Wag the Dog

Janet Evans has been an exemplary blogger in the reporting of Franklin School Board activities.

As I can not attend all the Board meetings, Janet will be a "Guest Blogger" on the WAG THE DOG when she has a report. With that being said, here is Janet's report on last nights meeting (February 20, 2008):

School Board Meeting – State of the District
by Janet Evans


I attended the School Board meeting tonight and after the artists were recognized in front of a full house, it was asked if there were any citizen comments. 

I took the opportunity to make two comments.  I didn’t intend for them to be made in front of the large group, but so be it.

I addressed the Board regarding my Open Records Request and the fact that I discovered that personal emails had been used rather than District email in some of the correspondence.

I pointed out that Debbie Larson never used District email.  I said that as a citizen, I expect the District email to be used.

I also addressed the Board regarding a blog I had done back in November regarding childhood obesity. 

At that time several people had commented about the fact that our lunch program had some issues, such as Dominos pizza, soda machines, flavored/sugared milks, too much bread and cheese, etc.

 I also mentioned the snack problem in the classrooms and the fact that comments had requested that the Wellness committee needed to be looked at again. 

I then offered a copy of the blog and the comments to the Board.


An important item on the agenda was the fact that the District will be refinancing some old debt in March. 

The debt was at a 5% interest rate, and will now be at a new rate of 3.24%.  This refinancing is going to produce a net savings reduction in the tax levy next year of $766,213 for the District. 

 It has taken 15 years to accomplish this and Jim Milzner was highly praised.


The only other main item was the Superintendent’s report, which was called a “State of the District” report by Dr. Patz:


Exemplary School Districts

Students always come first (plan)

Listen perceptions differ

Monitor programs and practices for effectiveness and value

Operate based on research not opinion or emotion

Commit to intensive staff development

Dr. Patz said our district doesn’t need to be fixed, but we should look to do things better.

Exemplary

Operate with controlled urgency

Communicate effectively (internal and external)

View test scores as only “1” indicator of effectiveness and success

Have a high personal accountability

Have a culture of excellence

Celebrate successes!

Dr. Patz said we have more successes in our District than failures.



”Our” Schools

Many reasons to be proud of our district:

We offer rigorous programs

We achieve at high levels

Our expectations are high

We have very committed staff in all areas

Dr. Patz said we should be scaled up in our programs


Expectations

We can improve in all areas of operation (not a negative)

We have to know where improvement is needed (Data)

We must continually monitor the effectiveness and value of programs and practices (longitudial data tracking)


Student Achievement

Perform above the state average

Adequate yearly progress (AYP) is met in all subject areas

Programs meet needs of all learners (alternative school consideration)

Reading, math and science need attention


District Priorities

Student achievement:  Evaluate consistency and effectiveness through data

Professional Development – putting the best in front of children is a commitment

Land acquisition – A strategic investment

Addressing Funding Issues – This is an entire community issue


Budget

We must first acknowledge that we are a fiscally responsible district!

Programs/practices:  What does the community expect…it’s exemplary schools!

We must take a visionary approach to budgeting , i.e. What does the future require from our schools?


Looking Ahead

The #1 priority must be individual student growth and achievement

Future planning (land acquisition, district needs)

Everything we do contributes to the level of trust and support we receive from our community.