As you know, we have a very real discipline problem within our district. When our students are not attentive, or not there due to suspension, this can cause poor performance in the classroom. Recently, the current board had been tasked with developing improvement plans for Briargate Elementary, Ridgemont Elementary and McAuliffe mIddle School due to poor performance. The Texas Education Agency required these schools improve, as they did not meet the standard that was set forth. There were numerous articles on this serious matter during the fall semester, yet it took the board almost four months from the initial ratings being posted to come to an agreed upon solution. I find it perplexing that an immediate plan of action was not instituted. What’s more baffling is how we as a community allowed these schools to fall short in the first place. These schools feed into Willowridge High School, which has not been as proficient in segments of the STAAR test as its counterparts around the district. This means a student at WHS today conceivably has been failed by the district since as early as 3rd grade. I have to think the district knew of the problems those schools were facing. In fact, this isn’t the first time this has happened in our district.Improvement plans
In 2011Parks Elementary, Lake Olympia Middle School and Marshall High School needed improvement plans as they were deemed Academically Unacceptable (UA). This issue is not just a crisis, its systemic. As your Board member, I’m determined to make sure all students have the best opportunity to succeed. I will, however, make sure campuses like these get the attention and resources they need. Equitable education is the only way all of our schools can achieve high marks; not just in the classroom, but in life.
Furthermore, the current approved improvement plans available online are convoluted. A clear and transparent plan should be presented to the community. That way you can have community leaders invested in the schools success. When you have buy-in by the surrounding neighborhoods, the ownership of the issue now becomes more balanced. With an easily digestible plan, the community and the district can work more efficiently together to get to the solution so sorely needed for these schools.
The time to overlook this issue is over. Join me in my fight to build a better district.