DeKalb School Watch
A consortium of parents, educators and community members maintaining a steady dialogue focused on improving DeKalb County, Georgia schools and providing a quality, equitable education for each of our nearly 100,000 students.
~ "ipsa scientia potestas est" ~ "Knowledge itself is power"Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger306125
Updated: 2 days 12 hours ago
The Empire Strikes Back?
Though I have not been as active on the blog as I once was with posting, I look forward to each day of reading the daily comments! If there were such a category, I would nominate Cerebration for blog mistress of the year in DeKalb. What grew out of conversations on GDK has probably become one of the most talked about education blogs in the metro Atlanta area. Much credit should go to her and the many posters that make this THE place to go for discussion and insight regarding our school district. It is also great to see many employees also sharing perspectives and helping to educate the public on what they actually do.
I recall hearing that DCSS was considering starting a blog to ensure they get ahead with any messaging to the public. They have been woefully lacking in this area. The image (with apologies to George Lucas) is merely suggesting they are making an attempt to help address some misconceptions in the public domain. Go to this link which is accessible on the school district main page in the upper right hand corner, Budget Planning FY2011:
http://www.dekalb.k12.ga.us/superintendent/fy2011-budget.html
There is an FAQ link that is attempting to provide some clarity on some conversations seen on the blog. This is in addition to much of the information they have presented regarding remedies for addressing the budget. Hopefully this list will grow over time until they do get some type of blog up and running.
What do you think about the FAQ List? Is there other information you feel they should attempt to clarify for the public? We’ll leave specific budget discussions to the other blogs.
The March 5th Board Meeting
Our friends at the DeKalb Parent blog have provided us with some very detailed minutes from yesterday's meeting. It would be SO nice if the school system would create their own blog and provide parents and citizens with timely, accurate information, but since they don't, we all have to work together to keep each other informed. Thanks so much for the hard work DeKalb Parent Blog team!
Click here to read the minutes in-depth. Below are some highlights that caught my eye:
It appears that the meeting started late due to an executive session beforehand. Then Ramona Tyson proposed a "not to exceed" 6.25% pay cut (by furloughs or salary reduction). Paul Womack questioned the limitation of the proposal - he has already stated publicly that the shortages faced by the system will increase significantly next year. We need flexibility in cutting costs quickly. There was also some confusion as to which proposal they were considering - there may have been two on the table - one at 5% and on at 6.25%.
I will quote the notes on what Redovian said - my favorite part:
Redovian: I can’t vote for anything to take away money for the teachers and counselors if we don’t give them anything back; we need to take away all the paperwork, reports, etc and let them teach. We have to take the load off of them and then they might be more supportive of the cuts, if assured they would have less paperwork. If we are increasing class sizes, reducing staff, we can’t take anything more from the teachers and counselors w/out reducing paperwork. I don’t want to see a counselor having to make a choice between helping a child and filling out district paperwork; kids are more important than papers.
McChesney (addressing Redovian’s comments): much of the paperwork is Federal related, no child left behind, etc.
Redovian: yes, much is, but we keep adding and adding to it; there is no coordination in the central office; no one is asking why and where is it going; there is lots of duplication. eSIS is not the teachers’ fault, but they are paying for it; will support the motion but will not vote on it in May if the other admin/paperwork cuts are not also included.
There was conversation about the Race to the Top federal dollars about to be granted to Georgia. I hope the board is not banking on these funds. I attended a federal DOE meeting last month (and wrote about it in the comments here) where the methodology for acquiring funds was explained. Brad Bryant, our state board rep pretty much stated that DeKalb is not poised to receive what is called "Tier 1" funding. Apparently, there are many rural schools in the state with bigger problems and worse test scores than DeKalb. Our DeKalb BOE may wish to discuss the RTTT funding with Brad Bryant.
To download the March 5 FY2011 Budget Planning Powerpoint, go to this link at the DeKalb Parent blog. There is very detailed information on exactly where the cuts are proposed. Nice job, Ramona! There are additional budget plans and detailed proposals available here and approved budgets available here at the Superintendent's website.
Thanks so much, DeKalb Parent Team!
Click here to read the minutes in-depth. Below are some highlights that caught my eye:
It appears that the meeting started late due to an executive session beforehand. Then Ramona Tyson proposed a "not to exceed" 6.25% pay cut (by furloughs or salary reduction). Paul Womack questioned the limitation of the proposal - he has already stated publicly that the shortages faced by the system will increase significantly next year. We need flexibility in cutting costs quickly. There was also some confusion as to which proposal they were considering - there may have been two on the table - one at 5% and on at 6.25%.
I will quote the notes on what Redovian said - my favorite part:
Redovian: I can’t vote for anything to take away money for the teachers and counselors if we don’t give them anything back; we need to take away all the paperwork, reports, etc and let them teach. We have to take the load off of them and then they might be more supportive of the cuts, if assured they would have less paperwork. If we are increasing class sizes, reducing staff, we can’t take anything more from the teachers and counselors w/out reducing paperwork. I don’t want to see a counselor having to make a choice between helping a child and filling out district paperwork; kids are more important than papers.
McChesney (addressing Redovian’s comments): much of the paperwork is Federal related, no child left behind, etc.
Redovian: yes, much is, but we keep adding and adding to it; there is no coordination in the central office; no one is asking why and where is it going; there is lots of duplication. eSIS is not the teachers’ fault, but they are paying for it; will support the motion but will not vote on it in May if the other admin/paperwork cuts are not also included.
There was conversation about the Race to the Top federal dollars about to be granted to Georgia. I hope the board is not banking on these funds. I attended a federal DOE meeting last month (and wrote about it in the comments here) where the methodology for acquiring funds was explained. Brad Bryant, our state board rep pretty much stated that DeKalb is not poised to receive what is called "Tier 1" funding. Apparently, there are many rural schools in the state with bigger problems and worse test scores than DeKalb. Our DeKalb BOE may wish to discuss the RTTT funding with Brad Bryant.
To download the March 5 FY2011 Budget Planning Powerpoint, go to this link at the DeKalb Parent blog. There is very detailed information on exactly where the cuts are proposed. Nice job, Ramona! There are additional budget plans and detailed proposals available here and approved budgets available here at the Superintendent's website.
Thanks so much, DeKalb Parent Team!
Take Home Vehicles??
The public deserves a list from the BOE of every DCSS employee who has a take home vehicle. There is a post on the blog stating that 20 school resource officers have take home vehicles, only five live in the county, and two live near the Alabama border. Surely, this has to be misinformation, for no competent administrator would allow a situation like this to exist (?).
So BOE and Interim Superintendent Tyson, let's stop any misinformation. We know how y'all state that this blog is full of misinformation. You should have readily accessible the list of take home vehicles. Release it to the public, along with justification for each person who has a take home vehicle.
P.S. We are still waiting for a list of every property DCSS owns (like the Clarkston Community Center: most taxpayers probably aren't aware that this is a DCSS facility, and the school system does not charge rent for its usage).
So BOE and Interim Superintendent Tyson, let's stop any misinformation. We know how y'all state that this blog is full of misinformation. You should have readily accessible the list of take home vehicles. Release it to the public, along with justification for each person who has a take home vehicle.
P.S. We are still waiting for a list of every property DCSS owns (like the Clarkston Community Center: most taxpayers probably aren't aware that this is a DCSS facility, and the school system does not charge rent for its usage).
Education Finalists Picked
From the Wall Street Journal Online:
The Obama administration picked 15 states and the District of Columbia as finalists in a heated competition for extra federal education funds to shake up underperforming schools.
The states that made the cut in the $4.35 billion Race to the Top competition were Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee. ...
Not allowing student test scores to be tied to teacher evaluations "seemed like a clear no-no under the rules" of the competition, said Joe Williams, executive director of Democrats for Education Reform, a group that favors charter schools and stronger teacher evaluation systems. He said the state legislature now had a short window to enact legislation that would correct New York's shortcomings.
Joel Klein, chancellor of the New York City school system, the largest in the country, failed to win the legislative changes he sought in January, but cheered the announcement nonetheless. "We're within striking distance,'' he said. He wants the legislature to immediately move to lift the charter cap and change state laws regarding teacher evaluations, firings and seniority. "That's the way to win this,'' he said. "We know that these things are hurting us.''
California, which faces a $20 billion state budget crisis, failed to make the finalist list. The state had hoped to qualify for as much as $700 million at a time when many local school districts are slashing their budgets. California had also tried hard to qualify by doing things such as ramming a bill through the legislature over union objections that allowed teachers' pay to be linked to students' test scores.
DeKalb teachers' pay could decrease 6.25 percent
From Today's AJC
DeKalb County teachers could see their pay decrease as much as 6.25 percent next school year.
The school board voted unanimously Friday morning to issue about 8,000 contracts to teachers, principals and other certified staff for next school year with the option of a pay reduction or furlough days. The pay cut is capped at 6.25 percent.
DeKalb schools must cut at least $88 million from its budget for next year. The board is scheduled to approve the budget in May, but teacher contracts must be issued before April 15.
“This does not bind the board to take any particular action, it just binds the board to leave the door open,” board chairman Tom Bowen said.
Interestingly, the AJC is also reporting this:
About a quarter of DeKalb County’s residents weren’t counted in the last census, causing the county to lose about $41 million in federal funding, County Commissioner Connie Stokes announced Wednesday.
That felt like the old one-two punch!
DeKalb County teachers could see their pay decrease as much as 6.25 percent next school year.
The school board voted unanimously Friday morning to issue about 8,000 contracts to teachers, principals and other certified staff for next school year with the option of a pay reduction or furlough days. The pay cut is capped at 6.25 percent.
DeKalb schools must cut at least $88 million from its budget for next year. The board is scheduled to approve the budget in May, but teacher contracts must be issued before April 15.
“This does not bind the board to take any particular action, it just binds the board to leave the door open,” board chairman Tom Bowen said.
Interestingly, the AJC is also reporting this:
About a quarter of DeKalb County’s residents weren’t counted in the last census, causing the county to lose about $41 million in federal funding, County Commissioner Connie Stokes announced Wednesday.
That felt like the old one-two punch!
Georgians Need Summers
After all the DCSS drama, here's something new to get your take on: Does the school year start WAY too early in Georgia? If you know any heating and air conditioning professionals, ask them about the strain and expense of cooling an older school building in early August. Take a look below, and give your take. And whether you agree or disagree with Lane Holt of Georgians Need Summers, she's a great example of how one school parent really can make a difference, and make school system administrators and elected board of education members stop and re-examine.
Dear Parents,
Within the last few weeks, Rep. Matt Dollar (R-Cobb) sponsored HB1097, a later school start date bill which would require local school boards to adopt a calendar "that in no event shall commence the first day of instruction of a school year prior to the third full week of August".
Among the bill’s co-sponsors are Rep. Edward Lindsey (R-Atlanta), the House majority whip; Rep. Ron Stephens (R-Savannah), chair of Economic Development & Tourism; Rep. Joe Wilkinson (R-Fulton), chair of Ethics; & Rep. Don Parsons (R-east Cobb), chairman of Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications Committee. While research shows us the school calendar configuration does not impact academic performance, it does show a poorly configured school calendar can and does increase cooling costs and operational costs for school districts. Knowing school districts have a finite amount of taxpayer dollars to spend educating our children, particularly in these tough economic times, reason tells us when cooling costs and operational costs are decreased, more money will be available for teacher salaries and academic programming such as small group tutoring.
In Alabama, a study released by Save Alabama Summers estimated the state loses $26 million for every August day school is in session.
According to a Nov. 17, 2002, Tulsa World article, "Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools saved nearly $500,000 by delaying the start of school until after Labor Day, the districts latest utility bills show." (The district previously had a school start date of Aug. 19.) Subsequent newspaper reports showed the later school start date had no impact on test scores. A district spokesperson said "state test scores stayed the same." He add ed that the school calendar didn't seem to make a difference academically.
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimated in her September 2004 special report "Saving Summer: Lessons Learned" that August school days were costing the state's schools a cumulative $2.9 million a day in increased school utilities. She also estimated each extra vacation day a school district added to the calendar cost $15.5 million statewide.
Knowing the calendar configuration does not impact academic success, but does take valuable financial resources away from our students academic needs and our teachers, eliminating August school days just makes sense. Imagine the money Georgia counties would have to put into educating our children simply by starting school three weeks later. With the furlough of GA teachers and the cutting of salaries and basic necessities of education, each and every tax dollar to fund education is precious. Yet more and more counties in GA are approving extended school calendars, like balanced calendars, which are far more costly.
Let's do all we can to make the very best use of each and every education dollar. On Monday, HB 1097 will go before the House Education Committee. Please e-mail the sub-committee members below right away and state your support for HB 1097, later school start dates and smarter use of education dollars. Remember to also copy your own representative on your e-mail.
To find your representative and e-mail address go to Congress.org, enter your zip code where indicated on the home page and your state and federal elected officials will pop you. By clicking each will be able to access all contact information or you may e-mail them directly through the website.
Thanks you for your help!
Lane Holt
Georgians Need Summers
House Education Committee -
Academic Achievement Sub-Committee
David Casas - Chair
david.casas@house.ga.gov academic dean - (R - Gwinnett)
Amy Carter - Vice Chair/Secretary
amy.carter@house.ga.gov teacher - (D- Lowndes)
Kathy Ashe
kathyashe56@mindspring.com(D-Fulton)
Tommy Benton
tommy.benton@house.ga.govretired teacher (R - part of Barrow, part of Hall, and part of Jackson counties)
Tom Dickson
tom.dickson@house.ga.gov
retired educator (part of Catoosa, part of Murray, and part of Whitfield counties)
Melvin Everson
mjeverson@bellsouth.net
minister (R-Gwinnett)
Penny Houston
penny.houston@house.ga.gov
(R - part of Berrien, part of Colquitt, and Cook Counties)
Jan Jones
jan.jones@house.ga.gov(R-Fulton)
Darryl Jordan
darryl.jordan@house.ga.gov
(D - part of Clayton and part of Fayette Counties)
Mike Keown
mike@mikekeown.com
minister/residential contractor (R - part of Grady and part of Thomas Counties)
Edward Lindsey
edward.lindsey@house.ga.gov
attorney (R - Fulton)
Howard Maxwell
howard.maxwell@house.ga.gov
insurance (R - part of Haralson and part of Paulding counties)
Fran Millar
fran.millar@wellsfargo.com
insurance broker (R - Dekalb)
Randy Nix
randy.nix@house.ga.gov
financial sercives (R- part of Carroll, part of Heard, and part of Troup counties)
Barbara Massey Reece
barbara.reece@house.ga.gov
retired teacher (D- Chattooga and part of Floyd counties)
Bobby Reese
bobby.reese@house.ga.gov
real estate broker (R - Gwinnett)
Ed Setzler
ed.setzler@house.ga.gov
engineering manager (R- Cobb)
"Coach" Williams
ernest.williams@house.ga.gov
teacher (D-Dekalb)
The Ethics Debate: Which plan will work best for DeKalb?
Today's AJC is reporting that the DeKalb school board is toughening it's ethics policy. Apparently, the school board, motivated by DeKalb school board ethics legislation proposed by State Rep. Kevin Levitas (District 82), has revisited writing it's own policy. The new version will allow board members to punish each other.
The AJC reports:Under the proposed policy, board members can initiate an investigation against another member if they feel the individual violated the district’s code of ethics or conflict of interest policy.
The accused would be allowed to provide evidence to defend themselves at a public hearing. If found guilty, the board could discipline the accused member, including ordering them to apology or contacting law enforcement.
The proposed policy requires board members to be respectful, follow state Open Meetings laws and attend training. It also prohibits board members from withholding information from each other, voting on jobs for their relatives and taking gifts valued at more than $50.
The school board took its first look at the new proposed ethics policy Monday night and will vote on it later this month, board chair Tom Bowen told the AJC.
We have discussed this topic often here at the blog:
Kevin's bill was discussed back in November.
Tom Doolittle once contributed an article to the blog that clarifies a lot of information on the subject.
Paul Womack wrote a letter to the editor on January 21 endorsing the need for an ethics policy.
And soon after, Open & Transparent wrote an opinion piece about the need for an ethics policy for the DeKalb School Board.
One of our regular contributors had this interesting take on the subject:
I appreciate the school board ethics proposal. However IT, like the current proposal for STATEWIDE school board ethics (SB 84)—does NOT regulate ethics for superintendents (employees).
The Levitas proposal for DeKalb only DOES regulate employees.
Why are they proposing this now? Look at the obvious reasons that the school board should have already initiated an ethics probe on Lewis and possibly Pope. The problem is they are using the possibility (or not) of the criminal investigation as their hurdle to cross.
You can bet they have no plans (and no mechanism without Levitas’s bill) to investigate any kind of conflict of interest (or misuse of funds) for Lewis and Pope if the DA fails to prosecute.
This is a huge part of the story—and would educate people to push the board to:
(1) Immediately push to get the “sealed” files so they can ascertain the nature of the investigation
(2) If the investigation doesn’t include ethical violations (too small compared to RICO) and the DA doesn’t win, then the board would have already initiated its own proceedings—proving to the public they are answering criticism about protecting Lewis.
Weigh in - what do the rest of you think?
The Board Meeting at Peachtree MS and the Budget
Well, I was out of town - can anyone post a synopsis of the meeting? So far, we have the following commentary from another thread -
Anonymous said...
Just left the Board Meeting at PCMS. OMG. Favorite moment: McChesney asking Talley WHY we're buying Language Arts textbooks when teachers have said they don't need them. She patronized him, dismissed him, basically told him in tone and manner that his question was . . . well, stupid. He pushed, she pushed back.
He's right. She's wrong.
$7 million on textbooks. Sigh.
Anonymous said...
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is upsetting. This is not a need! I am a teacher and we cannot be spending money on things like this right now, unless the district is going to seriously cut positions. I do not see that happening either.
Having new text books will not get our students a quality education. The higher ups just do not get it.
Once again, our kids are going to be the losers.
Anonymous said...
Talley made it very clear that the textbooks will be purchased, no matter what the board thinks. What the heck?
Anonymous said...
Doesn't the BOE approve the expenditure for the textbooks? For $7,000,000 why aren't they looking at textbooks online? So sad that Gloria Talley says she knows nothing about technology. 20th Century leaders with 21st Century students.
Anonymous said...
McChesney asked "so you're telling me that this is done, even though we haven't voted on it?" She spoke lots of words but said nothing. Then scathingly said that the board had already approved a leased textbook program so they might as well pay for the textbooks. Cunningham mentioned electronic textbooks "in the future", but agreed with her, saying of course we have to stay current in the meantime.
Oh - and totally from left field - who is Alduan Tartt, who has been hired by the school system to lead a parenting seminar? I mean, a free breakfast and door prizes?! Who's paying for that? (And, FWIW, can we please stop referring to it as "Premier"?)
The Premier DeKalb County School System Office of School ImprovementPresentsThe Year of The ParentRAISING THE BAR!Together We Can Make a DifferenceA FREE half-day Parent Conference
Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Avondale Middle School, 3131 Old Rockbridge RoadAvondale Estates, GA30002
A complimentary breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m.
Dr. Alduan Tartt, a practicing psychologist and accomplished author, community servant and humanitarian, is the keynote speaker. He will speak on the topic “Effective Parenting in Today’s Society”. Dr. Tartt will also present two workshops on parenting. In addition, a variety of workshops focusing on test-taking strategies will be offered to assist parents in the facilitation of student achievement.
The workshops include: Mathematics and Reading for all grade levels, Special Education, Early Childhood Workshops, and Transition from Elementary to Middle and Middle to High. Middle and High School students will have an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with various community members. Poet Hank Stewart will be guest moderator for the panel.
Language translators will be available for some workshops and child care for school age children will be provided. We will also have exhibits featuring the DeKalb County School System, various community agencies, and educational companies.
Door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the conference!
For more information, call Jackie Marshall at 678-676-0376.
The Budget, Finance and Building Committee is now a CALLED BOARD MEETING and will take place at 10:30 on Friday, March 5 at the board offices - boardroom in Building A.
They will be discussing possible salary cuts and furloughs for teachers. According to the posted agenda, there will not be any public comment period. The agenda is available by clicking here.
PLAN TO ATTEND!
Anonymous said...
Just left the Board Meeting at PCMS. OMG. Favorite moment: McChesney asking Talley WHY we're buying Language Arts textbooks when teachers have said they don't need them. She patronized him, dismissed him, basically told him in tone and manner that his question was . . . well, stupid. He pushed, she pushed back.
He's right. She's wrong.
$7 million on textbooks. Sigh.
Anonymous said...
WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is upsetting. This is not a need! I am a teacher and we cannot be spending money on things like this right now, unless the district is going to seriously cut positions. I do not see that happening either.
Having new text books will not get our students a quality education. The higher ups just do not get it.
Once again, our kids are going to be the losers.
Anonymous said...
Talley made it very clear that the textbooks will be purchased, no matter what the board thinks. What the heck?
Anonymous said...
Doesn't the BOE approve the expenditure for the textbooks? For $7,000,000 why aren't they looking at textbooks online? So sad that Gloria Talley says she knows nothing about technology. 20th Century leaders with 21st Century students.
Anonymous said...
McChesney asked "so you're telling me that this is done, even though we haven't voted on it?" She spoke lots of words but said nothing. Then scathingly said that the board had already approved a leased textbook program so they might as well pay for the textbooks. Cunningham mentioned electronic textbooks "in the future", but agreed with her, saying of course we have to stay current in the meantime.
Oh - and totally from left field - who is Alduan Tartt, who has been hired by the school system to lead a parenting seminar? I mean, a free breakfast and door prizes?! Who's paying for that? (And, FWIW, can we please stop referring to it as "Premier"?)
The Premier DeKalb County School System Office of School ImprovementPresentsThe Year of The ParentRAISING THE BAR!Together We Can Make a DifferenceA FREE half-day Parent Conference
Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.Avondale Middle School, 3131 Old Rockbridge RoadAvondale Estates, GA30002
A complimentary breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m.
Dr. Alduan Tartt, a practicing psychologist and accomplished author, community servant and humanitarian, is the keynote speaker. He will speak on the topic “Effective Parenting in Today’s Society”. Dr. Tartt will also present two workshops on parenting. In addition, a variety of workshops focusing on test-taking strategies will be offered to assist parents in the facilitation of student achievement.
The workshops include: Mathematics and Reading for all grade levels, Special Education, Early Childhood Workshops, and Transition from Elementary to Middle and Middle to High. Middle and High School students will have an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion with various community members. Poet Hank Stewart will be guest moderator for the panel.
Language translators will be available for some workshops and child care for school age children will be provided. We will also have exhibits featuring the DeKalb County School System, various community agencies, and educational companies.
Door prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the conference!
For more information, call Jackie Marshall at 678-676-0376.
The Budget, Finance and Building Committee is now a CALLED BOARD MEETING and will take place at 10:30 on Friday, March 5 at the board offices - boardroom in Building A.
They will be discussing possible salary cuts and furloughs for teachers. According to the posted agenda, there will not be any public comment period. The agenda is available by clicking here.
PLAN TO ATTEND!
So, what about the DCSS budget and school closings?
Sadly, DeKalb schools have been front page news at least three times this week - and not for reasons we can be proud of. As we all stopped to gawk at the train wreck our central office has now become, we took our eyes off of the very important tasks at hand.
There are a few people who have the strength to avert their eyes from the Lewis/Pope crisis and stay focused on the issues that effect our children and our communities. Let's try to be in this group - let's stay focused.
Maureen Downey brought us a very good report on the discussions surrounding school closings at her AJC blog, "Get Schooled". This is the most information I have seen about that issue - ever. Thanks, Maureen.
In addition, our friends at the DeKalb Parent Resource blog have been desperately trying to remain focused on the work needing done for our schools. They offer links to all kinds of resources and detailed notes from the meetings they attend. Good job guys!
But as far as I can tell, this latest debacle has stalled discussions about budget cuts. Teacher contracts remain in limbo. The meeting Friday where Lewis was going to propose cuts was canceled and it doesn't look like the board has time to turn their attention back to the issue. And now, the Lewis 'situation' looks like all it will do is add more financial liability to our already broken budget.
We need to communicate to our board reps that we want them to focus first on getting the school system and it's budget back on track. We want them to communicate the plans for teachers and staff clearly. And we want communities elevated to a level of partnership and included in discussions. We can solve our problems - we have so many caring, dedicated parents, teachers and community leaders willing to roll up their sleeves in DeKalb.
Lewis Takes Leave
WSB 750 AM is reporting that the BOE is in emergency session again today to name an interim Superintendent as Dr. Lewis has taken a leave of absence or sabbatical of some type. Report is that he will continue to be paid and the BOE will cover any legal fees that result from the current investigation. Seems they are standing by their man.
News of the Day
Ok - by request, we will start a posting place to add the news of the day as it pours in! List whatever you hear in the comments below.
Today's news from the AJC is about the search of Crawford Lewis' home, the Sam Moss Center and the school administrative offices.
SPLOST IV
In a article in the newest DeKalb Neighbor, "County to close four schools after this year", Crawford Lewis asks for support for SPLOST IV:
Lewis said he would be asking DeKalb County voters to support an extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program to help fund capital improvement projects at school facilities. DeKalb County shoppers pay a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax that goes to the school system. The current tax, SPLOST III, expires in 2012. Lewis said he will ask voters to approve SPLOST IV in November 2011. “Our needs are great and we need your support.”
Here is the big question, can taxpayers and parents trust the current Board of Education and Crawford Lewis-led school system administration with another SPLOST that will raise tens of millions of dollars, if not more?
There is no question the needs are great, especially if you have walked the facilities (and rest rooms) at Cross Keys, Lakeside and Sequoyah Middle.
However, this current administration and BOE has had scandal after scandal after mistake with handling our taxes. Whether the Pat Pope debacle, the addition of countless administrators, the incredible increase in pay for administrators over the past five years, nepotism, the Heery Mitchell lawsuit, the bait and switch with Arabia Mountain High, $300,000 for BOE lights, hundreds of thousands to redo the in fine condition parking lot at the Mountain Industrial mega-complex, half a million of dollars for an investigation by a retired judge that wasn't written down (?) but given verbally, millions for America's Choice, millions for the failed eSIS software, tens of millions for MIS with little to show for it in the classrooms, the $400k California trip, millions on instructional coaches/supervisors, Tony Hunter's promotion from director to executive director despite a very bad year from MIS, Executive Director of Corporate Wellness, Crawford's vehicle purchase and gas fillup disgrace, the school system fighting in court stream buffer violations in Dunwoody which cost more than making the fixes, the failure of the school system to share facilities with the county, the insistance by Paul Womack that the tiny Heritage school could fit 600 students and staff, the complete and utter failure by the Lewis administration to thoroughly check residency, etc., etc., etc.
There are so many facility needs in our schools, but this current administration focuses first on the needs of administrators, and the BOE has been their enabler. Ignoring school needs like mold and mildew in HVAC systems, leaking roofs, holes in floors, etc., all a common refrain from our school teachers. The beautiful Arabia Mountain High School was supposed to relieve overcrowding in South DeKalb but was then switched to a magnet school and did not relieve overcrowding.
As parents and taxpayers, do we allow the Lewis administration and current Board of Education to spend millions while we cross our hands, or do we send a message that waste, inefficiency, and administrative bloat will no longer be tolerated? Tough call. Let's hear your take, DCSW-er's!!
Lewis said he would be asking DeKalb County voters to support an extension of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program to help fund capital improvement projects at school facilities. DeKalb County shoppers pay a voter-approved 1 percent sales tax that goes to the school system. The current tax, SPLOST III, expires in 2012. Lewis said he will ask voters to approve SPLOST IV in November 2011. “Our needs are great and we need your support.”
Here is the big question, can taxpayers and parents trust the current Board of Education and Crawford Lewis-led school system administration with another SPLOST that will raise tens of millions of dollars, if not more?
There is no question the needs are great, especially if you have walked the facilities (and rest rooms) at Cross Keys, Lakeside and Sequoyah Middle.
However, this current administration and BOE has had scandal after scandal after mistake with handling our taxes. Whether the Pat Pope debacle, the addition of countless administrators, the incredible increase in pay for administrators over the past five years, nepotism, the Heery Mitchell lawsuit, the bait and switch with Arabia Mountain High, $300,000 for BOE lights, hundreds of thousands to redo the in fine condition parking lot at the Mountain Industrial mega-complex, half a million of dollars for an investigation by a retired judge that wasn't written down (?) but given verbally, millions for America's Choice, millions for the failed eSIS software, tens of millions for MIS with little to show for it in the classrooms, the $400k California trip, millions on instructional coaches/supervisors, Tony Hunter's promotion from director to executive director despite a very bad year from MIS, Executive Director of Corporate Wellness, Crawford's vehicle purchase and gas fillup disgrace, the school system fighting in court stream buffer violations in Dunwoody which cost more than making the fixes, the failure of the school system to share facilities with the county, the insistance by Paul Womack that the tiny Heritage school could fit 600 students and staff, the complete and utter failure by the Lewis administration to thoroughly check residency, etc., etc., etc.
There are so many facility needs in our schools, but this current administration focuses first on the needs of administrators, and the BOE has been their enabler. Ignoring school needs like mold and mildew in HVAC systems, leaking roofs, holes in floors, etc., all a common refrain from our school teachers. The beautiful Arabia Mountain High School was supposed to relieve overcrowding in South DeKalb but was then switched to a magnet school and did not relieve overcrowding.
As parents and taxpayers, do we allow the Lewis administration and current Board of Education to spend millions while we cross our hands, or do we send a message that waste, inefficiency, and administrative bloat will no longer be tolerated? Tough call. Let's hear your take, DCSW-er's!!
Plan to attend these board meetings
The following BOE meetings that will happen this week - people really need to be there if they want to know what is going on with the budget.
NOTICE OF DBOE COMMITTEE MEETING - BUDGET, FINANCE & FACILITIES
The DeKalb Board of Education Committee on Budget, Finance & Facilities will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 10:30am in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the DeKalb County School System's Robert R. Freeman Administrative Center, Building A, 3770 North Decatur Road in Decatur, Georgia. The purpose of the meeting is to review Board policies and system-wide operations as it relates to finance & facilities.
Meeting information can be accessed online by going to the Board of Education and Meeting Information website by clicking here.
There will also be a called work session of the full board on Fri. 2/26 at 10:30 am - more information to follow.
Both have been confirmed by email from the board secretary.
UPDATE: The new parent blog "DeKalb Parents United" has published their detailed notes from this morning's meeting.
And the AJC has posted this article on the meeting.
NOTICE OF DBOE COMMITTEE MEETING - BUDGET, FINANCE & FACILITIES
The DeKalb Board of Education Committee on Budget, Finance & Facilities will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 10:30am in the Superintendent's Conference Room at the DeKalb County School System's Robert R. Freeman Administrative Center, Building A, 3770 North Decatur Road in Decatur, Georgia. The purpose of the meeting is to review Board policies and system-wide operations as it relates to finance & facilities.
Meeting information can be accessed online by going to the Board of Education and Meeting Information website by clicking here.
There will also be a called work session of the full board on Fri. 2/26 at 10:30 am - more information to follow.
Both have been confirmed by email from the board secretary.
UPDATE: The new parent blog "DeKalb Parents United" has published their detailed notes from this morning's meeting.
And the AJC has posted this article on the meeting.
So, it looks like Pat Pope is (allegedly) a rat after all
You'll have to buy a copy of today's AJC to get the full, below the fold front page story, the headline of which reads, "Huge schools project altered, aiding spouse". It seems that "Pat Pope made changes to a multimillion-dollar construction project that prevented her architect husband from losing out on more than $1 million in earnings, The [AJC] has learned."
The project is one of six the DA is investigating. Of course, Pope's attorney still claims she's done nothing illegal. Her husband, Tony Pope said that she "didn't make the changes to give him work, but acknowledged that her actions helped him financially."
In fact, his actual quote is, "You're doggone right it benefited me."
The saddest part to me is that the contract under investigation is the contract for the Mountain Industrial project. It was awarded at $1 million over the budgeted amount, and then incurred $4 million in changes - due to the fact that the school system decided to move the administrative offices to the that facility. And all the while, Cross Keys, Lakeside, Chamblee, Dunwoody and others wait for their promised improvements to little or no avail.
There's more - lots more - so go get a paper today and a box of Kleenex, because there's no way that you can take this all in without shedding tears for our children.
Clarity on the "Instructional Specialists" vs "Instructional Supervisors"
Bloggers - we try very hard to ensure that we are dealing in facts, however, apparently, our confusion as to the roles of Instructional Specialists have left our readers with the wrong impression and wrong facts. We truly apologize. We have now been given the gift of facts via some very intense research by one of our own. We have unfortunately, left readers with the impression that all of the jobs labeled "Instructional Specialists" are what some people refer to as "Gloria Talley's Army".
Yes, Gloria has built up quite a large group of "Instructional Supervisors" - those people who supposedly supervise teachers, send out email recovery plans, schedule meetings and critique bulletin boards. However, the actual title "Instructional Specialist", while sounding similar, is totally different. We had discussed this in the comments area of a couple of posts, however, it is important enough to warrant a front page article. These people are teachers and we want that known and clarified. They have a whole different job description from "Instructional Supervisors" - they are special teachers such as art, music, and P.E.
Here is a brief overview of the facts from our dear researcher/reader:
I often read on the blog about the "army of instructional specialists", some 400+ in number. I know the general consensus is that there are 400+ additional people sitting around Building B, taking over $20 million from schools, adding to the "district administrative bloat", and doing nothing to support children. I know for a fact that this is not true in the case of the "Instructional Specialists P-8". I also know (and completely understand why) the website's visitors would be very distrustful of anyone who defends the district office.
I went to the Open.Georgia.gov page for the 2008-2009 school year and downloaded the entire list of 445 names. I looked up every single name and determined the person's role in the district. The "Instructional Specialists P-8" are, in fact, teachers. When the district has to classify employees for the state CPI (Certified/Classified Personnel Index) report that is displayed on the Open.Georgia.gov site, the district is restricted by the state's titles. There is no way to identify those teachers who are certified as K-12 specialists and work in elementary or middle schools. The only title under which those teachers may be classified is "Instructional Specialists P-8". The breakdown of the 445 "Instructional Specialists P-8" who work in our elementary and middle schools is as follows:
Art -- 65 teachers
Band/General Music/Chorus/Orchestra/Strings -- 153 teachers
Physical Education -- 182 teachers
Left the system after 2008-2009 -- 45 teachers
(I put the music teachers together as they often serve multiple roles in the elementary & middle schools. For example, someone may be classified as "Chorus" but be teaching the music, orchestra, and band courses as well.)
So, please, do not come to the microphone at the board meetings using the "Instructional Specialists" as ammunition when they are really teachers. If we cut those employees, we will be cutting the very people that you fight for every year. I know there are MANY reasons to be upset with the district, but this is not one of them. Be mad for a litany of reasons, but don't throw the Instructional Specialists into the mix. They serve children every day. They also represent $23,865,446.18 of the budget that has been incorrectly attributed to the district office.
Now, the Instructional Supervisors - well, if anyone can clarify their roles and value, please share your input in the comments!
DeKalb to close four schools, cut administrators
Today's AJC has an update from Dr. Lewis on school closings. I couldn't read it without blowing a gasket so I have reprinted the article here, embellished with my personal commentary - apologizing in advance for my high level of cynicism.
=========================================
DeKalb County’s superintendent said he will cut about 15 top administrators and close four schools to help with the district’s $88 million deficit. (Wonder what he considers "top".)
“We can no longer afford to operate schools which are at half capacity,” Superintendent Crawford Lewis told about 100 business leaders Friday at his State of the System address. Could we ever?
With 152 schools, DeKalb has the most school buildings in the state -- despite being the third-largest district and closing five schools in 2008, Lewis said. The DCSS website states, " 143 schools and centers". The State DOE says 140.
Next week, school officials will identify the four elementary schools that will close at the end of the school year in May. They plan to close another eight to 10 schools in May 2011. Why wait?
The schools will be selected out of the 29 schools with enrollments of less than 300 students. District officials are eyeing schools in south DeKalb now that Dunwoody has become the fastest-growing area of the county, Lewis said. There are only 14 schools with enrollments under 300 according to the data submitted by DCSS to the State of Georgia for the official October 2009 FTE count.
They are - DeKalb Alternative Night School (90), Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers (165), DeKalb Transition School (116), Dekalb Early College Academy (206), DeKalb School of the Arts (291), DeKalb Alternative School (25), Margaret Harris Comprehensive School (78), Gateway to College Academy (104), UHS of Laurel Heights (26), International Student Center (163), Gresham Park Elementary School (294), Knollwood Elementary School (289), Coralwood Education Center (218), DeKalb/Rockdale PsychoEducation Center (135). As you can see, many of these are special schools so of course, they have fewer students.
The Citizens Planning Task Force, a group of 20 residents appointed by school board members, will work with school officials to make a recommendation on which schools to close. The board will then vote on the final closings, school system spokesman Dale Davis said.
Last year, DeKalb’s enrollment grew by about 1,500 students to 101,000 children. What? Again, the official October, 2009 FTE count shows that DeKalb officially reported 99,406 students to the state.
The school closings will allow the district to save about $2.5 million. Teachers from those schools will move with their students and be allowed to keep their jobs, but some other staff may be affected, Davis said. Well thank goodness for that - the students will continue to have teachers!
The closings will mean the district will have to redraw the attendance boundaries and reroute buses before school starts in August.
The school closures are part of a systemwide trimming to meet a loss in state funding and property tax revenue. Or to finally have to deal with the bloat that has occurred in the last 5 years.
“We are working really, really hard not to raise anyone’s taxes,” Lewis said.
Last month, Lewis proposed a series of program cuts, staff furloughs and other reductions to meet what officials thought was a $56 million deficit. He now is scrambling to identify $32 million more to cut from next year’s budget after learning the county’s property values dove 6.7 percent.
“This year’s budget will go back to the figure we had in 2005. That kind of tells you exactly how bad things are,” Lewis said. Guess what? We're all living off 2005 income - or less. Well, unless you work in the school administration. Top administrators in DeKalb have seen their salaries increase an average of 7% year over year since 2004.
Lewis said he will unveil those additional proposed cuts next Friday.
“There will be layoffs in these cuts. I don’t anticipate cutting any teachers at the local level,” he said. “But there is no way for me to come back to the board with an $88 million deficit and no layoffs.” I don't follow this statement at all. Teachers at the local level? Are there teachers at other levels?
Most of those job losses will be at the central office, including narrowing his cabinet of 27 administrators down to about 12, Lewis said. TWENTY-SEVEN administrators? Most Fortune 500 CEOs don't have half that number. BTW- he doesn't have a "cabinet" - he is not the president.
Some of those administrators will be able to apply for principal and teaching positions, but others will be out of a job. At what pay scale will these new principals/teachers be paid?
“It’s important now that every salary counts,” he said. * So why are you still paying Pat Pope almost $200,000 to do nothing?
The district has about 14,000 full-time employees, including 8,000 teachers. No - check the website - DCSS has 13,285 full-time employees, only about 7,300 of whom are teachers. Perhaps they were including the entire sub list?
The proposed administrative cuts come less than a week after the AJC reported that the district posted a job to replace a deputy superintendent of teaching and learning for $163,900 while calling for teacher pay cuts. Yes, they do live in different worlds from the teachers and their students, don't they? After all, it IS all about the administration! We just love paying taxes to support these high salaried people!
The other staff in his cabinet will see pay cuts, Lewis said. I'll believe it when I see in on the GA salary schedule for 2010.
However, the superintendent does not plan to give back the $15,000 raise and contract extension that the board approved in January. Lewis told business leaders that the raise comes after he lost $30,000 in salary and bonuses last year. Yes, yes, we're all always aware of the severe sacrifices you have made Dr. Lewis - you remind us every single chance you get.
“I don’t think $15,000 is going to have a profound impact on an $88 million deficit,” he added. Then give it back if you think it's such a pittance - didn't you just state above* that "every salary counts? Well, $15,000 represents someone's salary for sure.
On Friday, Lewis said some programs will be cut, but he is reconsidering his proposal to get rid of magnet schools and the Montessori program. He always "reconsiders" (aka; backs down) when anyone gives him a hard time. He has no moxie.
“We’re trying to do what’s right for the children, but we have to do it with the resources we have,” he said. Sure, we ALL believe that the children are your priority - right after your gas tank, of course.
=========================================
DeKalb County’s superintendent said he will cut about 15 top administrators and close four schools to help with the district’s $88 million deficit. (Wonder what he considers "top".)
“We can no longer afford to operate schools which are at half capacity,” Superintendent Crawford Lewis told about 100 business leaders Friday at his State of the System address. Could we ever?
With 152 schools, DeKalb has the most school buildings in the state -- despite being the third-largest district and closing five schools in 2008, Lewis said. The DCSS website states, " 143 schools and centers". The State DOE says 140.
Next week, school officials will identify the four elementary schools that will close at the end of the school year in May. They plan to close another eight to 10 schools in May 2011. Why wait?
The schools will be selected out of the 29 schools with enrollments of less than 300 students. District officials are eyeing schools in south DeKalb now that Dunwoody has become the fastest-growing area of the county, Lewis said. There are only 14 schools with enrollments under 300 according to the data submitted by DCSS to the State of Georgia for the official October 2009 FTE count.
They are - DeKalb Alternative Night School (90), Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers (165), DeKalb Transition School (116), Dekalb Early College Academy (206), DeKalb School of the Arts (291), DeKalb Alternative School (25), Margaret Harris Comprehensive School (78), Gateway to College Academy (104), UHS of Laurel Heights (26), International Student Center (163), Gresham Park Elementary School (294), Knollwood Elementary School (289), Coralwood Education Center (218), DeKalb/Rockdale PsychoEducation Center (135). As you can see, many of these are special schools so of course, they have fewer students.
The Citizens Planning Task Force, a group of 20 residents appointed by school board members, will work with school officials to make a recommendation on which schools to close. The board will then vote on the final closings, school system spokesman Dale Davis said.
Last year, DeKalb’s enrollment grew by about 1,500 students to 101,000 children. What? Again, the official October, 2009 FTE count shows that DeKalb officially reported 99,406 students to the state.
The school closings will allow the district to save about $2.5 million. Teachers from those schools will move with their students and be allowed to keep their jobs, but some other staff may be affected, Davis said. Well thank goodness for that - the students will continue to have teachers!
The closings will mean the district will have to redraw the attendance boundaries and reroute buses before school starts in August.
The school closures are part of a systemwide trimming to meet a loss in state funding and property tax revenue. Or to finally have to deal with the bloat that has occurred in the last 5 years.
“We are working really, really hard not to raise anyone’s taxes,” Lewis said.
Last month, Lewis proposed a series of program cuts, staff furloughs and other reductions to meet what officials thought was a $56 million deficit. He now is scrambling to identify $32 million more to cut from next year’s budget after learning the county’s property values dove 6.7 percent.
“This year’s budget will go back to the figure we had in 2005. That kind of tells you exactly how bad things are,” Lewis said. Guess what? We're all living off 2005 income - or less. Well, unless you work in the school administration. Top administrators in DeKalb have seen their salaries increase an average of 7% year over year since 2004.
Lewis said he will unveil those additional proposed cuts next Friday.
“There will be layoffs in these cuts. I don’t anticipate cutting any teachers at the local level,” he said. “But there is no way for me to come back to the board with an $88 million deficit and no layoffs.” I don't follow this statement at all. Teachers at the local level? Are there teachers at other levels?
Most of those job losses will be at the central office, including narrowing his cabinet of 27 administrators down to about 12, Lewis said. TWENTY-SEVEN administrators? Most Fortune 500 CEOs don't have half that number. BTW- he doesn't have a "cabinet" - he is not the president.
Some of those administrators will be able to apply for principal and teaching positions, but others will be out of a job. At what pay scale will these new principals/teachers be paid?
“It’s important now that every salary counts,” he said. * So why are you still paying Pat Pope almost $200,000 to do nothing?
The district has about 14,000 full-time employees, including 8,000 teachers. No - check the website - DCSS has 13,285 full-time employees, only about 7,300 of whom are teachers. Perhaps they were including the entire sub list?
The proposed administrative cuts come less than a week after the AJC reported that the district posted a job to replace a deputy superintendent of teaching and learning for $163,900 while calling for teacher pay cuts. Yes, they do live in different worlds from the teachers and their students, don't they? After all, it IS all about the administration! We just love paying taxes to support these high salaried people!
The other staff in his cabinet will see pay cuts, Lewis said. I'll believe it when I see in on the GA salary schedule for 2010.
However, the superintendent does not plan to give back the $15,000 raise and contract extension that the board approved in January. Lewis told business leaders that the raise comes after he lost $30,000 in salary and bonuses last year. Yes, yes, we're all always aware of the severe sacrifices you have made Dr. Lewis - you remind us every single chance you get.
“I don’t think $15,000 is going to have a profound impact on an $88 million deficit,” he added. Then give it back if you think it's such a pittance - didn't you just state above* that "every salary counts? Well, $15,000 represents someone's salary for sure.
On Friday, Lewis said some programs will be cut, but he is reconsidering his proposal to get rid of magnet schools and the Montessori program. He always "reconsiders" (aka; backs down) when anyone gives him a hard time. He has no moxie.
“We’re trying to do what’s right for the children, but we have to do it with the resources we have,” he said. Sure, we ALL believe that the children are your priority - right after your gas tank, of course.
Fall 2009 EOCT results have been released on the DeKalb County website
Ok, ok, enough about fish. The End Of Course Test results have finally been posted for you to review. To access all of the testing data for DeKalb visit this link. End Of Course Tests are very important since they automatically account for 15% of a student's final grade. Have a look and let us know what you think!
No fish for Lent?
The DeKalb Co school lunch calendars indicate a selection that includes fish during Lent for middle and high schools, however, not for elementary schools. Did someone decide to forgo the fish option on Fridays during Lent for our youngest students after all these years? Hopefully, this is just a miscommunication - we are checking. However, families who practice the religious traditions of Lent - you need to investigate what is being served on Fridays at your school before you assume that fish is still "on the table"... You may need to send in some fish tacos from home!
Cox Northlake Visit:
State Ranked for Big Bucks; DeKalb Policy Vacuum; Impassioned Montessori Plea
By Tom Doolittle
This is a belated report, but it may add some perspective to the statewide CRCT testing allegations that arose since the Cox January visit.
On January 29, State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox visited the Northlake area—Mercer University’s Conference Center; Evansdale Elementary School and Lakeside High School. On the one hand, Cox’s presentation to the Dunwoody-Chamblee Parent Council (DCPC) at Mercer looked like one she would have made anywhere in the state. She came to talk about Georgia’s competitive position for a share of $4 billion “Race to the Top” funds from the Obama Administration. As a bonus, she delivered some spontaneous strong medicine for DeKalb’s stakeholders’ relations with each other and its school system.
The DeKalb remarks were spontaneous, as Cox took questions (comments, mostly) during a refreshing give-and-take while moving through her prepared presentation. Cox, after enduring comments about local budgetary plans and priorities in the midst of her higher-level strategic presentation, summed up the education leadership challenge in this bifurcated (“multi-furcated”?) urban/suburban county. Stopping the audience cold, the statewide official told an audience that included about thirty DCLP parents, “the problem in DeKalb is that you don’t trust each other”—meaning that stakeholders and communities throughout the county need to relate to each other so that that time and energy can be focused on “policy”, rather than pet issues.
Former DeKalb School’s Chairman William (Brad) Bryant, introduced Cox, complimenting the audience in advance as one that would demand a presentation with “some meat on it”—high level policy information and room for give-and-take. He explained afterward, “when I learned that Superintendent Kathy Cox was planning a visit to two of our DeKalb schools, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to have her visit with a group of engaged… parents (and) discuss education policy issues on the national and state level….”. Bryant, now an appointee to the state Board of Education, is recognized by some as representing the Governor’s office consulting with Clayton County’s school board in its remedial efforts in 2008.
Cox’s “Race to the Top” readiness report had some encouraging news, but the 90-minute session might have gone a bit differently if it had been ten days later. The DCPC January meeting predated the now-infamous potential fundraising and economic development disaster over public school testing irregularities.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the test flap will jeopardize the federal money, but from what Cox had to say, we are (or were) well prepared to receive the money. You see, “preparation” is one of the Feds primary criteria for awarding “racing” (as in ready, set, go) dollars. This program is not your grandfather’s government hand-out—the awards are focused on a review of a state’s long-term strategy for improvement and end results—“end” being post-secondary education and get this, professional placement.
According to Cox, here’s where we stand:
(1) Georgia is cooperating with a national consortium with several states signed on to set standards at a progressively higher standard. Note: there is no “federal” body, nor “federal” standard that can subsume a state’s independence.
(2) Georgia’s Performance Standards are a hybrid, formed from those in Massachusetts, Singapore and Japan, each being highly ranked worldwide in specific areas.
(3) Georgia is ranked very highly to receive Federal funds via President Obama’s “Race to the Top”. It is ranked third “Most Competitive” among what is classified as Tier 2 states (by population)—up to $400 million of the $4 billion total.
(4) Georgia’s graduation tests are subject to federal peer review and the science portion has received a federal “green light”.
(5) “Project Express”, exam preparation for re-taking social studies graduation tests has tripled “success rates”.
(6) All goals are “P-20”, from Pre-K to Post-Grad, meaning that all grades are taught to expect to do post-graduate work, whether at a 4-year university of a technology college.
(7) Georgia DOE, University System and Technical School System are working together seamlessly. Linked data now track secondary school graduates’ performance in post graduate institutions.
(8) Georgia has the second most technology schools of all states for post-graduate education.
(9) Technology education is free of charge with a Hope Scholarship available for anyone enrolling in a school (i.e., no B-average requirement). Technology schools may actually meet the requirement for future jobs better than four-year universities do in terms of total “trained” workforce.
(10) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Georgia the top Reform state, based on technology standards and performance.
DeKalb Superintendent Crawford Lewis attended the meeting. While leaving, Lewis mentioned his scheduled “weekend chats” about the 2010 budget constraints and priorities. At least one group, from the Huntley Hills Montessori program, took Lewis’ cue to express its concern for the possible elimination of the “choice” program.
Huntley Hills, Briar Vista and Midway elementary schools have Montessori options for students in their home districts. Huntley Hills parent, Amy Holmes-Chavez said that the elimination of the program would save the school system very little money relative to total cuts required, while dramatically affecting the neighborhoods that are served. In fact, the Chamblee area parent says it’s possible to run the program at a lower cost than traditional classrooms.
Holmes-Chavez wrote later in an e-mail, “Montessori has…worked among students across all income levels, across ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and across learning abilities.” Although the program is in neighborhood schools, the choice advocate said that there has always been room for kids that have their own transportation from other districts.
Huntley Hills Elementary School is a Title 1 school in the Chamblee area. Apparently, according to Chavez, more neighborhood families are choosing the public school now. She said the school has made AYP for the past seven (7) years, adding, “we've built a strong school with a rich diversity across ethnic groups.”
By Tom Doolittle
This is a belated report, but it may add some perspective to the statewide CRCT testing allegations that arose since the Cox January visit.
On January 29, State Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox visited the Northlake area—Mercer University’s Conference Center; Evansdale Elementary School and Lakeside High School. On the one hand, Cox’s presentation to the Dunwoody-Chamblee Parent Council (DCPC) at Mercer looked like one she would have made anywhere in the state. She came to talk about Georgia’s competitive position for a share of $4 billion “Race to the Top” funds from the Obama Administration. As a bonus, she delivered some spontaneous strong medicine for DeKalb’s stakeholders’ relations with each other and its school system.
The DeKalb remarks were spontaneous, as Cox took questions (comments, mostly) during a refreshing give-and-take while moving through her prepared presentation. Cox, after enduring comments about local budgetary plans and priorities in the midst of her higher-level strategic presentation, summed up the education leadership challenge in this bifurcated (“multi-furcated”?) urban/suburban county. Stopping the audience cold, the statewide official told an audience that included about thirty DCLP parents, “the problem in DeKalb is that you don’t trust each other”—meaning that stakeholders and communities throughout the county need to relate to each other so that that time and energy can be focused on “policy”, rather than pet issues.
Former DeKalb School’s Chairman William (Brad) Bryant, introduced Cox, complimenting the audience in advance as one that would demand a presentation with “some meat on it”—high level policy information and room for give-and-take. He explained afterward, “when I learned that Superintendent Kathy Cox was planning a visit to two of our DeKalb schools, it seemed like an excellent opportunity to have her visit with a group of engaged… parents (and) discuss education policy issues on the national and state level….”. Bryant, now an appointee to the state Board of Education, is recognized by some as representing the Governor’s office consulting with Clayton County’s school board in its remedial efforts in 2008.
Cox’s “Race to the Top” readiness report had some encouraging news, but the 90-minute session might have gone a bit differently if it had been ten days later. The DCPC January meeting predated the now-infamous potential fundraising and economic development disaster over public school testing irregularities.
It’s anybody’s guess whether the test flap will jeopardize the federal money, but from what Cox had to say, we are (or were) well prepared to receive the money. You see, “preparation” is one of the Feds primary criteria for awarding “racing” (as in ready, set, go) dollars. This program is not your grandfather’s government hand-out—the awards are focused on a review of a state’s long-term strategy for improvement and end results—“end” being post-secondary education and get this, professional placement.
According to Cox, here’s where we stand:
(1) Georgia is cooperating with a national consortium with several states signed on to set standards at a progressively higher standard. Note: there is no “federal” body, nor “federal” standard that can subsume a state’s independence.
(2) Georgia’s Performance Standards are a hybrid, formed from those in Massachusetts, Singapore and Japan, each being highly ranked worldwide in specific areas.
(3) Georgia is ranked very highly to receive Federal funds via President Obama’s “Race to the Top”. It is ranked third “Most Competitive” among what is classified as Tier 2 states (by population)—up to $400 million of the $4 billion total.
(4) Georgia’s graduation tests are subject to federal peer review and the science portion has received a federal “green light”.
(5) “Project Express”, exam preparation for re-taking social studies graduation tests has tripled “success rates”.
(6) All goals are “P-20”, from Pre-K to Post-Grad, meaning that all grades are taught to expect to do post-graduate work, whether at a 4-year university of a technology college.
(7) Georgia DOE, University System and Technical School System are working together seamlessly. Linked data now track secondary school graduates’ performance in post graduate institutions.
(8) Georgia has the second most technology schools of all states for post-graduate education.
(9) Technology education is free of charge with a Hope Scholarship available for anyone enrolling in a school (i.e., no B-average requirement). Technology schools may actually meet the requirement for future jobs better than four-year universities do in terms of total “trained” workforce.
(10) The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Georgia the top Reform state, based on technology standards and performance.
DeKalb Superintendent Crawford Lewis attended the meeting. While leaving, Lewis mentioned his scheduled “weekend chats” about the 2010 budget constraints and priorities. At least one group, from the Huntley Hills Montessori program, took Lewis’ cue to express its concern for the possible elimination of the “choice” program.
Huntley Hills, Briar Vista and Midway elementary schools have Montessori options for students in their home districts. Huntley Hills parent, Amy Holmes-Chavez said that the elimination of the program would save the school system very little money relative to total cuts required, while dramatically affecting the neighborhoods that are served. In fact, the Chamblee area parent says it’s possible to run the program at a lower cost than traditional classrooms.
Holmes-Chavez wrote later in an e-mail, “Montessori has…worked among students across all income levels, across ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and across learning abilities.” Although the program is in neighborhood schools, the choice advocate said that there has always been room for kids that have their own transportation from other districts.
Huntley Hills Elementary School is a Title 1 school in the Chamblee area. Apparently, according to Chavez, more neighborhood families are choosing the public school now. She said the school has made AYP for the past seven (7) years, adding, “we've built a strong school with a rich diversity across ethnic groups.”