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Dayton Daily News education reporter Scott Elliott writes about schools, kids, teaching and learning.
Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2008 > January > 10 > Entry
New board keeps Isaacs at helm
A reconstituted Dayton Board of Education began 2007 by agreeing to keep board President Isaacs at the helm.
Issacs prevailed Thursday unanimously even after the defeat in November of close allies Mario Gallin and Lee Massoud and the departure a few weeks before of her friend and mentor Gail Littlejohn.
The new board began the year with just three holdovers from the first meeting of the year — Isaacs, Joe Lacey and Stacy Thompson. Newly elected Jeff Mims, Nancy Nerny and Shelia Taylor were sworn in, joining Ronald Lee, who was appointed late last year. Despite all the change and upheaval from 2007, including a levy defeat last May that prompted deep cuts and widespread layoffs, Isaacs struck an optimistic tone.
“There has been much speculation about how this board will operate going forward,” she said. “I believe we will continue to be strong, focused and work cohesively to make the best decisions for children.”
Isaacs said the district must continue its academic reforms, add rigor to its programs and regain the “continuous improvement” rating it held before slipping one step on the state’s rating system to “academic watch” in 2007.
Among other 2008 priorities Isaacs outlined were advocating for better state funding, conducting an outside performance audit of the district’s business practices, improve customer service, communicate better inside the district and with the community, deliver construction projects on time and budget, find solutions for neighborhoods with school construction concerns and live within the district’s budget.
In other news from the meeting:
—Students from Patterson Career Center recommended a new mascot and colors when the move to the new David Ponitz Career Technology Center next to Sinclair Community College. After much discussion, debate and polling the students recommended the nickname of “Golden Panthers” with blue and gold as colors.
—The board announced it will hold four meetings this year at school sites, beginning with a Jan. 22 meeting at Cleveland Elementary School. The others will be April 15 at Thurgood Marshall High School, July 15 at Kiser Elementary Schoool and Oct 21 at Wogaman Elementary School.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
Comments
By Worried DPS Parent
January 22, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
My only bugbear with holding quarterly meetings at selected schools is the start-time, (which I assume is the same for all meetings), of 6pm is too early. As a parent in a one vehicle household, I drop my son at school and come straight to work for 9am, timing Lunch to pick him up at the end of the school day, which means I finish work @ 6pm. What is even more disappointing, for me, is that last night’s meeting was held at my son’s school. (groups.google.com/group/dpstalk)By Eve
January 16, 2008 6:57 AM | Link to this
If I remember correctly, the board did hold a public meeting at non air conditioned Wilbur Wright last July.By Laura
January 13, 2008 7:25 PM | Link to this
I suggest they hold their July meeting in one of the non-air conditioned buildings.By Murasnush
January 13, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this
Make peace, not war!By Oldprof
January 12, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this
Mary, I expect to see you will file a petition as a school board candidate next year. Then you can deal with that harsh reality that it doesn’t matter what you think, it matters if anyone else agrees.By James
January 12, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Is this a good move or not? Your thoughts please.By Mary
January 12, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Sounds like typical status quo yada yada at board meetings: name a mascot, spend construction money, and ask for more state money. As I recall, they cut academic opportuniites, and textbooks, but are funding basketball and football. Well, duh. Look at the priorities. And suburban districts do the same thing.By Concerned Mom of 3
January 11, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
I think holding meetings at the schools is a positive step for the new board. Excellent decision!!! I hope to be make it to a meeting or two this year. I also hope the new board is able to get out of the “put out the fire” mentality when making decisions. They have got to start trying to get a step ahead of the district’s problems. Intead of responding after the problems arise, they need to try to take steps to prevent the problems from happening in the first place.