May 14, 2008
“Perception and our Public Schools” Event and Superintendent Search
Deborah Jewell-Sherman, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent was just named the Virginia Superintendent of the year. And, if you blinked you might not have noticed the local coverage as School Board Rep, Kim Bridges points out.
Here is a message that she sent out to the Mary Munford community via the PTA e-newsletter:
*** Message from Kim Bridges, 1st District School Board Representative ***
Bridges For Schools Update – May 2008It’s official: Richmond has the best in Virginia
If you blinked (or didn’t read all the way past the obituaries) you might have missed it, but Dr. Jewell Sherman was named Virginia Superintendent of the Year on Tuesday evening.
After being selected as one of eight regional finalists, she was chosen by a group representing superintendents, PTA, the state Department of Education, the Virginia School Boards Association, and the business community. It’s quite an honor, and Richmond’s superintendent will now proceed to the national award level along with the best of the best across the nation. She deserves our congratulations and thanks–and if you feel so inclined, you may reach her at djewell@richmond.k12.va.us.A Tale of Two Systems?
The statewide recognition illustrates a point that has been vexing me for some time. The current status of Richmond Public Schools could be, to borrow from Dickens, “A Tale of Two Systems.” (Even the first line of A Tale of Two Cities rings true for RPS. Extra credit to any fellow English major or avid reader who can prove your recall of the novel’s opening–no googling allowed!) It’s not just me; others have noticed that the state and national perspective of RPS differs considerably from the local perspective. I’ve been examining that disconnect and have asked Councilman Tyler if we could delve into it at the next 1st District Town Hall meeting on May 28. Please join us at Mary Munford that evening at 7:00 p.m. for a dialogue on “Perception and our Public Schools.” I’ll be inviting members of the media to attend as well, as a number of 1st District folks have approached me to ask, “What’s up with the coverage of RPS?” I think it will be an interesting and productive discussion – please come.More chances to talk
Speaking of dialogues and the attributes of a successful superintendent, the school board is hosting several public forums to hear from the community about what we want in our next superintendent. These four public forums will be a critical first step in beginning the superintendent search process. The 1st District will host the forum at TJ on May 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and I’ll share the other dates below.Progressing Procurement and Improving Infrastructure
Hopefully you got the chance to read about the actions taken so far to improve the school system’s procurement woes.The statewide expert has begun his work to “reengineer” the entire department. With his guidance, that process should be done by July 1.
I received another promising report at yesterday’s school board Facilities and Operations committee meeting. With city council’s support in the upcoming budget, RPS is looking ahead to an unprecedented level of capital projects for ADA upgrades, City of the Future new/renovated school construction, and yearly maintenance/critical repairs next year. The list of schools that need funds for HVAC, roof and other repairs are the most critical and time sensitive of the maintenance projects–not niceties but necessity to keep children protected from the elements during the school day. These old buildings may be solid and beautiful, but they need on-going care to keep them functional. Please thank council members for putting the funding in place for these projects as they finalize the city budget.
Don’t sit on the sidelines!
There’s much more to talk about, but I’m going to end with upcoming school board dates and a promise to touch on additional topics in the days ahead.May 14 @ 6 p.m. - Public Forum on our superintendent search at TJ
May 17 @ 10 a.m. – Public Forum on our superintendent search at Lucille Brown
May 19 @ 6 p.m. – School Board meeting
May 21 @ 6 p.m. – Public Forum on our superintendent search at Franklin Military Academy
May 28 @ 6 p.m. – Public Forum on our superintendent search at Holton
May 28 @ 7 p.m. – 1st District Town Hall meeting featuring discussion of “Perception and our Public Schools”
I published a link to the RTD story about Jewell in one of my comments on my neighborhood blog and no one commented. Does anyone have a comment?
http://chpn.net/news/2008/04/29/west-ups-the-ante/#comments
“No comment” is a powerful comment.
Someone on School Board needs to help Mrs. Bridges and colleagues understand that the problems RPS faces cannot be reduced to good media/bad media relations. Gimme a break! They’re delusional if they really believe that.
Fix these problems:
1. graduation rate
2. drop-out rate
3. suspensions
4. 24/7 SOLs
5. disrespect and disregard from fatcat administrators to employees, parents, teachers, students.
6. When a kid fails a test — it is the kid’s fault. If they excel — Supt. Sherman hogs all the credit.
7. High per pupil spending
8. low expectations of students
9. lousy arts curriculum
10. lousy technology instruction.
[...] As reported by the Near West End News earlier this week, the search for a new Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools has shifted into high gear with a series of public forums, including on slated for Wednesday, May 28, at 6:00 pm at Linwood Holton Elementary School. [...]
Get real, while you do raise good points, I think you are off on 6 and 8 in particular. The past two weeks, I have spoken to my children’s teachers on the phone at least 3 times a week, because they called or because I asked for an update. As always, they care, they talke, and we form plans together to further their development. I am involved and they keep me involved.
There are positives in the school system that have been ignored by the media. I am glad the problems have been brought to light, but let’s take a realistic look at the situation.
“The state and national perspective of RPS differs considerably” from my actual experience in RPS. I can understand first district folk questioning the media coverage of RPS but they need to see that outside of places like Mary Munford and other first district schools that the school experience is vastly different.
Get Real, I agree with your list completely, only add RPS administration’s failure to protect students’ privacy and rights(this comes from my family’s most recent experience with RPS). And the failure of RPS administration to break up the mob at one particular elementary school that has slandered students, teachers, and parents for some time. From our terrible experience in RPS, I have learned that reporting to RPS downtown will not only accomplish zero but will put your family through more pain and trouble.
RPS is headed in the same direction as the villians in the movie, “The Golden Compass.”
Jonah, great post and thanks for the info.
Gosh, gray, I am so sorry you have had such a bad experience. Our kids attend the same school and I have the most positive feelings about this school. I love their teachers and appreciate how they keep me in touch. I hope if your stay in this school, they will get the teachers that have so helped my son and daughter with their social and academic development.
In post #5 I’m talking about Cary and downtown’s adamant protection of that school. So far our experience at Bellevue has been positive and I’m willing to fight to keep it open.
Tiny: Yes, let us be realistic and reason together. Deborah Jewell-Sherman sure does attempt to get all the credit for academic improvements and she sure does blame others for the financial mismanagement.
If kids do well in school (and far more do than don’t), DJS is the consummate cheerleader. But, a superintendent (even one who got the Supt. of the Year Award) needs to manage both academics and financial challenges. I have yet to hear –or read — a statement from her that accepts responsibility for the mess in the RPS financial dept. Not one word.
Go to http://richmond.k12.va.us/ and click on the online “Take the Superintendent Search – Public Hearing Community Survey.” It only takes a few minutes.