is that they are accustomed to seeing an A, B, or C or a percentage (90, 78, 88) as a grade for their child. Parents understand this grading system because it is familiar to them. With a standards-based report card, parents often ask the question: How well did my child learn the content? Did my child learn 70%, 80%, or 90%? Is my child at the top of his/her class, in the middle of the class, or at the bottom of the class? These questions that parents want answered make it difficult to implement true standards-based assessments.
In Muscogee County, all elementary schools are using standards-based report cards for grades K-3. The program was piloted for several years prior to going system-wide. We will continue to monitor the implementation of these communication tools with parents. Your input and comments are appreciated.
For more information on standards-based classrooms, Muscogee County School District has published a brochure entitled Understanding Standards-Based Report Cards.
This is a short explanation. There have been many books written on this subject that are available for parents and educators. Hope this explanation provides you with the beginning of the answers to your questions.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Eighteen Days Until SPLOST Vote
We are eighteen days away from the SPLOST vote. I dread the morning of September
16th and I anticipate the morning of September 16! On that day we will know if we can move forward with the selection of architects and plans for new schools or if we will have to renew our thoughts on how to take care of over 4000 new students without any additional brick and mortar buildings. Either way, there will be plenty of work to do! My hope and desire is that anyone who has not yet decided how they will vote will make their decision based on the facts.
I hope that this vote will be the line that separates the angst and distrust of the past and the sunrise of the future. I hope that we are truly entering an era when we earn more and more of the community's trust by the way we conduct our business in the school district.
It is amazing that every day we transport, feed, and teach over 32,000 students and many days without a single, frightening incident. Our bus drivers get their children to school safely day after day. Our teachers prepare and deliver their lessons consistently day after day. Our food service staff prepare and serve countless meals in a safe environment day after day. Yes, there are complaints that make their way to my office, but the percentage of complaints compared to the number of people we serve is minimal. Yes, we can improve on all of our processes and the way we deliver instruction. Continuous improvement must be our constant desire.
We have increased our sense of urgency in every building. The principals are focused on student achievement. As I have visited PTA Open Houses throughout the district, I have seen families coming into the schools by the hundreds eager to support our work and their children. We are moving in the right direction. I will be glad when September 16 gets here. The results of the vote on the 15th will define where we go from here. I can hardly wait!
16th and I anticipate the morning of September 16! On that day we will know if we can move forward with the selection of architects and plans for new schools or if we will have to renew our thoughts on how to take care of over 4000 new students without any additional brick and mortar buildings. Either way, there will be plenty of work to do! My hope and desire is that anyone who has not yet decided how they will vote will make their decision based on the facts.
I hope that this vote will be the line that separates the angst and distrust of the past and the sunrise of the future. I hope that we are truly entering an era when we earn more and more of the community's trust by the way we conduct our business in the school district.
It is amazing that every day we transport, feed, and teach over 32,000 students and many days without a single, frightening incident. Our bus drivers get their children to school safely day after day. Our teachers prepare and deliver their lessons consistently day after day. Our food service staff prepare and serve countless meals in a safe environment day after day. Yes, there are complaints that make their way to my office, but the percentage of complaints compared to the number of people we serve is minimal. Yes, we can improve on all of our processes and the way we deliver instruction. Continuous improvement must be our constant desire.
We have increased our sense of urgency in every building. The principals are focused on student achievement. As I have visited PTA Open Houses throughout the district, I have seen families coming into the schools by the hundreds eager to support our work and their children. We are moving in the right direction. I will be glad when September 16 gets here. The results of the vote on the 15th will define where we go from here. I can hardly wait!
Four-Day Week?
I have had many bloggers ask me if the school district has considered a four-day week. The answer is yes, some board members have expressed interest and some employees have expressed interest. We must think very carefully about the impact of this before we seriously consider it. The State Board of Education passed a rule last year stating that school systems had to have school the equivalent of 180 days. This means that you don't have to go 180 days but you must go the same number of hours. This frees local school districts to be more flexible with their calendars. Peach County and Murray County have lengthened their school day and trimmed some days off of their 180 day calendar. Yes, this saves a lot of money as far as transportation costs and operating costs in the district, but where does it create expenses?! It creates child-care expenses for the families. In the case of Muscogee County, there are 32,000 children and thousands of these are under the age of 12. Most of their mothers and daddys and guardians work. The burden of day-care expenses for these children would be difficult for many of these families. The other issue to think about is how productive would we be in that last hour of school if we extended the school day? Could five and six year olds continue to learn at high levels another hour a day? Would teachers have the energy to be creative and continue to engage students for one more hour? Many of the excellent teachers that I know are exhausted at the end of the current day.
A four-day week is certainly something to consider and if the current economic crisis continues to bring budget cuts, this solution may certainly be one that we study with interest. We need to think of all of the issues that surround it. It will be interesting to see how things work in Peach and Murray.
A four-day week is certainly something to consider and if the current economic crisis continues to bring budget cuts, this solution may certainly be one that we study with interest. We need to think of all of the issues that surround it. It will be interesting to see how things work in Peach and Murray.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
First Week of School
Tomorrow is the first official day back for teachers although many of them have been coming in for several weeks now to get their rooms ready for the students. Thursday is the big day! First day of school. Get to meet your new group of students. Students are nervous and are wondering how it will be. Guess what?! Teachers are a bit nervous, too! I have shared my story with many teachers through the years and most of them begin laughing and nodding their heads because they have done the same thing! Let me tell you about it!
When I taught first grade I would work all summer on lesson plans and units and think about how I would do things differently in the new school year. I would work hard during pre-planning to make my classroom as inviting as possible. The night before the first day of school, I could not sleep. I would stay awake and go through everything I was going to say the first morning back. I would rehearse how I would greet the children, how I would gently usher their mothers out the door so I could have them all by myself, and what I would say on the important first day of school. I would go over my plans in my head, rehearsing, retooling, and working on it. The morning of the first day I would be so excited, yet worn out from lack of sleep! I would get in the classroom and try to make that first day the day of all days - the tone-setter for the rest of the year!
Several years later as I reflected on my career, and by that time, had children of my own, it dawned on me one day! What was I thinking?! Those first graders were just six years old - I could have said anything! I could have made stuff up on the spot! Would they have known the difference?! It's funny now that I look back on it, but even though I laugh, I know how important planning for that first day is. Yes, they were only six, but it is so important for the teacher to be ready for them! I guarantee you they are ready for the teacher!!!!!
I hope all of the teachers who greet students this Thursday will be ready for their students! What a great opportunity to have a fresh start! I pray for safety and that we begin our school year with a sense of urgency that lasts 180 days!
When I taught first grade I would work all summer on lesson plans and units and think about how I would do things differently in the new school year. I would work hard during pre-planning to make my classroom as inviting as possible. The night before the first day of school, I could not sleep. I would stay awake and go through everything I was going to say the first morning back. I would rehearse how I would greet the children, how I would gently usher their mothers out the door so I could have them all by myself, and what I would say on the important first day of school. I would go over my plans in my head, rehearsing, retooling, and working on it. The morning of the first day I would be so excited, yet worn out from lack of sleep! I would get in the classroom and try to make that first day the day of all days - the tone-setter for the rest of the year!
Several years later as I reflected on my career, and by that time, had children of my own, it dawned on me one day! What was I thinking?! Those first graders were just six years old - I could have said anything! I could have made stuff up on the spot! Would they have known the difference?! It's funny now that I look back on it, but even though I laugh, I know how important planning for that first day is. Yes, they were only six, but it is so important for the teacher to be ready for them! I guarantee you they are ready for the teacher!!!!!
I hope all of the teachers who greet students this Thursday will be ready for their students! What a great opportunity to have a fresh start! I pray for safety and that we begin our school year with a sense of urgency that lasts 180 days!
Friday, July 24, 2009
To Furlough or Not to Furlough!
Well, so much for trying to have a quiet, smooth, unemotional, well-organized opening of the school year! This past Tuesday, superintendents received an email from the Governor's office that he would meet with us via conference call at 3:00 p.m. that afternoon. At that point, we knew it was bad news - he wasn't just calling to chat- but we didn't know how bad! The Governor began the conversation thanking superintendents for our work and led right into the purpose of the call. With continued decline in State revenues, it is necessary for school districts to be cut another 3% in state funding. For Muscogee County that is $5,321,769. That news was bad enough, but he wasn't finished with the conversation. He then began to talk about furloughs. The Governor doesn't have the authority to furlough teachers, but the legislative leadership has given him the authority to withhold funds; therefore, he will be withholding the funds for three days of salaries and requested that school districts furlough personnel for three days prior to December 31, 2009. The money will be withheld during the next five months. Three days of QBE salaries for our district is another $2,182,76l! The total to be withheld from us will be $7,504,530! Given this amount of budget reduction, we are really having to make some tough decisions.
A teacher posted this question? If we furlough, does that mean we work and don't get paid? No, if we furlough, we wouldn't work and we wouldn't get paid. We would not be asking employees to work without pay. We would shut all schools and all school offices down; no work, no pay for three days. We are still looking at all of our options. Stay tuned!
A teacher posted this question? If we furlough, does that mean we work and don't get paid? No, if we furlough, we wouldn't work and we wouldn't get paid. We would not be asking employees to work without pay. We would shut all schools and all school offices down; no work, no pay for three days. We are still looking at all of our options. Stay tuned!
Friday, July 10, 2009
School Transfers
There is alot of concern about school transfers right now - specifically the transfers to Northside and Hardaway. I understand that concern. The bottom line is that No Child Left Behind requires the district to allow parents the choice to transfer their child to a school within the district making Adequate Yearly Progress when the school in which their child is enrolled doesn't make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). Lack of capacity at a school is not a reason for not allowing transfers. We are told the district "must create capacity;" therefore, modular units will be placed on those campuses.
What is the solution? The solution is for every high school to make AYP. Then the district doesn't have to offer choice under No Child Left Behind, but only under the new State law which requires us to offer choice. The difference between the Federal law and the State Law is that the State Law allows us to define capacity and we do not have to transfer students to schools which we have determined are full.
The guidance for NCLB states that districts can come up with creative and ingenious ways to create capacity. Believe me, I am searching for those creative ways, but I am not sure that parents will like the creative ways any better than they like the increased usage of portable classrooms! Time to brainstorm with some of my Superintendent buddies who are also dealing with this problem. I will keep you posted!
What is the solution? The solution is for every high school to make AYP. Then the district doesn't have to offer choice under No Child Left Behind, but only under the new State law which requires us to offer choice. The difference between the Federal law and the State Law is that the State Law allows us to define capacity and we do not have to transfer students to schools which we have determined are full.
The guidance for NCLB states that districts can come up with creative and ingenious ways to create capacity. Believe me, I am searching for those creative ways, but I am not sure that parents will like the creative ways any better than they like the increased usage of portable classrooms! Time to brainstorm with some of my Superintendent buddies who are also dealing with this problem. I will keep you posted!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Great Summer Reading
I am excited that I have discovered some great leadership books this summer. I am constantly on the lookout for books that will help the leadership team and me to reach the next level in leadership. It is necessary to be reminded how great leaders act, talk, react, and operate so that we don't get stale and that we remember it is not about the individual, but about taking the organization to higher levels!
John Kotter's book Sense of Urgency communicates so vividly what I have been discussing with Principals and with the Cabinet. We must do our work with a greater sense of urgency. Jim Collins in Good to Great reminds us that we are to lead with "rigor not ruthlessness" but there must be a sense of urgency promoted in the organization. I have been calling it intensity. I told principals, "We need to work with more intensity! Teach with more intensity! Lead with more intensity! Think with more intensity! Prepare with more intensity! We must understand how important our work is in the lives of our students!" I am now going to change my discourse on intensity to a discourse on urgency! Similar meaning, but I think urgency is really the term I need to use. We must truly develop a greater sense of urgency in all that we do. Our work is too important not to be "on the edge of our seats" as try to improve the lives of children.
Another great read is Real Leaders Don't Use PowerPoint! This book issues advice on when to use a powerpoint presentation and when not to! Great! I love it!
Why Some Things Stick and Others Don't is another book on how to make your message real to others and get the message out in a way that makes people remember it and buy into it. Teachers, principals, and, yes, superintendents must tell the great stories of public education! When someone asks how are things going we must be able to relate the successes and communicate the stories of the good work being done in today's public schools. Bus drivers, food service employees, custodians, clerical employees, and all support personnel must join the effort in communicating our good stories!
Leaders as Communicators and Diplomats is another good book on how important communication is and how to be an effective communicator.
All of these books have something in common. They remind us of the importance of communication, of how great leaders get out front and carry the message of the organization, and how to motivate others. It is so important to relate to people's heart, not just to their minds.
Our jobs in education must be linked to the brutal facts of accountability, but we must never forget the value of the public school experience. The joy of teaching and the difference that we can make in the future of our students must be communicated over and over again. When we look at individual children, we can't imagine how great their potential is, but we must treat them all as if they were going to grow up and have great value for society. We must do this, because, in reality, they all do have value and they all have the potential to contribute.
Well, I am ready to read some more! I have ordered Primal Leadership because Mr. Johnson, Principal at Richards Middle School recommended that. Can't wait to get it.
By the way, I am creating a Professional Library in the Superintendent's Office. It will be a library focused on leadership. The books I have mentioned in this blog will become a part of it and as it grows, the leadership team may borrow the books. If you don't return them, though, there will be a great penalty (to be discussed privately!). By the way, I know that the titles of books should be underlined but I haven't figured out how to underline in my posting. I am still learning!
Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate America!
John Kotter's book Sense of Urgency communicates so vividly what I have been discussing with Principals and with the Cabinet. We must do our work with a greater sense of urgency. Jim Collins in Good to Great reminds us that we are to lead with "rigor not ruthlessness" but there must be a sense of urgency promoted in the organization. I have been calling it intensity. I told principals, "We need to work with more intensity! Teach with more intensity! Lead with more intensity! Think with more intensity! Prepare with more intensity! We must understand how important our work is in the lives of our students!" I am now going to change my discourse on intensity to a discourse on urgency! Similar meaning, but I think urgency is really the term I need to use. We must truly develop a greater sense of urgency in all that we do. Our work is too important not to be "on the edge of our seats" as try to improve the lives of children.
Another great read is Real Leaders Don't Use PowerPoint! This book issues advice on when to use a powerpoint presentation and when not to! Great! I love it!
Why Some Things Stick and Others Don't is another book on how to make your message real to others and get the message out in a way that makes people remember it and buy into it. Teachers, principals, and, yes, superintendents must tell the great stories of public education! When someone asks how are things going we must be able to relate the successes and communicate the stories of the good work being done in today's public schools. Bus drivers, food service employees, custodians, clerical employees, and all support personnel must join the effort in communicating our good stories!
Leaders as Communicators and Diplomats is another good book on how important communication is and how to be an effective communicator.
All of these books have something in common. They remind us of the importance of communication, of how great leaders get out front and carry the message of the organization, and how to motivate others. It is so important to relate to people's heart, not just to their minds.
Our jobs in education must be linked to the brutal facts of accountability, but we must never forget the value of the public school experience. The joy of teaching and the difference that we can make in the future of our students must be communicated over and over again. When we look at individual children, we can't imagine how great their potential is, but we must treat them all as if they were going to grow up and have great value for society. We must do this, because, in reality, they all do have value and they all have the potential to contribute.
Well, I am ready to read some more! I have ordered Primal Leadership because Mr. Johnson, Principal at Richards Middle School recommended that. Can't wait to get it.
By the way, I am creating a Professional Library in the Superintendent's Office. It will be a library focused on leadership. The books I have mentioned in this blog will become a part of it and as it grows, the leadership team may borrow the books. If you don't return them, though, there will be a great penalty (to be discussed privately!). By the way, I know that the titles of books should be underlined but I haven't figured out how to underline in my posting. I am still learning!
Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate America!
Monday, June 29, 2009
What do you do in the summer?
This is a question that educators are asked all of the time. "What do you do in the summer?" Well, the truth is that summer is busy, busy, busy. Today I visited Brewer Elementary and Clubview Elementary. At both schools the custodians were busy stripping and waxing floors, cleaning baseboards, and shampooing carpets. Believe it or not, a few teachers were around working in their rooms. Some teachers will be changing grade levels and they wanted to get a head start on moving to a different classroom; some just have to get their rooms set up! They have already been working on bulletin boards and arranging their rooms. Knowing that there will be only three pre-planning days, teachers will begin getting just a little antsy from about now until the the middle of July and they will begin showing up at their buildings, ready to get started. The classroom begins calling their names . . . !
I visited Academic Success Center today. Summer school was in full swing and students were coming and going between the two sessions. It was great to tour that old building - if only the walls could talk! I would love for us to be able to restore it to its original glory! Dr. Webb and I had a great conversation about the value of alternative programs and how important it is to save young people one at a time if you have to. They are worth the hard work and the expense!
But, back to getting ready for school to start . . .
Plant services and principals know that I expect everything to be in great shape on the first day of school. We should welcome our students back with freshly cut lawns, shiny waxed floors, clean carpets, great bulletin boards, supplies in place, and spotless restrooms. Every year we have to spend time reviewing the handbooks and reviewing the rules, but we should also begin teaching school on Day One! Schedules should be ready for implementation and we should hit the ground running! There may be a few changes during the first few days, but we do not have any time to waste. Our sense of urgency about the work that we do must be evident from the moment students walk in the door.
I can't wait for the students to return. A new school year is a new opportunity to make a difference and to help students reach their goals. August 6 will be here before we know it!
I visited Academic Success Center today. Summer school was in full swing and students were coming and going between the two sessions. It was great to tour that old building - if only the walls could talk! I would love for us to be able to restore it to its original glory! Dr. Webb and I had a great conversation about the value of alternative programs and how important it is to save young people one at a time if you have to. They are worth the hard work and the expense!
But, back to getting ready for school to start . . .
Plant services and principals know that I expect everything to be in great shape on the first day of school. We should welcome our students back with freshly cut lawns, shiny waxed floors, clean carpets, great bulletin boards, supplies in place, and spotless restrooms. Every year we have to spend time reviewing the handbooks and reviewing the rules, but we should also begin teaching school on Day One! Schedules should be ready for implementation and we should hit the ground running! There may be a few changes during the first few days, but we do not have any time to waste. Our sense of urgency about the work that we do must be evident from the moment students walk in the door.
I can't wait for the students to return. A new school year is a new opportunity to make a difference and to help students reach their goals. August 6 will be here before we know it!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Board of Education Retreat
This past Saturday the Board of Education met in a retreat/planning session from 9:00 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Columbus Public Library. The purpose of a planning session such as this is to allow the board to discuss trends, opportunities, issues, and ideas without the time restraints of a formal meeting. The session is open to the public and no action is taken. This format allows for good discussion and allows for the board to give the administration some direction for moving forward. This was the second retreat since I have become Superintendent and the board is committed to having these sessions twice a year.
During this session the board heard several proposals. Dr. Cleo Griswould, Principal at Kendrick High School, led a presentation developed by a committee of principals on their ideas in trying to control cell phone usage by students. The committee did a great job of developing procedures for each school to use. The board asked that the committee consider alternatives to out-of-school suspension and asked that the first offense punishment be more severe (take the student's phone for more than a day!). The committee will meet again and refine the recommendations, bring them back to the board at a regular meeting. The procedures will then be communicated to students and parents. All middle and high schools will use a consistent process to deal with this issue. I will also post the final recommendation on this blog site and ask that parents in the Muscogee County School District provide their input.
The Board also heard our recommendations on some new personnel policy changes. We will be bringing those to the Board in July. Currently the board has a policy which doesn't allow spouses to work in the same school. We have recommended and the board has agreed by consensus that we shouldn't prohibit spouses from working in the same building. We must prohibit, of course, individuals from supervising close family members so we will bring back a policy with these changes.
You will be hearing more about a lab school at CSU. Dr. David Rock brought to the board an idea that he and I have been talking about for more than a year. We will begin working on the legal aspects and the institutional aspects of this idea to see if we can bring it to fruition. The school would be built on CSU campus but would be a Muscogee County School District School. The staff would consist of a partnership between the school district and the university. There are many, many, many legal and bureacratic issues to be worked out before embarking on fulfilling this dream, but we are going to see what we can do. Keep your eyes and ears open to hear more about it.
The Board also was able to see a slide show of the great events that occurred in Muscogee County Schools during the past school year. It was inspiring! The public school experience cannot be measured in a single test score and it was evident by the video that we are helping children become good citizens, patriots, servant-leaders, as well as good academic students. thank you to the Division of Academics for sharing this with us!
The retreat was a success! We will now move on to implementing some of the ideas, refining some policies, and getting ready for the new school year. I can't wait for the students to return. We'll be ready!!!!!
During this session the board heard several proposals. Dr. Cleo Griswould, Principal at Kendrick High School, led a presentation developed by a committee of principals on their ideas in trying to control cell phone usage by students. The committee did a great job of developing procedures for each school to use. The board asked that the committee consider alternatives to out-of-school suspension and asked that the first offense punishment be more severe (take the student's phone for more than a day!). The committee will meet again and refine the recommendations, bring them back to the board at a regular meeting. The procedures will then be communicated to students and parents. All middle and high schools will use a consistent process to deal with this issue. I will also post the final recommendation on this blog site and ask that parents in the Muscogee County School District provide their input.
The Board also heard our recommendations on some new personnel policy changes. We will be bringing those to the Board in July. Currently the board has a policy which doesn't allow spouses to work in the same school. We have recommended and the board has agreed by consensus that we shouldn't prohibit spouses from working in the same building. We must prohibit, of course, individuals from supervising close family members so we will bring back a policy with these changes.
You will be hearing more about a lab school at CSU. Dr. David Rock brought to the board an idea that he and I have been talking about for more than a year. We will begin working on the legal aspects and the institutional aspects of this idea to see if we can bring it to fruition. The school would be built on CSU campus but would be a Muscogee County School District School. The staff would consist of a partnership between the school district and the university. There are many, many, many legal and bureacratic issues to be worked out before embarking on fulfilling this dream, but we are going to see what we can do. Keep your eyes and ears open to hear more about it.
The Board also was able to see a slide show of the great events that occurred in Muscogee County Schools during the past school year. It was inspiring! The public school experience cannot be measured in a single test score and it was evident by the video that we are helping children become good citizens, patriots, servant-leaders, as well as good academic students. thank you to the Division of Academics for sharing this with us!
The retreat was a success! We will now move on to implementing some of the ideas, refining some policies, and getting ready for the new school year. I can't wait for the students to return. We'll be ready!!!!!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
School Board Summer Conference
I have just returned from the Georgia School Boards Association's Annual Summer Conference in Savannah. The sessions were very good about Board of Education policy development, about laws which were passed by the last session of the General Assemby that affect school system operations, and about raising the rigor and relevance of instruction. One of the speakers, George Thompson, from the Schlecty Group, was in Columbus just a week ago presenting to our teachers on how to ensure that the work assigned to students is relevant to their worlds. The sessions were motivating and inspirational. It is good to be back on this side of Georgia. Savannah should be spelled H-O-T! I am thankful for air conditioning!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Do you work summers?
That is a question I hear alot. Do we work summers?!?! Summers are extremely busy times and this one is no exception! The agenda for the Board of Education's June meeting has fifty-one items! Summer school is in full swing. Muscogee County School District is also hosting a summer school called ExPreSS for the State Department of Education. That program is for students who are close to passing the Science and Social Studies portions of the Georgia High School Graduation Test. It will be two weeks of intense remediation and a retest and is being held at Hardaway High School. Thanks to Matt Bell for volunteering to serve as the Principal of the program.
Thank you, Reginald Williamson, for stepping up to the plate and making tough decisions when the rains poured down on the City of Columbus and the summer school site at Daniel began flooding, as well as many other parts of the city. Mr. Williamson moved the students to a dry location, made good decisions about what had to be done, kept students safe, and finally, was able to get in touch with his supervisor and me. By that time, he had taken care of business and just needed affirmation that he had done everything just right.
The Professional Learning Department of the School District hosted a fantastic Best Practices Institute. Using federal Title II money which must be used for professional learning, Muscogee County teachers had access, right here at home, to the best educational researchers and practitioners in the nation. Bill Dagget, great leaders from the Schlecty Institute, training for fine arts teachers on the Picture America project, and on and on! The sessions and speakers I heard were absolutely great. Thank you, Sheila Barefield, and your colleagues for a great program.
The budget is balanced and tentatively approved by the Board. The Cabinet members and I met and went through that huge document page by page, discussing what we could cut, what should not be cut, and struggling to keep the instructional program the main thing. We were cut over $13 million dollars in state funding from last year. That's a lot of money when the needs continue to grow. Each department did a fine job of prioritizing and sacrificing to get everything balanced. Principals worked with us and accepted recommendations for teacher cuts, assistant principal cuts, clerical cuts, and understood that we should all be proud to have a job and a great place to work!
It will seem just a moment or two and students will be returning. I am confident that we will be ready for them, excited to get another chance to engage them in learning activities, and creating memories for them. I am convinced that many of the great experiences that students have in public schools are those that cannot be measured in a single test score. Test are important but life is full of so many other learning experiences that shape and mold students. I am proud to be an educator in the public schools of America!
Thank you, Reginald Williamson, for stepping up to the plate and making tough decisions when the rains poured down on the City of Columbus and the summer school site at Daniel began flooding, as well as many other parts of the city. Mr. Williamson moved the students to a dry location, made good decisions about what had to be done, kept students safe, and finally, was able to get in touch with his supervisor and me. By that time, he had taken care of business and just needed affirmation that he had done everything just right.
The Professional Learning Department of the School District hosted a fantastic Best Practices Institute. Using federal Title II money which must be used for professional learning, Muscogee County teachers had access, right here at home, to the best educational researchers and practitioners in the nation. Bill Dagget, great leaders from the Schlecty Institute, training for fine arts teachers on the Picture America project, and on and on! The sessions and speakers I heard were absolutely great. Thank you, Sheila Barefield, and your colleagues for a great program.
The budget is balanced and tentatively approved by the Board. The Cabinet members and I met and went through that huge document page by page, discussing what we could cut, what should not be cut, and struggling to keep the instructional program the main thing. We were cut over $13 million dollars in state funding from last year. That's a lot of money when the needs continue to grow. Each department did a fine job of prioritizing and sacrificing to get everything balanced. Principals worked with us and accepted recommendations for teacher cuts, assistant principal cuts, clerical cuts, and understood that we should all be proud to have a job and a great place to work!
It will seem just a moment or two and students will be returning. I am confident that we will be ready for them, excited to get another chance to engage them in learning activities, and creating memories for them. I am convinced that many of the great experiences that students have in public schools are those that cannot be measured in a single test score. Test are important but life is full of so many other learning experiences that shape and mold students. I am proud to be an educator in the public schools of America!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thank you, Pam Hovey!
Today I had the great privilege to attend the Veterans Memorial Program sponsored by Memory Gardens and Pam Hovey. "Unity with Pam" is a local television program and Pam put together a great ceremony. I was so impressed that an original Tuskegee Airman, a real Buffalo soldier, and a member of the Flying Tigers were all represented. What history right there under a tent in a cemetery in Columbus, Georgia!! I could have listened to their stories all day!
Carver High School JROTC was well represented and one of their students was recognized. When you see the JROTC students present the colors or participate in a program it is always well done. What a great leadership and citizenship program! Our students are so fortunate to have so many choices of great programs in which to participate!
I walked over to the cemetery with a group of third and fifth graders from St. Mary's Elementary School. I visited the school prior to the Veterans program. I enjoyed the students so much! They were happy and busy as they worked. When I meet a new group of students I always think, "I could be teaching school every day! What was I thinking when I left the classroom?" I was a good teacher, but the teachers I see in classrooms today are GREAT teachers. I am not sure that I could reach the quality of much of the instruction I observe. There is magic in watching an excellent teacher practice his/her craft. Visit a school and see for yourself!
Carver High School JROTC was well represented and one of their students was recognized. When you see the JROTC students present the colors or participate in a program it is always well done. What a great leadership and citizenship program! Our students are so fortunate to have so many choices of great programs in which to participate!
I walked over to the cemetery with a group of third and fifth graders from St. Mary's Elementary School. I visited the school prior to the Veterans program. I enjoyed the students so much! They were happy and busy as they worked. When I meet a new group of students I always think, "I could be teaching school every day! What was I thinking when I left the classroom?" I was a good teacher, but the teachers I see in classrooms today are GREAT teachers. I am not sure that I could reach the quality of much of the instruction I observe. There is magic in watching an excellent teacher practice his/her craft. Visit a school and see for yourself!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
What a great time of year!
It is a great time of year to be Superintendent! I have been so blessed to get to attend the elegant and beautiful Teacher of the Year Banquet sponsored by Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation. Thank you, MEEF, and to all of the sponsors who made that evening so special for all of the Teachers of the Year. A special congratulation goes to Mrs. Christine Powell, teacher at Northside High School, for being selected as the Muscogee County Teacher of the Year. She will represent public education in this district so well! The top ten teachers of the year are a group that I can't wait to engage in conversation. I plan to invite them in as an advisory group next school year. I am sure they will tell me the truth, give me some advice, and lead the way in making us a stronger district.
I also had a wonderful visit to Waddell Elementary for their multicultural all-day event. The grade levels had selected a country to research and the halls were covered in student work. Many students were dressed in native costumes. The young men and women from around the world who are being trained at Fort Benning were also there and added an authentic touch to the day. It was a great culminating activity showing the excitement that a school-wide theme can generate.
The Kiwanis Club presented their T. Hiram Stanley Scholarships this week. To hear about the strengths and ambitions that a group of terrific, high-achieving, well-rounded eighth graders have was so encouraging. The Kiwanis Club recognizes an eighth grader at each middle school who receives a scholarship in the form of a savings bond. They select the top three who receive additional amounts. What great dream planters they are! It was a very nice program to which the students could invite their principal and members of their family. Thank you, Kiwanis!
Then, the Page One Awards sponsored by the Ledger Enquirer and CB & T were held last night. There is no other gathering in the region where the very brightest students from each academic area are recognized in one program. The students are artists, athletes, musicians, actors, mathematicians, scientists, linguists, and all-around great kids! The competition is tough and the students prepare for this evening for many months. I was proud that the winners represented many schools in the region, both public and private. That tells me that there is good work going on in many places and that students are the winners! Congratulations to all of the winners, runners-up, and nominees.
It is at this time of year when two things happen. As Superintendent, I am invited to many awards programs, luncheons, scholarship programs, and other events where our students who have achieved great honors are recognized. I come away from each event so proud to be part of public education and know that this institution is partnering with families and community organizations to develop great citizens who will continue to promote our great democracy (or republic if you want to get technical).
It is also this time of year that test scores began coming in. Although our scores continue to trend upward in many, many subjects and grades, I mourn over those students we didn't reach, we didn't help to succeed at high levels, and I will have many sleepness nights trying to figure out what else we can do for them. It is a bittersweet time in the life of an educator.
One of the best parts of being an educator, though, is that next school term we get another chance - to do it better, to work harder, to reach more students, to refine our craft. To be an educator is a great profession; to be able to serve this community is a great honor! I am blessed.
I also had a wonderful visit to Waddell Elementary for their multicultural all-day event. The grade levels had selected a country to research and the halls were covered in student work. Many students were dressed in native costumes. The young men and women from around the world who are being trained at Fort Benning were also there and added an authentic touch to the day. It was a great culminating activity showing the excitement that a school-wide theme can generate.
The Kiwanis Club presented their T. Hiram Stanley Scholarships this week. To hear about the strengths and ambitions that a group of terrific, high-achieving, well-rounded eighth graders have was so encouraging. The Kiwanis Club recognizes an eighth grader at each middle school who receives a scholarship in the form of a savings bond. They select the top three who receive additional amounts. What great dream planters they are! It was a very nice program to which the students could invite their principal and members of their family. Thank you, Kiwanis!
Then, the Page One Awards sponsored by the Ledger Enquirer and CB & T were held last night. There is no other gathering in the region where the very brightest students from each academic area are recognized in one program. The students are artists, athletes, musicians, actors, mathematicians, scientists, linguists, and all-around great kids! The competition is tough and the students prepare for this evening for many months. I was proud that the winners represented many schools in the region, both public and private. That tells me that there is good work going on in many places and that students are the winners! Congratulations to all of the winners, runners-up, and nominees.
It is at this time of year when two things happen. As Superintendent, I am invited to many awards programs, luncheons, scholarship programs, and other events where our students who have achieved great honors are recognized. I come away from each event so proud to be part of public education and know that this institution is partnering with families and community organizations to develop great citizens who will continue to promote our great democracy (or republic if you want to get technical).
It is also this time of year that test scores began coming in. Although our scores continue to trend upward in many, many subjects and grades, I mourn over those students we didn't reach, we didn't help to succeed at high levels, and I will have many sleepness nights trying to figure out what else we can do for them. It is a bittersweet time in the life of an educator.
One of the best parts of being an educator, though, is that next school term we get another chance - to do it better, to work harder, to reach more students, to refine our craft. To be an educator is a great profession; to be able to serve this community is a great honor! I am blessed.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Almost finished . . . .
Tonight was the eighth public forum about the pending SPLOST referendum. Tomorrow night will be the last forum. After that, the board will consider the vote to call the referendum.
There were some tough questions asked tonight about building maintenance issues, safety issues, and the administration building. I answered them the best I could; however, most of the questions were regarding decisions made and events that occurred prior to my becoming Superintendent. I can't answer the whys or the whos of the past. I can only answer for today and the future.
I believe the future is bright. I believe that we can provide every classroom with 21st century technology. I believe that we can build enough classrooms to take care of BRAC. I believe that we can make physical education facilities comfortable places for children to get the exercise they need. I believe that we can remedy the problems we currently have with erosion on campuses, roofs that leak, buildings that need painting and repair. I believe we can. I am committed to doing that - on every campus! There is only one thing that will keep me from making sure all of this happens - MONEY! That is why I have gladly spent eight evenings telling the citizens what the capital needs of the district are and listening to public comment. Some of the comments were not pleasant or easy to hear.
There is one other thing that I believe! I believe that people in Muscogee County understand the importance of good public education and care about the conditions of the schools in their community. It is because of this last belief and the confidence I have in this community that will help me sleep tonight.
There were some tough questions asked tonight about building maintenance issues, safety issues, and the administration building. I answered them the best I could; however, most of the questions were regarding decisions made and events that occurred prior to my becoming Superintendent. I can't answer the whys or the whos of the past. I can only answer for today and the future.
I believe the future is bright. I believe that we can provide every classroom with 21st century technology. I believe that we can build enough classrooms to take care of BRAC. I believe that we can make physical education facilities comfortable places for children to get the exercise they need. I believe that we can remedy the problems we currently have with erosion on campuses, roofs that leak, buildings that need painting and repair. I believe we can. I am committed to doing that - on every campus! There is only one thing that will keep me from making sure all of this happens - MONEY! That is why I have gladly spent eight evenings telling the citizens what the capital needs of the district are and listening to public comment. Some of the comments were not pleasant or easy to hear.
There is one other thing that I believe! I believe that people in Muscogee County understand the importance of good public education and care about the conditions of the schools in their community. It is because of this last belief and the confidence I have in this community that will help me sleep tonight.
Now I know you are reading this blog!
A great big "Thank You" to those of you who knew that I would be mortified by the two typos in my previous blogs and you made sure I got the message to rush and correct them! I received an email from a principal and a call from a relative. I couldn't wait to get to the computer to take care of my mistakes! Please continue to be my eyes. I have often told teachers that any misspelled words and/or grammatical errors by educators aren't well tolerated by the public. After all, we are the ones grading the papers!!
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy
I visited both Rothchild Middle and Lonnie Jackson Academy last week. You must talk about these schools as one because they share a campus . . . and a kitchen with cafeterias on either side of the kitchen for the separate schools. Now, that is unique. I thought it was also unique that during the first few minutes that I was with Mr. Cox, Principal of Rothchild, and the first few minutes that I was with Mrs. Dowis, Principal of Lonnie Jackson, they both made the same statement, "We have some great kids here!" Before we can begin to educate any child, the leaders and teachers must believe in the ability of the students to learn at high levels and to respect them as learners. I felt that in both of these locations.
Both buildings are old and present challenges. Some things we can fix, such as the terrible erosion between the classroom wings at Rothchild and other things, such as the open corridors at Lonnie Jackson, with which we will have to continue to tolerate. In both cases, the principals and teachers were taking a "No Excuses" approach.
At Rothchild, Mr. Cox introduced me to a young man whose mother chooses for him to come to Rothchild. He gets up every morning and rides a city bus to get there and according to the Principal, rarely misses. I could tell by the conversation between the two that the principal and the student are far from strangers and that they have had many conversations about life and how the student can be successful. It was evident that the principal was counselor and mentor in that relationship and it didn't take long to see the respect between the two.
Even in the old building with its many challenges, I felt transformed as I walked into the media center at Lonnie Jackson. The media specialist had soft lighting, special reading spots, and it was an inviting and welcoming space for students. There was also a student restroom that the girls had transformed and had decorated with items they had brought from home. It was pink and prissy and the students showed alot of pride as they shared it with me.
The parents who send their children through the doors of these two schools can be assured that the faculty and staff care about their children, that the leadership is devoted to making a difference, and that there is an orderly environment for learning. Thanks for the tours, Rothchild and Lonnie Jackson!
Both buildings are old and present challenges. Some things we can fix, such as the terrible erosion between the classroom wings at Rothchild and other things, such as the open corridors at Lonnie Jackson, with which we will have to continue to tolerate. In both cases, the principals and teachers were taking a "No Excuses" approach.
At Rothchild, Mr. Cox introduced me to a young man whose mother chooses for him to come to Rothchild. He gets up every morning and rides a city bus to get there and according to the Principal, rarely misses. I could tell by the conversation between the two that the principal and the student are far from strangers and that they have had many conversations about life and how the student can be successful. It was evident that the principal was counselor and mentor in that relationship and it didn't take long to see the respect between the two.
Even in the old building with its many challenges, I felt transformed as I walked into the media center at Lonnie Jackson. The media specialist had soft lighting, special reading spots, and it was an inviting and welcoming space for students. There was also a student restroom that the girls had transformed and had decorated with items they had brought from home. It was pink and prissy and the students showed alot of pride as they shared it with me.
The parents who send their children through the doors of these two schools can be assured that the faculty and staff care about their children, that the leadership is devoted to making a difference, and that there is an orderly environment for learning. Thanks for the tours, Rothchild and Lonnie Jackson!
East Columbus Magnet Academy
Last week I had the opportunity to visit East Columbus Magnet Academy. What a great school! Walk with me through it!
When you walk in you are welcomed by a sign that affirms, "Yes, we made AYP!" As you walk down the halls there is student work - in the commons area, outside classrooms, and inside classrooms. The students are welcomed by a teacher and the principal who stand in the commons area greeting them. If there are dress code violations they are addressed in a non-threatening and affirming manner. You don't leave the commons and enter the academic halls until the shirt tail is tucked!
(On this particular day, a group of students were going on a field trip to the Columbus Tech Career Expo and they had been encouraged to dress in business attire. One young man was dressed in a suit and you may have seen him on the front page of the Columbus Enquirer driving a front-end loader - in the suit! I met this young man's mother who I understand visits the school regularly. Thanks, Mom!)
As Mr. Scott, the Principal, and I walked through the building the instructional day had begun. In every classroom in which we entered,the students were already engaged in the work, teachers teaching, and students working hard - and it was only 8:15 a.m! When I remarked to the principal that they were quick to get started, his reply was, "we don't have any time to waste."
I must tell you about an eighth grader with whom I was so impressed! As we entered the classroom, he was standing in front of the class. On the whiteboard tray were three paintings. They were gorgeous works of art which were suitable for framing and for hanging on any wall in the city! He was explaining to the class the inspiration for each of the works because, you see, he was the artist! The insight with which he talked about his work was mature beyond his years and by the way, this was not an art class, but art was being integrated into the curriculum! When I think about the proposed Fine Arts Academy, I know that it is this kind of young artist that would flourish in that environment.
Mr. Scott also shared with me a portfolio of dozens of pictures showing rooms full of parents who had come for workshops and seminars at the school. He said there is no problem in getting the parents to the school! I think that has something to do with his leadership! He also praised the teachers as we walked through and pointed out their individual strengths.
Mr. Scott told me his vision for East Columbus. He stated that he wanted the community to be so proud of this school that they wouldn't think of sending their children to any other school in the city. I think he is well on his way to seeing that dream come true.
Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your leadership and for the great work being done at East Columbus Magnet Academy!
When you walk in you are welcomed by a sign that affirms, "Yes, we made AYP!" As you walk down the halls there is student work - in the commons area, outside classrooms, and inside classrooms. The students are welcomed by a teacher and the principal who stand in the commons area greeting them. If there are dress code violations they are addressed in a non-threatening and affirming manner. You don't leave the commons and enter the academic halls until the shirt tail is tucked!
(On this particular day, a group of students were going on a field trip to the Columbus Tech Career Expo and they had been encouraged to dress in business attire. One young man was dressed in a suit and you may have seen him on the front page of the Columbus Enquirer driving a front-end loader - in the suit! I met this young man's mother who I understand visits the school regularly. Thanks, Mom!)
As Mr. Scott, the Principal, and I walked through the building the instructional day had begun. In every classroom in which we entered,the students were already engaged in the work, teachers teaching, and students working hard - and it was only 8:15 a.m! When I remarked to the principal that they were quick to get started, his reply was, "we don't have any time to waste."
I must tell you about an eighth grader with whom I was so impressed! As we entered the classroom, he was standing in front of the class. On the whiteboard tray were three paintings. They were gorgeous works of art which were suitable for framing and for hanging on any wall in the city! He was explaining to the class the inspiration for each of the works because, you see, he was the artist! The insight with which he talked about his work was mature beyond his years and by the way, this was not an art class, but art was being integrated into the curriculum! When I think about the proposed Fine Arts Academy, I know that it is this kind of young artist that would flourish in that environment.
Mr. Scott also shared with me a portfolio of dozens of pictures showing rooms full of parents who had come for workshops and seminars at the school. He said there is no problem in getting the parents to the school! I think that has something to do with his leadership! He also praised the teachers as we walked through and pointed out their individual strengths.
Mr. Scott told me his vision for East Columbus. He stated that he wanted the community to be so proud of this school that they wouldn't think of sending their children to any other school in the city. I think he is well on his way to seeing that dream come true.
Thank you, Mr. Scott, for your leadership and for the great work being done at East Columbus Magnet Academy!
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Emotional Evening at Hardaway!
I was so fortunate to attend Hardaway High School's Honors Night Program. As I heard the teachers comment on the accomplishments of the students I was so proud. The PTA President who is the Mama of a Senior was emotional as she talked about the end of the school year coming quickly toward us! I know how she feels! Then, teacher after teacher stood and talked about the students who were being honored. I think it is important to note that not only did they talk about the scholarly work of the students, but they talked about their good character, their pleasant demeanor, and the fact that these students were involved in so many activities! I was proud to see young people (and there was a cafeteria full of them!) being recognized for doing well! This scenario is not just a Hardaway phenomenon, but this scene is played out in public high schools all over our nation. Young people who are doing well, doing what they are supposed to do, staying out of trouble, excelling in school, and preparing for their futures are not in short demand in Columbus, Georgia or in other cities and counties throughout the United States! Many of these students will be successful adults - thanks to their parents and other family members, their own hard work, and the dedication and support of public schools! I am glad to be a part of it!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Public Forums
Last night we completed the fifth public forum. The purpose of these meetings is to allow members of the public to express their opinions about the SPLOST. The comments have been great! Citizens have come to the forums, stood up in the public meetings, and expressed themselves articulately and passionately.
Yes, some have disagreed with the proposed list and have stated the reasons why. Some have supported the list and made that known. Some like everything on the list except one item.
Noone has come to say that they do not think the list reflects the need. Some have commented that there are more needs and they are right.
I am just so pleased that we live in a country where individuals can make their opinions known in a public meeting and know that they can make a difference in their communities.
We have four more forums to go.
America . . . what a great place!
Yes, some have disagreed with the proposed list and have stated the reasons why. Some have supported the list and made that known. Some like everything on the list except one item.
Noone has come to say that they do not think the list reflects the need. Some have commented that there are more needs and they are right.
I am just so pleased that we live in a country where individuals can make their opinions known in a public meeting and know that they can make a difference in their communities.
We have four more forums to go.
America . . . what a great place!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
CRCT Week!!!! and Young Professionals
During this week the students in grades 1-8 have been immersed in CRCT testing. Currently the test is dreaded by most, but, you know, we really need to look at it as an opportunity to show off the learning that has occurred during the year. I firmly believe that a single test does not measure the full growth of our students but it is an indicator. I visited Fort Middle School last week and you could tell by being in the building that they were focused - focused on achievement, focused on school pride, and focused on making AYP. This focus was evident by both students and faculty. Ms Coaxum, the principal, told me, "We can taste the success of making AYP!" I believe they will do it! If they don't make Adequate Yearly Progress they will be so disappointed and I am sure that if they do miss it, it will be by just a few students or few subgroups. Go Fort!
The Young Professionals from the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce had a great reception this week to welcome me to Columbus. By now, I feel as if I have been here forever, but it was such a kind gesture and gave me an opportunity to talk with them. They are a great group of young leaders and I know we will continue to hear their names around this city for a long time. The Northside High School Choir sang. Oh my! Their beautiful and trained voices in the great acoustics of the Chamber Building was a wonderful thing to hear. The choral director was so skilled and enthusiastic. Public schools offer our children such great benefits and music instruction such as this adds so much to the quality of life for the students! I can't say enough about the quality of the music they produced. Columbus, you should be proud!
The Young Professionals from the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce had a great reception this week to welcome me to Columbus. By now, I feel as if I have been here forever, but it was such a kind gesture and gave me an opportunity to talk with them. They are a great group of young leaders and I know we will continue to hear their names around this city for a long time. The Northside High School Choir sang. Oh my! Their beautiful and trained voices in the great acoustics of the Chamber Building was a wonderful thing to hear. The choral director was so skilled and enthusiastic. Public schools offer our children such great benefits and music instruction such as this adds so much to the quality of life for the students! I can't say enough about the quality of the music they produced. Columbus, you should be proud!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Redistricting
You are right. There are some schools where there is space. We are expecting about 1000 of the students who will come here as a result of BRAC at the beginning of the 2011 school year with the other 3000 coming shortly thereafter. As those children come and we see where they live in the county, we will have to consider whether or not redistricting is the answer to fill some of those empty seats. We have to time the redistricting well or we will have students changing schools every year or so which is difficult on the children. Many fast growing school districts redistrict every year and changing schools has become a way of life. I would hate to redistrict one year and the very next year have to do it again. Redistricting is a solution we may have to consider at some point. That, however, is never an easy answer and creates a lot of emotion in the community.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Why not July 2010 for SPLOST
BRAC is staring us in the face. We are already behind in securing ways to build facilities for the more than 4000 students that are projected to come. If we wait until July, 2010 to ask for the SPLOST we would be another year behind. The school district needs to get the consent of the voters to move forward as soon as possible. If the voters say no, then we have to determine what our other options are . . . time is running out to prepare for BRAC and the other needs continue to grow.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Spring Break!
Here we are! Another beautiful Spring Break! When the students in grades 1-8 return next week, they will be faced with taking the Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT). As I have visited schools, I have seen teachers really drilling students on what they need to know. I speak to teachers with a forked tongue - I say, "It's not all about a test score." Then, I say, "I want the test scores to be great!" I believe in accountability and I want us to be accountable to the tax payers for the money we collect, but the test just doesn't begin to tell the public all of the great things that are going on in public schools.
Last week, I loved going to the Rose Hill Center, which is our alternative school for students who have violated the discipline code. Remember, these are not criminals and this is not jail! These are students who made bad choices and now they are away from their peers and their regular schools as punishment. But, what I saw at Rose Hill made my heart sing. The students were engaged in a carpentry class, building blue-bird boxes and solid wood lecturns. They were so proud of their work and the quality was great! There was a wonderful feeling of respect between the students and the adults. I enjoyed being there and I believe the students will go back to their home schools with different attitudes and with a determination to stay out of trouble and get their diploma! Great job, Rose Hill!
Last week, I loved going to the Rose Hill Center, which is our alternative school for students who have violated the discipline code. Remember, these are not criminals and this is not jail! These are students who made bad choices and now they are away from their peers and their regular schools as punishment. But, what I saw at Rose Hill made my heart sing. The students were engaged in a carpentry class, building blue-bird boxes and solid wood lecturns. They were so proud of their work and the quality was great! There was a wonderful feeling of respect between the students and the adults. I enjoyed being there and I believe the students will go back to their home schools with different attitudes and with a determination to stay out of trouble and get their diploma! Great job, Rose Hill!
Why not wait until November for a SPLOST vote?
The question continues to be asked why the school board does not wait until November to hold the SPLOST election. Waiting until a general election would save the school board money, right? Well, actually, in this case, No. We have contacted the elections supervisor and we have been told that there are no elections scheduled for November, 2009. So, the Board of Education will have to pay for the election whether it is held in September or November, and honestly, the sooner the better. We need to get some new schools coming up out of the ground!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Employees Children
Whether or not to require employees to pay tuition for their children to come to Muscogee County Schools if their residence is outside of the district is another one of those issues that was placed on the table as we talked about budget cuts and where to get additional revenues. In our discussions nothing was sacred and we laid out every area in which we thought we could save money. We were not prioritizing or determining at that time the pros and cons of each suggestion, but just brainstorming ideas. There has not been a formal decision on this nor a recommendation to the board about this. Again, with the federal stimulus money to assist us in saving jobs, I hope we do not have to charge tuition for employees' children. This was just part of the discussions we were having as we desperately looked for ways to reduce the budget or raise revenue.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
The law which allowed Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for schools states that the money may only be used for capital projects. We can't use the money for personnel. To receive money for personnel from the State, school systems in Georgia have two student counts each year - one in October and another in March. Based on the number of students we report, we receive state money. This money accounts for about 65% of the total Muscogee County School System budget. We receive about 8% from the federal government and the rest is local property taxes.
The money flows AFTER the students arrive and AFTER the counts are taken; therefore, local tax dollars pay for the additional teachers, supplies, textbooks, etc. until we get the State money which comes to us about a year after the student actually gets here. There is a formula outlined in State law for calculating how much money the system receives for each child. We receive more money for students with disabilities, more for a kindergarten student than a regular high school student. It is a complicated and imperfect system which has not ever been fully funded be the State.
The money flows AFTER the students arrive and AFTER the counts are taken; therefore, local tax dollars pay for the additional teachers, supplies, textbooks, etc. until we get the State money which comes to us about a year after the student actually gets here. There is a formula outlined in State law for calculating how much money the system receives for each child. We receive more money for students with disabilities, more for a kindergarten student than a regular high school student. It is a complicated and imperfect system which has not ever been fully funded be the State.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Gifted Education
St. Elmo Gifted Program is a great program and it is a joy to walk through the halls and see the student products. At this time, there are no plans to cut the staff for next school year. As with all programs, the budget may have to be trimmed, but hopefully we will maintain the quality of the program, in spite of hard times.
Paraprofessionals
There has been alot of discussion about whether or not first grade paraprofessionals will continue to be employed next year. This discussion had started prior to my becoming Superintendent. As the State budget for education continued to be cut, the school system had to develop ways to cut the budget - and I do mean, CUT! Three million dollars had to be cut during this school year and state revenues look even bleaker for next year. Administrators began making lists about ways to make these cuts. One of the many considerations which were brought to the table was that first grade paraprofessionals could be cut. They are all paid with local tax dollars. Muscogee County receives no state funding for first grade paraprofessionals. Although understanding their value, this was listed as one of the many sacrifices that may have to be made to balance the budget. As of this posting, we still do not have the revenue figures for State money for next year. I am hoping that due to the receipt of the federal stimulus money, we will not have to eliminate first grade paraprofessionals for next year. Unfortunately, SPLOST dollars cannot be used for personnel, only those items defined as capital projects. Let's all keep our fingers crossed!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Response about Muscogee Elementary
During the 1997 Splost, Muscogee Elementary had $2,057,092 spent at that school and during the 2003 SPLOST, Muscogee Elementary had $1,099,816 spent there, for a total of $3,156,908. Two new instructional units (classrooms) were added, a music room, and an art room. Muscogee Elementary also had kitchen renovation, other classroom renovations, paving, new air-conditioning units, and new roofing. Are there other projects that you thought were promised but not completed?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Let's Have a Conversation about Schools!
Well, here I am. I talk alot about engaging students with technology so I need to model some engagement. This is my first attempt to have my own blog and the purpose is to engage the community in a conversation about the school district. My only fear is that I won't have the time to comment often enough, so I am trying to schedule a time during the week to read comments and respond. Be patient with me since my days and evenings are really full right now with all sorts of obligations.
Since the Board of Education has approved the tentative list of projects to be considered for the SPLOST I want to answer your questions about those projects or hear your input about other proposed projects. By doing that we can focus these first conversations on that. My job is to provide information, so what do you want to know?
Since the Board of Education has approved the tentative list of projects to be considered for the SPLOST I want to answer your questions about those projects or hear your input about other proposed projects. By doing that we can focus these first conversations on that. My job is to provide information, so what do you want to know?
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