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!
Friday, August 28, 2009
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Can you please blog about the standard-based report card?
ReplyDeleteI will write a post of standards-based report card. Thanks for asking. I don't have time today to get it done, but I will get to this as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteI know that there are a lot of rumors going around about budget cuts within the district. I can't even begin to assume what a difficult task it must be trying to trim such a large amount from our school district budget while still delivering the high quality education that the community and our children deserve. Can you tell us what the status is of maintaining the first grade paraprofessionals? Has the district considered asking for volunteers to furlough more days so that in the event that has to be a budget cut, that we could keep them. First grade is so important and you know how vital it is to have the extra set of hands in the classroom for those beginning readers.
ReplyDeleteIf we receive no further cuts from the State during this fiscal year we will be able to maintain first grade paraprofessionals. We certainly understand their importance. We have not considered asking for volunteers for furlough days. We are expecting that there may be more mandatory furlough days after Christmas if the state revenue doesn't increase over the next several months.
ReplyDeleteDr. Andrews if we are going to be furloughed again after Christmas is it possible for the first three days to be paid off by Christmas?
ReplyDeleteWe do not know that there will be more furlough days after Christmas. That is still part of the rumor mill and we are hoping that the revenue picture will improve so additional furlough days will not be necessary. We are also trying to spread out the cuts over the longest period of time to have the least impact, although the overall impact is the same.
ReplyDeleteRespectfully, you don't always feed those students every day because the Shaw HS cafeteria routinely runs out of food by the last lunch.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing this to my attention. I will have our Nutrition Director look into it. I know that sometimes we run out of students' favorite choice by the end of the last lunch period, but there is enough food to serve every child. I'll ask about this.
ReplyDeleteAt the Teacher advisory meeting it was quoted by Dr. Andrew that the upcoming potential lay off was going to be based on seniority. Some of the schools are not following this protocol, can you please inform these schools of the proper procedure because they are informing some of the people with more seniority than others that they are being laid off. Please respond to this.
ReplyDeletehow is it that a para-professional who works in Kindergarten with less time with the school district will keep their job, yet a first grade or media para will lose their job even with over 15 years of service? How is it justified? Seems like seniority would take precedence over job placement. Does not seem like you are taking care of your long time dedicated employees.
ReplyDeleteNo one has been identified to be laid off at this time. If we do not receive additional cuts from the State, then there will not be a reduction in force for any employee for this school year. If anyone is being told they will be laid off at this time, that information is incorrect. It is also incorrect that I stated at Teacher Advisory that lay offs would be based on seniority. What I said is that we would take to the Board recommended criteria for a reduction in force, if one was needed. That criteria could include a condition of highly qualified or seniority. The board will have to approve the criteria that is used for a reduction.
ReplyDeleteAgain, no decisions have been made about laying off paraprofessionals. If that decision is made, the criteria to be used will be made very public and must be approved by the Board.
ReplyDelete