Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt in Dayton Public Schools
Gee thanks Dayton Board of Education. It’s been about a month since you decided not to renew the contracts of Superintendent Lori Ward and Treasurer Craig Jones.
Usually, bold moves like that have the next step of hiring a replacement. In an organization that’s failing as absolutely as yours, this lackadaisical approach to naming the next superintendent and treasurer is only achieving one thing: FUD. That’s Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt- a great strategy for failing organizations.
This is the time of year, when other districts are looking to hire for the next school year. Without a person in charge, the smart people (the ones you want to keep) either think they have a line on the top job- or, they start to entertain offers. Either way, considering DPS was unable to fill 30 teaching positions this year (an indication of failing leadership if there ever was one) every day we go without a decision, is another day that the kids lose, the staff loses, and the city loses.
The old adage if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen still applies. And, even if this board can stand the heat, it’s not proven if any of them actually know how to cook. The latest flurry of sideshow distractions like reconfiguring the district to bring back middle schools, the 1-to-1 computer rollout, and the ongoing racial tensions over security and guilt by association, make observers wonder if the board has any idea of what a functioning board should be doing.
When Trotwood pillaged DPS last year and stole top teachers, principals and administrators it should have been a serious wake-up call about the superintendent’s grasp and connection with staff. Retention of top people is a good indication of competence.
If the board, led by the young Ph.D., can’t figure out a plan of action, maybe turning in resignations might be the right move. Inaction isn’t action. And, twiddling your thumbs while the district hangs in the lurch is unacceptable.
Make a decision. Either renew a contract, or audition and name a replacement- but do it soon.
The clock is already ticking to the state takeover.
A lot of unfair criticism in this post. A lot is being done that’s not noticeable, but this Board has to adhere to the Ohio Revised Code which governs many of the issues you raise. I.e., it takes time – several months. With that said, a great many changes have been implemented in the past year – including at the top administrators level, with many great, talented administrators joining DPS. Indeed, more positive and strategic changes in one year than in the past 10.
This sharper focus on HR, along with improved curriculum, improved gifted and mental health services, improved transportation, many other improvements and yes, the 1-to-1 technology – a strategic education initiative that goes far beyond technology but will help improve reading and math scores thanks to it being part of the new curriculum for 2016-2017 school year, will help improve DPS and avert state takeover.
While many factors are beyond the control of DPS – i.e., the high level of poverty in Dayton (DPS is the #2 poorest district in Ohio) and the very high student mobility each year to/from DPS/charter schools (Dayton has more charter schools, mostly low-performing, than public schools – unlike any other city in OH), next academic year DPS would not have the same problem with teacher vacancies – that problem has been raised and addressed.
BTW, in terms of academic improvements you can see already now, you’ve probably read last week that DPS’ third grade reading scores improved from 83.6% to 85%. Regionally, DPS did better than Springfield and New Miami.
Adil- thank you for your input (for those that don’t know, Adil Baguirov is the DPS board president).
It doesn’t take very long to poach top talent.
It also doesn’t take long for a power vacuum to start filling with other bs.
When a military general gets wounded- even by friendly fire (non-renewal of contract- announced publicly) the Col. steps up to take their place.
Right now- the sinking ship has no captain.
Say what you want- you’ve effectively cut the legs off Ms. Ward.
Either give them back- or find new ones.
I understand your point of view, but I don’t think there is a power vacuum or anyone’s legs are cut off. All top administrators are doing their jobs. The updates from administrators of the work done and accomplished in the past month alone is enough to be very optimistic about the future. Teachers have been very thankful to the Board for its leadership – we’ve received many such letters in the past weeks. Business community has awaken and started to take greater interest in DPS, something they almost wrote off years ago. And DPS Administrators approach Board members, express optimism and share their enthusiasm at being part of turning this big ship around.
Things don’t happen overnight – at least not in large bureaucratic organizations with so many federal, state and local mandates on them as DPS. Whilst in my businesses I am able to feel the effect of changes and leadership in a matter of days or weeks, with large organizations like DPS it takes months, whilst academics will take two years or so to get us out of danger.
While all that time I know and count on getting a lot of criticism no matter what we do – which is sometimes unfair and disheartening (unless it’s “brilliant or bozo” thumbs up/down – those are fun) – we have to notice the positives, too. If you are not impressed with great things like this, then I don’t think there is anything that can satisfy you: https://www.facebook.com/daytonpublicschools/videos/1295142883834188/
And once again, in the past year DPS has undergone more positive change than in the past year. We are already seeing fruits of that labor, but most of it will be seen only in 2017 and beyond.
Unable to fill 30 teaching positions? If that’s true, I’d like to know exactly *why* those positions couldn’t be filled?
That is totally unacceptable.