On Tuesday, March 8, 2011, the voters of the Sanborn Regional School District went to the polls and made their voices heard. Between the two towns, over 2200 people cast a ballot and participated in the democratic process. Thank you to all those who were able to come out to the polls on Tuesday.
The results of the election included strong support for the proposed budget, teacher contract, and the support staff contract. The school community cannot thank the greater community enough for their support. The budget that was proposed will help us continue our march to become one of the top districts in the State. We will continue to monitor our programs to ensure we are getting the biggest bang for your tax dollar.
The positive votes on both of the contracts will go a long way in providing stability in our workforce. Less time will be spent training new staff members in our programs and more time can be spent enhancing skills and improving student achievement. I am confident that teacher turnover will be significantly decreased this year.
In the coming year, we will continue to expand the implementation of our Pinnacle program. To date, we have implemented the Student Information System, and Gradebook (including the Parent Portal and standards based report cards). The next phase includes the curriculum and instruction modules and professional development. Elsewhere in the system, we will continue our work on implementing the Strategic Plan, and re-writing our Technology Plan and Professional Development Master Plans for the State. The next year promises to be a very busy, productive year.
Once again, I would like to personally thank the voters of Kingston and Newton for their support at the polls on Tuesday. If you have any questions or comments about this column, please contact me at bblake@sau17.org.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Voting Day
(This article was published in the Carriage Towne News on March 3, 2011 and is being reprinted here.)
During the past year and a half (my arrival at Sanborn), we have worked diligently to review programs, complete curriculum alignment, find efficiencies in the system, and develop a strategic plan to move us toward our goal of becoming one of the top school districts in the State. In previous columns I have discussed some of the programs, curriculum issues, and provided highlights of the Strategic Plan.
On March 8, 2011, voters will have the opportunity to vote on the Sanborn Regional School District proposed budget. The budget this year, as presented, is actually lower than the default budget. The proposed budget contains a number of reductions as the result of the program reviews that have been on-going. For example, re-arranging the Middle School schedule allowed us to consolidate some of our services and reduce a teaching section. At the High School, a close review of the Art department indicates that we can safely reduce an art position to half time. These are but two examples of the changes being made as the result of our program review. We have also been able to find additional savings in other areas of the budget as well.
Voters will also be presented with a new contract proposal for our teaching staff. The Sanborn teachers are now in their 3rd year working without a contract. Last year, the contract narrowly failed, in fact a re-count was necessary to determine the outcome. In the end, the contract failed by just seven votes. Teachers continue to work on improving our school system, participating on committees, and striving to help us reach our goals. We are happy to report that the School Board and Teachers worked diligently to produce a contract that meets the needs of the voters as well as the needs of the teachers. Following a public forum in the fall, both sides work to address the public concerns in hopes of finally passing a contract. The contract being presented to the voters contains modest salary increases, language to negate the evergreen clause, and significant changes to health care.
Finally, the voters will be presented with a contract for the support staff of the district. Last years’ contract was not supported by the voters. The support staff contract being presented to the voters contains similar provisions to the teachers contract in terms of the evergreen language, changes in health care, and modest salary increases. Our support staff plays a critical role in the schools and in the lives of our children.
We are hosting an additional opportunity to discuss the budget and the two contracts on March 3, 2011 at the Memorial School in Newton at 7:00 p.m. Our hope is that we can answer any remaining questions you may have prior to the vote on March 8, 2011. We hope that you will join us. If you have any questions or comments about this column, please contact me at bblake@sau17.org.
During the past year and a half (my arrival at Sanborn), we have worked diligently to review programs, complete curriculum alignment, find efficiencies in the system, and develop a strategic plan to move us toward our goal of becoming one of the top school districts in the State. In previous columns I have discussed some of the programs, curriculum issues, and provided highlights of the Strategic Plan.
On March 8, 2011, voters will have the opportunity to vote on the Sanborn Regional School District proposed budget. The budget this year, as presented, is actually lower than the default budget. The proposed budget contains a number of reductions as the result of the program reviews that have been on-going. For example, re-arranging the Middle School schedule allowed us to consolidate some of our services and reduce a teaching section. At the High School, a close review of the Art department indicates that we can safely reduce an art position to half time. These are but two examples of the changes being made as the result of our program review. We have also been able to find additional savings in other areas of the budget as well.
Voters will also be presented with a new contract proposal for our teaching staff. The Sanborn teachers are now in their 3rd year working without a contract. Last year, the contract narrowly failed, in fact a re-count was necessary to determine the outcome. In the end, the contract failed by just seven votes. Teachers continue to work on improving our school system, participating on committees, and striving to help us reach our goals. We are happy to report that the School Board and Teachers worked diligently to produce a contract that meets the needs of the voters as well as the needs of the teachers. Following a public forum in the fall, both sides work to address the public concerns in hopes of finally passing a contract. The contract being presented to the voters contains modest salary increases, language to negate the evergreen clause, and significant changes to health care.
Finally, the voters will be presented with a contract for the support staff of the district. Last years’ contract was not supported by the voters. The support staff contract being presented to the voters contains similar provisions to the teachers contract in terms of the evergreen language, changes in health care, and modest salary increases. Our support staff plays a critical role in the schools and in the lives of our children.
We are hosting an additional opportunity to discuss the budget and the two contracts on March 3, 2011 at the Memorial School in Newton at 7:00 p.m. Our hope is that we can answer any remaining questions you may have prior to the vote on March 8, 2011. We hope that you will join us. If you have any questions or comments about this column, please contact me at bblake@sau17.org.
Moving Forward? You Bet!
(This article was published in the Carriage Towne News back in February and is being reprinted here.)
The Sanborn Regional School Board established a goal to become one of the top 10% school districts in the State, as measured by a number of indicators. I would like to take the opportunity to share with you some of the progress we are making toward that goal. There are plenty of things that suggest we are well on our way to achieving the goal.
Our recent NECAP scores continue to show significant improvement, moving more and more students into the highest scoring levels in all three areas (Reading, Math, and Writing). This is but one measure that we use to gage the success of our curriculum. Other measures include a nationally referenced assessment (NWEA), and a variety of local assessments.
The Sanborn Regional School District is leading the State in the use of competencies and reporting out competence on a standards-based report card. The new student management system (Pinnacle) will allow us to further differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students.
The professional development opportunities for all staff (largely grant funded), provide staff with the necessary training and support to further enhance their skills and provide a solid education to our students. Teachers are working harder than ever to learn the new systems and refine their lessons.
The development, approval, and implementation of the Strategic Plan provides the backdrop for the development of the budget, program reviews, the improvement to facilities, and the increased use of technology district wide. The proposed budget this year is lower than the default budget, signaling a “tightening of the belt” and a review of district programs. Technology is being enhanced in the district to provide teachers and students with 21st century tools for a 21st century education.
The Sanborn Regional School District is well on its’ way to becoming an educational leader in the State. I look forward to your continued support as we strive to achieve our goal. If you have any questions or concerns about the proposed budget or either of the contracts, please contact me directly at bblake@sau17.org. I will gladly respond. We also have another public forum scheduled for March 3, 2011 at the Memorial School in Newton. The forum is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
The Sanborn Regional School Board established a goal to become one of the top 10% school districts in the State, as measured by a number of indicators. I would like to take the opportunity to share with you some of the progress we are making toward that goal. There are plenty of things that suggest we are well on our way to achieving the goal.
Our recent NECAP scores continue to show significant improvement, moving more and more students into the highest scoring levels in all three areas (Reading, Math, and Writing). This is but one measure that we use to gage the success of our curriculum. Other measures include a nationally referenced assessment (NWEA), and a variety of local assessments.
The Sanborn Regional School District is leading the State in the use of competencies and reporting out competence on a standards-based report card. The new student management system (Pinnacle) will allow us to further differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students.
The professional development opportunities for all staff (largely grant funded), provide staff with the necessary training and support to further enhance their skills and provide a solid education to our students. Teachers are working harder than ever to learn the new systems and refine their lessons.
The development, approval, and implementation of the Strategic Plan provides the backdrop for the development of the budget, program reviews, the improvement to facilities, and the increased use of technology district wide. The proposed budget this year is lower than the default budget, signaling a “tightening of the belt” and a review of district programs. Technology is being enhanced in the district to provide teachers and students with 21st century tools for a 21st century education.
The Sanborn Regional School District is well on its’ way to becoming an educational leader in the State. I look forward to your continued support as we strive to achieve our goal. If you have any questions or concerns about the proposed budget or either of the contracts, please contact me directly at bblake@sau17.org. I will gladly respond. We also have another public forum scheduled for March 3, 2011 at the Memorial School in Newton. The forum is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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