District Administration - February 2012 - (Page 53)

depending on the outcome of a governor’s committee that is working on a redesign of the state appraisal system. But Jones has a long way to go to boost student achievement. Reading scores on the 2011 Nevada Criterion Referenced Test plummeted in all grade levels except fifth grade. Only 48 percent of sophomores passed the high school exit exam in reading on their first attempt. District officials say that a tougher state test and higher cut scores that required students to answer more questions correctly to pass contributed to the decline, but Jones says that schools must intervene sooner with struggling readers especially with their growing population of English language learners. More time with students is key, Jones says, and principals are trying to double block reading classes and extend the school day. “I’ve always said, ‘Hope is not a very good strategy,’” Jones says. “It looked like here we were hoping the kids would get it.’” Jones also has a personal stake in improving the district. He and his wife, Jenifer, enrolled their youngest son, age 8, in a neighborhood school. They have two other children, ages 21 and 19, and all three are named after Jones’ favorite football team, the Dallas Cowboys (after a coach, the city and the star logo). Martinez, the deputy superintendent, says the district has set aside about $5 million to carry through the reform efforts and was able to afford some of the programs by stopping “rogue spending,” where schools rush to spend their money by the end of the fiscal year. Officials also are taking stock of how they spend their federal Title I and IDEA funding. “It’s pretty amazing, but at the end of the day, that wasn’t my biggest challenge,” Jones says, referring to the district’s budget shortfall. “I think the biggest challenge is, I felt our expectations were too low. We’re trying to change the culture in the community. Ultimately, it’s going to make my job harder because I’m trying to get the community to expect us to deliver a better outcome.” DA Ericka Mellon is a K12 education reporter for The Houston Chronicle. A Bad Budget Deal If there’s one factor that could derail Jones’ efforts, it’s the state’s gloomy financial picture. The district has cut $100 million from its $2 billion operating budget this year and is looking to cut another $50 million. Negotiations were underway with the teachers’ union to try to avoid teacher layoffs—300 to 400 support positions already have been eliminated—but as of early December 2011, no agreement had been made. “It’s been real hard for him, I’m sure, to come in with a reform agenda and to be in a position to cut so significantly,” the district’s chief financial officer, Jeff Weiler, says of Jones. “He doesn’t cry about it. He understands the situation. You’ve got to deal with the cards you’re dealt. He’s very driven.” CHOOSE WHICH ONE IS MORE IMPORTANT: school security or student performance It’s a trick question... you don’t have to choose. Panasonic’s Classroom Audio System improves student hearing and decreases teacher voice fatigue WHILE incorporating a security feature in the event of an emergency. One touch of a silent alert button on the teacher’s microphone alerts school administrators and security personnel of the need for help. see more with your smartphone contact us: classroomaudio@us.panasonic.com Education Solutions panasonic.com/aplus www.DistrictAdministration.com February 2012 53 http://www.panasonic.com/aplus http://www.panasonic.com/aplus http://www.DistrictAdministration.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2012

District Administration - February 2012
Contents
From the Editor
News Update
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Conversations
Product Focus
What Can U.S. Schools Learn From Foreign Counterparts?
A New Prescription for Fighting Drug Abuse
The Game Changer
The Legal Implications of Surveillance Cameras
CIO News
Mobile Devices Drive Creative Instruction
Products
Crisis Response
Professional Opinion
Problem/Solution
New Directions

District Administration - February 2012