Superintendent's Report @ Board of Education Meetings

I report to the Board of Education, and the community, at each regular meeting of the Board.  Below, you will find the script I write prior to presenting this report.  I do, however, elaborate on some points and respond to questions from members of the Board of Education creating a larger report than may appear here.  For a full viewing of the report and the ensuing dialogue you are encouraged to view the Board of Education meetings on cable channel 24.

If you have questions, or would like further information, please contact my office through Ms. Gail Gillengerten (517-333-7424), or e-mail at Gillengerten_gm@elps.k12.mi.us

  Superintendent's Report

May 6, 2013

A.  Upcoming Events of Interest, Dates for Your Calendar:

• May 6th-10th – ELPS Staff Appreciation Week (Ice Cream Sundaes throughout the week)
• May 9th – 13th Annual ELEF Awards Dinner and Golf Outing
• May 22nd – ELHS Convocation, ELHS Auditorium, 7:00 PM
  
• June 2nd – ELHS Graduation, Wharton Center, 1:00 PM
• June 24th – Regular meeting of the Board of Education – adoption of 2013-14 budget
  

B.  Items of Information

• I am pleased to recommend to the Board some changes in administrative assignments that will enable us to move forward with decision-making as it relates to staffing, interviewing and hiring prior to the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. As noted in the consent agenda, the appointment of Ms. Lanea Martin to the Principalship of Pinecrest School in time for the 2013-14 school year and the appointment of Ms. Lorraine Ware to the Principalship at Glencairn School beginning with the 2014-15 school year are recommended after considerable discussion with both administrators. Subsequent to Board action tonight, coupled with input from the administrative team, a decision will be forthcoming specific to a one-year administrative assignment to be posted internally. This will lead logically to a 1.0 fte decrease in administrative staffing beginning in 2014-15. These appointments will be the first of many steps in preparing effectively for 2014-15.

• Attorney Mr. Christopher Iamarino, from Thrun Law Firm, is present tonight to field questions regarding the issuance of bonds resolution as part of the action items. It appears a low interest rate, strong bond rating and better-than-projected property values will merge prior to the July 1st property tax bill creating favorable conditions for both property owners and ELPS.

• Representatives from Tower-Pinkster and Clark Construction will be present tomorrow (5/7) at the Middle School to finalize conceptual drawings prior to creating blueprints that will be used as bid documents for the MS project. Teachers, administrators and the maintenance staff are providing input. Trustee Krause will be representing the Board of Education. The most recent drawings are at your seat tonight.

• Please find the final draft of the 2013-17 strategic plan in the Items of Information section of your materials. Is it reasonable to suggest a two-week review of the draft, and be prepared to discuss the next steps at the May 20th regular meeting of the Board of Education? Please advise.

• In the most recent release of the US News and World Report listing of "America's Best High Schools," East Lansing High School received one of only seven gold medals in the State of Michigan. Using criteria that examines achievement scores, socio-economic status and performance on AP exams, ELHS ranked as the 6th best High School in Michigan in the 2013 rankings; up from our # 11 rank in 2012. There are approximately 550 school districts in the state. Although it is wise to be cautious with all rankings - pro and con - this is an established and prestigious ranking and ALL should take a moment to celebrate the success of the entire school system. However, we are all wise enough to know we have many students in our system that need help and are not functioning as well as they can and should be. A modest high-five is in order, but let's hold off on popping the cork on the champagne bottles until we have EVERY student in our system reading at grade level, graduating with their cohort, and able to pursue their aspirations upon graduation . . .

• Administrators and Board of Education members will be in schools next week serving ice cream sundaes and sharing words of appreciation with our faculty and staff.  Champagne corks aside, we work hard in EL. It is nice to be able celebrate the hard work of our staff and faculty. This is an enjoyable event and I appreciate the presence and support of the Board of Education throughout the week.

• On a final note, Liz Murray, author of Breaking Night and the centerpiece of the made-for-TV movie, "Homeless to Harvard," spoke with our HS students on April 26th. This was made possible through our good working relationship with the MSU Alumni Association, who sponsored her engagement in East Lansing. Her story is very captivating and she tells it very well. Our students were highly engaged and obviously impacted by her presence. Among many things she said, "we grow into the conversations around us." I think this has great meaning for us in the present. I trust we will all be mindful of our conversation, and the impact it has on all around us. Let there be positive winds in our sails . . .