A recent EdWeek article highlighted a study by Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) that attempted to calculate the school system’s economic value. Since the district receives money from local taxpayers based on a revenue sharing formula, Superintendent Dr. James G. Merrill was interested in showing municipal leaders the district’s worth through its economic value to the community and return on investment. Budgeting discussions are not new in public school systems, but focusing on a district’s economic value, rather than the dollars and cents on each line item, can help district and community leaders better understand the economic impact of a school system and make more informed funding decisions. The study, conducted by North Carolina State University professor Michael L. Walden, concluded that $1.53 is earned for every $1.00 spent from the district’s operating budget. Additionally, he found that VBCPS graduates will earn $800 million more in lifetime income than students who drop out of high school, will be healthier, and will be less likely to end up in jail – saving the public millions of dollars in crime and health care costs. Showing the positive economic impact of the school system will help the public understand the costs involved in education, and can be used as an argument against future cuts.
Dr. James Merrill has been superintendent of Virginia Beach City Public Schools since 2006, and a member of The District Management Council (DMC) since 2010. For more on VBCPS, please read Dr. Merrill’s article A Strategy for the 21st Century in the Winter 2011 volume of The District Management Council.
This past September, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) of North Carolina received an incredible gift for their graduating seniors. As winner of the 2011 Broad Prize for Urban Education, the district will receive $550,000 in scholarships for the class of 2012.
CMS received this award from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation in recognition for showing the greatest student academic gains nationally of any large, urban school district. The district was previously a runner-up for the prize in 2010.
For the full story, please click the following link on CMS’ website.
After six years at the helm of Stamford Public Schools (CT), Dr. Joshua P. Starr has left to become the superintendent of Montgomery County Public Schools (MD). He will replace Superintendent Jerry D. Weast, who is retiring after 12 years. Dr. Weast has received numerous awards and recognitions for his ambitious and innovative work to close to improve student outcomes and close the achievement gap. Starr has received similar accolades in Stamford, and hopes to continue the successes of Montgomery County.
With 114,064 students, 200 schools, and an operating budget of more than $2 billion, the district is the largest in Maryland and the 16th largest in the United States. "It is an award winning model urban-suburban school district," Starr said to The Stamford Advocate. "They are setting the pace for what great public education in this country looks like."
Dr. Dwight Pfennig, Superintendent of Pocono Mountain School District since March 2005, has announced his retirement, effective August 31. Dr. Pfennig has worked in education for most of the last three decades – he began as an English teacher, and worked his way up through school and district administration to become the Deputy Commissioner of Education for New Jersey under former Governor Jim McGreevey. As he told the Pocono Record, "I have had numerous opportunities to experience positive professional work experiences that have increased educational opportunities for the students at Pocono Mountain School District." His leadership will be missed, and we at DMC wish Dr. Pfennig the best in his next life challenge.
DMC member Dr. Jack Dale, Superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools (VA), recently published the article “Dangerous Mind Games: Are We Ready to Overhaul the Teaching Profession?” in the American Enterprise Institute’s June Education Outlook Series. With so much discussion around the vision of twenty-first century teacher leaders, especially in regards to merit pay and performance pay, this insightful article brings the unique perspective of a school superintendent and addresses how to manage and adapt this vision by creating a collaborative team environment.
Dr. Dale’s article highlights that recent calls for merit pay and performance pay for teachers still miss a crucial point: teaching must be a collaborative team effort, and incentivizing individual teachers will not accomplish our ambitious goals. He argues that while adopting the teacher-leaders model may raise short-term issues, such a culture shift is needed to attract better teachers and benefit all students. Teacher leaders would take on additional responsibilities, thus reducing the need for a large central office, and placing professional development within the realm of other teachers. Such a shift in the types of duties performed by teachers would require a shift in compensation structures, as well. Dr. Dale draws on his own district experience, and provides a compelling case for the urgent need to shift the way children are educated in the United States.
The NCCE (The Northwest Council for Computer Education) Outstanding Technology Leader of the Year Award pays tribute to a visionary individual who has influenced technology in education and has made significant long-term contributions to their school district beyond his or her job description. This spring that special individual was Superintendent Dr. Linda Clark.
Congratulations to DMC Member Newport News Public Schools (VA) for being named a Category 3 Magna Award Winner for 2011. Newport News Public Schools are led by Superintendent Ashby Kilgore. The Magna Awards, presented by the American School Board Journal, recognize innovative thinking in school districts. As part of its commitment to educate students for college and career readiness, the district partnered with nearby shipbuilder Northrop Grubman to create the Shipbuilders Club, establish a mentoring program, and develop a Career Readiness Curriculum for middle school students. Through this innovative partnership, students receive hands-on training from professionals and are able to explore career options. The Shipbuilders Club recently placed second in a ship design competition sponsored by the Nauticus Museum in Norfolk, VA.
For more information about the Magna Awards, click here.
Barry, a long-time DMC member, has been superintednent of the Aurora Public School District since 2006. In their letter nominating Barry for the award, the School Executives of Aurora praised Barry's efforts to engage students, parents, community members, and other stakeholders to create a sense of shared responsibility for the schools. Barry is credited with changing the focus and philosophy of the district to improve student academic achievement, which has resulted in an increase in district scores on the Colorado State Assessment (CSAP) during his tenure. Criteria for selection for the Colorado Association of School Executives superintendent award is based on exemplary performance in four areas: leadership for learning, communication skills, professionalism, and community involvement.
John Barry authored Aurora Public Schools: Building a Culture of Trust, featured in the Spring 2010 volume of The District Management Journal, available here.
Pocono Mountain School District, the 13th-largest school district in Pennsylvania, has generated large gains in both reading and mathematics scores on the Commonwealth's 11th-grade tests. The 21st Century Partnership for STEM Education, an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to advance literacy and achievement in the STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), surveyed data from all 501 districts within Pennsylvania over a six-year period and named Pocono Mountain one of the Commonwealth's top 10 districts. The district will be the subject of further study by the 21st Century Partnership in order to better understand the practices and processes in place in the district that led to such dramatic gains.
Brenda Cassellius, a recent DMC member, was appointed Education Commissioner of Minnesota by Governor Mark Dayton in December, 2010. In his appointment of Cassellius, Governor Dayton praised her leadership in education innovation and her experience in bringing together various stakeholders and policymakers to build consensus and improve public education. Prior to her appointment, Cassellius was Superintendent of the East Metro Integration District (EMID) in the St. Paul area, where she led the superintendents from EMID's 10 member-districts in their achievement agenda.
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"DMC provides me with essential information related to the complex and difficult task of managing and developing our district's greatest asset - our human capital. DMC understands the issue and the solution; that is one of the many reasons that our district is part of the organization"David Anthony, Former Superintendent
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Houston, TX
96,000 students
