To:       School Board

Re:       Superintendent’s Report

Fr:       Victoria Burns, Superintendent

Date:    October 21, 2009

 

1.         On Thursday, October 15, I participated in a Partnership Committee chaired by the Commissioner of Education, Susan A. Gendron. The purpose of the Committee is to develop the requirements for awarding a high school diploma in Maine. I was invited due to MSAD #15’s partnership with the Reinventing Schools Coalition (RISC). Recommendations from this Committee will be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs by January 29, 2010.

 

2.         On Friday, October 16, I attended the MAINEducation Technology Conference in Augusta. I plan to attend the following workshops:

• Google Tools for the Classroom Google Apps
• Enhancing Elementary School Mathematics with Interactive Online Tools
• Technology Integration
• Erate, CIPA, and Technology Plans
• MLTI MacBook and the Web=Opportunity.

 

3.         I received an informational letter from the Commissioner of Education on Wednesday, October 14, stating that the current potential shortfall for the state is $100 million for both 010 and 011. The Commissioner is anticipating that reductions will be at least as great as the 2009 year. Last budget year, MSAD #15 lost $300,600 in subsidy. Until we know the exact shortfall amount, the Finance Committee is preparing for a reduction of $300,000 to $450,000 in subsidy. I have asked all cost centers to be mindful of the coming reduction and prioritize spending.

 

4.         In order to continuously improve, I asked for feedback from the School Board on the effectiveness of the September 30^th Workshop’s meeting process.

            I received the following information from four participants.

 

What worked well?

• The honesty around the room and the fact that most of the participants were comfortable expressing their ideas. No one seemed offended if his/her idea was not accepted.
• Breaking into groups
• Providing examples provided speed to the process
• Modifying the vision prior to the meeting. It is much easier for us to read something and suggest edits rather than trying to come up with the language in a group setting.
• We chose excellent strategies to meet our goals. We embraced the RISC model and put a high level of importance on hiring, training and retaining good staff, plus creating an environment of respect in all our schools.
• The “Why” activity

 

What could be improved?

• Move at a faster pace
• Assigning a timekeeper to keep us on track would assist us in staying on task (not rehashing discussions from previous workshops) and keeping to the timeframe of the agenda.

 

 

October 21 School Board Agenda Background

 

Action Agenda

The Strategic Plan and Vision Executive Summary is on the action agenda tonight. Your vote approves the following:

 

1.         Revised Vision

2.         3-Year Strategies to make progress toward the four overarching goals

3.         An implementation and monitoring process for the Strategic Plan delegated to the District Improvement Committee:

·      Create the health indicators and targets for goals/strategies;

·      Monitor the plan annually and report progress to the Board.