Well, last night, without fanfare, but lots of speculation and rumors , B.W.P & Associates presented the names of seven candidates to be Huntsville’s next superintendent of education. H/T Ben at Flashpoint.
Before I give my critique/analysis of the finalist, let's recap the current state of public education in Huntsville. The United States Department of Justice told HCS don't even think about being released from the desegregation order because the schools were still segregated.
The District’s 2007-2008 overall student enrollment was 43.1% black and 48.7% white. However, the majority of the District’s 47 schools were racially identifiable black or white due to the composition of their respective student bodies.
Here is the *ahem* rationale for the segregation
The DoJ can’t force people to live where they don’t want to live (yet), so it is basically saying that either Huntsville must engage in massive busing or… engage in massive busing.
In addition,the prevailing attitude among the status quo is African American/Hispanic/low income students don't want to learn, have a lower IQ because they are black/brown, their parents aren't involved (what ever that means) or, the racial disparities are caused by unfairness in life.
Top it off with the local branch of the NAACP and other African Community Leaders saying they are sick and tired of black/brown/poor children getting the shaft and Huntsville City Schools ignoring the United States Supreme Court.
Oh, and did I mention the school system is in debt to the tune of $2o Million Dollarrs which caused a RIF (Reduction in Force) and three Principals have filed suit against the School Board and the former Superintendent?
Why anyone would want this job is a mystery to me. After a careful analysis of the candidates selected by B.W.P. and Associates I choose NONE OF THE ABOVE. The School Board either needs to get a refund or send B.W.P. back to the drawing board.
I like the Florence County S.C. Board of Trustees concept
The Florence County School District Three Board of Trustees is comprised of 9 members from seven voting districts. Each board members is elected to serve a three-year term. Each year, three trustee seats are up for election.
The board of trustees normally meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. A list of meeting dates and locations as well as meeting agendas have been posted to the website. Special meetings are scheduled as needed.
The board is charged with policy making, planning, goal setting, providing school buildings, and adopting an annual budget to finance instructional programs and services. Trustees must also be familiar with important legal decisions as well as state and national legislation and regulations.
Trustees do not receive a salary for their service to the district, but do receive a per Diem of $49 per month.
While some would rather concentrate on Dr. King's race, I mean controversial – mishandled rape charge plus many other disappointments,
he is the only candidate with a track record and a proven plan to improve student achievement.
Muncie Community Schools administrators, elementary principals, and elementary teachers have been successful in implementing, maintaining, and studying the student data results outlined in the “8-Step Process” now utilized in each of our nine elementary schools. Through a means of studying data derived from local assessments, our educators have provided intervention and support designed to improve student performance on the state exam.
Because our Spring 2010 ISTEP+ test scores showed significant improvement, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) recognized MCS last Fall for our successful implementation of the 8-Step Process in each of our elementary schools. We anticipate the Spring 2011 ISTEP+ test results will reveal continued improvement.
Based on our successful performance at the elementary level, the IDOE recently provided us the opportunity to pilot the process at the secondary level this Fall. Central High School administrators and teachers received training in the 8-Step Process March 14-18 in Indianapolis.
Muncie Community Schools is excited about the significant gains demonstrated by our elementary students using the 8-Step Process. The Process is composed of eight focal points: 1) Data Disaggregation, 2) Curriculum Timeline, 3) Instructional Focus, 4) Assessment, 5) Tutorials/Remediation, 6) Enrichment, 7) Maintenance, 8) and Monitor. We look forward to the full implementation of the 8-Step Process in our elementary schools and to working with the IDOE to pilot the process at Central High School this Fall.
E. Casey Wardynski has NO Educational background or experience. He would be better suited as Comptroller not the Instructional Leader.
For the past 15 years, Wardynski has provided the Secretary of the Army and senior Army leaders with strategic advice and program management to more effectively convert tens of billions of dollars of fiscal resources into new programs that develop a more capable Army workforce. He has also been responsible for all financial aspects of major innovations such as the $150 million Army Game Project, an online career development exploration game, which gained national recognition from Harvard University and the Council for Excellence in Government.
What Mom said;
It doesn’t seem to matter what I do to help the schools, what I say, etc. I have no power to change anything anyway and it doesn’t look the school board is going to change any time soon. I mean, didn’t they get us into this whole mess to begin with and now we are trusting them to make decisions to fix it??
How could they have NOT known they were spending millions beyond the amount they had to spend??? When they said “sure, let’s sign that. We’ll spend a few million on that project”, couldn’t they see that there were no millions for them to spend?? I just don’t get it. And now the solution is to lower the salaries of the teachers so we can pay it back? Now that’s a great idea: let’s make sure we destroy the moral of the teachers we have left in the system.
And these are the people choosing the next superintendent? Why on earth should I expect anything to change for the good?
I hate to sound cliche', but we have to be the change we are waiting for. The School Board works for us, not the other way around. If we aren't happy with the candidates it is our duty and our right to let them know. Education is the HOPE of the Republican. No Education. No Hope.
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