Superintendent Report

Fr:       Victoria Burns, Superintendent

Date:    February 27, 2008

 

 

1.              As of February 25^th (8) snow days have been used. The last school day for students in grades K-11 is now June 24 without any adjustments to the 07-08 calendar. Due to the missed school days graduating seniors will not have the required 170 instructional days if they are to graduate on June 7^th. In the Board packet is a description of an action item for possible calendar adjustments to provide additional instructional time for the seniors. In addition, I am asking that the Board consider sending a letter to the Commissioner of Education asking for a waiver for the remainder of the lost instructional days for the graduating seniors.

 

2.              I attended the National Conference on Education and came back with renewed conviction that MSAD #15 is on the right track in terms of its mission (preparing all students for the next step). The messages of the conference were as follows:

 

a.     It is indeed a “flat, global world”. “The last few decades have belonged to a certain kind of person with a certain kind of mind-computer programmers who could crank code, lawyers who could craft contracts, MBAs who could crunch numbers. But the keys to the kingdom are changing hands. The future (of our students) belongs to creators and empathizers, pattern recognizers and meaning makers. These people-artists, inventors, designers, storytellers, caregivers, consolers, big picture thinkers-will now reap society’s richest rewards and share its greatest joys.”

 

To survive in this age, individuals and organizations must examine what they’re doing to learn a living and ask themselves three questions:

            Can someone overseas do it cheaper?

            Can a computer do it faster?

            Is what I’m offering in demand in an age of abundance?”

A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink

 

My thought: How are we preparing our students? Refocus on the Guiding Principles to provide a context for the basics!

A clear and effective communicator

A self-directed and lifelong learner

A creative and practical problem solver

A responsible and involved citizen

An integrative and informed thinker

 

b.     World language is important for students in this global age!

My thought: MSAD #15 is on the right track!

 

c.     There are two givens in education: the web will not go away and the need for a teacher/student relationship will not go away. Joe Caruso, Organizational/Leadership Speaker

My thought: Continue to focus on the integration of technology in instruction!

 

3.              Congratulations to the HS Girls’ Basketball Team who played in the quarterfinals on February 20^th. They played well. The future looks bright for this team. The HS Boys’ Hockey Team is playing in the quarterfinals on February 26^th.

 

4.              I am in the process of “scheduling” a date for the Scheduling Committee, Facilities Subcommittee. I enclosed the agenda to keep you “up to date”. The following community members agreed to serve on this temporary committee: Tina Martell, Linda Chase, and Dean Bennett. Melanie Craig, Doug Dreisen, George Litrocapes will represent MSAD #15.

 

5.              As you are aware, MSAD #15’s Food Service received some of the recalled beef that has been in the news lately. Mr. Towle, Director of Finance and Operations, will briefly share information related to this recall and how MSAD #15 will dispose of the product. I did have one parent inquiry regarding the beef recall.

 

6.              The Cumberland County Superintendent’s Association invited Town Managers and Town Clerks to a February 29^th for a meeting with Jim Rier, Department of Education, to discuss the budget validation process.

 

7.              I am waiting to receive a reply to the letter sent to the Commissioner by Dr. Alan Rich, Board Chair, on February 8^th, requesting that MSAD #15 be allowed to submit an Alternative Plan because we have no viable consolidation partner.