Keeping in touch with the community

On January 7, 2010, I am excited to say I will be sworn in as a Milford Exempted Village School Board member. I believe it is extremely important for board members to keep in touch with community members. I have plans for several ways to do this, and I’m sure other ideas will evolve during my term.

I will send my e-newsletter the third Friday of each month, the day following the board meeting. I will include key information from the meetings, as well as other things happening in the district and with the state. If there is something you would like included in one of my newsletters, or if you’d like to be added to the list, please feel free to email me.

I will also hold quarterly public coffees where community members can come for informal discussion. Some of these will be on my own; for others, I’ll invite fellow board members to join me. Just to be sure there is no question about following the Sunshine Law, I will not have more than 2 board members at a public coffee at any time.

During the campaign, I walked a number of different neighborhoods, visiting more than 500 community members in their homes. It was great to hear so much about what people are happy with and where they see opportunities for improvements, and in general learn what people are thinking. I’ll continue this practice (although I’ll be waiting until the weather gets a bit warmer) and choose a different neighborhood to visit each time.

Throughout my term, I promise to share my thoughts and perspectives on what is going on. We have a diverse school board with many different opinions. While sometimes school boards seem to be speaking “with one voice,” there are often many different opinions under the surface. I’ll be sharing my personal views with you, and of course the rationale for them. To be clear, just as when you are talking with any board member, these perspectives will be mine and represent my opinions alone. As single board members, none of us can speak for or make decisions for the board.

Feel free to email me or call me any time with questions, concerns or comments. I look forward to a great 4 years as one of your school board members!

High school curriculum changes

High school students will see some changes in their course selection options for next year. Several curriculum areas have been revised either to increase offerings or meet evolving requirements.

Math is one area where there are changes to core curriculum. Students in the class of 2014 and on will be required to complete Algebra II by the end of junior year. They must earn 4 credits in math, including 1 credit in Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II can then take either Algebra III or Precalculus.

Social studies will now include a new Financial Literacy requirement, which will be incorporated into the required senior Government class.

Mandarin Chinese is being listed as an option, either with an instructor or as an online option. The district is applying for grants to fund an instructor. Listing the course in the guide will help gauge student interest in the course and method of instruction.

Two additional Advanced Placement courses are also being added to our offerings: AP Art Portfolio and AP Psychology.

Curriculum changes with 21st century

As we enter a global economy, and as more is learned about how students learn, curriculum changes and adapts.  Two areas the Milford school district is changing involve the possibility of adding Chinese language study and adapting how math is taught.

Chinese

Last year, the district applied for a grant that would have brought a Chinese language teacher from China on an exchange program.  While competition was fierce and we did not receive the grant, we are trying again this year.  If the grant is received, a teacher from China would join our district for the grant period, teaching Chinese language and culture at the high school, and possibly a Chinese culture class for 8^th graders (depending on scheduling).

Even if the grant does not happen, there are other options to provide instruction in Chinese.  We may be able to share an instructor with another district, or we may be able to offer an online course.

Students will see the option to take Chinese on their course selection guide.  They will be asked if they would be interested in taking the course with an instructor, through an online option, or either.  The district is also asking for community feedback, as demand will help determine if a program of any sort is worth pursuing.  Please feel free to comment here, or email me your input.

Math

Math standards are changing as the country learns more about what works and what doesn’t in math instruction.  We are behind many other countries in our math achievement; after looking at what they do, our standards are adapting and we are moving to national instead of state standards.

In the U.S., we currently teach math by covering many broad concepts, with a “spiral” approach to follow up in subsequent years.  However, other countries have more successfully used a narrower, more in-depth approach.  Dr. Farrell explained that, for instance, instead of teaching 30 broad concepts in a school year, students would learn fewer concepts in that same year but learn them in depth and thoroughly the first time.

Dr. Bauer will always be remembered

Last night, the board approved a resolution from the Facilities Naming Committee to rename the new high school commons area “Bauer Commons” in remembrance of high school principal Dr. Bauer. The committee consisted of 12 students, 3 teachers, 2 administrators and 2 community members.

Because Dr. Bauer was such a part of the students’ everyday lives, they felt this gathering place was the perfect area to carry his name.  A subcommittee has also been formed to design the “look” of the area, to make sure people are able to get a sense of who Dr. Bauer was.  The subcommittee will work with the architects and present ideas to the board.

They will also raise private funds to create a life-sized statue of Dr. Bauer to place in the area.  More information on where donations can be sent for this project will be available soon.

These are wonderful ways to honor a man who brought so much to the lives of so many in our community.

Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who supported me in yesterday’s election!  I am excited to know so much of our community has faith in me to help lead our district forward.  I promise to serve with responsibility, responsiveness & respect; feel free to contact me any time with input, suggestions, criticisms, or even just to say hi!

It’s been wonderful getting to meet so many of you as I visited homes, businesses or at my coffees, and through email communications.  I hope to increase the discussion and hear more about what you’re thinking, good & bad, about the district and where we’re going.

We have a challenging time ahead of us, but I am hopeful we are able to change & adapt as needed to keep our district excellent through whatever is thrown at us.  However, it will take a lot of work from a lot of people – please, I hope you will step up and help us by using whatever skills & interests you have to make our district a better place.  Since last night, I’ve already heard from several people volunteering their services for whatever is needed.  Thank you!!!  I look forward to hearing from even more :0)  My email is bradyforschoolboard@fuse.net, my phone is 831-0664.

Once again, thank you for your support.  I am looking forward to serving and helping keep Milford an excellent school district & a great place for us all to live!

Andrea

Excellence in education

What truly constitutes “excellence” in our education? I believe it’s readying our students for whatever they face, in whatever path they choose after graduation. Whether they choose to go straight to work; to a community college; a 4-year school; or to continue on to advanced degrees, the basic education they receive and attitudes they are taught about education are what will form their basis for success in the future.

There are many qualitative and quantitative ways to evaluate how our students are doing. A few weeks ago, I had a great talk with one of our elementary principals. He explained how they evaluate students at every step of the way, and how they work to ensure needs are met for each student, each year. It was very impressive, and sounded like exactly the approach a truly “excellent” school district would take.

We do know from a variety of test scores in high school that higher-achieving students appear to be well-prepared for life after Milford. Our SAT, ACT and AP scores are excellent. Our graduation rate is also continuing to increase, which is wonderful. Clearly, our educational staff, from the elementary level on up to the administration, is doing a great job in preparing students for meeting the needs of “test taking” for graduation & college.

But do we know what is happening to our kids after they graduate? Are we talking to them and their families six months, a year, five years down the road, to see how well they were prepared for college, how they fared in their first jobs, if they were able to meet their goals? How do we compare to students from other districts? This is one method that could be an extremely helpful measure of what the true worth of a Milford education is.

We know we are Excellent (with Distinction) according to state standards; now let’s find additional ways to make sure we are truly providing an excellent introduction to the world for our students.

As posted previously, MEVSD is officially out of fiscal caution.  That’s a huge relief, but only the start of a long journey.

The challenge now is to keep us on track.  Mr. Seymour presented a 5-year forecast at the board meeting (which must be filed with the state) which incorporates projected changes in income and expenses for the next few years.  With many large income decreases expected, and expenses continuing to increase, the district must start planning now in order to make the 2008 operating levy last for at least 4 years.

The board asked Dr. Farrell and the administration to identify reductions of 2% of the budget starting this year, for the next five years.  This will stretch our levy dollars and keep us conservative re: the 2%/year we could lose for over 20 years.  However, there are even more questions:  it is still unknown if the state will be able to find funds to plug the almost $1 billion hole the loss of slots income has caused.  It is possible we could see additional cuts of up to $4 million in the next two years, in addition to the 2% we are losing due to changes to the state funding formula.

If these cuts happen, the district will have a lot of work ahead.  Right now, other options (such as delaying a tax break) are being discussed by the state, and districts have been told to assume the money will be available.

Congratulations, MEVSD!

At last night’s board meeting, Randy Seymour read a letter from the state confirming the district has been released from fiscal caution.  The hard work of all our district personnel, combined with support from the community, has allowed us to get back on track financially.  Congratulations, everyone!!!

What can other districts tell us?

I posted the other day about an “Excellence Committee” where we could seek out best practices and information from other school districts, organizations and businesses about what they’re doing that works.  By sharing information back-and-forth, we can all improve what we’re doing.

Apparently more people than I are thinking along these lines, because a teacher contacted me the other day with this same idea.  He knows a teacher in another district  – one that has significantly more problems than we do, and which is not even close to Excellent.  Despite this district having many challenges, he says his friend has just about every kind of technology imaginable.   Yet, we are struggling and relying on PTAs to scrape together fundraising money to buy Smart Boards.

What is this other district doing that allows them to purchase this technology?  Is it a great deal they get from somewhere?  Is it collective purchasing?  A grant or donation?  What can we find out from them that would help us?

This is one district and one issue – what can we find out if we are able to talk to many districts?  As this teacher said, we shouldn’t stop with Ohio districts – there are many great schools in Kentucky that are doing innovative things.  What can we learn from them, and from other states?

There is so much knowledge & creativity out there – if we can find a way to come together to share it, we will all benefit.  And the ultimate recipients are, of course, our children & our community … as we are able to find ways to do things more efficiently, we will have more funds to put toward education, which also will allow us to minimize the burden on our community.

I can’t see anything but wins in this scenario – can you?

Seeking Excellence

No company or organization exists in a vacuum – we all learn from others, and try to improve and adapt based on what we see that we like (and dislike) that others are doing.

This is the basis of “best practices” in the business world:  seeking out methods & techniques that have consistently shown superior results, and using these as benchmarks to strive for.

So how can we apply this practice to our school district?  How about actively seeking out “best practices” and innovative approaches at other organizations, including school districts, organizations, and businesses, to see what they are doing and how their approaches can apply to us?

I posted this idea of an “Excellence Committee” in answer to the Advertiser’s question about maintaining fiscal responsibility & finding innovative ideas.  Something like this can be beneficial not only for our school district, but also for others.  By sharing information, ideas and resources, we can all become more efficient and effective – something that is desperately needed to help all Ohio districts maintain quality.

There are many possibilities as to where an approach like this can go:  can we share resources re: professional development options, providing training we could not otherwise afford?  What can teachers share with each other to help improve methods & practices at various schools?  Administrators?  Board members?  Do other districts know of grants or programs we could benefit from, or that we could partner on?  What kinds of community partnerships and programs are other districts doing that could also benefit us?

I believe an Excellence Committee, looking for best practices wherever we can find them, could be a huge help in supporting our excellent education no matter what else hits our district from the outside.  No one has all the answers – but by seeking success in other places and pooling resources, we are guaranteed to find more of them.