Owens brings fresh air - Save the date: Sept. 23rd

Direct from the 9-R Website

The Durango School District website is running a very exciting announcement. Who wouldn't come be part of such an event? Thank you, Dr. Owen and staff for a bold invitation. This community is ready!

"Public education is trapped in a pattern of conflicting demands and difficult dilemmas that cannot be overcome by reforming unworkable systems. Only through a radically new approach of creating complete strategic systems can educational leaders create and maintain a system of learning that is worthy of all our students. On September 23rd, 2008, teachers, parents, students, and the community are all invited to a basic Strategic Planning Awareness Session to introduce our district to the Strategic Planning Process.

We will be exploring the need for change, discussing planning philosophies and the process of Strategic Planning and the most effective method of implementation. The Strategic Design allows for school districts and communities to facilitate their own plans, to extend the process throughout the schools, and to sustain continuous creation.

To develop this strategic plan, the school district needs parents, students, and community leaders as a whole to be involved; in other words, we need public input to be successful.

At this time, an evening session is planned for the community beginning at 6 p.m. on September 23. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at 247-5411, ext 1440."

Day One: New beginnings

Welcome to Durango, Mr. Owen!

We applaud your choice to relocate your family and your life's work to our energetic and vibrant community. We hope you will quickly discover how many ordinary citizens here with extraordinary talents hold a desire to contribute to the public education system.

Most people would give their eyeteeth to participate in a robust civic life, if they could first envision one, and then see their way in. Democracy comes alive when "official leaders" welcome the "unofficial and ordinary leaders" all around them. It makes a huge difference to share the heavy lifting - a privilege and a responsibility that comes with the territory of democracy.

This community looks forward to working with you on behalf of the next generation and their collective future.

"Good leadership is not a matter of getting everyone to follow you. Good leadership is helping the group or community make the best out of each individual's contribution. A good leader organizes or catalyzes a partnership of thought and action that cultivates and harvests each member's unique contribution for collective understanding and success. The best leaders are like the best teachers and parents: They enable their groups to independently nurture and utilize their wisdom and resources."

Tom Atlee, “Deep Democracy and Community Wisdom“

9-R Budget Hearing came and went

There's a lot happening right at the end of the year and as usual, attendance at 9-R's budget hearing was sparse. Three people testified on June 10 - Mimi Thurston, Vickie Gallegos and Bliss Bruen. It's a $39 million budget. Surely more attention should be paid.

The 9-R website still isn't terribly user friendly but to hear testimony and download the budget summary - a very thin document given what $39 million looks like - first find Board Docs
Choose "Enter Public Site" - find June 10th and go to "Hearing."

Next Tuesday night, June 24, the board has to approve the 2008-09 budget. Billed as "preliminary," it typically changes very little between June and October when the final "count" of students is taken.

Now is the time to speak up, if you have any thoughts at all about how you'd like to see $39 million spent.

While the board president a few years ago described it as a "moral document," 9-R consistently keeps budget information and budget hearings under the radar. We remarked that they made no mention on their website, nor any Education Brief and thus should not have been surprised to find almost no one in attendance. This is in contrast to the City of Durango which had a full house at its last budget hearing. Kudos to them.

The new superintendent plans to involve the community in creating a strategic plan which will allow for much more insight (and oversight). You should be interested to know that the District plans to place a mill levy or bond on the 2009 ballot. Before going to the voters, the board must demonstrate it has thoroughly explored other alternatives. That was the tone of the public's contributions and to their credit the board was attentive. They were working with the same slim documents available on the website.

RE: questions asked: superintendent's reference to "declining grants" in her introduction was explained as costs going up and grants staying steady - then why state it that way? Are we getting the whole story about federal grants? Word around town says 9-R is required to pay back funds resulting from mistakes of past years. It's much better to come clean, if that's the case. Again, voters increasingly demand transparency and tend to understand when honest mistakes are acknowledged.

9-R's expanded afterschool program, Kids Kamp's financial challenges - the superintendent says overruns will be taken care of by raising fees and better collecting from parents. The suggestion for a conversation about getting more partners and support... whether it might not be worthy of some level of subsidy was ignored in her response. Given that afterschool care was suddenly thrust on parents last year with the Friday early release time, this isn't just "babysitting." And it's been a huge task to get up and running.

Big news in the budget narrative is that we are getting a second high school -via the transformation of Durango Academy into a "Big Picture School" in 2009 ... as an alternative "at-risk" school. When did we get to discuss this? But more important, if the board approves the budget as presented what commitment does this mean they are making for Durango Academy as it moves into its third and fourth years? Tracking the money of the past two years at some $600,000 a year, what should we expect in 2009? Will there be minimums set for the number of students served? Most important, why this model and not another? We've waited a long time for a second high school and a community process might well have found support for an entirely different model.
The budget approval is the first step in launching this new entity. There are questions still to be answered about this and also about whether sufficient resources are being allocated for DHS to succeed as it creates four new schools within its school. For more on that read June 8 story in The Oregonian: "After four years, Portland and Hillsboro academies find no more progress than the big high schools they replaced"
The task of creating small schools inside a big large school may have its own problems.

Last chance for public comment is next Tuesday, June 24, at 5:30 p.m. at the Adminstration Building on 12th Street, across the street from the Durango Public Library. Walk up the steps and board room is straight ahead.

Welcome, Dr. Owen

Wonderful news: Dr. Keith Owen has accepted the offer from our Durango School Board to become our new Durango School District superintendent effective July 1st.

Congratulations are in order for him and appreciation for the board members and their steadfast commitment to including the public in the search process.

Dr. Owen was well received at the recent public forum for his fresh ideas and abundant energy, his leadership as an elementary school principal and developer of a remarkable reading program, and most recently, as Chief Academic Officer for the Pueblo School District.

Read more at the Durango School District website.

Are the stars aligned for a community conversation?

Could the flap about “honors robes” be the spark that finally gets us talking? Perhaps, but only if district dynamics change. Is that likely? Well, for one thing, whoever becomes 9-R Superintendent July 1 will be charged with opening up some doors. "How would you go about restoring trust?" has been the central question posed to every candidate.

What if we were to get ahead of the curve and start now instead of waiting for the next leader to save us?

What if we were to step back, hold our thoughts, and give Principal Lashinsky a decent chance to be heard? While she is almost certain to reinstate the honor robes, let's not miss an opportunity to get to the heart of a larger picture. This is an opening to hear more about the paths of all our children on their way to graduation.

Let’s hope negotiations with Dr. Keith Owens succeed. Owens achieved spectacular results as an elementary principal in Pueblo. Stressed with that community's far more challenging obstacles, Owens appears to have helped all sides meet around a table for public talk. It sounds like the real thing. As a result, Pueblo developed a new strategic plan - with goals that required big changes in district structure. Asked at our public forum what had needed to be sacrificed for Pueblo's big changes, Owens replied they'd had to “sacrifice a system designed to reward adults with one designed to benefit children.” If Owens is hired, we can expect changes, including a fresh look at Policy Governance. Hopefully, that will translate into more democratic arrangements for all of us.

If we can count on change coming, why not help jump start it now?

First, let's agree: Principal Lashinsky has inherited a challenging civic environment, not of her own making.

Second, let's catch our breath, hold our thoughts, and give her a chance! Rushing to judgment before she makes her case is hardly fair. She will address voices of disappointment and frustration. She has to, because she needs our support for the full plate we've given her. Implementing DHS's small learning communities next year is not going to be a piece of cake.

With letters from more than just the parents of honor students, clearly, Lashinsky's decision has hit a nerve. This is about more than graduation traditions for top academic achievers. This is our town's take on the larger question of an American culture becoming increasingly anti-intellectual.

What do we have to lose? We can always go back to being really mad, but alternatively, we might end up with a much clearer picture of who we are and what we are willing to contribute.

Links:
April 24, 2008 9-R Looks at Grading System
April 17, 2008 Honor robes out for graduation
Students with perfect GPAs protest principal’s decision

Dear (9-R?) Anonymous

Interesting data from yet another "anonymous" yesterday, suitable for "9-R E-Notes" but off topic here, where no one has been discussing graduation rates. Comments here focus on the persistent 9-R leadership problem once again growing acute - all prompted by Herald coverage of Mary Barter's recent actions to reprimand a 9-R Board member who, yes, is outspoken and yes, "rough around the edges" - by his own admission. However, that doesn't give anyone a green light to intentionally manipulate a situation to discredit him, does it?

Unfortunately for all of us, Barter's apparent "rush to judgment" could be interpreted as an opportunity to publicly confirm some unsubstantiated rumors that she reportedly leaked to key community leaders in 2005 -rumors that have been recirculating since November when Lynch joined the School Board. What's most unfair about rumors is the way they put someone in the position of being assumed guilty until proven innocent. In that context, the board's vote to pull the discussion item about Mr. Lynch's "behavior" from Tuesday's agenda should raise eyebrows. (The agenda item's language was posted verbatim in comments a few days ago here)

What prompted the board to table the discussion last Tuesday? Only one member voted to keep the discussion on track. She was right to do so. An open discussion at that time would have provided the transparency needed for all concerned, (board, public, parents) to know what's been going on. Given that it might have led to Mr. Lynch's vindication, why was it tabled? Did the arrival of last minute information contradict Mary Barter's version of the truth? Is it possible that Barter could knowingly have misled the board about the supposed "disruptive conduct" at DHS. Lynch has made himself an easy target with his atypical board demeanor – a far cry from what some once described as the “clubby congeniality" that led board members to defer to the Superintendent Barter as their “eighth board member.”

But things have actually been different with 9-R's new board. They do speak up from time to time. Not as often as some would like, but questions of substance and concern have been asked that would never have seen daylight in the past. Last year, some key board members paid a price for pushing the envelope by persisting in getting unfiltered information about the culture at Durango High School. (Recall FOIA requests by media and community to access that information one year ago? Things went to hell in a handbasket pretty quickly in the confusion that resulted.) The air has never cleared. On March 2, commenting on the difficulties of the current search process, a Herald editorial noted that "deep divisions" within 9-R persist, exacerbated by "a culture of secrecy."

The board is again working in less than ideal circumstances. They did not invent this culture - they inherited it - but now they are the only ones who can change it. More than a few people are upset about Superintendent Barter reprimanding an elected official. Can anyone envision City Manager LeBlanc issuing a "reprimand" and threatening legal action against a City Councilor? More likely, wouldn't he or any other local leader first initiate a conversation with the full Council? Who's ultimately in charge of the way 9-R is run?

What is particularly disturbing is the pattern in which Mr. Lynch's actions again seem to have been blown out of proportion. For what end? In 2005 the unsubstantiated rumors about Mr. Lynch's character leaked to a key community leader were later denied. But as rumors, the charges developed a life of their own. We suspect these were also used at some point to influence the Board in a private Executive Session. It is our understanding that only a judge can obtain access to the recordings of an Executive Session. Will that ultimately be necessary? We hope not. Would an apology make any difference at this stage?

Barter has stated publicly that "this is a community that thrives on word of mouth." Who are we becoming as a community, if we quietly retreat in the face of what looks very much like an abuse of power? At the least, we must raise questions and insist that the board gather all the facts, and only then make a determination based on full input, not word of mouth.

A year ago, after much public acrimony, the board committed itself to playing a more active and visible role on our behalf. We hope they will find their way now in restoring trust, transparency and openness.

What is needed is honesty in all public dealings, nothing less, as they address board and superintendent roles and behaviors. It is possible they could eventually be facing a dangerous liability situation. Whether a lawsuit results or not, a very sad situation has been allowed to develop on this superintendent's watch. For someone with the skills and savvy that our superintendent possesses, it's puzzling and troubling to witness.

So, Ms. or Mr. "anonymous" - why not request a durangoschools.org blog to discuss 9-R's phenomenal success with the achievement gap. For now, on this site, we are hungry for a community conversation about modeling of higher standards of public behavior. This latest incident with Lynch only makes changes in 9-R leadership and its relationships more urgent. With the superintendent search process in full swing, we wish the board and committee members the best!

Time to reinvent, not reform?

“The current public education system at the K–12 level is broken. Can it be fixed? No, says Tough Choices, Tough Times, it has to be replaced. This is more than a wake-up call. It is a call to arms," says Albert Simone, President, of Rochester Institute of Technology, of a controversial report that Colorado's educational professionals have been working with for over a year.

The education bill released last week that was supposedly convened in response to this report misses the mark, ignoring the fact that students are "born with different gifts, cherish different ambitions, set different goals for themselves," says local emeritus education professor Jurgen Herbst.

Two Colorado educators - Rona Wilensky in the Denver Post – and Herbst in the Durango Herald – are critiquing the new bill - known as CAP4K - for failing to deliver on the systemic changes of 'Tough Choices. ' Read Herbst's "One Size Does Not Fit All" ( Durango Herald 3/23/08)

Both educators point out that children come to school with vast differences. "There are large differences between preparing all kids for post-secondary education and preparing all kids for college classes."

Wilensky's concern is "when we raise the bar without increasing supports, we set students up for failure. If this were just another bureaucratic exercise it wouldn’t matter, but when real live students will be disenfranchised by the hyper-academic focus of the post secondary and workforce readiness program … the human costs of this misguided public policy become more apparent."

Herbst argues that not every student should be preparing for an academic higher education. He sees students not as "passive recipients of educational goods, but as curious, questioning inquirers" worthy of a system where "teachers as true educators respond to the interests of their students with imagination and enthusiasm and lead them to become imaginative, inquiring individuals."

What do you think? Is K-12 broken? If so, can it be repaired or should we be thinking "reinvention?" Is that even possible?

Look at "One Kid at a Time: Big Lessons from a Small School" if you’re interested in reinvention. Deborah Meier, educational visionary and founder of many small schools recommends it to see how “preparing young people for the 'real world' works best when it is intensely caring, relevant, community-focused, and tailored to the limitless varieties of our children's passions and concerns. "

Students and teachers from Durango's Community of Learners Charter School interviewed Deborah Meier in Boston in 1999 at her Mission Hill School, a place that could be characterized by those same words. The Durango education community is once again ripe for reinvention, and should not have to “make do” with reform.

Search process continues

Are you interested in serving alongside 9-R Board as superintendent search resumes? Details in Herald 3/22/08. Letter of interest due Thursday 3/27 by 5 pm.

The 9-R website says that in addition to the seven board members, seven community/school representatives "will have a substantive role in the process, including access to the same information that the board does."

Letters expressing interest in serving on their newly forming search committee must be sent by Thursday (3/27) by 5 p.m. to Board Clerk Kristi Rodri at the 9-R administration building, 201 E. 12th St. The board will select the committee members during their meeting on April 1.

For more information, contact Jeff Schell at 375-7721

Kristi Rodri, Executive Assistant
Phone: (970) 247-5411, ext. 1448
Fax: (970) 247-9581
krodri@durango.k12.co.us

It's not easy being a board member, these days, or ever. Forced back to "square one" in the superintendent hiring process, they deserves thanks for going the extra mile to create meaningful ways for the public, teachers, parents, and at least one student representative, to participate directly in this important process. We wish them and ourselves the best of luck as they move forward.

New 9-R Superintendent Interviews this week at Miller

If you've ever thought your participation in local education decision making could make a difference, now's the time to find out. The 9-R School Board last spring voted not to extend our current superintendent, Mary Barter's, contract beyond June 2008.

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 polarization

Lack 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 students

COMMMUNITY 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 21^st Century competencies

Need to hire a new CFO

Professional development

Community of privilege

Superintendent concerned about 9-R budget as 44 apply for top position

A few years ago board members were warned it would be very difficult to find superintendent candidates willing to come to Durango. At the time, that sounded a bit ludicrous given the amenities of our beautiful setting and superb community.

Now with 44 applications, the search firm of Hazard, Young, Attea must winnow the list to a reasonable 5 or 6 for board members to interview in January.

The firm recently presented a summary of community concerns and opinions they heard during visits to our community. It is useful reading, both as an affirmation of our strengths and as confirmation that changes are in order - more support for teachers, improved communications with public, and a better long range plan.

We wish the search team and board members well and look forward to meeting candidates next month.

Questions candidates could face might include their response to the superintendent's assessment of pending financial troubles. In addition to fears of falling enrollment, Barter recently referred to Durango Academy and the High School's reorganization as "potential wild cards."

We live in interesting times. With a positive attitude, an energetic candidate could find this an opportune moment to tap into this community's reservoirs of creativity and talent.

Time now to comment on your dream superintendent!

Who would you like to see at the helm of Durango's schools?

Do you have a favorite person in mind or can you describe the qualities you most want in a leader? It could be years before we have this chance again.

9-R District Board members are currently engaged in the search for a new leader.

The Herald recently noted sparse attendance at the community open houses, but it's not too late to put in a word. Superintendent meeting draws 3 "Officials say they want public input about hiring a new superintendent... but members of the public did not clamor to do so." In response, several letters have appeared suggesting that "because 9-R never listens" it wasn't worth attending. Not true. We believe the new board not only listens, it is eager to move our district forward in positive, innovative ways. But they need to hear from us.

If you prefer to bypass the 9-R Information Office, comments can be sent directly to the search team c/o the website of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. The firm is scheduled to present a summary of our community comments at the board's Nov. 27 meeting. Make sure yours get counted.

While an initial deadline has passed, we can't imagine the search team excluding honest input that comes in soon. Request the Leadership Profile Form ... or simply share your views on 9-R's strengths and weaknesses, but mostly tell them what qualities and criteria you want the board to use in evaluating the candidates.

For more info
Oct. 2, Herald article:
Durango 9-R Jumps Into Search

Congratulations Animas High Committee

"State board OKs Animas High charter"
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2007 Durango Herald

After more than a year of planning, a five member board of community minded parents has gained the approval of the State's Charter Institute to move forward with plans to open a new, small high school for Durango area students next August.

Much more work now lies ahead to make the dream a reality. Interested families and students can contact organizers through the Animas High School website.

Read more the educational philosophy and research behind this proposal.

Congratulations and thanks to the committee for their hard work in creating this opportunity for Durango families.

Supporting the new Animas High Charter proposal

Back in 2002, with an $84.5 million bond for school construction, many of us tried to get a "small schools" conversation started - all the research showed small schools outperforming the large comprehensive model of two thousand students.

When the superintendent told the school board that a "second high school" would cost an extra million dollars a year right off the bat, members decided not to "go there" and a public conversation about school models never happened, except in the Letters to the Editor pages. The public information campaign to get out the vote then assured voters that "small schools research didn't apply in communities like ours."

Fast forward five years -- community organizers today have created a very comprehensive proposal for a "small high school" (450 students) and will be engaged in the next few weeks in presenting their model to the Colorado Charter School Institute.

Browse the website of Animas High School. Read the Durango Herald's recent excellent editorial. Take a look at the educational philosophy and research behind this proposal and think about our options.

Those of us who believe in choices, flexibility, and innovation are excited by the positive energy being directed toward such a wonderful project. Read about their model - the original High Tech High in San Diego.

“Building strong school communities means fighting the social trend of bigger everything.”
--Ron Berger, An Ethic of Excellence

AND if you wish to show support, the best way is to attend a public forum sponsored by the Colorado Charter Institute Monday 9/24/07 at 6:30 to the Durango Rec Center. They need to hear what parents, students and community members think about the need for educational choices for our Durango students.

NOTE: The CCI forum had standing room only. See Herald 9/25/07 Parents turn out in force to support Animas High

Saturday is "School Board Education Day"

Great news!

If you've ever thought about serving on one of our local school boards, now is the time to find out what's involved and the League of Women Voters is going to make this easy for you!

You are invited to a working breakfast educational session this Sat. a.m, 8/11/07, from 8:30 to noon at Mercy Medical Center, Conference Room A, in their Three Springs location at Grandview off Highway 160. Call Pam Patton at 884-2206 for more information.

The current presidents of all three local school boards wrote a complete story with deadline dates and locations for filing nomination petitions in Sunday's Herald.(Take Your Seat: Durango Herald Aug. 5, 2007)

With 11 seats open in November in Durango, Ignacio and Bayfield, and many new arrivals in the 9-R system, we look forward to the exciting possibilities that may unfold this fall.

“Survey Results Criticize, Praise” Durango Herald, Sunday, July 8, 2007

Kudos to the Durango Herald and the unidentified “third party” who provided the newspaper with a copy of 9-R’s “secret” survey in July. We were not alone in hoping for improvements in the high school culture and the 9-R work environment.

Tackling the 64 pages of single spaced comments by teachers, staff, students and parents now might lead to a sea change in culture and communications -- between teachers, parents, the public and District staff and students – but only if all parties are included in an honest community dialogue.

While District administrators insist this survey will stifle “frank and honest discussion,” we believe the opposite - coming clean and facing real concerns head-on is 9-R’s best path out of its recent quagmire. Especially with new personnel this fall, let's hope the District' sheds its mantra of "Don't listen to naysayers and critics; let's move on!"

In refusing two open records requests (of 4/21 and 5/1/07), Supt. Barter’s reluctance to allow the public to read any “raw data” now looks increasingly self-serving. She insisted that “personally identifiable information” would be harmful to those who made comments - but reading comments printed in Sunday's Herald suggests that the harm would be to the superintendent herself, and at least one other high level administrator, definitely not the teachers she has claimed to be protecting.

According to the Herald, negative comments about 9-R Central Administration were made by some 25 staff members and positive comments by 13.

Some of the 2006-07 staff comments resonate with a report made two years ago by outside consultant Robert Tschirki. 2005 Herald story.

"9-R embodies the philosophy of: when we want your opinion, we’ll give it to you. Anyone who speaks out against any idea forwarded by administration is harassed, bullied and intimidated into submission.”

“Teachers feel there will be retribution if they get out of line."

With over 1500 comments on everything from school climate and size, drug and alcohol use, student safety, the open campus at lunchtime to the high school's dress code, survey results could form the basis of a productive community conversation -- but that cannot happen if 9-R continues to deny their relevance.

A majority of board members have indicated that the comments themselves are more useful than the quantitative synthesis substituted in deference to teachers who feared that a public reading would make their lives more difficult.

This is a community that supports its teachers. Barter's claim that it would be harmful to allow the public to read 9-R survey results has an increasingly hollow ring. To ignore them because they aren't "scientifically sound" doesn't make good sense. To find out more does.

9-R Board public forum a success!

It may have been only 15 parents and citizens who showed up last week, but the information and ideas flowed freely. Individuals who arrived with their individual concerns, left with new acquaintances and a sense of who are board members are, what they care about.

Congratulations to this "new" board for encouraging the public to help prioritize some opportunities and actions that will make our schools even better.

This is what Policy Governance requires - "linking" with the "owners of the system."

What a difference in mood and tone from the adversarial settings that have been standard fare for parents in the past.

And stay tuned for details of discussion items moving to the center of a public conversation. Better yet, share your own concerns here for comment. But next time you read of a 9-R Board open forum, make arrangements to attend; it will be worth your while and we will all benefit.

Example: A homeschooling parent whose son will enter DHS this fall raised a concern about dropping enrollment in arts and theater classes that may be inadvertently be caused by new graduation requirements. The groups urged further exploration of graduation requirements and a commitment to flexibility - and a commitment to individualized plans for all students. This is a community that thinks out of the box and wants every child to have an appropriate educational path.

Progress!

Read story in Herald about May 15, 2007 forum.

Supreme Court levels legal playing field for parents

Justices Rule on Education Lawsuits

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: May 21, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Parents need not hire a lawyer to sue public school districts over their children's special education needs, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.

The decision came in the case of an autistic boy from Ohio, whose parents argued they were effectively denied access to the courts because they could not afford a lawyer.

Federal law gives every child the right to a free appropriate public education, which in the case of special needs children sometimes means enrollment in a private facility.

But most federal courts had concluded that parents who are not lawyers and who want to challenge decisions have to hire an attorney to represent them.

Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the court, said parents have legal rights under the Individuals With Disabilities in Education Act, the main federal special education law.

''They are, as a result, entitled to prosecute IDEA claims on their own behalf,'' Kennedy said.

The court sided with Jeff and Sandee Winkelman and their son, Jacob, in their fight against the Parma, Ohio school district.

The Winkelmans can't afford a lawyer or the cost of private schooling for Jacob. Neither parent is a lawyer.

The parents objected to the Parma schools' plan to educate Jacob at a public school. They wanted the district to pay for his $56,000 yearly enrollment in a private school that specializes in educating autistic children.

The Winkelmans have spent about $30,000 in legal fees since first contesting Jacob's treatment in 2003. Jeff Winkelman has taken a second job while his wife has researched previous court rulings and written her own filings.

Sandee Winkelman said she might press the case on behalf of her 9-year-old son with one of several attorneys who have offered to represent the family for free. If that doesn't work out, she said, the family would proceed without an attorney.

''I would prefer to give Jacob the best chance with an attorney. That's the best-case scenario,'' she said after the ruling was announced. ''I'm very pleased. It restored a lot of faith I have in the system.''

It is unclear how many parents forgo lawsuits because they can't afford them, although advocates for disabled children said in court papers that most parents of disabled children lack the means to hire a lawyer.

Parents unhappy with a district's plan can appeal the decision through an administrative process. If they remain dissatisfied, they can file a civil lawsuit on their child's behalf, federal courts have said. At that point, however, most courts have said the parents must hire a lawyer.

Whether Jacob should have private schooling at public expense was not before the Supreme Court, only his parents' right to go into federal court without a lawyer.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had ruled in the school district's favor. Monday's ruling overturned that decision.

The case number is Winkelman v. Parma City School District, 05-983.

What's on the big list so far?

The 9-R Board has compiled a list of concerns which can be accessed here. We hope others are added. Here are a few that we have heard and believe must be addressed if real change is to occur.

Communication with the public
If Policy Governance continues, commit to using the whole model. Continue to build in opportunities for unfiltered information exchange between you and the public.

District culture Make sure that teachers, parents, students and community members are being treated respectfully. Connect the dots. Look carefully at all the new school choices popping up in our community. Are things as rosy as 9-R's press releases suggest? We repeat: find ways to listen to parents, students, teachers and community.

Dyslexia and other special education programs
What is behind the attitude from top administration that has produced so much angst? The exciting fields of brain research have revolutionized approaches to learning disabilities. Have 9-R teachers been offered the professional development to keep current? Why so much denial? How has 9-R responded to concerned parents?

9-R and dyslexia: Parents’ concerns deserve public discussion
9-R Touts ability to help dyslexic
Mother requests waiver for foreign language
Liberty School to open in September: private school to tackle dyslexia

Go back to "culture" above and ask: are top officials treating everyone with respect?

Denial and defensive posture of Administration
Is "never having to say you're sorry" the most helpful strategy for dealing with public and staff? Track legal expenses for patterns behind lawsuits against 9-R.

9-R's $35 million budget -big picture thinking?
Make public participation in 9-R budget matters a priority. This community is deeply interested in choices made for academic programs. There are many models for including public in prioritizing expenditures.

Opening lines of communication

Congratulations to the 9-R School Board for making good on its promise for change!

Recent plans for quarterly public forums move the board a step in the right direction.

Board members are inviting the community to show up Tuesday at 5 p.m. to look over a large list of concerns they plan to address this coming year. Their list is based on what was said at an "open forum" in March, along with the now infamous "DHS Survey" comments. Before they begin to prioritize the list for next fall, they want to make sure it is as complete as possible. This is your chance. If you can't come, send an email or a friend to speak in your place.

If you come: Think about what you want to happen for our children. Bring positive ideas along with concerns. Tuesday's format is for small group settings, so you need not fear a microphone or stage fright. Plus: you will have the ear of at least one board member and a chance to connect with others interested enough to come out for our public school system.

Tuesday's forum is similar to models that citizens and individual board members have asked for since 2003. We hope it is successful. With little advance notice the turnout may be light, but today's Durango Herald editorial should help with recruiting.

"What is needed is openness..."

On March 16, the Durango Herald editorialized:

"...the board must look to how it and the district got to where they are. What is needed is openness and real public involvement..."

One month into the new order, we seem to be crashing into another iceberg. Underneath the surface is a narrative of 1500 comments we will never see, made by our neighbors - DHS students, parents, and teachers - discussing leadership at the high school, the district office and the school board level.

The superintendent, 9-R legal counsel and a committee of teachers have persuaded the board that some 70 pages of narrative comments should never reach the public. (read)

Real public involvement means we see ourselves as partners, working on the same page. That will never happen as long as we're viewed as the enemy. Someone or something keeps getting between us and mucking up the communications loop.

A strategic plan was approved a year ago that will take DHS from "Great to Greater." We know there are great things going on with faculty and students in many departments. We are proud of them, but we know there are also problems. Now it sounds like there may be "big problems." The official word seems to be "Trust us." Can we?