After two years of discussions, School Board trustees have
approved a set of goals to guide the district.
After two years of discussions, School Board trustees have approved a set of goals to guide the district.
“I’m kind of excited that I have a sense of direction now,” Trustee Shellé Thomas said after trustees voted 6-0 to approved the goals district staff has revised four times.
“What I believe is missing, this is a good way of bringing our community in, but I still don’t think we have a strategy or a plan to get to the next level so we can actually build accountability, build buy-in and build passion … I’m comfortable with what’s on paper now, but in two more meetings, we’ll have new individuals up here.”
Kathy Sullivan, Peter Mandel and Julia Hover-Smoot will be sworn in Dec. 6, as will Don Moody, who was appointed by trustees Oct. 19 to fill the two years remaining in former Trustee Tom Kinoshita’s term.
School Board candidate Harlan Warthen, while generally approving of the goals, cautioned trustees at the Oct. 25 meeting.
“Everything is there, but you are trying to accomplish too much in to short a period of time,” said Warthen, who finished fourth in balloting. “Some of these are excellent goals, but I just question the time period allotted.
“Another thing to be aware of is the process to make the goal, who is accountable. Unfortunately all the responsibility cannot be delegated to the superintendent; senior administrators must take a role … You need to be doggone sure this is a document you can live with, as well as the next board.”
The goals were divided into three basic categories. Instructional goals included increasing the number of high school graduates and increasing the number of graduates who meet the A-G University of California entrance requirements. Objectives at each grade level were included.
The second category of goals was construction, facilities and business services. Included under those are the implementation of recommendations from the FCMAT extraordinary audit and the voluntary FCMAT audit and involving board members and district staff in the development of the Coyote Valley Specific Plan.
The third category of goals falls under the heading communications and community involvement. In this category, the goal is to create a “system” that will promote a good relationship among members of the school community, as well as between the school community and the community at large.
In creating these goals for trustees to approve, district staff received input from a group of citizens Superintendent Carolyn McKennan invited to meet with her, including Warthen and others in the community. Members of MHELA, or the Morgan Hill Educational Leaders Association, which is the administrators’ employee group, as well as the Morgan Hill Federation of Teachers, provided suggestions during public comment at a previous board meeting.
Marilyn Dubil covers education and law enforcement for The Times. She can be reached by e-mail at md****@*************es.com or phoning (408) 779-4106 Ext. 202.
