Will the RIH BOE Address Key Issues Tonight? Community-Driven Questions to Ensure Accountability & Real Student Impact with Superintendent Goals

Regarding the Superintendent Goals on tonight’s agenda, attached is an email I sent to the BOE with some questions/suggestions. I hope they will incorporate some of these into tonight’s discussion.

Our district has faced two years of significant challenges and disruptions caused by the current board majority. This is a great time for the new Superintendent to hear directly from the community, rather than information that has been filtered through the majority’s political lens. Together, we can work toward a better, more transparent, and supportive district for all students.

If you want to email the BOE and Superintendent on this topic (or any other) you can email them at: rihboe@rih.org

Letter to BOE:

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Dear Ms. DeMarco and Members of the Board of Education,

I understand and appreciate the importance of transparent public discussion of goals to ensure they have both community support and a meaningful impact on student achievement. In no particular order, here are a few questions I hope are discussed and addressed at tonight’s board meeting.

1) Strategic Plan Alignment: How do the proposed Superintendent goals align with the district’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan? Why are certain key initiatives from the plan, such as student wellness and authentic, project-based learning, not explicitly mentioned in these goals?

2) Enrollment Disparity: The Strategic Plan outlined a comprehensive approach to addressing enrollment disparity, involving data analysis and stakeholder input. How does a facility analysis alone address these issues, and are there plans to incorporate broader strategies to ensure equity between the schools? Will these strategies go beyond surface-level solutions, like hiring a public relations firm, and instead tackle the root causes that impact students’ school choice and their educational experiences?

3) Facility Analysis Specifics: What is the scope of the comprehensive facility analysis mentioned in Goal #2? Will it address programming differences, or is it limited to physical infrastructure?

4) Community Engagement: What opportunities will be provided for parents, students, and staff to give input on the implementation of block scheduling and a later start time? How will feedback be gathered, and how will it inform the process moving forward?

5) Transparency and Process: What measures are being taken to ensure community awareness, especially given the significant public interest in addressing enrollment disparities effectively?

6) Evaluation of Progress: What metrics or benchmarks will be used to measure the success of these goals? How and when will progress be reported to the board and the community throughout the year to ensure accountability?

Here are specific suggestions to consider before finalizing and approving the goals:

(1) Align Goals with the Strategic Plan: To better support our students, consider integrating wellness initiatives, project-based learning, and authentic experiences into the goals, as outlined in the Strategic Plan.

(2) Address Enrollment Disparity: Expand the goal to include a comprehensive approach that considers programming, student choice, academic offerings, and root causes, rather than limiting the focus to facilities.

(3) Set Clear Metrics: Define specific benchmarks for success, such as improvements in student academic performance, community engagement metrics, or professional development outcomes.

(4) Commit to Transparent Reporting: Outline a timeline for reporting progress to the board and community.

Thank you for considering these questions and suggestions as we all work together to make our district stronger and ensure the best outcomes for our students.

Best Regards,

Kathie Schwartz

Franklin Lakes

Community-driven questions supports engagement and accountability - follow the conversation on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/RIHBoardWatch/posts/pfbid03rasfVcACxKW1TmgqtL8tdNgw8TbzNA8ncZWVD9pnSzLbaPVu8wLyymHQsVM14w2l

Email sent to RIH BOE on Superintendent Goals