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Northeast Academy Parent Forum April 29, 2008 6:00 PM Angela Monson, Presiding Purpose of Forum: Dialogue on NEA Future/Enrollment - Douglass/Northeast merge; NEA to become middle school only - Day to Day operations/Discipline/Various Issues - Selection of Principal Administration Changes - Northeast/Classen Principal Search process is different then regular schools due to Specialty School status. - Attributes of an Effective Administrator Open Dialogue with Mrs. Sandra Park, OKCPS Acting Superintendent Mrs. Park Opening Comments: - Overview Superintendent Search applications will close as of May 2, 2008 - Board Chair no application to serve; written statement to be turned into Board Clerk deadline to submit May 2, 2008. - Student Safety: Superintendent, RED’s agreeing all students must be monitored at all times. - Northeast/Douglass merger rumor: As Acting Superintendent no firm answers regarding the future of either school can be made by her at this point due to the status of her position. Decision will be made based on information, data, and enrollment trends. - Proposal: Begin at the start of the year having structured meetings with Northeast and Douglass parents, staff, and the community. · Develop timelines at least two/three years down the road if that is the decision to be made. · Provide an opportunity to discuss pros/cons; evaluate the issues and what would be best for the community as a whole. Question/Answer Session:
Question: Part: 1) Enrollment at Northeast has dropped due to transportation being cut. Will transportation be provided? Answer: Administration has been discussing transportation issues; and reviewing the transportation budget.
Question: Part: 2) how will renovations effect the school operation; and is this an underline way to begin the merger of the two school? Answer: MAPS has developed a system to renovate sections while school operations continue; all Classes will remain on site. No classes will held in other school buildings. Renovation is scheduled to begin 2009 – 2010 with $4,500,000.00 allocated.
Question: What does data say regarding status of Northeast? Answer: Low enrollment; fewer children; fewer programs; less opportunity
Question: What are families’ rights without penalty regarding transfers? Answer: Parents may elect to move their student at any time. Pay close attention to the timing of the move for students retain necessary credits for graduation. This is an application school, which means school of choice; alternative return to home school. If you wish to move outside of the district, then the accepting district must approve unless you live within their attendance boundaries.
Question: Pros/Cons? Who are the people who are pro? Answer: Due to the status my position, I can’t speak on the full intent; but recommend more dialogue as this to come to resolution for the community as a whole.
Question: If students are this districts best interest; why were two principals allowed to transfer to another school in the middle of the school year? Answer: Due to the Collective Bargaining Agreement for staff; an employee has a right to apply for any open position; if he/she chooses to do so. Both administrators requested to transfer; this was not an administrative move.
Comment: My concern is if the two schools merge; this will directly affect the academic success of our students. Douglass had the reputation of being successful; good, the best teachers with the strongest minds, producing the best students; but that was in the past; that is not the case today. Comment: This not only affects the parents/students but the staff as well; the staff is uncertain regarding their future. We have great teachers and staff members it is unfair for them to be in limbo. Proposal: Dialogue for at least four years with both schools’ staff, parents, and the community; take the current eighth grade class and allow four year of dialogue to develop a plan that will be smooth. The community will be aware of the transition rather than uncertain of the future; this could possibly develop trust. Response: Agreed this is a fair request. Again, there is no formal plan to close this school.
Comment: This is good for you to meet today; but parent need to attend the board meetings. I attend the board meetings regularly and there is a 5 year plan in place, no parents are not aware of the 5 year plan because you do not attend the board meetings. (Douglass parent) Response: 3 – Year Plan Secondary School Reform - Change middle/high school to 7-hour day. - Curriculum/Professional Development - Tutoring/Intervention - Instruction - School climate This is the only three year plan we have in place; and its purpose is to better educate children. Because most of our high schools are identified as school improvement sites and some for more two years, it is imperative that we seek ways to stop and reverse this trend.
Question: Northeast is an application only school. Will Douglass be brought up to that Same type of standard? Answer: Northeast has accepted students other than by application only. Again there is no formal plan to close Northeast. There must be more dialogue. It is the intent of the district to bring all secondary schools up to the highest standard.
Student Question: Can a student panel/forum be created to address student issues? Students have more involvement and knowledge regarding what happens at school; than the parents. We want to be heard also. Answer: Yes, this is a wonderful idea and we will work with the administration to set-up a student panel.
Comment: The Fundamental Challenge with this community is to develop trust with the OKCPS administration; no one gives any concrete answers. Response: I am sorry. But, again, due to the current status of my position I can not give you any concrete answers; I have certainly heard your concerns; I can only make recommendations. I understand the biggest challenge in this district is building trust.
Mrs. Park had to leave at this point. Ms. Angela Monson thanked Mrs. Park for attending the forum and for her honesty. Ms. Monson introduced several persons who were in attendance: Senator Andrew Rice; Senator Connie Johnson; Representative Michael Shelton; Rev. Tyron Gaddis; Mrs. Thelma Parks; Mr. James Moore of “We Work Better Together”. She thanks each of these persons and everyone for attending the forum; creating a Transparency Covenant with the OKCPS District. Angela then introduced Dr. Sheli McAdoo, Regional Executive Director for the Douglass Learning Community to continue to a few more answer questions; but we want to get to the attributes we want in a principal.
Dr. Sheli McAdoo: Question: What will happen to the quality of education with current administration? Answer: We are in an effort to secure a new principal and things will move forward. Question: My student participates in athletics. Will there be a process to handle the eligibility issue with moving to another OKCPS school? Answer: There is a district policy in place to address student hard-ships in moving from one OKCP school to the another OKCP school. In the District, we manage this process through the District Athletic Director’s office (Phil Ingersoll). Students transferring outside of an OKCPS school must follow the OSSAA and receiving district process for establishing athletic eligibility. Every effort will be made to assist any student with this process.
Question: Why would you take two administrators from one building in the middle of the year? Answer: This is a Personnel Issue/administrators choice. Student Response: I spoke with Dr. Staples and he wanted to go help Douglass like he has helped Northeast.
Concern: I transferred my daughter from Cheyenne Jr. /Edmond Schools; because I heard about all the wonderful things that was going on here at Northeast, My daughter has excelled since coming here. Now my concern is an un-settled future. Please give a concrete timeline; as families need to prepare for the education and success of their children. Response: I assure you; I will press the issue once the leadership of OKCPS has been filled.
Question: Formulate a group to look at the number of student at NEA who excel. This is a Melting pot. Will the programs such as the Discovery Program w/OUHSC; and The Bio-Med programs be pulled and transferred to Douglass? Answer/Angela Monson: No, the programs will not be pulled and the OUHSC is committed to NEA.
Comment: Board Meetings are not Parent friendly; there should be provision for the Public to speak at Board Meetings.
Angela: Let’s know move to day to day issues. Dr. Ron Maxfield is currently serving as Interim- Principal at NEA. Let’s hear from him. Because he has to leave shortly.
Discipline: Dr. Maxfield - School Culture is developed in trust - Value the integrity of a child - Does not allow students to disrupt - College courses will continue o Return to the application process - Students must make a commitment to work hard. - Recruitment process will be a commitment. o PTSA must be involved and committed Suggestion: Student Council devise list of attributes foe teachers and administrators. - Engage student forum
Questions/Answer: Dr. Sheli McAdoo
Student Concern: Teacher has told student he doesn’t care if she learns or about the learning process. If a teacher doesn’t care about or respect me than I don’t respect them. Response: This is not appropriate behavior and is unacceptable; parent should notify Dr. McAdoo’s office to report such behavior and it will be addressed. Parent Response: Child should always show respect to adults and notify parent of the adult behavior and allow the parent to handle it not the student.
Comment: There is no supervision in hallways; administration is not visible and the hallways are chaotic. No one is on duty; inside or outside. Response: I have been in the school; I have walked through the halls and I have never seen chaos. But I expect the administration and teachers to be visible. It is every ones Job to ensure a safe school.
Question: This is an old building; and as renovations begin they may find asbestos. How will our children be protected and where will they be? Answer: A safety plan is developed through the MAPS architect and engineers; they block off sections of the building; work in those areas until completed. MAPS will work with all administration and staff to ensure safety of the students and staff.
Question: What happens when an administrator tells a parent, “just let him fail.” Parent states this is unacceptable but she was told this by an administrator. Answer: I hold high expectations for myself, administrators and teachers. It is not acceptable for students to fail without interventions; and it is not acceptable for the instructional team be it teachers, administrators, parents or students to offer or accept failing as an option. Principal Attributes - Strong leadership · Hire High Quality Teachers · Take necessary steps to remove those not working to standard - Offer Academic/Social Balance; · Enforce academics but also offer rewards for student performance - Safe School · Enforce discipline and school safety - Active Leadership · Visible/Personable · Experience – Large Urban School District · Experience in High Performing School ^ High Personal Standard - Open Door – Relationship with Parents - Proactive not Reactive - Hands On Skills - Promote Academic Excellence/College Prep - Feedback on Instruction/Staff – Professional Development - Instructional Leader · Willing to lead by example
Angela Monson thanked everyone for coming and those who stayed and Mr. Gary Jones speak briefly about the “We Work Better Together” Coalition and what it represents developing cohesiveness between agency and community. Angela expressed and excitement about being apart of the forum and said the next meeting will be May 13, 2008 @ 6:00 PM. The parent Forum will have an opportunity to meet the candidates in the final selection for principal and allowed to ask questions regarding leadership and expectations. Angela thanked our guest who donated money to purchase PTA memberships for parents who were present at tonight’s meeting. Tyrone Gaddis $60.00; Mike Shelton $50.00; Andrew Rice $20.00. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.
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