What do I see as the major issues facing the district?
- Increasing student achievement, and especially improving the graduation statistics and test scores of children of color, those living in poverty or homeless situations.
- Sustaining public trust in its capacity to provide stability and equity in funding, while responding to the impact of the Governor's proposed budget on the referendum funds.
- Recruiting and retaining staff and teachers, through career incentives, who possess the potential and ambition to advance in positions of responsibility and who represent the diversity of the student population.
- Funding incremental allowances for professional development in education and technology skills.
- Restoring building space to safe and orderly environments while addressing the needs for appropriate learning placement of extraordinary violent and disruptive students.
What do I think the public schools are doing well?
- Early education programs, ECFE and ECSE, have so benefited families that their popular demand exceeds the supply of teachers and classroom space.
- Families also are now able to participate in culturally specific classes by language or culture.
- Some schools, in partnership between community education and family centers, offer a menu of family oriented courses, meals and child care on weekday evenings.
- Other partnerships are sprouting at all levels between schools, educational services, site councils, businesses and community organizations to provide mentors, training opportunities, culturally relevant programs, technical equipment and advance placement.
It is essential that the school board directors implement an outreach strategy to observe the success of these programs first hand by visiting sites, meeting with staff and volunteers, and participating in activities. Elsewhere, site councils offer access to decision making about curriculum, school climate, homework and promotion policies, and student achievement. Communication and accountability is key to all that is working well. When executive staff routinely keeps in touch with district and site based committees, an open and respectful environment is created.