Issues

The School Board today is responding to very difficult challenges. 

The impact of the COVID pandemic has reduced enrollment and remote learning has impacted academic outcomes. The State’s refusal to adequately fund public education has resulted in ASD facing huge deficits. And the shrinking workforce has resulted in a larger number of vacancies with increasing classroom sizes.

Regardless of the challenges, we must continue to improve educational outcomes for all our students.  Their future depends on our success.

On July 1, 2022, the Board hired a new superintendent with high expectations. The Superintendent was challenged to find a way to improve academic outcomes while facing large financial deficits. I am pleased that changes are a Board priority, including curriculum changes. When I joined in 2021, 74 percent of staff and principals said they had no trust in the Superintendent and Administration. Today, that trust is being restored by respectful communications and a cooperative working environment.

Academic scores are too low. We cannot focus on the reasons for failure but must seek alternatives to improve outcomes. Our early grades have over 10 more employees per classroom than more states allow under their “maximum effective classroom size”.  But we can still do better. Differentiated instruction is critical to help all students advance a full year every year. A comprehensive plan must be implemented, regardless of obstacles.