Public Comment
With the Class of 2013 graduations complete, let me reflect on where I believe we are as a school division this year compared to last year at this time. This is only one perspective of course, and I welcome your insights and reflections as well!
BUDGET
Last Year -- Fourth straight year of no raises and RIFs that continued to cut people and programs
This Year -- First year of three percent raises (subject to final school board approval next week) for all personnel and the addition of positions and programs to include Alternative Elementary Education, Gifted Instruction in base schools, truancy/security attendants in every elementary school, additional support for Special Education and ELL students, and two new social workers
I want to thank both the Lynchburg City School Board and the Lynchburg City Council for all their support in the budget process this year. We are continuing to enhance collaboration and communication between schools and the city, and we will continue that journey in the years ahead!
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Last Year -- Plan submitted to state with limited system distribution and implementation
This Year -- Plan developed around Achievement, Behavior and Culture as part of School Improvement Process for division and for each school; new Vision and Mission developed
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)
Last Year -- CIP was funded based on school division's year-end carryover with needs based on a 2007 plan
This Year -- New five-year CIP with new CIP funding of over $3 million for next year to include lighting upgrades in gyms, paving, painting, playground equipment, upgrades to theatres at Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School for Innovation and the Civic Auditorium, and a comprehensive division-wide facilities assessment
HERITAGE HIGH SCHOOL
Last year –Architect's contract signed
This year – We have schematic design for a 265,000 sq. ft. building with an indoor track approved by the school board and supported by the city council; design team is moving forward with detailed design, with an expectation that the project will go to bid in early 2014
BUSES
Last Year – One-time carryover funds of $600,000 for buses, which represented first time in years for new buses
This Year -- $1 million in new buses with plans to return to systematic bus purchases to allow us to meet national standard of 14-year replacement cycle
SUPERINTENDENT
Last Year -- Third new superintendent in two years for LCS -- I began with a 100-day entry plan
This Year -- Worked to implement entry plan -- received one-year evaluation that included 360 evaluations from internal and external stakeholders; "Glows" included areas like Communication, the new Comprehensive Plan and Visibility, and "Grows" included areas like Listening and Pace of Change.
FINAL REFLECTIONS
These reflections remind me of a presentation I heard from Sir Ken Robinson, noted British author of the book The Element, who said "Life is not linear." I believe that is true for each of us over the span of our life, and it is true for the history of our school system as well.
We have had our ups and downs and our Glows and Grows, but I believe more than ever that this year we have had more ups than downs and more Glows than Grows than we have had in several years in Lynchburg City Schools. We are headed in the right direction, and we have the right Vision, Mission, and Plan. I hope you agree. It will take everyone working together to reach the goals we have set for ourselves as a school division. I know we can do it.
Thank you for all you have done to help us bring Lynchburg City Schools from good to great!
Scott Brabrand
Superintendent