I haven�t thought much about charter schools. What little I know about charter schools is anecdotal. I'm familar in passing to the work which has been in in Milwaukee; I believe they've had great success with charter schools.
I will say this, however. Charter schools are nothing more than an initiative to get to a goal. We must have initiatives in order to accomplish the goals we set. The two things I know about are similar in that they�re initiatives, not programs just for the sake of programs: The International Baccalaureate and the Coalition of Essential Schools. Both of these are programs � initiatives � which can help our schools meet objectives.
What is your vision for the Portsmouth Public Schools?
I�d like our Schools to be something I can be proud of; I want our schools to challenge our students & provide them with the skills necessary to succeed in the world. They need to be able to think, write, and speak critically and analytically. They need the basic understandings of science & technology to make it in the world.
What is your perception of the Board based on what you have seen and what you have read in the press?
I�d say the Board doesn�t have a shared set of values which directs action. While each person on the Board has values � and operates from the paradigm of those values � those values are not shared across the Board. To perform effectively, we must find the shared and common ground.
I then asked the Board two questions:
1. What are the values which are fundamental to the Board?
These are the responses I recorded from the members of the Board:
-- What we do we do for the children; our decisions are based on what is best for the students.
-- We must hold people accountable to teach and lead.
-- Strong leadership which leads to good instruction and student learning.
-- The best possible education with the politics.
-- Empowerment of students, faculty, and administrators.
-- Equity amongst students, amongst faculty, and amongst administrators. Fairness.
2. In what ways do the members of the Board celebrate differences?
Not well.
Well, that was direct... ;-)
The interview ended there.
I would say this: The members of the Board were honest. I believed they mean well for the students of our City. They know themselves better than I might have imagined.
I would also say this: Clearly the fundamental building blocks for an excellent Board are in place. The question I ask is this: Will the Board roll up their sleeves and do the hard work which is necessary? The Board must find & live by common values, determine a shared purpose and end-in-mind, and celebrate differences and diversity. This will take work, but once we have done this, all things are possible.
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