Frank Cerasoli (-)
Stamford Board of Education
1) We need to focus on achievement gaps. Given the diversity in the Stamford Public School system , we have an opportunity to address these disparities – whether they exist due to ethnic/racial differences, income level differences, or due to language issues. We all rise or fall together and the inability to come up with an answer hurts us all. There are no easy answers however -this issue has persisted despite the increased attention given to it. However, engagement is certainly something we should work on – engaging students, engaging families, engaging communities, teachers, administration. Stamford Public Schools has taken steps in all these areas, but we should continue to push. And we need to continually shine a light on this so everyone is aware of the work we still need to do.
2) It is far past the time to improve the deteriorating infrastructure that exists in many of our schools. The mold issue has focused a well-deserved spotlight on the infrastructure needs of our schools. But this serious mold issue is only one example of what can result when the needs of the schools are not addressed, year after year, in our annual Capital Budgets. We need to update the blueprint that outlines the Capital needs of our schools. We need to be able to move beyond safety/security/health issues (which always, necessarily take highest priority) and still find a way to fund the kind of improvements that allow our families to take pride in their school environments.
2) It is far past the time to improve the deteriorating infrastructure that exists in many of our schools. The mold issue has focused a well-deserved spotlight on the infrastructure needs of our schools. But this serious mold issue is only one example of what can result when the needs of the schools are not addressed, year after year, in our annual Capital Budgets. We need to update the blueprint that outlines the Capital needs of our schools. We need to be able to move beyond safety/security/health issues (which always, necessarily take highest priority) and still find a way to fund the kind of improvements that allow our families to take pride in their school environments.
• Metrics that compare student achievement in Math and English both year-over-year, and compared to other Connecticut School Districts.
• Comparing how those metrics break down along various demographics
• Graduation rates
• Attendance figures
• Measures that capture the level of confidence in the school system for students, parents and teachers
• Compare all the above measures to Capital/resource needs of the individual school (if there is a disparity, address it).
• Comparing how those metrics break down along various demographics
• Graduation rates
• Attendance figures
• Measures that capture the level of confidence in the school system for students, parents and teachers
• Compare all the above measures to Capital/resource needs of the individual school (if there is a disparity, address it).
It is to make sure we are educating all our public school children in an effective and equitable way. The next question is how do you get there?
The Board of Education’s basic responsibilities are (1) school policy (2) preparation/adoption of the budget (3) hiring/monitoring the superintendent, and (4) keeping engaged with the community in order to inform how to address the first three responsibilities. What I take from this is that our way to address the most important responsibility (as a Board) is put in place policies that allow the educational process to thrive. There is, however, a lot behind this. In involves understanding what the issues are that need to be addressed through policy. It involves having budgets properly designed to put the emphasis where we feel we need it. It involves understanding the needs of our teachers – who are out there dealing with these challenges every single day. It involves working with the administration to move forward where we share common ground, and to work out approaches where solutions are not as evident. It involves engagement with the community.
The Board of Education’s basic responsibilities are (1) school policy (2) preparation/adoption of the budget (3) hiring/monitoring the superintendent, and (4) keeping engaged with the community in order to inform how to address the first three responsibilities. What I take from this is that our way to address the most important responsibility (as a Board) is put in place policies that allow the educational process to thrive. There is, however, a lot behind this. In involves understanding what the issues are that need to be addressed through policy. It involves having budgets properly designed to put the emphasis where we feel we need it. It involves understanding the needs of our teachers – who are out there dealing with these challenges every single day. It involves working with the administration to move forward where we share common ground, and to work out approaches where solutions are not as evident. It involves engagement with the community.