How we got where we are Part XXXIII (August 2009)

On another post Anonymous wrote:

"How we got where we are, part 33, August 2009

August 26, 2009: the Board enters into a contract with the Council of the Great City Schools “to execute a comprehensive audit of all existing programs for students with exceptionalities. This audit would encompass the impact of special education programs on the District's pre-school through age 21 students with disabilities. Audit challenges will include: a comprehensive look at the overall efficiency and effectiveness of special education service delivery, design and implementation of all programs as well as a critical look at programmatic and department expenditures. Special attention will be given to the overall organizational structure....total cost shall not exceed $40,000.”

At least one member of the CGCS study team was pretty amused by the grand celebration of PPS adequate yearly progress, because 1) AYP requires two years of making the standard; 2) she quite clearly knew that it was a combination of confidence intervals and future growth models contrasted with a prior year of pretty poor performance that equaled the “making progress” designation. Not surprisingly, her stinging critique of our public relations focus would not make the final report.

That being said, it is interesting that nowhere in the report does it suggest that the District should staff the Executive Director of Student Services position with a candidate that has absolutely no administrative certification to supervise special education. Who needs certification when you have Broad connections, eh?

Fresh off of the $257,670 contract awarded in July 2009, the Board authorizes a contract “with Focus on Results to provide 96 days of training and consulting to 19 K-5 principals and their leadership teams around The Seven Areas of Focus - A Strategic Framework for Whole School Improvement. Through Year 2 of this initiative, principals and their teams will refine the skills and strategies they need to lead effective, results driven efforts at whole school reform. Two consultants will meet monthly for 8 months with principals and their leadership teams. These meetings will consist of professional development training in content and process and school visits between and among the 19 schools to see implementation of the seven areas of focus. The consultants will make school visits to provide additional support as the teams work with classroom teachers on the school's instructional focus. The consultants will also plan and debrief with the K-5 assistant superintendent. In between visits, the consultants will provide distance coaching, planning, preparation, coordination and collaboration with principals. The operating period shall be from September 1,2009 to July 31, 2010. The rate of payment shall be $2,300 per day/$650 planning per day plus travel, total cost shall not exceed $230,350.”

It does beg the question, if we paid nearly $500,000 to Focus on Results to perform the essential duties of the Assistant Superintendents, exactly what did we need the Assistant Superintendents for, let alone why they were in the mix for bonuses when PPS was paying twice for the service.

Central office expansion continues in dramatic fashion, with the Roosevelt/Lane/Fischetti/Weiss administration recommending that the Board open the following positions: Executive Director, Office of Teacher Effectiveness; Director, Employee Evaluation; Manager, Employee Evaluation. Amazing action, given that the Gates grant application and award mandates dramatic reductions in teaching staff to pay for the program.

The internal financial statements once again warn the Superintendent and Board that “Significant efforts must be made to reduce operating costs.”

Randall Taylor connects the dots: “I will abstain on this item [addendum to open new positions listed above] that I raised in our executive session. There are some concerns about two major hirings, that I am concerned about the source of funding, which is general fund. I encourage the administration to seek alternatives.” "