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.