This week the 9-R Board is holding 3 public forums at Miller Middle School from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Read the Durango Herald's Jan. 16 story for the names and backgrounds of the candidates. (See Herald )
The choice from this short list of three candidates has been described as "the most important decision this board will ever make."
If you go:
The board will appreciate your thoughtful questions about each candidate's ability to address the concerns our own community has raised in the past few years - particularly how they would go about restoring and mending community relationships - see the report prepared by the search firm based on responses they attribute to 225 individuals. We all know and hear about our strengths - great setting and wonderful community - but it is important that we consider the list of concerns that have been raised.
Read the report online or if you're pressed for time, some of the concerns consistently expressed are listed below. We encourage your participation, even if you just attend just to listen! One of these three individuals will take the reins of what many believe to be our most important local institution.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGES OR ISSUES FACING THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT?
CONSISTENTLY REPORTED
Need programs that serve the needs of all students in the community including those who do not plan to attend college
Support for students at risk
Teacher salaries are too low considering the cost of living and as compared to the state average
Lack of trust - within the district and from parents and the community toward the district
Teachers and administrators are overwhelmed with the number of programs and reporting activities that are required
Demographic shift within the community - Diverse opinions among different factions of the community about the needs of students and direction of the district has led to polarizationLack of a long-range plan
Professional Learning Communities need continued support and evaluation
Too many programs – need to focus
Need for high school reform
Poor communications
Top-down decision-making
Too many federal and state mandates
Perception that a small group of people has undue influence with the Board of Education
Superintendent needs to spend more time in the schools
Drug and alcohol use and sexual activity of teens
Need to make full use of community resources and programs
Low morale of employees
Inconsistent management of each school – too much site based decision making
CURRENT, FUTURE AND FORMER BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS
New Board of Education will need to review Robert’s Rules of Order and similar protocols
The transition from middle school to high school
Teacher evaluation system needs to be revised
Review the resources allocated to the elementary, middle and high school levels
Are we providing enough challenge for students
Guidance counselors need to provide more direct assistance to students
The grading system
The Board of Education is mired in too many issues
Making students leaders for the future
Need to expand experiential learning opportunities for studentsCOMMMUNITY and BUSINESS LEADERS
Parents and community members need a vehicle to communicate concerns and discuss educational issues
Parents feel marginalized
Few options for students who struggle
Need multiple pathways to graduation
Failure to engage the community
High school is too large
District is reactionary to multiple issues
Achievement of children of color
Some educational and corporate resources not being utilized
District needs to be proactive
Need more options for students
Special education issues
Support for teachers to take classes
Need more coordination between the district and Fort Lewis College
Not enough professional development
Impact of Animas High School and private schools
Contract negotiations
Need additional emergency training
Open campus creates a safety issue
Drop out rate – especially among minorities
Structure of school board meetings does not foster involvement
Political mandates (e.g.: CSAP testing)
Need to help students learn how to process information
Curriculum needs to be more experiential and engaging
Basic math skills are weak
Lack of transportation for after school activities
Student teacher ratios
Adjusting to growth and change within the community
Teaching to the lowest common denominator because of NCLB
COMMMUNITY and BUSINESS LEADERS (Cont.)
Inconsistency in carrying out high school athletic programs
District leadership needs to establish a vision for social-emotional education
Need more ethnic diversity among staff
Too much standardized testing
The trimester calendar
Lack of true career counseling – not everyone should go to college
Balancing holistic education and achieving the required test scores
Transportation costs
PARENTS
More support needed for at-risk, disabled and minority students
Retention of teachers and administrators
Wide variation in values and expectations of parents and community
The achievement gap
Need to promote from within
Need a firm attendance policy
Funding is insufficient
Role of DAAC needs to be clarified and supported
Size of high school too large
Declining participation of parents in middle and high schools
ADMINISTRATORS
Organizational structure needs to put the superintendent closer to schools and principals
High school needs to pay more attention to the whole child – (e.g.: drug & alcohol programs, tutoring)
We need to be open to reveal our weaknesses in order to keep improving
Relationship between the central office and the school sites needs to be improved
Wide range of opinions within the community related to school issues
Program inconsistencies at elementary and middle schools (e.g.: report cards at elementary schools)
Inexperience of the Board
Better use of policy governance
Micromanagement by the Board of Education
Need to provide mentoring to new principals
Professional development needs to be more focused and requires follow up
We’re being pulled in too many directions and can’t focus as a result
We can’t rest on our laurels – We have to keep improving
Realign budget priorities
Cultural Competency program needs to be supported
Technology needs to be a funded priority
ADMINISTRATORS (Cont.)
Need to review and evaluate PLC’s to explore new ideas for school improvement
Need to develop internal student assessments and refine data-based decision making
Too many written reports required
Need student-centered budgeting
The organization is not structured for student performance
Need to reevaluate the structure of superintendent’s cabinet
Teacher, support staff, administrative and BOCES salaries too low
The conflict between site-based and centralized decision-making needs to be addressed
We need to look at 21st Century competencies
Need to hire a new CFO
Professional development
Community of privilege
