Summary of September 28, 2011 meeting

The first meeting of the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council – called together by Superintendent Steve Joel – was held at Lincoln East High School on Tuesday, Sept. 28.

Purpose

Joel began the meeting by explaining the purpose of the group:  “Collectively, I want to know how we’re doing as a school district.  I want your perspective.  How is it all working?”

Joel said he believes LPS is a quality school district with good achievement and test scores, and a solid graduation rate.  “But how do we maintain those scores with rapidly changing demographics?  Our challenge is to define our next level of expectations.”

He said he would spend about half an hour at the beginning of each Teacher Council meeting with a Superintendent Update, and then spend an hour in conversation and discussion. “I want to spend the majority of time hearing from you.”

He clarified that the conversation and questions at these Council meetings should be targeted at overall and broad issues and concerns – not specific or personal issues, and not any collective bargaining issues.  “But I will not shy away from the tough questions.”

Joel encouraged Council members to talk about the meetings with their colleagues and their schools: sharing information they have gleaned, as well as collecting questions and concerns from other faculty and staff members.

Superintendent Update

Finding a site for the new LPS District Offices
Joel told the Council that the list of potential sites for LPSDO has been narrowed to four finalists, and LPS staff members are expected to present a proposal for the final site selection at a special School Board meeting on Oct. 18.  “So much is involved in analyzing these sites, it is an in-depth, grueling process,” Joel said.

Strategic planning
Joel explained that the school district has been involved in a strategic planning process since last spring, and is getting closer to finalizing a plan that defines six major strategic objectives. He specifically talked about the No. 1 objective: Increase the graduation rate at LPS by three percentage points for on-time graduation rate by 2016 – with focus on subgroups graduating below average – and continue to support fifth- and sixth-year graduates. Increase volunteer mentor matches with students by 10 percent by Jan. 1, 2013.

“This will be the toughest work we’ve ever done,” he said.

Other issues

  • LPS is working to establish a collaborative Educare program located next to Belmont Elementary School that will provide all-day, every-day, year-round preschool to low-income children.
  • LPS is continually looking at technology and how well the district is integrating technology into learning.
  • LPS is working to develop a public engagement plan to establish more two-way conversations and dialogue with the community.
  • LPS will ramp up participation in the 2012 Nebraska Legislative session to advocate for a state aid formula that provides equal and fair funding for our school district.
  • LPS must continue to look ahead – in light of dramatically increasing enrollment numbers – to consider future school needs and a future bond issue.

Questions and comments from Council members

Questions

Q: How do we ensure a balanced look at student success when No Child Left Behind bases success on test scores?

Joel answer:  “I believe federal legislation has pumped a lot of money into education, based on their concept of radical reform. And they are discovering that there have been no measureable results.”  However, Joel added, Nebraska is not likely to receive some of the latest educational offerings developed by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “In order to receive some of the waivers, or Race to the Top Grants, you practically have to blow up your educational system and start over again. You have to fire principals, move teachers, open charter schools.  And we are not going to do that. We don’t need to do that. We do not believe test scores tell the entire story.”  He urged teachers to write their senators and share their feelings about No Child Left Behind.

Q: What are you seeing with our English Language Learning students right now?

Joel answer:  “We have students who come from more than 50 countries, and speak that many languages.  Here’s what you should know: Whatever countries you’re reading about in the news right now…in about 18 months, we’ll have students from those countries.”

Q: What are we doing to encourage private philanthropy to support our schools?

Joel answer:  “The Foundation for LPS will be starting their campaign soon, and I encourage you to consider a donation.  Those dollars go back to LPS. However, with the current economy, these are difficult times to raise money.”

Comments

  • “Thank you for the leadership you shared in the aftermath of the fire.”
  • “I hope that you will keep the name, LPSDO – no matter where you establish the new site.  Please don’t call it anything else.”
  • “I appreciate the map you provided to show where all the LPSDO departments are located. It also helped me understand the complexity of what needs to be done in this district.”

Future Teacher Council meetings:

Nov. 30, Feb. 8, March 28 and May 9

 

 

 

Updated October 3, 2011