Still on the job
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As I was visiting schools yesterday, one of our volunteer community members came up to me and commented, “I thought you had retired.” Just for the record, I am still working on behalf of Polson students and my retirement date is June 30, 2016.
As a matter of fact, I am working diligently on the ambitious goals that Board of Trustees have set out for the District:
1) 95 percent of students will be proficient in Reading and Mathematics; 2) All students will graduate career and/or college ready; and 3) Polson Schools will be a Lighthouse District of excellence in Montana. I hope to pass the “baton” to the new Superintendent as I am running for the finish line.
In four years with Polson Schools, we have accomplished much but there is still more work to be done. Some of our successes include:
—District-wide teamwork through Professional Learning Communities where administrators, teachers, classified staff and the District are learning to work together on behalf of students. This Kindergarten-Grade 12 teamwork has resulted in a unified, coordinated curriculum in Reading and Mathematics, which is accelerating student achievement. This is verified in our first reported results of the State Achievement scores this past year where we exceeded the State’s scores for reading in grades four, eight and 11 and for Mathematics in grades four, five, seven and eight. Even more remarkable, our Native American students outperformed the State Native students in Reading and Mathematics at every grade level (third through11th grades).
—This past year our graduation rate at Polson High School was 91 percent for students starting as freshman and finishing as seniors. Our Native American student graduation rate was 88 percent, which was well above the State Graduation Rate. This again is the result of tremendous teamwork at the high school supporting students through programs such as LINK, where junior and seniors mentor incoming freshman; or our Graduation Coach working to support students so they don’t become credit deficient; or the CORE-FLEX Program where students meet with teachers if they are in danger of failing a class.
—Additionally, 12 of our seniors have been selected as interns at St. Joseph’s Hospital where they are job shadowing technicians, doctors, and nurses in all departments of the hospital. Plans are being developed next year to begin a Dental Hygienist Certification Program with Salish Kootenai College to further provide career opportunities for students.
—We have a Facilities Master Plan that has led to the replacement of the roof and heating systems at Polson High School along with improving the appearance of the High School. Additionally, we have developed plans for the future of improving the learning environment at all schools for students through a Building Reserve Levy and careful stewardship of local and State tax dollars.
What has been accomplished in Polson Schools is the direct result of teachers, classified staff administrators and the Board working together to provide the best education possible for every student. However, as I said before, there is still more work to be done. So if you see me in the schools or community, I will be running hard for the finish line as I complete the race June 30, 2016.
