It is beginning to feel as though the groundhog's proclamation for the continuation of winter was not very accurate. This series of great weather days, along with a mild temperature has set spirits into a positive frame across the District. I have recently been to several of the building, had meeting with building principals in their offices and talked with staff in their buildings. I feel the weather has been very helpful, as well as our staff, students and parents, in bringing forward a positive atmosphere. (Of course the mild weather also helps to lower our fuel bills!)
The Board has asked for a tentative listing of Superintendent Goals for next year, FY’10. A number of actions and events are sharing our future needs. However in working towards our District Visions, following the strategic plan, the objectives that we have previously agreed as having strategic importance to the District, in the strategic areas of Instruction, Environment, and Community are;
Instruction
2010-11; create school improvement plans for all schools to cause 2% increase in proficient students annually.
2009; implement policies, procedures, and actions to increase attendance, reduce truancy, and lower drop out rate.
2010-12; fully implement
CDL program in
Schoenbar.
2010-2012; Recruit and Retain staff, establish Human Resources Department at Director level.
Environment
2010; establish procedures for Elementary school counselors, home/school liaisons, individual school environmental statements.
2010; upgrade playgrounds, apply DEED (Department of Education and Early Development) grant funds for safety improvements, and establish Borough procedures on
CIP programs.
Community
2010; create budget that is reflective of student population
Submit two-year budget.
2010; develop Borough funding procedures on reserves, outside the CAP (funding limit imposed by DEED), Capital Improvement Projects.
Action items at this time, that I project as important for achieving those objectives is a quality manner include in-service programs and staff development to continue the
RTI implementation, developing budget plans that reflect the student population as of November 1, 2009, improve A-T-D processes (Attendance, Truancy, and Dropout), and complete the playground improvement project.
I welcome a retreat with the Board to further define goals and direction for FY ’10. An April time frame is desirable for that retreat. That allows for staffing, training, planning, and funding programs should it be necessary.
