How Are Public Schools Financed? Part I

Superintendents view the period from December through April as the budget season. This varies across school districts with most planning, preparing, and finalizing a budget on or before April 1 as required by law. State law requires each division superintendent to prepare, with the approval of the school board, and submit to the governing body’s… Continue reading How Are Public Schools Financed? Part I

What is the Proposed Vision for Danville’s Desired Public Education System?

The Danville School Board held a three-day retreat, November 2 through November 4, 2017, to consider a future vision of public education in the city of Danville and develop a robust framework for the Danville Public Schools’ Education Strategic Plan. The Board and Superintendent spent three days brainstorming and planning in an effort to develop… Continue reading What is the Proposed Vision for Danville’s Desired Public Education System?

What Efforts, Strategies, and Initiatives are Imperative to Improve Student Outcomes?

  Simply put, the most important efforts, strategies, and initiatives that will result in improved student outcomes require Danville Public Schools to implement the highest quality and most engaging instructional strategies in every classroom every day.  Fortunately, Danville Public Schools has a rich history of high-quality performance. In previous articles, my efforts to explain where… Continue reading What Efforts, Strategies, and Initiatives are Imperative to Improve Student Outcomes?

Accreditation Results – What is Being Measured?

The VDOE publicly released overall statewide school division and school pass rates for 2016-2017 state assessments on August 15. State accreditation ratings will be released to the news media and general public on September 13. As superintendent, I am the first to acknowledge that the accreditation process is only “one” measure of school performance.  The challenge with the… Continue reading Accreditation Results – What is Being Measured?

How Do We Interrogate Our Own Reality as a Learning Organization?

  Happy New Year and Welcome Back as we begin the 2017 – 2018 school-year.  While many businesses have only one grand opening, Danville Public Schools has a grand opening every year.  We are excited to begin the new year of learning not only for our students but for ourselves as leaders of learning. By… Continue reading How Do We Interrogate Our Own Reality as a Learning Organization?

Is the Cost of Public Education an Investment or Expense?

  There are moments when it is beneficial for me to step outside of the public education realm to carefully consider the idea that public education is an investment rather than an expense.  This perspective may be a direct result of what has been a lengthy but successful budget season for Danville Public Schools. As… Continue reading Is the Cost of Public Education an Investment or Expense?

What Does It Take to Reinvest In Teaching and Learning?

We are living in an era of increasing demands and diminishing resources for public schools.  In cities where there is an unwillingness to invest in public schools, the likelihood of overcoming the challenges related to economic development, creating a viable work force, improving neighborhood quality of life, reducing crime, and improving health, are nearly impossible. … Continue reading What Does It Take to Reinvest In Teaching and Learning?