I Want My $30 Back

Owing to career changes, board member Mark Mason submitted his resignation effective July 28. The process for replacing a board member is dictated by law. The board may not appoint a new member during the ten day period immediately following the resignation date. The replacement must be made during the next 20 day period or by the next regularly scheduled board meeting, whichever comes first. Failing to act, the appointment decision falls to the judge of the Probate Court.

Letters of interest and resumes are being accepted at the board office until August 8. Upon review of those resumes, a special board meeting will be called to interview the applicants individually. The board will then move to seat the new member at the August 18 meeting.

There is considerable information about board member responsibility and duties on the OSBA web site. Interested parties would do well to review it prior to submitting a letter of interest.

The first thing a board member must realize is that he/she has absolutely no power or authority except while in session at a board meeting. There are five members and any one member represents only 20% of the total board. It takes three members voting to make any decision effective.

In general, board members are elected to represent the public's interest and to be a sounding board in touch with community needs and interests. They are not in a position to affect the daily operations of the schools except by approving or disapproving board policy. They do, however, have both authority and responsibility for the funds of the district and are charged with keeping the schools solvent through proper budget management.

Mr. Mason's service to the district which covered one four year term and a second term which has one and one half years remaining saw many positive changes and many difficult decisions which have helped bring us to the present exciting moment in time. Schools are judged in part by the number of criteria measured by the state. There are 30 such criteria and Marietta City Schools has achieved a passing mark in 26 of those areas. That's not just good news it's absolutely great news of which we should all be proud.

Mr. Mason's successor will be asked about intention to run for a full term upon completing his unexpired term December 31, 2009. That intent is important as continuity helps keep focus on the challenges at hand and assure a cohesive team effort.

The cost to file a petition to run for the school board is $30 and is the source of some internal humor among the present members. When times get difficult and the job demands more time and energy than anticipated it is not uncommon for one member to say to another, "I want my $30 back."

The big picture of the job of board member is simple. The goal is to make decisions and set policy that is in the best interests of the total district – and all students. Achieving that is sometimes not as simple as it would seem.

When individuals approach a board member about a school issue, the process is also fairly simple. We ask if they have followed the system by addressing the question first to a teacher or coach, next to a principal, then to the superintendent. Most issues are resolved by following this chain of responsibility.

It is absolutely in everyone's best interest that a board member not have a personal agenda or mission but rather have the best operation and future of the district as the only objective.

Mr. Mason's background as teacher and the son of a teacher and principal brought a unique perspective to his position. His commitment to the district was unwavering. He will be missed.

No Plan for North Hills.........Yet

North Hills School. We have no plan. That’s the bottom line of the conversations that took place last Monday evening.
The truth is, we do not have a recently updated, solidly thought out plan based on facts and assumptions and best guesses for any of our buildings. Yes, we have maintenance plans, and update plans and general operating plans, but we lack a strategic buildings and grounds plan that reflects current realities and future trends.
There, it is said. And having said that, it behooves us as a community and district to develop just such a plan. The buildings are, after all, the property of the residents of the district. And a well thought plan is the best way to insure the future of the district and the resources.
We have spent much of the past three years addressing academic performance. The results have been nothing short of dramatic. And that in spite of an ever rising bar set by the state. Our test scores have risen with gratifying results. Our entire staff is to be complimented on this hard won achievement.
Lest we rest too comfortably, there is every possibility that we may not be able to continue to advance those scores as we have in the recent past. The reasons are legion, but they are all related to the fact that new requirements keep entering the system.
As the bar drops for including the test scores of the lowest achieving group, the average score is harder to maintain. Many of our neighboring districts are experiencing this phenomenon for the first time. They will have challenges holding their positions as well. More of those calculations another time, let us focus on the immediate future.
In our zeal for academic improvement we have shorted planning for the future. We have let slide a building and infrastructure plan.
The community members who attended the Monday meeting did not put it so bluntly, but their comments begged the questions, “What’s next? What’s your plan?” And they are legitimate questions.
It was just those sorts of questions the board was asking in January when there was a proposal to borrow for ten years the monies committed to us from the levy renewals last spring and begin major projects on many of our buildings. The first question asked was, “What’s the plan for this building for the next ten years?”
When we realized there was not a good answer we put the brakes on doing the major projects until such time as we could figure out what that plan should be for each building in the district. We are, however, moving ahead with projects that were essential to the maintenance and longevity of the buildings. We are addressing safety issues first.
Apart from retaining a great interim superintendent, the best thing that may have come from the Monday meeting is the realization that there are many community members eager to be a part of planning for the future. They know that schools are the bedrock of the community and want to be a part of insuring the future of their schools and their community. They are willing to invest time and talent into that planning process.
As Dr. Baker hands over the reins to Mr. Young the next few weeks, be thinking about what part you want play in the next steps for your schools. And yes, there is a board seat to be appointed. Your letter of interest and resume’ would be welcome. There will be a plan.

Purchases

Your school board approved/spent/invested $181,600 of your money at the June meeting. The expense came under the category of updating the math curriculum in the schools.
In years gone past when money was a bit more available (Yes, Virginia, there was such a time.) it was standard practice to update curriculum on a five year revolving schedule. In theory, every major subject had an overhaul and purchased new books and other materials to update the subject every five years.
Conversations among board members ahead of the meeting lead me to believe this purchase would be postponed. Though we had been apprised that an extensive committee had worked on the proposal for nearly a year and that this was their recommendation, there were those among us, myself included, who believed this was a purchase that could be delayed for a year.
After all, most of us still use the same ten numbers we were taught a long time ago, and some of us still can tell what year a movie was produced by deciphering the X’s, L’s, I’s, C’s and V’s at the end of the movie. Though admittedly it’s a challenge to do algebra with those same letters in lower case.
By meeting time we had received an email from the central office that went in to more detail about the process, the need for updating based on changes in state requirements of skills mastered needed to be judged proficient and the fact that the updating schedule had been shifted to a six year cycle to save money. Other details combined to permit the passage of the resolution with hardly a question. And the satisfaction of knowing that changing the cycle had saved at least some of the taxpayer’s cash.
Such was not the case with the proposed purchase of computers to assure that every elementary teacher has a functioning and internet capable machine at their disposal as the 2008-09 school year begins. That $103,000 purchase was delayed pending receipt of more information and understanding of how those machines will integrate with our overall Information Technology system as it evolves to serve us better in the next few years.
The board still very much has as a goal to make those computers available to every elementary teacher just as soon as possible once we feel assured that the purchase is the best one for the future of the district and the wisest use of the taxpayer’s dollars. We recognize, however, that we only get to use money once. And we want to be responsible in that use.
The recent equipment/inventory auction held at North Hills School was a preparatory move to enable us to put the building up for auction should we choose to do so. Much unused and outdated equipment was sold and the auction services were generously donated by Williams Auction Service. Thank you.
Speaking of donations, we regularly get them and acknowledge them at board meetings by resolutions of appreciation. We recently received a $1,000 cash donation from the Marietta Area Community Tennis Association along with a commitment to provide an additional $2,000 in labor to assist in maintaining the school’s tennis courts adjacent the Marietta Times. Again, much appreciated and given in a spirit of community.
While at this time there is no specific plan in mind for the North Hills building, a public meeting will be held Monday July 14 at 6:00 PM at the Administration Office to discuss the subject with interested parties. We invite your participation.

Long Term

Long Term

The board received a note of sympathy concerning our need to search for a Superintendent from a local resident who has a keen interest in Marietta City Schools. The note went on to encourage us to seek someone who will move him/herself and family to Marietta and put down roots.
The board that retained Dr. Baker was keenly interested in just such commitment. They made a point of stating their preference to have him live in the area, have his children attend our schools and build community relations. And he did.
That is, until life set in and duty to family called from the north to attend to ailing parents. Commuting turned to week-ending and week-ending turned to Mrs. Baker staying north for longer periods attending to her parents. And no one can fault the decision. One would wish for all children to be so attentive.
When Dr. Baker was interviewed one of his observations was that districts in Ohio that excel seem to be districts where the Superintendent has been in place for 10 or more years. Longevity pays dividends. His words and intent were sincere. Life intervened with its own demands. And opportunity knocked.
As previously stated, Dr. Baker leaves a legacy of accomplishment of which he and the district may be proud. His introduction of the Professional Learning Community concept will pay dividends as we learn and grow under its precepts.
Your writer was only indirectly involved with the hiring for Mr. Backus. I hosted him the morning of his final interview and was the director of the meeting where public questioning took place.
I knew the board intended to find someone who would carry on the long term tradition set by so many previous Superintendents. And Mr. Backus stated his intent toward longevity.
About two months after the start of the first school year of Mr. Backus’ time here I met him on the sidewalk near the Talley Ho one lunch time. I greeted him and asked how it was going. He replied ominously, “Jack, I’m going to be the most despised person in town shortly.” I expressed my dismay and he told me of the deep financial woes of the district that would require drastic action to save it from ruin. Further, that had he known the extent of these challenges before taking the job he would not have taken the job.
He went on to vindicate the board saying that they had no way of knowing how many problems were at hand with the finances. Only a very in depth look had revealed the truth.
This community well knows the anguish of closing two schools and discharging 45 employees. Not easy for anyone involved. But that’s what it took to get the spending in line with the revenues. That was the community’s wake up call and no one is eager to push the snooze button and fall back asleep.
Your current board members are keenly aware of the importance of continuity. At the same time, we are also aware of the trends in the profession that lead to shorter tenures in the Superintendent position. We are leaning toward hiring an interim person to give ourselves plenty of time to find a long term solution if one is available.
We welcome input from our fellow citizens and hope to find good ideas in the process. To that extent there will be a special board meeting at 6:00 PM on July 14th for the community to discuss the possible sale of the North Hills building. The meeting will be held at the administration building.

Family

The statistics cited last week telling of the measured improvement in many categories over the past few years are cause for positive expectations for Marietta City Schools, its students and staff. Certainly Dr. Baker’s leadership has been instrumental in making these improvements. The numbers produced during his time here have been impressive. And the endorsement of the direction of the district by the voters last spring in renewing the levies to continue funding near the previous levels spoke well of the accomplishments. We will miss him.
We will also miss Renee’ Schoonover, Principal at Phillips Elementary as she takes her many talents to another district to be closer to family and a new grandchild on the way. In both cases, careers are important, challenging, fulfilling; but family comes first as it should.
Witnessing these career moves made in large measure with family in mind brings to the forefront one of the most important factors in a successful student experience at any school. Family. Not necessarily a traditional family, but a support system that may be composed of friends, neighbors or shirttail relatives. People who care and let the student know they care.
A few months ago your writer was with a group of four teachers who were letting off steam after school hours in a hallway before going home for the day. The topics of conversation, as always with teachers, were centered around students and teaching. One of the teachers made a comment that contains far too much truth and deserves attention. She said, “Of course you realize, WE are raising these kids.”
The other teachers concurred and provided input as to the many things they were doing as teachers that in years gone by were activities more of parents than teachers. Teaching basic social skills,study skills, responsibility, manners and appropriate language usage and interaction with peers. There was a long stream of conversation on the topic until the group broke up and went their separate ways.
That conversation has caused me to be more aware of such things in the ensuing months as I travel about the schools watching and listening. All of the board members are aware of the concept and witness it as well. Education has changed in response to changing family units, job responsibilities, living arrangements and a host of other factors that affect a student’s life. The teachers of my youth would be overwhelmed with the changes from then to now.
School is no longer just about the three Rs and recess. Students no longer fit a predictable and definable set of criteria. And behaviors can range greatly from what would have been acceptable just a decade ago. In short, society is changing and those changes are reflected in our schools.
There is, however, that one underlying factor that is the most significant predictor of student performance, family support. Or at least the support of an adult in a student’s life who puts value on the relationship with the student. And who the student respects and does not wish to disappoint.
As we undergo the changes brought about by career moves and other outside factors we might each ponder how it is we could play a larger role in a student’s life thus helping the process and affecting the outcome in a positive way.
From asking a neighborhood student how their day went to giving time to chaperone an activity or provide some tutoring, nearly everyone can find a way to add that little bit extra that can make a significant difference. The teachers and students will notice and benefit. As will we all.