School District Project

While I don't believe my school district project is particulary radical or truly innovative, it is innovative in its ideals and perhaps overly idealized as it is appropriately named "Pleasant Valley."  Everything that is funded, planned, and initiated within this district is prompted and revolves around the district's ultimate goal to actively engage and empower all studetns in a lifelong learning process to achieve the fullest potential as socially productive citizens. In order to create accountable and competent lifelong learners, the PVS district works symbiotically with the community it strives to serve.

Among the stipulations proposed to ensure that academic/vocational growth and opportunities are maximized, studetns will attend school-year round with one week breaks following each four week block rather than a consecutive 2 month break.  After completing this cycle three times, there will be a 12 day recess. During this 12-day "recess," students will have the option to attend enrichment programs including ACT/SAT prep, remediation, job shadowing, and educational field trips.

 

Welcome to Pleasant Valley School District
By,
Allison Albanese

“At Pleasant Valley We are Preparing, Aiming, and Working for Success.

Every Day We Will Treat Others with Kindness and Respect.”

Vision Statement

 The Pleasant Valley School District actively engages and empowers all students in a lifelong learning process that inspires them to achieve their fullest potential as competent, competitive, respectful,  and socially productive citizens.

 

Mission Statement

•In partnership with the Pleasant Valley community, the mission of PVS District is  is to provide a complete and compassionate educational experience which creates responsible, and accountable lifelong learners.

 

 

Governance

Local Board

 

•There will be four on-site, elected Board Members-( 3 local and 1 out-of-district):

• Lines of Authority

•School district superintendent and assistant superintendent will both be appointed by the local board of education. 

•Candidates should come from a diverse pool of both local and out of state geographic sectors.    

•Board meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of every month as a public forum, in which staff, community members, local business leaders, and students can express concerns and commendations regarding district policies, practices and other affairs.

•Lines of authority will be traditionally hierarchical at both the building and district level with each position fulfilling a definitive role so that order and regularity is maintained as best practice. 

Lines of Authority Defined

-Administration and Governance within Buildings

 

   I. Superintendent:

 

•Educational leader for the school system, and provides administrative leadership for all school staff in operational matters and in proposing and implementing policy changes.

•  Manage a system of established educational goals and policies for the schools in the district consistent with the statewide goals and standards established by the Board of Education.

 

II. Principals

•Instructional leaders and managers of their schools.

•Supervise the operation and management of their schools and school property which is subject to the supervision and direction of the superintendent.

• Each principal works with a school council to define educational goals for the school, identify the educational needs of the students, and formulate a school improvement plan, consistent with state and local educational goals and policies.

•Principal oversees and promotes the continuous improvement of teaching and learning within the school building., in

•Collaborates with the school council, teachers, school staff, and parents to establish that school should is an innovative, safe and supportive  environment for teaching and learning.

 

Lines of Authority Defined (Continued)

•School board

•Legal agent of the state- must fulfill both state and federal mandates.

•A legislative body that develops, evaluates, and oversees education policies

•Must be responsive to the community it serves by establishing  and maintaining  a harmonious, two-way communication between district and school committees.

IV. School Committee

•Effective school committee solicits information and recommendations from the superintendent before establishing policy.

                   -Similarly, an effective superintendent keeps the school committee informed about major administrative decisions and procedures, enabling the committee to assess whether those administrative actions conform to school committee policy.

•Establishes the school year schedules for the schools in the district, consistent with the state standards and guided by the student learning time plan recommended by the school council at each school.

•Responsible for adopting general disciplinary policies for students in the district, in consultation with the superintendent.

•Should not decide operational issues (at what grade level teachers are to start teaching students cursive writing.) This  should be left to the professional educators.  Selection and purchase of textbooks and other educational materials are also responsibility of school principals, within the budget set by the school committee.

•Whenever the line between policy and operations is not clear, matter is best resolved locally, through open communication and collaboration between the school committee and the superintendent.

 

Pleasant Valley District Middle School Layout

 

*Students from the two northern middle schools will attend Pleasant Valley High School

*Students from the two southern middle schools attend  Kalamazoo Central High School

 

•There are five total buildings: ( Four traditional buildings, one vocational building.)

•  All buildings are within a few block of each other to facilitate transportation to and from schools. 

Academic Year

•Students will attend school year-round, there will be no consecutive two month break. 

•Instead, students will attend classes for four consecutive weeks, followed by a one week break after each four week block.  After completing this cycle three times-there will be a 12 day mini-vacation. 

•During the 12-day “recess,” there will be teacher- and community member-led enrichment programs including ACT/SAT prep, remediation, job shadowing, and educational field trips.

•There will be no cost to the students and participation is voluntary.

• All teachers are required to serve as a counselor for at least one session and will be financially compensated.

•      

Daily Schedule

 

•School will meet regularly, Monday –Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, starting an hour later than traditional school to accommodate the additional hours of sleep that brain-based research evidences that developing children need.

•The day will consist of five 75-minute class periods, five 5-minute passing periods, and a 50-minute lunch period where they may seek remediation/enrichment, physical activity, arts and crafts, or socialize.  

•Unlike the traditional middle and high schools, the one vocational school will emphasize vocational training and job skill development. 

Curriculum Layout

 

       *All Pleasant Valley District graduating classes must pass the four subject area tests in order to earn a regular high school diploma.

•The subject area tests include: Algebra I, Biology I, English II and US History from 1877 to the Present and are aligned with the Mississippi Curriculum Frameworks developed by the Office of Instructional Development at the Mississippi Department of Education. 

•The frameworks are posted on their website at www.mde.k12.ms.us

                                 College Preparatory Curriculum

 

4 CreditsàEnglish I, II, III, IV or Accelerated English

             3 Creditsà    Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II

               3 Creditsà  Biology I & (2) additional sciences (Physical Science, Biology II, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Physics)

               3 Creditsà  World History, US History, US Govt. (.5), Economics (.5), or Geography (.5)

                  2 Creditsà           Advanced Electives (Spanish and 1 upper level math or science course (Does not include astronomy/geology).

½ Credità       Mississippi Studies

1 Credità      Computer Applications or Computer Discovery

1 Credità      Fine Arts Elective

½ Credità     Health Elective

                6 Creditsà Electives to bring credit to 24

Curriculum (Continued)- Regular High School Diploma Curriculum (12th, 11th, and 10th graders)

 

•4 Creditsà   English I, II, III, IV

•3 Creditsà   Algebra I, Geometry and (1) additional math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra II, or Transition to Algebra)

•3 Creditsà   Biology I & (2) additional sciences (Physical Science, Astronomy/Geology, Biology II, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Concepts of Agri-science Technology, Environmental Science, Plant Science)

•3 Creditsà   Mississippi Studies, World Geography, World History, US History, US Government/Economics

•1 Credità     Computer Applications or Computer Discovery

•1 Credità     Fine arts elective

•½ Credità    Health elective

•8 ½ Creditsà           Electives to bring the total credits to 24

•* In addition to the above requirements students must pass the following subject area tests:

•4 Creditsà   Algebra I, Geometry and (1) additional math (Pre-Algebra, Algebra II, or Transition to Algebra)

•Algebra I, Biology I, and US History.

•English II (writing and language conventions)

 

Regular High School Diploma Curriculum (Entering 9th Graders)

•4 Creditsà   English I, II, III, IV

•3 Creditsà   Biology I & (2) additional sciences (Physical Science, Astronomy/Geology, Biology II, Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Concepts of Agri-science Technology, Environmental Science, Plant Science)

•3 Creditsà   Mississippi Studies, World Geography, World History, US History, US Government/Economics

•1 Credità     Computer Applications or Computer Discovery

•1 Credità     Fine arts elective

•½ Credità    Health elective

•7 ½ Creditsà  Electives to bring the total credits to 24

 

•* In addition to the above requirements students must pass the following subject area tests:

•English II (writing and language conventions)

•Algebra I, Biology I, and US History

•Passing scores are equal to a 70 or above average in the course

•Assignment weightings are up to the individual teachers’ discretions. 

 

 

 

Reading/Technology Initiatives

•Literacy Programs:

• Reading Buddies

•Radical Readers

•Book Buttons (Community Rewards/Incentive Program)

Technology:

•Each building will be connected to a wireless internet network. 

•Each classroom will be equipped with at least one computer for the teacher, an LCD projector, and a Smartboard

•Teachers and administrators must complete an online tutorial to become familiar with  hardware and software available in the district. 

 

 

 

Community Objectives

•Pleasant Valley School District will strengthen its partnership with parents and the community.

•                      Time Frame: Ongoing

•Expenses: Cost to produce monthly newsletters, cost of running mass media ads, cost of rewards, and cost of postages.

•Players: Central office personnel, all building level administrators, teachers, parents, students, community members

•Ultimate Product: Stronger P.T.S.A, recognition of parents and business leaders, and dinner for parents and community members

•Evaluation: Surveys (mailed) parental/community attendance

•Communication: Mass media Ads, Advertise on school transportation vehicles

Community Highlights

•Small, safe community in a rural setting

•Proximity to bike trails, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and other natural areas

•Quality, affordable housing; housing developments, mobile home parks, retirement/assisted living

•Scenic parks with pavilions, lakes, hiking

•Medical Clinics, Pharmacy

•Community Sports Programs for Children and Adults

•Community library/local historical museum

•Community Luncheons

•Churches

•City Hall, Police, Fire Stations

•Annual Fall Festival, Spring Arts/Crafts Show

 

Teachers: (Ratio, Schedule, Compensation)

•Total of 100 teachers in the proposed school district. 

 

•Grades K-3, the teacher: student ratio will be 1: 12,

 

•Grades 4-10, the teacher: student ratio will be 1:15,

 

•Grades 11-12, the teacher: student ratio will be 1: 18

 

• Teachers will each have two planning periods each day:

           a) One uninterrupted planning period

           b)  The second planning period will be used for mentoring, tutoring, duty, ect.

 

•Interdepartmental planning will be implemented to facilitate interdisciplinary  lesson planning.

 

•Although teachers will not receive additional financial compensation if they hold advanced degrees,  they will receive merit pay for substantial student growth.   This is supported by the logic that teaching methods and best practices, rather than a teacher’s individual education are indicative of student achievement.

 

•In order to keep maintain a current knowledge of best practices, teachers will be required to attend seminars, workshop and conferences of their selection.

Teachers: (Contracts, New Hires, Evaluations)

•Contracts will be signed for one-year increments.  Teachers who breach their contracts and leave in the middle of the school year for any reason other than medical or family leave will be fined 125 percent of the remaining pay in the contract.

• Mentor teachers will make recommendations to the building chairs regarding the re-hiring of teachers with three or fewer years of experience and the chairs will vote among themselves to agree with the mentors’ recommendations or not. 

•      Applicants to the school district will be required to complete and submit an application with references. For reasons of accountability, the hiring committee should consist of fellow teachers who will be working with the candidate and therefore personally invested in their credibility. 

•The individuals who work with the teachers on a daily basis and see what occurs in the teachers’ classrooms should have the authority to decide whether or not that teacher may return. 

•  Teacher contract renewal will be based upon observations from mentor chairs, written letters from mentor teachers, and student course evaluations.

Staff Development

•Professional development centering on the importance of high academic and social expectations based on a mutual respect between students and professionals. 

•  Teachers will be able to enroll in online symposiums and continuing education courses that address their specific needs at the times that are most convenient for them. 

•Regular walk-throughs by district staff to monitor high quality lesson plans, daily schedules, behavioral plans, and other aspects of the school environment to ensure high expectations for all employees.

 

 

Discipline

 

•Discipline ladder is established by discipline chair and published in student handbook and code of conduct.

•Rules enforced by classroom teacher and building administrators.

•Loss of privileges will be primary means of discipline:

•In-school detention : Student will serve the school by completing menial but necessary tasks such as washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom, and changing the garbage.

• Zero tolerance policy for tardiness

•Suspension will be avoided, if possible, in order to keep students in the classroom.   

•Silent lunch: There will be a silent lunch table at which students must remain silent for the entire duration of the lunch hour. 

Behavior Programs/Initiatives

•Character Counts (Elementary)

•Teaching Tolerance (Secondary)

•Conflict, Peer-Resolution (Middle/High School)

Budget

Payroll

 

•Board Members (4 elected, on-site > 3 local, 1 out-of-district): $25,000 salary + $200 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(2-year renewable contract)

 

•Superintendent: $175,000 salary + $10,000 travel expenses (meals, lodging, etc.)  + $2,500 car allowance + $500 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(3-year renewable contract)

 

•Asst. Superintendent: $125,000 salary + $5,000 travel expenses (meals, lodging, etc.)  + $1,250 car allowance + $300 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(3-year renewable contract)

 

•Principals:  $65,000 salary + $3,000 Signing Bonus with $2,000 annual raise, + $300 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(2-year renewable contract)

 

•Asst. Principals:   $55,000 salary + 3,000 Signing Bonus with $1,000 annual raise, + $300 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(2-year renewable contract)

 

• Teachers  (100) (- $50,000 starting salary  (+ $2,000 Signing Bonus & merit-based pay of $1,500 annually + $300 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(2-year renewable contract)

Budget (Continued)

•Academic Counselor:  $50,000 salary + $1,000 Signing Bonus + $200 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(1-year renewable)

 

•Student Counselor:  $55,000 salary + $1,000 Signing Bonus + $300 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(2-year renewable)

 

•Secretaries- $25,500 salary + $500 Signing Bonus + $500 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(1-year renewable)

 

•Custodians- head custodian/maintenance (1): $28,000 salary; custodians (8): up to $15,500 wages + $200 if school meets yearly performance goals

•(1-year renewable)

 

•Coach (all sports):  $2,000 in addition to salary benefits

•(1-year renewable)

 

•2 Mentor teachers- $2,000 in addition to salary benefits

Teacher Recruitment

•Teacher Induction Program

•Teacher Mentoring Program

•Incentives for Continuing Education

•Merit Pay

•Paid Moving Expenses

•Teacher Signing Bonus

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District Highlights

•Small Class Sizes

•Highly Qualified Faculty & Staff

•Culturally Diverse Student Body

•Accelerated Classes

•Well Maintained Facilities

•On-line Access for Student Progress, Attendance, Scheduling, & School Communication