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E-mail Home > Blogs > Get on the Bus > Archives > 2010 > August > 18 > Entry
Superintendent’s convocation address spotlights gains, challenges ahead
Dayton Public Schools continues to make incremental gains in student performance but future improvement could be jeopardized by serious funding concerns, Superintendent Lori Ward told the district’s 2,500 employees Wednesday, Aug. 18.
“The uncertainty of state funding and our reliance on half of the operating budget coming from property tax puts us at risk,” Ward said during the district’s convocation at UD Arena.
The annual event serves as a kick-off to the 2010-11 school year, which begins for students on Monday, Aug. 23.
The foreclosure crisis has caused the district to collect less property tax revenue than before voters approved a 4.9-mill operating levy in November 2008. Last year, the district lost about $19 million from unpaid taxes.
Despite those tough financial challenges, Ward told employees she will accept “no excuses” for not striving to do better.
She gave a sneak peek at some preliminary state report card data, which will be released on Aug. 27.
Among the highlights:
— The district received 72.6 (up from 70.8) out of a possible 120 points on the Academic Performance Index, which is the combined total of all district test scores and indicates the students’ rate of progress.
— The district saw improvement in reading and mathematics indicators for Ohio Achievement Assessments for grades 3-8, as well as gains on the Ohio Graduation Test.
The percentage of our students scoring at the advanced and proficient levels continues to increase while the numbers scoring at limited and basic is decreasing,” she said.
Ward also noted the attendance rate increased to 92 percent, the highest since 2001.
“We really should be proud of these results but it’s not good enough,” she said, outlining for employees three key focus areas she identified as teaching and learning, operational efficiencies and customer service.
Ward invited on stage some operations employees to show new color-coordinated uniforms for truck drivers (burgundy), nutrition services (blue and white), grounds (green), security (white), custodians (light blue), building and maintenance (beige) and bus drivers (royal blue.)
Teachers Nancy Vogel and Sanjii Johnigan said after the convocation they liked Ward’s speech for different reasons. Vogel liked how it spotlighted the importance of customer service and collaborating to build a support system. That’s something she considers key in helping kids to succeed. Johnigan liked the superintendent’s tough, “straight forward” approach.
From the moment Ward took the microphone Wednesday, she demonstrated the no excuses style she has become known for during her 15 years with the district.
After emcee Malcolm A. Keith Jr., a recent graduate of Stivers for the Arts, had trouble quieting the crowd so the program could start, Ward publicly chastised several late-arriving employees who were still milling around and greeting colleagues.
She was applauded for it, as well as later when she told employees who don’t believe in the district or its new professional, dress-for-success attitude, “you really need to be someplace else.”
Dayton Public employees, tell us what you thought of Ward’s speech by posting comments here.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Dayton Public Schools
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By Malcom Keith, Jr
August 27, 2010 3:57 AM | Link to this
Now, I am a recent graduate of Stivers School for the Arts, a school in the Dayton Public Schools district. “DPS = Dayton Public Scam,” I’d love to address some of your thoughts and concerns. I know way too many citizens who steadily pontificate the district that doesn’t receive the credit it deserves. My first question to you is, would you happen to have any children enrolled in the district? I’d like to enlighten you to a few facts. Firstly This district houses not only your future and tomorrow, but mine also. This district also has produced nineteen Millennium Gates Scholars since 2000. You do the math. This district produces wonderful students, and as a product, I had to take out the time to enlighten you on the subject. I will be more than happy to read your rebuttal. All of my comments are innocuous comments and are meant to be taken that way.
By Maxwell Powers
August 21, 2010 6:53 PM | Link to this
Changeherenow: I’m no naysayer, just tired of hearing that the district is/will be broke, but yet we have money for things that are not effective. In 5 months, when the district announces that there will be 150 or more teacher layoffs for 2011-2012, come back and tell me that convocation was worth it.
By changeherenow
August 21, 2010 2:29 PM | Link to this
Maxwell Powers you just happen to be one of those people who believe that everything is a waste and everyone should stop trying. Convocation serves several purposes, most of which can not be achieved in over DATV or the internet. Super. Ward is already moving to make the changes that she can while you sit back and take on the role of naysayer that you are so good at.
By Joe Lacey
August 19, 2010 1:27 PM | Link to this
The most powerful message relayed may well have been when the superintendent pointed out disruptive activity. That message would not have been as nearly effective if given over closed-circuit TV or the internet.
By DPS = DAYTON PUBLIC SCAM
August 19, 2010 10:23 AM | Link to this
DPS will continue to be a complete disaster for years to come. The culture at DPS will not change until the entire school system simply grinds to a screeching halt. The total incompetence and apathy evident in every aspect of the organization has not changed one iota. It is the school system City of Dayton deserves.
By Maxwell Powers
August 18, 2010 5:02 PM | Link to this
The speech was fine. Well-delivered and artfully crafted. However, in a district looking at huge financial defecits, does it make sense to rent out UD Arena for it? Could it not have been just as effectively given over closed-circuit TV or the internet?