In 2010, based on Hibbard administration recommendations, the former NA-FC School Board closed three elementary schools (including two in New Albany), assuring the community that demographic projections supported the decision.
In 2011, a somewhat revamped school board, with the support of the Hibbard administration, sold both closed New Albany elementaries for a tenth of a pittance compared to what the community had invested in them.
This year, the very same school board is developing a facilities master plan and the Hibbard administration is already warning that at least three elementary schools, including two in New Albany, are facing difficulties due to limited available space with demographics suggesting such space issues will increase.
Hibbard, of course, was recently given a raise alongside significant cuts in other areas owing to fears that the board would be unable to find anyone else as competent. Given his gift for numbers, it's a wonder whether he noticed.
Being old, I always figured the "new" math would eventually be shown to be faulty.
ReplyDeleteThere is no one on the current school board or in the administration providing leadership toward actual reform or long-term solutions, at least not publicly. It will be interesting to see if any of the new candidates present different choices or viewpoints beyond errant standardized testing games.
ReplyDeleteWhat you count is as important as how you count.
Step 1. Give up any testing-centric approaches.
Step 2. End the "cult of superintendent". It's a business management and/or faculty support role, secondary to actual teaching and learning.