By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
While they are all autonomous from one another, officials overseeing each of five area public school districts recently discussed collaboration with each other, as well as their parochial school counterparts, at their most recent semi-annual Super Board Meeting.
Leaders from the six school districts, in addition to four area municipalities, came together at Rochester Village Hall on March 26 to discuss issues of mutual concern.
When the topic of public education came up, leaders shared their own individual trials and triumphs, in addition to their collaborative efforts. School safety was among the most pressing topics noted in the aftermath of December’s tragedy in Newtown, Conn.
Drought School District
Don Walter, president of the School Board overseeing the small, one-building K-8 Drought district, said he and other officials have worked with the Racine County Sheriff’s Department to refine a crisis management plan.
“It’s horrible when we have to discuss things like this,” Walter said. “But our plan is done, and the teachers have been filled in.”
Other highlights within Drought included mention of the purchase of a new mobil iPad lab.
North Cape School District
John Lehnen, superintendent and principal of the one-school K-8 North Cape district, expressed enthusiasm as he entered his eighth month into the position.
“Education has some of the greatest changes going on right now,” Lehnen said, pointing out ongoing implementation of technology into curriculum, alongside new state mandates.
But Lehnen said the challenges have been softened by a supportive School Board that together has offered a total of 129 years of service. Community support, he said, also has been strong.
“You wouldn’t believe the turnout we have at some of our different events,” Lehnen said. “It’s awesome being here. We’re moving in a positive direction.”
Washington-Caldwell School District
The one-building K-8 district in Tichigan is in its first year of a 1:1 program that has allowed students to use electronic devices for coursework. In the fall, each of Washington-Caldwell’s eighth graders were issued iPads.
“I think kids are standing a little taller,” superintendent and principal Mark Pienkos said. “It’s been a source of great innovation.”
Pienkos also shared how his district responded in the immediate aftermath of the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
“We wanted to reassure parents that we were very concerned about safety,” Pienkos said, noting that disaster drills have taken place to enhance preparation.
Waterford Graded School District
Chris Joch, superintendent of the four-school K-8 district, said safety has been a primary focus in recent months. He said Waterford Graded has been working in tandem with Washington-Caldwell and the Racine County Sheriff in developing a sound plan.
“We’ve been working pretty intensely to ensure we’ve been in compliance,” Joch said.
Throughout the newly extended state Open Enrollment period, Joch said there has been interest from parents of students who live outside the district’s boundaries. Non-resident students can attend on a space-available basis.
“Our influx of students has been encouraging,” Joch said.
Waterford Union High School District
Keith Brandstetter, superintendent of the high school district that serves students from the different feeder schools in attendance, shared a number of highlights.
Overall enrollment, he said, has been on the rise with the addition of 20 students this school year.
When asked, he said there are no immediate plans to outright drop any offered courses, although Brandstetter said low class enrollment factors could result in a cancellation.
Brandstetter also promoted the high school’s community day that will be held Friday, April 19.
“Community members will have an opportunity to visit classes for half of the day,” Brandstetter said. “This is something we’ll probably wind up doing every other year.”
St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School
People at the helm of the St. Thomas Aquinas Parish School also were invited to attend the Super Board meeting, given the parochial facility’s strong presence in Waterford.
Pam Kramer, principal of the school, said a portable iPad lab has been purchased for the 172 students attending the school’s 4-year-old kindergarten to grade 8.
Like the public school counterparts, Kramer said school safety has been an important focus in recent months at St. Thomas Aquinas. Visitors are asked to sign in, she said, and a safety plan is being created.
-
-
-
-
-