Jeff McDaniel
Floyd County Superintendent Jeff McDaniel sent an email on Friday to staff who will remain in the ranks after the school system’s Reduction In Force.
The reassignment timeline shows those continuing to serve as assistant principals, counselors and media center personnel will know of their reassignments by March 18.
Those holding fine arts positions “in our small elementary schools” will be notified of their reassignments by April 22, the email read. Those being reassigned to the classroom from an administrative, counseling or media position — and all other teacher reassignments — will be determined by May 15.
McDaniel said in his email that the timeline was estimated but he felt it was essential to let personnel know as soon as possible, given the highly anxious environment within the schools.
“We are confronting the reality of losing valued colleagues for next year and this is certainly cause for uneasiness,” he said. “The flames of uncertainty are intensified by a lack of information. I hope this will help to provide more clarity in the restructuring process.”
McDaniel said there is no plan to cut additional personnel but “there are many facets to consider” when reassigning — such as the number of students enrolled in school for next year, the number of retiring personnel, personnel leaving for other reasons and the restructuring of middle- and high-school scheduling.
He wrote in the email that, on the middle school level, the schedule may be a hybrid period-day and block-schedule. And the high school schedule may be based on a seven-period day.
“We certainly hope any changes in the fall would be minimal but there is always the possibility that some adjustments may have to be made in August or early September,” he wrote. “We are still working on schedule samples to share with Local School Governance Teams, teachers, parents and the community. It will take some time to finish discussions and finalize a schedule that will provide optimal opportunity for our children, schools and our community.”
Knowing emotions are high among the community because of the RIF, McDaniel asked that personnel exercise patience while the decisions are being made.
“I ask that you please be patient in regard to reassignments and focus on the needs of your children as we move closer to state testing,” he wrote. “In the end, all that we do must be about the education of children in our classrooms.”
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* students' grade-point averages increased in almost all subjects;
* students earned higher state-proficiency exam scores;
* students made significant improvement in ACT College Board scores; SAT College Board scores showed no change.
A "good" school, Thomas Edison High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, met that criterion. Administrators found that after five years of block scheduling,
* students' SAT scores rose from a combined average of 978 to 1029;
* the percentage of students who earned a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams rose from 70 to 81;
* the dropout rate decreased from 8.5 percent to 5.9 percent;
* the percentage of students who earned an Advanced Studies Diploma increased from 51 to 60.
AP scores are higher because in 4x4 there is more time in class.
Drop out rates are lower because kids can actually keep up with their classes and homework and are less likely to fail.
GPAs are higher because there more class time so everything isn't just smushed into your head in one 55 min.
Class is more interesting because the extended time (85 min) allows for more interactive and creative activities, this is because it is more flexible and less hectic