Strategic Plan Passed on 2nd Vote.
We are a little late in getting an update out to you on the recent school board meeting on June 12. We wanted to be clear on the outcome of the second vote on the Pine-Richland School’s strategic plan and the reasons for the final vote tally.
The strategic plan was passed on a 7 to 0 vote tally. 2 directors were absent.
So what changed? Just a few weeks prior the plan was voted down on a 5 to 4 vote tally. We provided you the reasons for the down vote in the PR Kids First blog dated 5/17/23. Well, here is some insight on what changes were made to the Strategic Plan that caused the board to vote yes to passing it on June 12.
The first clarification: Under the Student Progress and Engagement Long-Term Goal #2, the language of universal screener was replaced with "Research how we can identify any student who may benefit from behavioral/emotional support outside of our traditional approach." The administration will need to come up with a targeted approach that does not involve screening EVERY student.
The second change: Under the Workforce Development Long-Term Goal #2, the language referencing faculty training on Culturally Relative and Sustain Education (CR-SE) per the guidelines was replaced with, "Provide faculty with training on teaching diverse learners in an integrated professional ethics into educator training." The idea here is that the administration will come up with their own guidelines and not follow the exact recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Educations (PDE).
The third change: Brian Miller made it clear that Satchel Pulse is gone per the boards wishes.
The fourth change: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is not locked but will be reviewed by the board in a subsequent board meeting.
Following Steps:
1) When the pieces of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) come back up to the board, the board needs to be encouraged to take a much closer look at what is being taught in our schools. There are some essential learnings such as career readiness and independent living, to name a few. However, taking a closer look at other areas to ensure that there is not an overreach into parental roles and responsibilities.
2) Continue to question and put pressure on the board about the ELA Curriculum approval. Curriculum needs more work.
3) It is important that the administration and board provide clarity around portrait of graduate. It is not finalized in our eyes.
While this can be a tiring process, we are encouraged that there is significant movement from where we were last year in the school district. However, as listed above there is more work to be done.
And to be very clear, as stated by a brave mom in the previous blog, “The Strategic Plan is a collection of priorities not supported by data that loosely covers the WHAT without the WHY or the HOW…What measurement are we using? Who is ultimately accountable? We have been given NO empirical data or insight or ways to improve.”
So how do we all continue to drive for improvement and transparency? One very important step is to ensure that we all get out and vote on November 7. Vote for the PR Kids First candidates
Leslie Miler - District #2
Mike Wiethorn - District #3
Phil Morrissette - District #3.
Having these candidates on the board along with our current other 4 PR Kids First board members will provide for the collaborative direction that the school board needs.
