Moving on to Year #2
This month marks my one year anniversary as the “official” superintendent for Saline Area Schools. It has been a tremendous experience. I have greatly appreciated the support of the staff and community as I have learned the ropes. Looking forward, I see challenges and opportunities around every corner. The world that we live in is changing, and preparing our students for that increasingly complex society is becoming more and more difficult. As a district we need to plan for the future. We need to think critically about what we do now and how we can improve for the future.
But how do we create this vision and make it attainable?
Peter M. Senge, suggests the best way to make your vision a reality is found in a principle he describes as ‘Creative Tension.’ He illustrates his principle by likening it to an elastic band. On one end is the vision, and on the other end is the current reality. He explains that creative tension comes from “seeing clearly where we want to be and telling the truth about where we are. The gap between the two creates a natural tension.”
Building on this idea, Senge goes on to explain that raising the reality toward the vision, or lowering the vision toward the reality, can resolve this tension. Basically, without an idea, an inspiration or relating to a new hope; the current reality will never change. The flip side is also true. It is very difficult to uphold a vision when we have no real sense of the current reality.
I see Saline Area Schools as one of the premier districts in the State of Michigan – that is my current reality. However, I want more for our students and community. Over the next year we will begin to look at the big picture. By looking at an issue from a bird’s eye view, we gain a new perspective. With this new perspective and a current reality, it’s much easier to form a new vision.
Federal Funds coming to Saline?
The U.S. Department of Education recently released initial guidelines for some of the components to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Given the most recent information, I wanted to take an opportunity to update you on what we know. The rules and regulations for the distribution of these funds aren’t complete but the information provided does give us an initial look at criteria for distribution.
The Michigan Department of Edcuation estimates that ARRA funding will provide Michigan with $2.5 billion in the following 10 program categories:
State Fiscal Stabilization Fund $1,600.0 million
Title I, Part A Grants $390.0 million
Title I, School Improvement Grants $75.0 million
IDEA, Part B, Special Education $400.6 million
IDEA, Part C, Infants & Toddlers $12.5 million
IDEA, Part B, Preschool $13.5 million
Education Technology Grants $24.5 million
Education for Homeless Children $2.5 million
Emergency Food Assistance Program $3.9 million
Food Equipment Assistance $2.5 million
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Estimated Michigan Total: $2.525 Billion
Most ARRA resources will flow from the U.S. Department of Education to the State and then down to the local districts. As a result, guidelines for distribution of these resources must be developed at both Federal and State levels. No one at this point can say definitively how these funds can be utilized at the district level or how much will get to the local district.
The State of Michigan has also developed a State Recovery Cabinet. Its responsibilities will include coordinating statewide and local efforts around ARRA resources. There will be an education coordinator appointed to the cabinet and that individual should be named later next week.
The bottom line for Saline Area Schools is that we need to thoughtfully plan for spending these one-time dollars in ways that position us for future efficiency and effectiveness. Our goal is to use the funds as a bridge to the future, not a patch to the past.
Saying Yes to No
This Friday, March 13 the Pleasant Ridge PTA, in partnership with PTA and PTO groups at Saline Area Schools, is hosting a great parenting workshop. They have joined the rapidly growing statewide movement formed around the book No: Why Kids – of All Ages – Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It by Dr. David Walsh.
As a Superintendent, I say “no” often. In fact, if you ask around the district, my guess is that many staff would tell you I say “no” too often! As the father of four young children, I find saying “no” is often difficult. Many of you know the strain of standing in line at Target with “cranky” children begging for candy or some other item that you had no intention of purchasing when you entered the store – only to set off the tears when you tell them “no.” The look from the other adults in line tends to end up in two groups. First, the ones who have been in your shoes and give you the sympathetic nod. The other group tends to scowl and frown on your apparent inability to calm your children.
Dr. Walsh in his book outlines the strategies necessary to support the raising of children who need (and really do want) to be told ”no.” I encourage parents to attend the event on Friday, March 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Saline High School Commons. RSVP by sending an email to salinecommunityconversation@gmail.com. I hope to see many of you there.
Planning for an Uncertain Future
One of the most difficult challenges of being a Superintendent in the early 21st century is planning for an uncertain future. As I type this, the information we have about next year’s budget is limited at best. State funding is in flux – the Govenors released $59 per pupil reduction will possibly be restored by the federal stimulus package, but there has been no formal announcement to confirm this possibility. We have heard rumors and received bits of information about the extent of the federal dollars coming to Saline – none of which are certain or appropriate to use in planning for now.
Last week, the Board of Education had the vision to take a position for local control and voted 7-0 to place the CARES millage renewal and a Sinking Fund millage on the May 5th ballot. In the upcoming two months we will be working diligently to inform the Saline Area School community about both millages and the impact they could have on the district for the next ten years.
One of the decisions the Board made when putting the measures on the ballot was the level of the CARES renewal. After careful consideration of the districts’ needs, the support of the CARES Advisory Board and the community’s ability to support the school system, the School Board chose to place the renewal on for .50 mill, which is a .35 mill reduction from the original millage that was approved by the voters in September 2000. That reduced amount allowed a .35 mill Sinking Fund mileage to be added to the ballot without an increase from the original .85 CARES millage.
According to the current funding recipients, the .50 mill CARES renewal would be sufficient to maintain the current level of services supported by the original .85 mill levy. In discussions with the current funding recipients, they acknowledged the current economic conditions and the need to stretch the funds as far as possible to support the quality of life in the Saline community
The .35 mill Sinking Fund would generate approximately $580,000 a year to fund needed infrastructure projects and to protect the community’s investment in district facilities. Presently, both Chelsea and Ann Arbor have Sinking Fund millages.
With the uncertainty of the future, we will be unable to count on Lansing for the funding to keep Saline one of the premier school districts in the State of Michigan. Fortunately, as a community we will have the opportunity to decide if we want to help stabilize the uncertainty we are currently facing.
Healthy Schools
Over the last several years, student health issues, including chronic diseases, have become a topic of great concern among health professionals, school leaders, and parents. The increase in the prevalence of Asthma alone contributes to 14 million missed days of school nationally. Add to this increased absenteeism due to an ever-expanding list of health issues and it becomes clear: students are missing a record number of learning opportunities.
Similar to the national picture, the issue in Saline is difficult to manage. The National Association of School Nurses recommends a ratio of 1 nurse to 750 students. In Michigan the ratio is 1 to 4,204 – which ranks second to last nationally. Presently in Saline, we have a ratio of 1 to 2,750.
As a district, we are working to address the health of our students. We are blessed with two outstanding school nurses – Ms. Karan Hervey and Mr. Ken Romans. With their help and the support of our parents, administration and staff we are developing a comprehensive allergy plan along with addressing policies and practices that will keep our children healthy. Additionally, the Wellness Committee, which is made up of administration, faculty, and parents, is developing a plan to inform staff and parents regarding the specifics of our Wellness Policy.
All Hands on Deck
Hands on learning is not a new concept, in fact, it is older than the current Horace Mann developed industrial model America (and much of the world) uses today. However, it feels like its value is being lost as we pursue “high test scores” and the working of the system for college admission.
A recent study at Purdue University reminds us about learning. Researchers conducted testing with 8th grade students related to the human impact on water and water quality. Half of the class was taught with traditional methods and the other half used the “project-based learning” model. One of the professors involved in the study noted, “in every area we tested, the students involved in a hands-on project learned more and demonstrated a deeper understanding of the issues than the traditional group.”
This supports much of what a group of staff and I noticed on a recent tour of the Google offices. The spaces include flexible environments that encourage and foster collaboration on projects with shared learning by the groups.
For me, the implications for Saline are very real. We have honored the current pressure to prepare our students effectively for the MEAP and ACT, as these are the measures we are “graded on” by residents and the greater society in general. Education has in large part used traditional methods. I for one am ready to explore other – perhaps better – methods of preparing our students for not only the current measures but also for the workplace they will be moving into.
21st Century Skills
Today, a small group of Saline Area School staff had the opportunity to visit the Google offices and then the new University of Michigan Ross Business School building. Both represent environments where our students will be expected to succeed in the 21st century.
We also had the chance to hear about the Ann Arbor Public School Options program from Ms. Susette Jaquette, the director of the program. Ms. Jaquette shared the history of how the Ann Arbor Public School system explored online learning and what they have acquired from the unique experience. She was open about some of exciting opportunities the virtual world has to offer. She was also candid about limitations and cautioned us to be guarded as we explore possible scenarios for Saline.
We then toured the Google facility in downtown Ann Arbor. I once again leaned our ever gracious host, Michael, to be our tour guide and explain the skills needed to be a successful employee at Google. His insight into the collaboration, analytical and communication skills needed prompted some thoughtful discussion from the staff. We also noted the colorful and flexible environment that seemed to make the employees feel valued and creative.
We then walked across campus to the new University of Michigan Ross Business School building. This state of the art facility opened for classes on January 5th. Our tour guide, Mr. Chuck Amyx, provided us with an in-depth look at the 250,000 square foot facility. He noted that this design fosters collaborative group work in either small break out rooms or large spaces with flexible furniture configurations. It was interesting to watch the flexible flow of students working and socializing in the main atrium. The facility has a top rate cafe and fitness area to help keep students and staff in peak mental and physical condition for learning.
The day ended with many questions for us to consider related to the type of opportunities and experiences our students should have before they leave us for higher education and/or the 21st century workforce.
More to come…..
Budget….
I really do not like to talk a lot about the budget. It is not because I don’t care about the budget or that I don’t find the effective budgeting of resources to be an extremely important function of school leadership. It is because I have seen the constant discussion of the budget distract from the educational mission of the district. I have seen the fear and concern about possible expenditure reductions cause the community and staff to lose focus on our goal.
Well, I am going to talk about the budget for a minute. As many of you know from your own household budget and from the daily news accounts about the state and national budget crisis, the coming school year will be a difficult year. Last week, Governor Granholm proposed her 2009-2010 State Budget. It included a $59 per pupil reduction, which is Saline, means a $325,000 loss in funding over the current year. This is in addition to other “categorical” cuts and an increase in the retirement costs.
There is still the question of what the Federal Stimulus Package will mean. Much of the initial information indicated the funds would be based on “Title I” status, which means funds are targeted for “at-risk” students. I have seen tentative figures for possible construction and Special Education programs. Neither of which would alleviate the current budget issue.
What does this mean? It means that the budgeting process for next year will be very challenging. We will continue to focus our resources on our core mission of educating our students for the 21st century.
Assistant Superintendent Thomas Wall and I are hosting a Budget Information & Planning meeting on Thursday, February 19th at 7:00pm in the Union School Board Room. This will be an opportunity for community members to learn more about the school budget for the 2008-2009 school year. In addition, we will be sharing information regarding current projections and the planning process for the 2009-2010 school year.
Geeks Unite!
On Monday night, Ms. Heather Kellstrom and I had the opportunity to attend a “meet up” event sponsored by A2 Geeks. Ms. Kellstrom is our Instructional Technology Specialist. She works diligently to integrate the use of technology in classrooms across the district. The event was held at Google in downtown Ann Arbor and included presentations by several new start up companies. Three were medical technology related presentations, including one that has promising technology related to identifying bacteria strands in half the current lab time. There was a company presenting that has developed a Facebook application that incorporates the use of virtual money to entice users to participate.
We also met two young entrepreneurs who had worked in the Bronx, NY for Teach for America and have now started a company called “The Generation Project”. Their intent is to match donor interest with school and student need. In general, it sounds like a great concept where donors are able to direct their funds to areas they have a passion to support.
Below, Ms. Kellstrom takes a break from networking to pose at the Google Surf Shop.
Middle School Science Fair
The Middle School Science Fair was a success again this year.
Scot Graden's Blog 