A good year and a bright future!

 

The main topic was about the changes soon to come for public education in Georgia. Clearly, next year will be a year of monumental change. The conversation began with the new College and Career Readiness Performance Index and the implication that it has for us. Superintendents expressed concerns about how this new measure for elementary, middle and high schools will be in effect next year when we don't really know what it's going to look like. Superintendent Barge acknowledged that it is still a work in progress and that we need to continue to work towards a common understanding of the index. But, he did emphasize that in his view, it's better to have an overall assessment of how well we are doing instead of being measured by one test. I agree with that. So, College and Career Performance Readiness Index continues to move forward. For those of you who have not had an opportunity to start looking at some of the details of this new accountability tool, I recommend it.

 

We also discussed Race to the Top. And, in discussing "RT3," I'm amazed by those who say there's no innovation in Georgia. One of the major efforts of RT3 is to turn around low performing schools. We have two schools in our school system that have benefited from this one effort.

 

As you know, Griffin High School has implemented the Transformation Model.  It has also received a school improvement grant. For the first time in about seven years, Griffin High school made AYP. It's making tremendous strides. I believe it is because teachers, employees, students, and the parents have implemented the model together. It's a component of our value, Defined Autonomy. It's working.

 

Cowan Road Middle School also implemented the Transformation Model as part of Race to the Top. Not only did Cowan Road Middle School make AYP, but it came off the Needs Improvement list. So again, the hard work of teachers, employees, students, and the dedicated parents along with the common framework of the Transformation Model makes it work.

 

We then discussed the new lists that have been developed: the Priority List, the Focus School List, and now the Alert List. I commented to Dr. Barge, "If I were an opponent of public education, I don't think I could find a better way to convince people that public education isn't working than by going from one negative school list to three negative lists. He acknowledged my opinion, and the sentiment was shared among those in the room. We asked Dr. Barge to take our message back that all lists were not equal, and that these accountability lists can be a negative factor for us if we don't educate the public about what these lists really mean and how we are going to use them to improve public education in Georgia.

 

We then moved onto the Georgia Constitution amendment which will allow for charter schools. While Dr. Barge is committed to charter schools, he realizes some mistakes have been made along the way.  It appears that many state legislators wanted to push everyone to become a  charter school or system because they were putting money behind that effort and approving legislation to encourage movement in that direction.

 

A new idea being discussed inside the department of education is a category called Strategic Schools and School Systems. A Strategic School System would be one that agrees to accept most of the commonly requested state waivers in return for not having to apply for each of waivers. The Strategic School System would agree to higher accountability standards. It's a common sense approach that I've been asking pursuing for three years. My question has always been, "Why do we require 180 systems to ask for the same waiver if it's that universally requested? Give it to everyone, especially if it works." Dr. Barge understood and says he'll continue to work towards that goal.

 

Finally, there was discussion among school system superintendents about the budget situation. I shared with my Twitter followers that the metro systems are looking at laying off 1800 employees next year or not filling that number of positions. DeKalb and Atlanta Public Schools are talking about hundreds of positions not being filled. Griffin-Spalding is not immune, but because we took early action I think we're in a much better situation.

 

Costs are continuing to increase. The latest example is that the price of classified employee health insurance is rising tremendously over the next three years. For our system, it will cost an additional $600,000 this coming school year, and then an additional $600,000 the following year for a total of $1.2 million.  When it's fully implemented, classified employee healthcare costs will go up a total of $1.8 million.

 

The good news is that as we analyze our budgets for the next three years, we think we're in a pretty good position to have a strategy for moving forward. I started sharing with you in this column several months ago that I am starting to see light at the end of this tunnel. The light is starting to get brighter, and I'm feeling very optimistic about our future.

 

Overall, it's been a very good year. We were named a Title I Distinguished School District and received the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award from the Chamber of Commerce. 17 of 18 schools made AYP. Now our budget situation is starting to improve. I'm optimistic, and I look forward to sharing more of this with you in the future.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

COLDR

New classified employee recognition announced today

 

Have you thought, 'I really would like others to know about the great job our custodian (or bus driver, or nutrition worker or secretary, etc.) does'?

 

If so, here's your chance.

 

"We are announcing a new award that recognizes the outstanding service of our classified employees," said Jim Smith, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative Services. "Principals, assistant principals and central office department leaders suggested this award through feedback comments they gave at our administrative symposium held in February at the Learning Center and Taylor Street Achievement Center. Since that time several groups have given additional input."

 

The new Classified Employee of the Year award recognizes employees who exemplify the values of our school system and work in any classified position.

 

Categories include maintenance/custodial; bus driver; nutrition; and an "any other" category for all other positions that are classified. The any-other-classified-position category includes central office positions, school secretarial and clerical, paraprofessionals, etc.

 

Any GSCS employee can nominate any classified employee (or employees) for the awards. The nominations are due June 1 with the award selection completed over the summer by a committee of business members external to the school system.

 

Recipients will be announced at the opening meeting/training of classified employees on Thursday, August 9, in the Griffin Auditorium.

 

Nomination forms are available online and in hard copy from all departments and schools. They are due to the School & Community Services Department by close of the day Friday, June 1.

 

 

Stakeholders Invited to Give Input on School System Planning 

 

The Griffin-Spalding County School System invites all stakeholders to attend a meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 22 at 4:30pm in the Board of Education meeting room (216 S 6th Street). The purpose for this meeting is to gain community input on plans for the 2012-2013 school year including Race to the Top, Comprehensive LEA Planning, and Title II.

 

"Community input is vital to our planning process. We want to ensure that the opinions our stakeholders are considered," said Ashley McLemore, Director of Federal Programs for the school system.

 

For more information, contact Heather Kingsley, Parent and Community Engagement Coordinator, at (770)229-3700.

 

Performance Matters Upgrade 

Playing a tune!

 

 

The Griffin community was recently treated to a wonderful afternoon concert provided by the 50 members of the Griffin-Spalding County Middle School Honor Band.  This exciting annual event, now in its 4th year, features and recognizes the many accomplished musicians from all four GSCS middle schools. Band directors from the middle schools nominated various students to participate based on their high levels of musicianship. 

 

This year's group of students certainly demonstrated a high caliber of talent, dedication, and overall character as they were able to prepare an extensive variety of challenging music in a matter of only a few short hours of rehearsal.  Normally, concert preparation occurs over the course of several weeks; however, under the direction of Spalding High School Band Director, Mr. Reed Lukat, this group of musicians put on quite a show!  

 

Griffin High School Engineering students demonstrated their working hovercraft to other students and GHS faculty on Friday, May 18.

 

 

They gave a presentation on how they researched, planned, and implemented their craft.

Right after the engineering presentation, GHS seniors listened to Principal Keith Simmons as they prepared for their senior walk celebration in Griffin High.

The GHS Class of 2012 celebrated their senior walk at the conclusion of Friday, May 18.  They marched through the school in a group and were cheered by the underclassmen.

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Elizabeth Benz
Editor, gscs Communicator

Griffin Spalding County School System

PO Drawer N

Griffin, Georgia 30224