At this point, while the public waits for the release of the Annual Performance Report, everyone is busy behind the scenes. Friday will be a busy day for any PR person.
Reporters have the data. They are getting quotes and talking points from district administrators. They are creating their graphs and charts. They are figuring out how MSIP 5 is different from MSIP 4. On Friday morning, there will be an article in the KC Star and probably the Examiner which compares the area APR results. Most of the focus will be on Kansas City and whether or not it will be granted provisional accreditation.
The Examiner has an opportunity to do more than parrot talking points. After Friday, they could really dig into the numbers and figure out what is going on - to some extent - in the district. Fortunately, Missouri has a rich and public data portal. Most of the information is there. Anything else could be obtained by a Freedom of Information request.
A question that will go unasked - at least in the Examiner - is: how big of a sack of "poo" did Dr. Hinson leave on the doorstep of the new administration? For any who knows how that game works, you throw the flaming sack away - you don't stomp on it. So far this year - there has been a lot of stomping on teachers, students and parents. Hopefully, someone (on the Board perhaps?) will figure out that it is time to intervene before permanent damage is done.
Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
MSIP 5 Data Release
Here are the administrative memos from DESE which provide the timeline regarding the release of the MSIP 5 data and the District's final Annual Performance Report.
The District will know its final APR on Monday.
The press will receive the data on Tuesday.
DESE will hold a press conference on Thursday.
And the data may be published beginning on Friday, August 23rd.
http://dese.mo.gov/am/dsm/documents/LS-13-002.pdf
http://dese.mo.gov/am/dsm/documents/LS-13-003.pdf
The District will know its final APR on Monday.
The press will receive the data on Tuesday.
DESE will hold a press conference on Thursday.
And the data may be published beginning on Friday, August 23rd.
http://dese.mo.gov/am/dsm/documents/LS-13-002.pdf
http://dese.mo.gov/am/dsm/documents/LS-13-003.pdf
Dr. Streich named Chief Academic Officer for SMSD
Dr. Ed Streich was recently named the Chief Academic Officer for Shawnee Mission School District. He will be a member of Dr. Hinson's "cabinet".
Here is the organizational chart for SMSD. (Got to love SMSD - they put a lot of information out on the web for their patrons.)
Surprise! Another new elementary school needed.
Well, actually, to anyone who has stepped into overcrowded Korte Elementary, the situation is obvious: a new elementary school is needed in Western Independence. Parents, teachers, paras, custodians and bus drivers have not needed demographers to tell them that a new school would be needed despite the opening of Matt Abraham Mallinson Elementary.
Of course, Little Blue was built with EXCESS capacity in anticipation of continued building of homes in eastern Independence.Matt Abraham Mallinson Elementary was anticipated to be at capacity when it opened. At some point, the parents in Western Independence will begin making their concerns heard more publicly.
There was such a "difficult" time finding appropriate property on which to build Mallinson - we are sure that the next search will be as laborious. Oh wait. Isn't there a former Independence administrator who bought the old Rockwood Golf Course for $500,000? Yeah - Ron Bruh and other undisclosed investors.
When - and seriously there will be no "if" - the District decides to buy Rockwood, we hope that there will be a full and OPEN disclosure of all investors and parties of interest in the property.
Some random thoughts:
How long will Sugar Creek Elementary remain open? After the residents get to knowMatt Abraham Mallinson Elementary, the pain of closing Sugar Creek will be less profound and intense. Hopefully not - but there are several residents of that community who see this coming.
Isn't it interesting that the new elementary school is referred to as "Mallinson Elementary" rather than "Abraham Mallinson Elementary"? Why not "Southern" instead of "William Southern"? Why not "Chrisman" instead of "William Chrisman"? Yes - there is inconsistency in the District about the naming of schools - but in this case it just seems a little more .... unseemly. Wouldn't someone want to emphasize that the school is really named after Abraham specifically and not the Mallinson family in general?
Of course, Little Blue was built with EXCESS capacity in anticipation of continued building of homes in eastern Independence.
There was such a "difficult" time finding appropriate property on which to build Mallinson - we are sure that the next search will be as laborious. Oh wait. Isn't there a former Independence administrator who bought the old Rockwood Golf Course for $500,000? Yeah - Ron Bruh and other undisclosed investors.
When - and seriously there will be no "if" - the District decides to buy Rockwood, we hope that there will be a full and OPEN disclosure of all investors and parties of interest in the property.
Some random thoughts:
How long will Sugar Creek Elementary remain open? After the residents get to know
Isn't it interesting that the new elementary school is referred to as "Mallinson Elementary" rather than "Abraham Mallinson Elementary"? Why not "Southern" instead of "William Southern"? Why not "Chrisman" instead of "William Chrisman"? Yes - there is inconsistency in the District about the naming of schools - but in this case it just seems a little more .... unseemly. Wouldn't someone want to emphasize that the school is really named after Abraham specifically and not the Mallinson family in general?
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Attendance: The New Scarlet Letter
In addition to a new interest in student attendance, each building must post the daily attendance rate of its certificated staff in the front foyer of the building.
Undoubtedly, students learn better when they are taught by their normal teacher - the one that they have developed a good relationship with and knows all the rules and procedures of the classroom. The content will be more enriching when taught by a content-area expert rather than a substitute teacher - no matter how wonderful that particular substitute may be.
There are a variety of reasons why a teacher may be absent from school on any particular day:
1 - Pulled out for grading or calibrating district assessments.
2 - Pulled out for data talks and examination.
3 - Gone to attend district-approved professional development, sporting events, etc.
4 - Pulled out for collaboration or professional development.
5 - Personal and private reasons related to family or personal health.
6 - Long term sickness or pregnancy.
7 - Medical appointments.
8 - All the reasons listed in Board policy.
Principals will probably receive a report with their schools "ranking" and there will be great pressure to keep your teacher absences as low as possible. This will probably lead to more "questions" being asked about a teacher's leave -making a staff member feel as if they need to reveal personal or private information to justify their absence. Buildings with young teachers that take maternity leave will have their number skewed. Teachers who have chronic illnesses or family members who need extended care may also feel guilty for bringing down the number.
Remember last year at Convocation when Hinson nearly teared up asking us to take care of ourselves and our families first?
Clearly, the District has an interest in making sure that employees are not abusing the sick and personal leave policy. A healthy HR process would seek out information and attempt to understand why so many employees are using their leave. Is it burnout? Is it too much district-sponsored leave? Is it something else entirely? Does it depend on the building? Are there buildings where the absence rate for teachers may indicate a problem with the school climate and leadership?
Whatever the reason, posting the attendance rate - in an apparent attempt to shame the teachers - is not an effective approach. When employees are treated like adults - they will respond like adults. When employees are treated like children, they will respond like children.
Undoubtedly, students learn better when they are taught by their normal teacher - the one that they have developed a good relationship with and knows all the rules and procedures of the classroom. The content will be more enriching when taught by a content-area expert rather than a substitute teacher - no matter how wonderful that particular substitute may be.
There are a variety of reasons why a teacher may be absent from school on any particular day:
1 - Pulled out for grading or calibrating district assessments.
2 - Pulled out for data talks and examination.
3 - Gone to attend district-approved professional development, sporting events, etc.
4 - Pulled out for collaboration or professional development.
5 - Personal and private reasons related to family or personal health.
6 - Long term sickness or pregnancy.
7 - Medical appointments.
8 - All the reasons listed in Board policy.
Principals will probably receive a report with their schools "ranking" and there will be great pressure to keep your teacher absences as low as possible. This will probably lead to more "questions" being asked about a teacher's leave -making a staff member feel as if they need to reveal personal or private information to justify their absence. Buildings with young teachers that take maternity leave will have their number skewed. Teachers who have chronic illnesses or family members who need extended care may also feel guilty for bringing down the number.
Remember last year at Convocation when Hinson nearly teared up asking us to take care of ourselves and our families first?
Clearly, the District has an interest in making sure that employees are not abusing the sick and personal leave policy. A healthy HR process would seek out information and attempt to understand why so many employees are using their leave. Is it burnout? Is it too much district-sponsored leave? Is it something else entirely? Does it depend on the building? Are there buildings where the absence rate for teachers may indicate a problem with the school climate and leadership?
Whatever the reason, posting the attendance rate - in an apparent attempt to shame the teachers - is not an effective approach. When employees are treated like adults - they will respond like adults. When employees are treated like children, they will respond like children.
#winning
All the district coaches will be meeting tonight. Last year's meeting was so inspiring (not), that it will be hard to beat this year.
Win or else will no doubt be the short version.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Beuller? Beuller? Student attendance is a BIG deal.
School attendance is important. No one will argue about that. If you are not in school, you are not learning the material. And certainly, rates of attendance have been part of the Missouri accountability system for schools for many years. A district like ISD gets the lion's share of its $$ from two sources: local property taxes (based on assessed valuation) and student attendance (based on average daily attendance).
ISD's attendance numbers have historically been high - mid/low 90%s. Probably about as good as a school is going to get. However, if you watched one of Coach Herl's recent videos (and we are too lazy to link), he mentioned that the way average daily attendance is calculated has changed. District leaders already have the MSIP 5 numbers - and apparently - based on the hubbub about student attendance - the numbers must be less than hoped for.
In the past, each school was evaluated on its average daily attendance for the school-as-a-whole. There were certain loopholes that we've heard were used extensively in ISD. Tutoring hours after school could count toward the average daily attendance. Summer school attendance could count as well. There was a formula to weight these values.
Now, under MSIP 5, more than 90% of all students must attend every class at least 90% of the time.
This is probably the genesis of the new rule at THS that 10-25% of a student's grade must be based on attendance.
ISD's attendance numbers have historically been high - mid/low 90%s. Probably about as good as a school is going to get. However, if you watched one of Coach Herl's recent videos (and we are too lazy to link), he mentioned that the way average daily attendance is calculated has changed. District leaders already have the MSIP 5 numbers - and apparently - based on the hubbub about student attendance - the numbers must be less than hoped for.
In the past, each school was evaluated on its average daily attendance for the school-as-a-whole. There were certain loopholes that we've heard were used extensively in ISD. Tutoring hours after school could count toward the average daily attendance. Summer school attendance could count as well. There was a formula to weight these values.
Now, under MSIP 5, more than 90% of all students must attend every class at least 90% of the time.
This is probably the genesis of the new rule at THS that 10-25% of a student's grade must be based on attendance.
MSIP 5 results have been received by the district and will be released to the public at the end of the month. DESE has a schedule about the release of the data. (We'll find that and post later.)
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Hinson: He's gone but not forgotten
We have figured out why Hinson left the District. He was only getting "face time" with one or two newspapers (Examiner and Star). The Golden Ghetto has so many more opportunities for "face time" on the internet.
Here is Hinson:
Starting his new job::
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1061
Asking for "input" from stakeholders:
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1082
Can anyone make a decision without a survey anymore?
Meeting new teachers (in the pictures):
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1100
Let's guess: He tells them to take care of themselves and their loved ones, stay healthy, and ignore those pesky test scores (which aren't worth the paper they are written on).
Anticipating his first State of the District address:
http://pvpost.com/2013/07/31/shawnee-mission-education-foundation-breakfast-set-for-sept-25-20100
By the time the address occurs, we are sure that he will have to tell his audience to ignore anything that they are hearing about his former district. He had NOTHING to do with all of it.
Sitting in his new office:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/photos/2013/jul/30/52726/
We wonder how many locked doors and elevator keys are between him and the public as it was in ISD.
On the SMSD Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thesmsd
Here is Hinson:
Starting his new job::
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1061
Asking for "input" from stakeholders:
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1082
Can anyone make a decision without a survey anymore?
Meeting new teachers (in the pictures):
http://www.smsd.org/news.aspx?id=1100
Let's guess: He tells them to take care of themselves and their loved ones, stay healthy, and ignore those pesky test scores (which aren't worth the paper they are written on).
Anticipating his first State of the District address:
http://pvpost.com/2013/07/31/shawnee-mission-education-foundation-breakfast-set-for-sept-25-20100
By the time the address occurs, we are sure that he will have to tell his audience to ignore anything that they are hearing about his former district. He had NOTHING to do with all of it.
Sitting in his new office:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com/photos/2013/jul/30/52726/
We wonder how many locked doors and elevator keys are between him and the public as it was in ISD.
On the SMSD Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/thesmsd
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
UPDATE: Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
Well, maybe the problem is that the whirlwind has transported us to Kansas or Nebraska or Chillicothe.
Day 1 brought many, many changes to various buildings. Dress codes, teacher attendance, test scores, bathroom breaks, evaluations. More top-down directives and expectations.
***UPDATE*** Sorry for the confusion about the "bathroom breaks". We were just giving various examples from various buildings. No CO directive about staff bathroom breaks --- yet. As one comment alludes, yes, this does come from THS. Apparently, students who go to the bathroom during class must spend 10 minutes with that teacher after school.
Who knew that Truman students were abusing their bathroom procedures? Wow. Alert US News and World Report - I think that their needs to be an investigation into their rating system if they claimed that THS was such a great school. They obviously didn't know about the roaming bathroom gangs.
Unanswered questions - and really no one was going to put themselves on the line to ask:
10 minutes after school in exchange for a bathroom visit during class:
1 - regardless of transportation.
2 - despite the fact that the parents probably have not been contacted.
3 - what happens if a student asks more than once in a day. Consecutive or concurrent sentences?
4 - what if the teacher is a coach and not present after school?
5 - after the 10 minutes are up, presumably the student is free to go. But what if they don't have transportation? When do they call home? Do they wait at the front door? Who is accountable for this child after the 10 minutes - if something bad happens, someone will need to be blamed. (Just saying.)
And lets be frank - some people have bashful bladders or don't want to do their particular business with a audience nearby.
OF COURSE, there will be a whole lot of flimflam psychojam about the academic need to keep students in the classroom. However, our experience is that teachers really know when a student needs to go to the bathroom and when the student is just bored and wants out of class. If someone really needs to go, we doubt that they will be paying much attention to the lesson anyway.
It will be interesting how the parents and students respond.
***UPDATE*** Sorry for the confusion about the "bathroom breaks". We were just giving various examples from various buildings. No CO directive about staff bathroom breaks --- yet. As one comment alludes, yes, this does come from THS. Apparently, students who go to the bathroom during class must spend 10 minutes with that teacher after school.
Who knew that Truman students were abusing their bathroom procedures? Wow. Alert US News and World Report - I think that their needs to be an investigation into their rating system if they claimed that THS was such a great school. They obviously didn't know about the roaming bathroom gangs.
Unanswered questions - and really no one was going to put themselves on the line to ask:
10 minutes after school in exchange for a bathroom visit during class:
1 - regardless of transportation.
2 - despite the fact that the parents probably have not been contacted.
3 - what happens if a student asks more than once in a day. Consecutive or concurrent sentences?
4 - what if the teacher is a coach and not present after school?
5 - after the 10 minutes are up, presumably the student is free to go. But what if they don't have transportation? When do they call home? Do they wait at the front door? Who is accountable for this child after the 10 minutes - if something bad happens, someone will need to be blamed. (Just saying.)
And lets be frank - some people have bashful bladders or don't want to do their particular business with a audience nearby.
OF COURSE, there will be a whole lot of flimflam psychojam about the academic need to keep students in the classroom. However, our experience is that teachers really know when a student needs to go to the bathroom and when the student is just bored and wants out of class. If someone really needs to go, we doubt that they will be paying much attention to the lesson anyway.
It will be interesting how the parents and students respond.
The Applause Line
What if an Opening Convocation was held but no one clapped?
Not likely to happen but consider the purpose of applause. It is to show appreciation, support, or agreement.
Do you feel appreciated and treated like a professional? Do you support the decisions, climate, culture, or directions of the district? Do agree with what is being said?
Or are you just being polite?
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Reaping the whirlwind
In the Book of Hosea, the Prophet Hosea said about Israel, "For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." (Hosea 8:7, King James Version)
During the last school year, District decisions created a great deal of anxiety among teachers, staff and administrators. The anxiety was palpable to anyone who had ears to hear. We know that there has been a historic turnover of building-level administrators. The District will see another year of 10%+ turnover of teaching staff
District parents and supporters need to watch for the release of the Missouri MAP scores. Pay particular attention to the middle school scores. We expect to see a significant drop in achievement at the middle school level.
The School Board sent a chilling message to its administrators - and the teachers were listening closely. The residency policy and its across-the-board implementation to existing principals essentially said, "We don't care about your life, your family, your home, your church, your wallet, your future. Instead, loyalty to ISD is foremost to everything else." (Interestingly, in political terms, this would be considered fascism when the individual must subjugate himself to the State.)
During the Spring Semester, the vast majority of administrators were - understandably so - preoccupied with their possible future in the District. Many actively looked for work. Many were absent for interviews. Some who found jobs were "checked out".
At the same time, the School Board was hearing proposals to realign the middle schools. Until March, teachers didn't know whether or not this change would happen in the next or following year.
Both teachers and principals were anxious and preoccupied during the Spring Semester. It will be said that people should have risen above all this. That is easier said than done. Teachers and principals are human just like everyone else.
So, hopefully the dramatic decline in test scores will be seen in its proper light. District-level decisions and a failure to support its front-line employees led to increased chaos in the schools.
Will the School Board intervene and stop the chaos or will it continue to support decisions which "reap the whirlwind"?
Middle School Realignment
If something is said in a video that no one watches, is it really said? We are surprised that more people haven't pointed out Dr. Herl's comments in his year-end video found here: VIDEO (Discussion of middle school realignment is at the 3:09 mark.)
In February 2013, the Board heard a report from the committee regarding the proposal.
In March 2013, the Board heard an update regarding the proposal.
The Board never has voted on whether or not to proceed with the proposed realignment.
Despite the lack of official approval from the Board, the plan will proceed. In the video, Dr. Herl mentions that teachers should know their new placements by Christmas.
According to the District, the patrons are supportive of this measure. In March, they revealed the results of the survey to affected parents. 770 responded and 71%, or 547, agreed or strongly agreed with the change. The survey was conducted by Patron Insight Company.
Some thoughts:
In February 2013, the Board heard a report from the committee regarding the proposal.
In March 2013, the Board heard an update regarding the proposal.
The Board never has voted on whether or not to proceed with the proposed realignment.
Despite the lack of official approval from the Board, the plan will proceed. In the video, Dr. Herl mentions that teachers should know their new placements by Christmas.
According to the District, the patrons are supportive of this measure. In March, they revealed the results of the survey to affected parents. 770 responded and 71%, or 547, agreed or strongly agreed with the change. The survey was conducted by Patron Insight Company.
Some thoughts:
- The survey was heavily slanted in favor of the realignment. Basically, questions along the lines of "Do you want competent teachers in the classroom?" and "Do you hate puppies and kittens?"
- The District did not reveal how many total surveys were sent out nor how many affected families there are. That 547 may, in fact, represent a very small percentage of the overall families affected by the change.
- The District did not reveal how each high school was represented in the responses. For example, were the Truman parents more supportive than the Nowlin parents?
- The District did not reveal how many families were not contacted because no email is on file or the message was returned.
- 71% is not as overwhelming as it appears - it depends on how many "strongly agreed". The support may be very lukewarm if slanted toward the "agree" side.
And even then, is this a good idea? Back in 2005, when the District realigned the middle schools, it would have made sense. But now? Sure - align sports, band, debate, etc. and let the high school principals rule over a district-within-a-district. But with MSIP 5 looming - this may not be the best time to upend your middle schools. The realignment is probably a good idea whose time has past.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
We'll be back beginning on Monday!
We have several posts ready. Now that people have begun to think about school again - now is the time to start back up.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Found: Principal for Truman
The Independence School District announced that David Gordon will be the new principal at Truman High School. Mr. Gordon was the longest serving principal at Lexington High School in Lexington, Nebraska. He announced his retirement in December 2009 and then retired at the end of the 2009-2010 School Year.
New Administrator Announced for Truman High School (from District email)
David Gordon has been selected as principal of Truman High School. He comes to Truman with 33 years of experience in education, most recently serving as principal at Lexington High School in Lexington, Nebraska. Gordon received his Bachelor’s Degree from Huron College in South Dakota, and his Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I am the high school principal of Truman, a school with a rich history of successful academics and activities,” said Gordon.
Gordon added that he is excited to lead the Truman High School faculty in the use of Missouri’s Common Core State Standards, and the use of technology within all classrooms and subject areas. He has high expectations for students to excel as they pursue their choice of college, career, technical education, the military or the workforce.
Gordon is married to Dr. Tammy Gordon, who has her degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum/Instruction. They have two children and grandchildren living in Nebraska. Their son is an eight year veteran in education and their daughter is a recent graduate from nursing school with an emphasis in surgery.
Gordon will move to Independence in July to get a head start for the 2013-2014 school year.
LINK to Independence School District announcement.
WIKIPEDIA article on Lexington, Nebraska. (Very interesting about the town's large Hispanic population.)
SCHOOL LINK
Some related articles:
DECEMBER 2009
JANUARY 2010
(The Examiner indicates that Gordon is currently the principal at Lexington High School. This is not the case. The current principal is Kyle Hoehner.)
New Administrator Announced for Truman High School (from District email)
David Gordon has been selected as principal of Truman High School. He comes to Truman with 33 years of experience in education, most recently serving as principal at Lexington High School in Lexington, Nebraska. Gordon received his Bachelor’s Degree from Huron College in South Dakota, and his Master’s in Education Administration from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.
“It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I am the high school principal of Truman, a school with a rich history of successful academics and activities,” said Gordon.
Gordon added that he is excited to lead the Truman High School faculty in the use of Missouri’s Common Core State Standards, and the use of technology within all classrooms and subject areas. He has high expectations for students to excel as they pursue their choice of college, career, technical education, the military or the workforce.
Gordon is married to Dr. Tammy Gordon, who has her degree in Educational Leadership and Curriculum/Instruction. They have two children and grandchildren living in Nebraska. Their son is an eight year veteran in education and their daughter is a recent graduate from nursing school with an emphasis in surgery.
Gordon will move to Independence in July to get a head start for the 2013-2014 school year.
LINK to Independence School District announcement.
WIKIPEDIA article on Lexington, Nebraska. (Very interesting about the town's large Hispanic population.)
SCHOOL LINK
Some related articles:
DECEMBER 2009
JANUARY 2010
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
"Don't be like Kansas City"
The Independence School District is not unique in its efforts to present a united front to its constituents. However, like your mother always said, you don't jump off a cliff just because everyone else is doing it.
Board members likely are told to avoid "micromanaging" because we don't want to end up "like Kansas City." (As if the extensive problems of that district were solely caused by over-involved school board or community members.)
New board members are probably told that "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." (Or something like that.) (The quote is actually from Otto von Bismark.)
New board members are probably told that "Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made." (Or something like that.) (The quote is actually from Otto von Bismark.)
The School District is part of the Missouri School Board Association (WEBSITE). They pay over $11,000 as dues to this Association. As part of the package, school board members can attend MSBA's annual forum where they could hear - along with other school board members from around the state - about their appropriate "role" - as defined by the superintendents.
Here's an interesting nugget from the past. The Columbia Tribune sent a reporter to the annual forum back in 2009 and he quoted our superintendent, Jim Hinson. ARTICLE
"Independence Superintendent Jim Hinson even praised his school board for not paying close attention to the district’s spending habits. Board members are welcome to talk about long-term goals, he said, but shouldn’t get into details of the day-to-day spending. 'The school board hires me to operate the school district, and that’s what I’m going to do,' Hinson said, responding to a question from an attendee about boards that 'micromanage.'
Independence has thousands of budget codes that school board members 'don’t want to know,' he bragged. And, while board members are welcome to ask about district bills in private, they shouldn’t do it at a public meeting, Hinson advised. Apparently, there are 'more important things to do at board meetings' than scrutinize district expenditures.
'The board doesn’t get involved in the daily operation of the school district, absolutely not,' Hinson said. 'If they did, I wouldn’t work there.'"
I don't think that people would argue that point. The board should not get involved in the daily operation of the District. However, that being said, it does not mean that school board members should merely be bobble-heads. There has to be a balance. As Reagan famously said, "Trust, but verify." And yes - that verification has to happen sometimes in public. This is a democracy. It isn't always pretty - but it is necessary to conduct business in the "sunshine" so that the public can be properly informed.
For added interest, here is a link to a blog post about the Joplin superintendent talking about how he and their board are "joined at the hip." LINK
For added interest, here is a link to a blog post about the Joplin superintendent talking about how he and their board are "joined at the hip." LINK
Something baaaaaad
In the comments, we've noticed a refrain by some that the issues and questions raised here are ... overstated. Surely - these comments seem to say - surely things are not nearly so bad. Surely - these comments seem to imply - surely these issues are only in the minds of disgruntled parents and employees.
Perhaps. Then again, this song has something to say about bad things happening "under the surface, behind the scenes." In the musical Wicked, the main character Elphaba says that if something bad is happening, "someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard."
Yet, it seems that people have tried to tell our Wizard that something bad is happening in Oz. Hmmm. And the significance of the imagery of Animals who have lost their powers of speech should not be lost on anyone.
Here's a link to YouTube video: Something Bad
Here are the lyrics:
Doctor Dillamond:
(spoken) Oh, Miss Elphaba - The things one hears these days.
Dreadful things.
(sung) I've heard of an Ox
A professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
Forbidden to preach
Now he can only screech!
Only rumors - but still -
Enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz.
Elphaba:
Something bad? Happening in Oz?
Dillamond:
Under the surface
Behind the scenes
Something baaaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
(spoken) Doctor Dillamond - if something bad is happening
to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard.
That's why we have a Wizard.
(sung) So nothing bad ....
Dillamond:
(spoken) I hope you're right.
Both:
Nothing all that bad:
Dillamond:
Nothing truly baaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
It couldn't happen here
In Oz.
Perhaps. Then again, this song has something to say about bad things happening "under the surface, behind the scenes." In the musical Wicked, the main character Elphaba says that if something bad is happening, "someone's got to tell the Wizard. That's why we have a Wizard."
Yet, it seems that people have tried to tell our Wizard that something bad is happening in Oz. Hmmm. And the significance of the imagery of Animals who have lost their powers of speech should not be lost on anyone.
Here's a link to YouTube video: Something Bad
Here are the lyrics:
Doctor Dillamond:
(spoken) Oh, Miss Elphaba - The things one hears these days.
Dreadful things.
(sung) I've heard of an Ox
A professor from Quox
No longer permitted to teach
Who has lost all powers of speech
And an Owl in Munchkin Rock
A vicar with a thriving flock
Forbidden to preach
Now he can only screech!
Only rumors - but still -
Enough to give pause
To anyone with paws
Something bad is happening in Oz.
Elphaba:
Something bad? Happening in Oz?
Dillamond:
Under the surface
Behind the scenes
Something baaaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
(spoken) Doctor Dillamond - if something bad is happening
to the Animals, someone's got to tell the Wizard.
That's why we have a Wizard.
(sung) So nothing bad ....
Dillamond:
(spoken) I hope you're right.
Both:
Nothing all that bad:
Dillamond:
Nothing truly baaaaad.
(spoken) Sorry, "Bad".
Elphaba:
It couldn't happen here
In Oz.
Sports Fever - It Comes Naturally
Given the basketball fever in Kansas, the following - from Dr. Herl's biography on "Independence Patriots Basketball" website - is actually quite impressive:
Dale started his career as a teacher and coach in Kansas . He was the head boys basketball coach at Stafford (KS) H.S., Jetmore (KS) H.S., and Little River (KS), H.S. His teams consistently ranked in the top ten in the state within their classification. Prior to coaching in the high school ranks, Dale was the top assistant coach at Colby Community College (KS).
Dale's playing experience included two years at Colby Community College where he was an all-Jayhawk Conference performer. He continued his playing career at the University of Nebraska - Kearney where they were ranked in the top 20 in the nation.
Prior to playing collegiately, Dale was a two time all-league, all-area, and all-state player as well as being the Kansas Class 1A Player of the Year at Wheatland High School in Kansas. He currently holds the Kansas state record for most three pointers made in a season (111) and is one of the top scorers in Kansas history for a single season (769) and career (1624).
Dale holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, Master's Degree from Fort Hays State University (KS), and his Doctorate from Wichita State University.
National Search for Supe.. Principal
A national search has been conducted for the new superintendent principal at Truman High School.
We actually came across this looking for the job posting for any other administrative position in the District. We hadn't heard much about what was going on with the position. There is nothing listed on the district website for the Truman position and any other open principal positions. So it took a Google search of "truman high school principal job opening" to find something.
See JOB POSTING.
We actually came across this looking for the job posting for any other administrative position in the District. We hadn't heard much about what was going on with the position. There is nothing listed on the district website for the Truman position and any other open principal positions. So it took a Google search of "truman high school principal job opening" to find something.
Good to see that the District conducted a national search for arguably its "flagship" high school. Hopefully the Board made a decision at their meeting on Tuesday.
According to the job posting, the successful candidate for this position will be:
- Experienced in building leadership.
- Have demonstrated the improvement of student achievement using data to drive the development of a successful building improvement plan.
- Have experience and expertise in staff evaluation, student discipline, and building management.
- Display the following leadership characteristics: approachable to all in the school community, ability to create and maintain a positive school climate to facilitate teaching and learning, and ability to implement systems by which to hold staff members accountable.
- Ability to be fully certified in Missouri as a high school principal.
And of course, the candidate must be willing to establish residency within the District.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING - June
The School Board will have their regular monthly meeting tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Central Office.
Here are the highlights of what will be discussed:
Approval of the contracts with various employee groups
Approval of the district health insurance
Approval of the contracts with various employee groups
Approval of the district health insurance
HOW TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE BOARD:
At the beginning of the meeting, there are 30 total minutes reserved for public comments. The comments can be about anything related to the schools - not just those specific things on the agenda. Any school district citizen or employee may speak. No one individual can speak more than 5 minutes.
Before the meeting, go up to the platform and ask to speak with the Board secretary, Annette Miller.
Let her know that you would like to speak to the Board.
You do not need to tell her why you wish to speak.
She should put your name on the list - to make sure that you are not forgotten.
Mrs. Miller may tell you that you needed 2 weeks notice prior to speaking to the Board. That is not true. That requirement is related to a request to place something on the agenda. As a citizen, you have the right to request that something be placed on the Board's agenda - but that request must be received 2 weeks in advance of the meeting. Then the superintendent and the board president determine whether or not to include in the agenda. (Hah - like that would actually happen!) You do NOT need to give 2 weeks notice to speak during the public comment period at the beginning of the meeting.
Mrs. Miller may also try to get you to meet privately with the superintendent. That may or may not be a good thing. Your decision. However, it is your RIGHT to address the school board. If you want to do so without making an appointment with the superintendent, then you may do so.
A review of the past month
A review of this blog's statistics is in order. You know - it's all about the data. Since May 9th:
Average number of page views per day: 1136
Total number of page views: 35,216
Please note that a page view is not necessarily the same as a unique visitor. A person may visit the blog and view a single post, multiple posts, or a single post multiple times - all in a single visit.
Worth a second look:
Average page views per day: 1136
So - we are getting consistently good traffic. What remains to be seen is whether or not this blog will increase the transparency of the school district. We are hopeful. There are more people "tuned into" district matters than ever. People are talking and asking good questions.
Average number of page views per day: 1136
Total number of page views: 35,216
Please note that a page view is not necessarily the same as a unique visitor. A person may visit the blog and view a single post, multiple posts, or a single post multiple times - all in a single visit.
Worth a second look:
Average page views per day: 1136
So - we are getting consistently good traffic. What remains to be seen is whether or not this blog will increase the transparency of the school district. We are hopeful. There are more people "tuned into" district matters than ever. People are talking and asking good questions.
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