Dwight Jones has announced his resignation as Superintendent of Schools in Clark Co. Nevada, giving the Board of Trustees a two-week notice rather than the 90 days called for in his contract. Mr. Jones cited family illness as the driver behind his abrupt departure. While wishing Mr. Jones and his family all the best, the timing is not good for the 5th largest school district in the US, with over 300,000 students desperate for the best education they can get.
Nevada is one month into a 120-day biennial session of its legislature. State-level funding for education - slashed by over $700 million during the economic downturn - is expected to rise again. However, Gov. Sandoval's budget calls for bringing back only a fraction of funding lost since 2007. Student enrollment is slowly increasing again after stabilizing - not declining - during the downturn.
Graduation rates have begun to improve in Clark. Co. - and have a long way to go. While teachers, staff and programs have been slashed over the last five years, other programs and initiatives have been launched. There is plenty of hard work ahead to prepare today's students for success after graduation, for their benefit and for all of ours.
As the Clark Co. School District begins the arduous task of filling the top spot again, my hope is for patience and wisdom for the Board of Trustees, and an efficient selection process.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Starting up!
Create. Think. Solve. What could be more important as we face the challenges ahead?
Why start blogging now? Let's see: Breakdown lane on Capitol Hill. Comity in Carson City, at least until it's time to pay for it all. All-too successful dismantling of parent networks in the Clark County School District (CCSD), now causing pain for the school district as it has already for students, families, and schools. The blame game. Everywhere. All the time.
So, start locally, right? To Clark County Schools - Let's bring the 5th man back on the team! [Can't help it - March Madness cometh!] The CCSD is working with trustees, administrators, teachers, and students. Parents need to be brought back into the game, included meaningfully and with intention once again.
To Carson City - Keep up the good work - even when it's time for the hard conversations.
To Capitol Hill - Get it together, people! Earn your keep if you want to keep your job/position/power.
More shortly about creativity. Getting things done together. Looking for meaning and context, not assigning blame. Breathe!
Why start blogging now? Let's see: Breakdown lane on Capitol Hill. Comity in Carson City, at least until it's time to pay for it all. All-too successful dismantling of parent networks in the Clark County School District (CCSD), now causing pain for the school district as it has already for students, families, and schools. The blame game. Everywhere. All the time.
So, start locally, right? To Clark County Schools - Let's bring the 5th man back on the team! [Can't help it - March Madness cometh!] The CCSD is working with trustees, administrators, teachers, and students. Parents need to be brought back into the game, included meaningfully and with intention once again.
To Carson City - Keep up the good work - even when it's time for the hard conversations.
To Capitol Hill - Get it together, people! Earn your keep if you want to keep your job/position/power.
More shortly about creativity. Getting things done together. Looking for meaning and context, not assigning blame. Breathe!
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