Christina’s Plan For “Priority Schools” And Last Night’s Meeting
Here’s what happened at last night’s Christina’s School Board meeting:
With two days remaining before a threatened state takeover of its three inner-city schools, the Christina board delayed action on the state’s priority schools plan – but it gave Superintendent Freeman Williams permission to work with education officials on a compromise.
Department spokeswoman Alison May said officials there were willing to extend the deadline for negotiations – at least for the moment. Gov. Jack Markell has said he will close those schools down or hand them over to charters or other outside operators if the district and state can’t agree.
The board’s move comes after the Department of Education rejected draft plans the district had crafted after months of meetings with parents, teachers and others in the schools’ communities.
“At the highest level, the plans propose continuing the work that is already underway at the schools, which we know has not been effective,” May wrote. “The plans propose supplementing the current work in minor ways, which we do not believe will be transformative for students.”
Before continuing, let’s break this down. First, Gov. Markell will not close these schools down, so he should probably drop that bit of nonsense. Charter and privatization have always been the end game for these Priority Schools (It’s actually more than the end game, it’s the entire point of this), so let’s stop pretending that closure is on the table. It isn’t… unless someone wants to tell me where the children attending the closed schools would go? And while the MOU doesn’t have much to say about the children attending these schools, they do, in fact, actually exist.
Second, let’s deal with this quote: “At the highest level, the plans propose continuing the work that is already underway at the schools, which we know has not been effective,” May wrote. “The plans propose supplementing the current work in minor ways, which we do not believe will be transformative for students.”
But, is this true?
A comprehensive review of Christina’s Stubbs and Bancroft elementary schools, conducted by the University of Delaware and commissioned by DDOE, released a report in early December indicating that these schools are making significant progress in a range of categories under their current leadership. In fifteen areas, including School Leadership Decisions, Curriculum and Instruction, and Strategies for Students Who Are at Risk, both schools received the highest possible evaluation.
This is a report (DASL) commissioned by the DDOE that they never mention. What is Alison May basing her statement on? Not the report her department commissioned. I understand why DDOE wants to ignore these findings. If they addressed them then they would actually have to change their mindset and their MOU; They would actually have to deal with the complicated issues facing our high poverty schools, drop their corporate fantasy of overpaid CEOs running our schools, stop blaming teachers who are on the front line with these kids and their families every day, start fighting for needs-based funding of high poverty schools – many (high poverty schools) of which didn’t exist until the legislature embraced Choice, Charters, Neighborhood Schools Act and Magnets – and simply consider trying smaller class sizes.
I said this in October, and I’ll say it again. “What’s infuriating is that we begin these discussions pretending we’ve actually tried to help these schools. We haven’t, and the State and Districts are both guilty of this. It isn’t as if the State and District are saying, “Hey, we tried smaller class sizes, putting more teachers in the schools, implemented equitable funding, added resources like wellness centers, school psychologists and put back programs such as TAG, Technology, Reading/Math specialists, Arts, etc. and these schools are still struggling so now we need to try something different.” They can’t say that because they never did that.”
Now, suddenly, everyone is supposed to believe that the powers-that-be care about these schools? If they cared they’d have a track record of their efforts helping these schools. Can anyone show me what the DDOE, our Governor and Legislature has done to help these schools prior to labeling them Priority Schools? Serious question, btw.
Back to last night’s meeting:
State officials also say Christina’s rules for the turnaround don’t give principals enough flexibility from the district to overhaul their schools’ budget and operations, allowing them to “propose” changes instead of implementing themselves. Christina’s plan also does not allow principals as much authority as the state wants when it comes to hiring school staff.
Other changes Christina has proposed, like extending the school day by 30 minutes, aren’t ambitious enough to make a dramatic difference, the state argues.
Two things.
1.) What is wrong with principals “proposing” changes to the district? Why shouldn’t changes be reviewed? Principals having free reign, with no oversight, is the charter school model. Go ask the families of the now closed Pencader Charter, Moyer Academy, Reach Academy, etc. how they felt when the state closed (slated for closure) their schools and they had nowhere to turn, no district to appeal to, a Charter School Network that threw them under the bus rather than fight for them. I’ve had those conversations. It’s time for DDOE, our Secretary of Education, Governor and elected officials to do the same.
Also keep in mind that the state took over Moyer – How’d they do? Oh, it’s closing? – and stepped in to help and oversee Pencader’s turn around. Is Pencader still open? Nope. Not to mention, even with the state “being there” Pencader ended up costing tax payers over 300,000.00 (additional monies) due to more financial mismanagement – and this happened on the DDOE watch. Go speak to these families and ask them how they feel about DDOE. If you think Priority School parents are angry… you don’t know the definition of angry.
2.) Can we please stop treating the families in Priority Schools as a monolith. Extending the school day isn’t the right choice for everyone. Most schools started 2 hours late today, and not everyone was happy about that. So extending the school day may not be right for everyone. I’m not necessarily against a longer school day, but to keep tossing this around like it will solve the problem is as lazy as school uniforms.
Red Clay is guilty of this as well. I wrote about it here. The only people who would consider Warner and Shortlidge a campus are people who have never walked between Warner and Shortlidge. It’s typical “sit around a conference table at district office” thinking. May I suggest that those that came up with this idea take that walk today?
One last thing about the News Journal article…
Though Red Clay’s rules eliminated the two most controversial items in the state’s original proposals: $160,000 minimum to pay the new principals and forcing all teachers to reapply for their jobs, it did leave much of the rest intact.
Why no, no it didn’t. The most controversial item in the MOU is the threat of closure, converting to charter and privatization – and that will never be removed since it’s the entire flippin’ point of the MOU.
Exceptional Delaware breaks it down (If you’re not reading this bog, you should):
At the Christina School District Board of Education meeting this evening, the board announced the Delware Department of Education has set new strict guidelines regarding their memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the priority schools. The DOE gave Christina three options in regards to their very limited choices:
1) Approve their existing MOU which the DOE has already said is not approvable.
2) Develop a negotiating team made of 3 members of the board, the superintendent, and other members hand-picked by the superintendent. This team would have to meet with the DOE by 1/9 (Friday) and agree to a memorandum of understanding. The DOE would no longer give feedback on the plan. If the sides were not able to come to an agreement, the district would have the opportunity to choose one of the three turnaround models-turn the school into a charter, school closure, or turn it over to a management company. If the two sides were able to come to an agreement, the Christina Board would have to vote on it at their 1/13 meeting.
3) If no action is taken, and all items are tabled, the turnaround models would again be the only option.
Okay. There was really only two choices. 1.) turnaround model (charter or privatization), or 2.) Do what the DDOE says and delay the turnaround model. Please notice how all roads lead to charter conversion and privatization.
Question: If the DDOE would no longer give feedback on the plan then how would Christina and the DDOE reach an agreement? And what’s with the rushed schedule (again – this entire thing has been rushed) and the fact that this schedule will violate the open meeting law? Is DDOE above the law? Can they force Christina to break it?
You know, most school board members have real jobs and might not be able to clear their schedules for a long (and it will be long) Friday meeting. Will Penny Schwinn clear her schedule – because she had better be free all day on Friday. If she’s not, then Priority Schools aren’t her priority.
In terms of where this negotiation meeting would be held, a twisted yet hysterical part of the meeting came when board member Harrie Ruth Minnehan read DOE Chief Proficiency Officer Penny Schwinn’s hours of availability during the next two days. The longest block of time she could provide was two hours, but only if they met in Wilmington, between 9-11am on Friday. Yes, I can see how bad the DOE wants to negotiate in good faith…
I plan to monitor Penny’s schedule. I expect it to be 100% cleared for Friday – with every slot labeled for Christina. I also expect the meeting to go well into the night – that no one leaves until an acceptable deal (for both sides) is done. Mark Murphy and Jack Markell should be there as well. Either this is a priority, or it’s not. If you threaten to close, charter or privatize public schools then you need to be at the table helping to make this work. No more delegating, since, obviously, that doesn’t work. If it worked then Christina wouldn’t have had months of meetings with parents, teachers and community members only for the DDOE to shrug and say, “Nah.” Unless… their real purpose was to always say Nah?
I do know that there is probably no stopping this – let alone actually doing it right. Because if we did it right then these schools wouldn’t privatize and/or become charters. Which defeats the true purpose of Priority Schools.
In closing, let’s look at one of the schools Markell, Murphy and DDOE keep holding up as a success – East Side Charter.
Nelia Dolan left this comment on Kilroy’s:
The greatest proficiency gains made in East Side Charter that everyone is touting was carried by a single cohort of students that went from 62 students in the third grade (2010/2011) to 29 students in the 5th grade (2012/2013).
Unless you can look at the gains of each individual student, then the possibility that the students who left the school were ones that did not perform well enough to meet standard is too great to ignore.
What difference does it make if the student body engineering is happening on the front end or somewhere in between?
I guess losing/counseling out over half of your student body is one way to raise test scores.
And about those tests… Brace yourselves for a massive explosion once the Smarter Balanced scores are released this summer. On the bright side, we’re going to have a lot more Priority Schools. Boom!
Tags: Education, Featured, Priority Schools
Excellent summary of events. I really hope Christina goes for that nuclear option! That would be the ONLY way to stop this unless some attorney out there can offer insight into ANYTHING illegal that has been done on the DOE’s part. It’s a shame certain FOIAs weren’t released prior to this…design or coincidence?
This is a great summary bringing people up to speed. Thanks, pandora!
I will be submitting a few comments with multiple links that may get caught in your spam catcher.
MASTER LIST OF PRIORITY SCHOOLS CORE PLANNING TEAM AND SCHOOL-BASED TEAM MEETINGS, PRIORITY SCHOOL UPDATES WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT, AND LEGISLATIVE COFFEE MEETINGS
Wednesday, October 22, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 North Lombard St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
Wednesday, October 22, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Stubbs Elementary School Media Center
1100 North Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Monday, October 27, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Priority School Update with the Superintendent
Stubbs Elementary School Library
1100 North Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tuesday, October 28, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Bayard Middle School Priority School Meeting
Bayard Middle School Library
200 S. duPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Wednesday, October 29, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Wednesday, October 29, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Update with the Superintendent
Bayard Middle School Library
200 S. DuPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Thursday, October 30, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority Schools Meeting
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Monday, November 3, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Update with the Superintendent
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Wednesday, November 5, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Thursday, November 6, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, November 7, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team Meeting
Drew Educational Support Center
600 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Monday, November 10, 9:00- 10:00 a.m.
Priority Schools Legislative Coffee
Stubbs Elementary School Cafeteria
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Monday, November 10 ~ 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Update with the Superintendent
Newark High School Cafeteria A
750 E. Delaware Avenue
Newark, DE 19711
Wednesday, November 12, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
Priority Schools Legislative Coffee
Eden Support Services Center Cafeteria
925 Bear Corbitt Road
Bear, DE 19701
Wednesday, November 12, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Bayard Middle School Priority School Meeting
Bayard Middle School Library
200 S. duPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Thursday, November 13, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Stubbs Elementary School Media Center
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, November 14, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team Meeting
Drew Educational Support Center
600 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tuesday, November 18, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Bayard Middle School Priority School Meeting
Bayard Middle School Libarary
200 S. duPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Wednesday, November 19, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Thursday, November 20, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Stubbs Elementary School Media Center
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, November 21, 3:00-4:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team Meeting
Drew Educational Support Center
600 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tuesday, December 2, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Bayard Middle School Priority School Meeting
Bayard Middle School Library
200 S. duPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Wednesday, December 3, 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Thursday, December 4, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, December 5, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team
Drew Educational Support Center
600 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tuesday, December 9, 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Bayard Middle School Priority School Meeting
Bayard Middle School Library
200 S. duPont Street
Wilmington, DE 19805
Wednesday, December 10, 3;30-5:00 p.m.
Bancroft Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Bancroft Elementary School Library
700 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Thursday, December 11, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Stubbs Elementary School Priority School Meeting
Stubbs Elementary Schol Media Center
1100 N. Pine Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, December 12, 3:00 -5:00 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team
Drew Educational Support Center
600 North Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Monday, December 15 ~ 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Priority Schools Update with the Superintendent
Sarah Pyle Academy Auditorium
501 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Friday, December 19, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Priority Schools Core Planning Team
Drew Educational Support Center
600 N. Lombard Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
2014-10-17 Priority School Mtg on 10-16-14.pdf
2014-10-27 Priority School Mtng on 10-17-14.pdf
2014-10-28 Priority Schools Mtng with Superintendent on 10-27-14.pdf
2014-10-30 Priority Schools Mtng with Superintendent on 10-29-14.pdf
2014-11-10 Priority Schools Legislative Coffee on 11-10-14.pdf
2014-11-12 Priority Schools Mtng with Superintendent on 11-10-14.pdf
2014-11-13 Priority Schools Legislative Coffee on 11-12-14.pdf
2014-11-5 Priority Schools Mtng with Superintendent on 11-3-14.pdf
2014-12-17 Priority Schools Mtng with Superintendent on 12-15-14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 12 12 14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 12 19 14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 12 5 14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _6.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _7.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Bayard _5.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Bayard _6.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Stubbs _6.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Stubbs _7.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 11-07-14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 11-14-14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Core Planning Team 11-21-14.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _1.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _2.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _4.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bancroft _5.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Bayard _1.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Stubbs _1.pdf
Agenda Priority School Framework Stubbs _2.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Bancroft _3.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Bayard _3.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Bayard _4.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Stubbs _3.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Stubbs _4.pdf
Agenda Priority School Team Meeting Stubbs _5.pdf
Agenda Priority School Update with Superintendent 12 15 14.pdf
Agenda Priority Schools Update with Superintendent 10 27 14.pdf
Agenda Priority Schools Update with Superintendent 10 29 14.pdf
Agenda Priority Schools Update with Superintendent 11 10 14.pdf
Agenda Superintendent Update 10-27-14.pdf
Agenda Superintendent Update 11-03-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 10-22-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 10-29-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 11 19 14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 11-05-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 11-12-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 12 3 14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Planning Minutes 12-10-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Planning Minutes 10-28-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Planning Minutes 11-12-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Planning Minutes 11-18-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Planning Minutes 12-2-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Planning Minutes 12-9-14.pdf
Bayard Professional Development Needs Assessment.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 11-07-14 REVISED.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 11-14-14.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 11-21-14.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 12-05-14.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 12-12-14.pdf
Minutes Priority School Core Planning Team 12-19-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 10-22-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 10-30-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 11 20 14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 11-13-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 12-11-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Planning Minutes 12-4-14.pdf
Survey for Priority School Updates with Superintendent.pdf
Survey Results from Superintendent Update 10-27-14.pdf
Bancroft Draft MOU with DDOE 12-19-14.pdf
Bancroft Draft Turnaround Plan 12-19-14.pdf
Bancroft Priority School Signed MOU with CEA 12-19-14.pdf
Bancroft Turnaround Plan Draft Budget 12-19-14.pdf
Bayard Draft MOU with DDOE 12-19-14.pdf
Bayard Draft Turnaround Plan 12-18-14.pdf
Bayard Priority School Signed MOU with CEA 12-19-14.pdf
Bayard Turnaround Plan Draft Budget 12-19-14.pdf
MOU Feedback to CSD from DDOE 1-7-15.pdf
Stubbs Draft MOU with DDOE 12-19-14.pdf
Stubbs Draft Turnaround Plan 12-19-14.pdf
Stubbs Priority School Signed MOU with CEA 12-19-14.pdf
Stubbs Turnaround Plan Draft Budget 12-19-14.pdf
Bancroft CSR Rubrics 11 14 14.pdf
Bancroft CSR Summary Report Fall 2014.pdf
Bancroft Draft MOU 12 5 14.pdf
Bancroft Elementary MOU.pdf
Bayard CSR Report.pdf
Bayard Draft MOU 12 5 14.pdf
Bayard Middle MOU.pdf
Bayard Professional Development Needs Assessment.pdf
Christina Involving Stakeholders in Conversations about Priority Schools.pdf
Christina Priority Schools Receive High Marks on Department of Ed Review.pdf
Department of Education Issues New Timeline for Christina_s Priority Schools.pdf
Priority School Calendar.pdf
Priority Schools Methodology One Pager – August 2014.pdf
Priority Schools Planning Teams Meeting Schedule.pdf
PrioritySchools Frequently Asked Questions DOE 9-15-14.pdf
Stubbs CSR Rubrics 11 7 14.pdf
Stubbs CSR Summary Report Fall 2014.pdf
Stubbs Draft MOU 12 5 14.pdf
Stubbs Elementary MOU.pdf
Survey for Priority School Updates with Superintendent.pdf
Turnaround and Priority School Guide _September 2014_
all here: http://www.christinak12.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=246303&type=d
What is the “nuclear option” in this case? Court injunction?
Just in case anyone actually thinks the DOE is being forthright and honest here:
https://exceptionaldelaware.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/the-backstabbing-and-nefarious-penny-schwinns-email-with-the-original-timeline-to-christina-school-district/
I’m saying a prayer to Superman that Christina takes Markell-Murphy-Schwinn to court. Like most things that come out of the Townsend and Carvel buildings, the Priority Schools argument wouldn’t hold up to any stiff breeze.
Set up one of those GoFundMe things and I’ll be happy to donate to pay for District’s legal costs…
the DOE’s primary enemy here: time.
They know it, too.
Last chance: If you disagree with DOE plans to convert these city public schools to charter/private management, please sign this online petition, which will be delivered to Sec’y of Ed Mark Murphy mid-morning tomorrow. It can’t hurt to demonstrate taxpayers’ displeasure at DOE’s dismissal of community input–and it is at the very least a show of support for the teachers and staff who choose to work in those schools. Over 600 signatures so far.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/lets-make-priority-schools-a-real-priority-2
Time is definitely the enemy of the Governor and DDOE. And John is correct – They know it.
Once those MOUs are signed it’s over. They need to be signed ASAP. They are the key to everything. Sorry, Red Clay, but you’re going to lose those schools. You lost them the second you signed the MOU containing the trigger for charter conversion and/or privatization – which was the only point of the MOU. All that tweaking you did to the MOU was pointless – it was simply busy work.
I have also come around to the idea of Christina employing the nuclear option. It might be the only chance to stop this private take-over of our public schools – altho I’m not sure this can be stopped. I’m even tempted to have CSD agree to every blessed thing in the MOU except closure, charter conversion and/or privatization. Think the Governor and DDOE would give that up in exchange for everything else? I don’t.
Once the MOUs are signed Priority Schools will slip into the background until the timeline set expires. Then it will be charter and privatization in a heartbeat. Once again, they’ll be public outcry and when that happens DDOE will simply wave the MOUs in front of everyone’s nose and blame the districts.
First of all, declaring tomorrow, the 9th to be doomsday is something brand new….the deal we thought we had with DOE (confirmed in emails) was that by 5 pm tomorrow (or to use DOE-esque talk, “COB,”) our revised, corrected, up to the minute world class plans etc were due in Dover; on the 16th feedback would arrive, no doubt by COB (not a swan, a time of day!), and then on the 21st the absolute, final, final, final version would be due, including all the community feedback etc that we scrounged up between the 16th and the 21st. Don’t know what happened to that timeline. Hard to keep up with these guys….maybe the cob flew off with it…
Instead tomorrow is now Negotiations Day, let’s call it ND. Schwinn is giving us an hour or so of her time to advise on the reconstruction of the MOUs which they threw back at us. She sent us a list of available times noting that she could only “hold these times until the end of the day….” and here’s my favorite part, “as people are making requests for my time for later in the week.” Life must be difficult when there’s only one of you to go around.
Things change so rapidly that we truly never know just what is on the table and what isn’t. Will DOE give on anything? Nope, I don’t think so, but let’s wait and see. COB on ND might be another story.
John, thanks a million for posting that ridiculously long list of meetings etc that CSD held since October. No wonder I’m tired….only missed one of them. It’s called community involvement and we heard what the community had to say.
on to tomorrow, another day….
Pandora, I’m afraid you are correct….charter and/or privatization have been the goal the entire time. 🙁 I couldn’t believe that Red Clay signed! I’m very embarrassed to be a Red Clay resident. But I’m very proud to be a Christina School District employee right now….our Board has really taken a stance (besides the one member who appears to be totally clueless), and I believe (hope/pray) they will continue to take a stance. It’s quite obvious that they know what the state is trying to do and WHY they are doing it. Kudos to the CSD Board and Dr. Williams for including stakeholders and continuing the fight! 🙂
Let me add: even if “continuing the fight” means employing the nuclear option. 🙂
The General Assembly could short-circuit all of this by repealing or modifying the charter handover/conversion provision in Delaware’s charter law. That is a worthwhile goal for public school advocates.
Charter conversion is the trap door engineered into the charter law that makes this all possible. Put enough weight on a school and the trap door springs open, even if it takes twenty years.
Secondly: I’ll have to take a closer look at the wording of the MOU, but I believe that if things get hot over their new Priority Schools, Red Clay can charter the schools themselves – our charter, our rules.
It’s still a pretty tough sled to convert a school according to DE code:
For that reason, I predict the state’s choice will be to hire an Educational Management Organization (EMO) to run the schools for CSD, using CSD monies and removing all local authority and control from the school.
If all of this goes through, the DSEA might as well stop existing. If a union cannot organize and stop something so obviously bad, perhaps it is just a waste of money for those who pay dues to it. Expensive billboards around the state don’t seem to matter much when jobs and whole schools are threatened…
@Eve: the website says 662… Does that also count any which might have been gathered in person (e.g. @ the CEA press conference)?
Prop Joe, there are hand signed petitions as well. Those, along with the iPetition, will be delivered today. The iPetition number (664 as of now!) does not include the hand signed petitions.
Mike, even if RCCD ended up chartering those schools (which makes me nervous because… Delaware College Preparatory Academy) that still results in the city losing its public schools – and attendance zones.
I also am, and have been, extremely unhappy with RCCD’s years of neglecting these schools. They are not the victim or the hero in this scenario. Their treatment of these schools over the last 15 years (longer even) has led to this. And while I do not like what the DDOE is doing (not one little bit) I don’t like what RCCD has done/hasn’t done in the past to these schools.
John Young, the state does not get to choose whether to close the school, convert to a charter, or allow takeover by a private management company (although the private management company has to be approved by the DDOE).
As per 14 DE Admin. Code 103 § 10.3.5: “If the parties to the MOU are unable to agree on the MOU within 120 days, the district or charter school shall select from the Restructuring models found in 7.5.1, 7.5.2, or 7.5.3.”
They get to choose if, when, in our use of our power to select, refuse to select.
i.e.- None of the Above.
Red Clay, get your survey on: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GS5CGWL
Survey on Priority Schools Open Until Jan 15
Red Clay is seeking additional community feedback on plans to improve student achievement at three “Priority Schools” before the Board of Education considers the improvement plans at its January 21, 2015 meeting.
The ten-question online survey will be available on the district website until January 15, and can be found here. One page executive summaries of the improvement plans are also available online, and can be found here:
Highlands
Shortlidge
Warner
Citing low academic achievement, the Delaware Department of Education (DOE) announced in September that six Wilmington schools – including three in Red Clay – would be named “Priority Schools” and receive additional funding for improvements under their direction.
Schools that do not make academic gains face closure, being named a charter school, or being taken over by a private educational management company. Red Clay Priority Schools include Warner, Shortlidge and Highlands elementary schools.
The Board of Education at its October meeting authorized administrators to negotiate with DOE on an MOU to create school improvement plans. At its December meeting, the school board approved two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) concerning the Priority Schools, but held off voting on improvement plans for the schools to allow additional time for community input.
Liberal Teacher unions are to blame. Get your kid into Private school and if you can’t get the hell out of Delaware.
My kids have kicked ass in DE public schools. Sorry your special snowflakes need ‘extra’ special help. Must be your genes.