Weve got a whole bunch of ideas that are going to take place on that, but it is going to be for all students.. Students in Dekalb ISD are part of the Texas Education Agency's Region 08. We are asking for the things we need to succeed in life. As of the 2020-2021 school year, it had 756 students. We appreciate Mrs. Cheryl Watson-Harris for her service to the DeKalb County School District and wish her the best in her future endeavors, board chair Vickie B. Turner said. Christophor Galloway; chris.galloway@dekalbisd.net (903) 667-2566; Higher Ed Outcomes. How would it affect our families? How would you characterize in a word, or a sentence if you need it, the state of the DeKalb County School System? Winne asked Watson-Harris. Teacher retention is important, according to Russell. A lot of our kids work. That was after a bill passed by the 84th Texas Legislature amended the Texas Education Code, no longer requiring 180 days of instruction. 20.8% of students were considered at risk of dropping out of school. Arrow Educational Services, Inc. can provide that level of support. The Board of Education and superintendent appreciate these individuals for their support of DeKalb County Schools.. I keep pondering what it will be like if I continue to serve on a Board where progress is stifled, adult egos prevail and students are forgotten, Gervetz wrote. He served as an assistant principal and social studies teacher at schools in his native Southern California, prior to moving to Georgia. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The schedule change isnt always successful. As Executive Director of Student Support Services, he supervised and supported GSCS Departments of Student Services, Exceptional Students (Special Education), Mental Health and Positive Student Supports, and Counseling Program. Superintendent Chris Galloway said moving to the shorter week would promote teacher retention. And New Summerfield went from 98% daily attendance to 94% Monday through Thursday and 90% Friday. ), Print Headline: DeKalb ISD votes in favor of four-day school week. And students across the nation are over-scheduled and busy. Fired DeKalb superintendent defends her work with the district. And then when we did come back in 2021, most of the things that we would have ever done with it were out the window, you couldnt do anymore, because of all the restrictions.. DeKALB, Texas The DeKalb Independent School District Board of Trustees approved moving to a four-day school week starting next school year by a vote Monday night. If you appreciate our work on this story, pleasebecome a paying supporter. The board made the vote. (Staff photo by Andrew Bell), Brandy Smith: Never Going Back and Never Backing Down, Local teachers organization holding gala to support fellow educators, Texarkana College Trustee Kaye Ellison retires; Derrick McGary sworn in as Place 5 successor, Texarkana nonprofit Grace House to raise funds with Souther Soiree Gala, Copyright, Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions. While there are some concerns about the four-day weeks impact on test scores, Michelle Francis, superintendent at Silverton Independent School District, says STAAR scores have actually increased since the shorter week took effect last year. He cited his April 25 letter, saying he previously called on their team to empower the former superintendent to take immediate action. Right after the district announced that it had a new four-day schedule in April, applications started rolling in. A few others said they hoped it would help with student attendance and achievement. The switch added more time to each class over 1,800 minutes per class period. To address learning gaps, students at Hull-Daisetta have a half-day one Friday per month. View Event. The immediate departure of Mrs. Watson-Harris will have no bearing on the search for the next superintendent. In need of improvement. "I was unaware that my contract or employment would be discussed during todays meeting as I was not notified and it was not identified on the meeting notice," she wrote. And DeKalb parents can get $60 a month child care on Fridays offered by First United Methodist Church. I want to welcome you to The New Boston Independent School District's website. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the state Decaturish is now on Post. But are they the answer? This figure for the 2020-2021 school year refers to tenure the number of years a teacher has been employed in any district, whether or not there was an interruption in service. Were a small district, were not as fortunate, just like a lot of other smaller school districts, as far as our pay, superintendent Joe Brannen says. Pleasant, TX | 75456 Shipping: 4845 US HWY 271 N. | Pittsburg, TX | 75686 Its something that couldnt be done in a year, it would have to be planned out, she added. Winne asked Watson-Harris. The average salaries listed here are for regular duties only and do not include supplemental pay. This Crowley ISD school had the districts lowest rating. As of the 2020-2021 school year, an average teacher's salary was $51,942, which is $5,699 less than the state average. The entire debacle transpired in under a month. WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta facebook feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta twitter feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta instagram feed(Opens a new window), WSB-TV Channel 2 - Atlanta youtube feed(Opens a new window), UGA star charged in connection to crash that killed teammate, staffer, Kirby Smart releases statement on UGA star players charges in deadly crash, Officers, command staff resign after south Georgia police chief arrested by GBI, Clark Atlanta baseball player identified as 20-year-old shot, killed outside Catholic center, Ga. teacher fired, arrested after being caught with student in library closet, sheriffs report says. Watson-Harris was named superintendent for DeKalb Schools in June 2020. The firing was effective immediately. Teachers have said that they are able to get their curriculum covered better. And so we hope that this extra day off for students will help them.. Four years later, its at the top, 4-day school week helps some rural Texas districts hire teachers. It is calculated by dividing the number of dropouts by the number of students who were in attendance at any time during the school year. The maximum score is 2400. Brian Bobbitt, Superintendent. We might do more hands-on that day, it may be team teaching where a couple of teachers are team teaching a small group. One of the early adopters, Dimebox Independent School District in Central Texas, switched to the shorter schedule in 2019. . Watson-Harris, who took reins in 2020, added that she was not invited to be a part of the executive session meeting after the student appeal discussion and was released from the virtual meeting without notice. In the Class of 2020, 100% of students received their high school diplomas on time or earlier. In Mineral Wells, there are optional instructional Fridays for elementary students, with 55 students signed up so far. The parents who are working say it gives their kids an extra day to sort of unwind from school and maybe more playtime.. Watson-Harris acknowledged that about three weeks ago, conservative projections at McNair High School were for a graduation rate under 50%, but she said she got personally involved and worked closely with the principal. Galloway said the arrangement will ensure lessons are better planned and allow teachers and students to be better rested and prepared. There is a shortage of qualified candidates, and those with senior-level experience have multiple leadership opportunities from which to choose. Georgia's school superintendent wrote a letteradmonishing DeKalb County Board of Education members. These figures are expressed as a percentage of the total teacher full-time equivalent. In February, Clarksville Independent School District superintendent Kermit Ward pitched the idea to the school board to help with recruitment, and they voted against it. Union says DeKalb schools should tear up new contract containing vague performance factors. The district was able to fill all 14 open positions for the upcoming school year before June, much earlier than usual. I am highly concerned that these serious issues in DeKalb County could be a result of a school system choosing politics over students, families, and educators, and as Governor of the State of Georgia, I take very seriously my job to advocate for all Georgia citizens especially our most valuable resource, our students. Dr. Tinsley brings 25+ years of servant leadership, a love of community and a genuine passion for education. The percentage of test-taking students in grades 11 and 12 who passed at least one AP or IB exam in the 2019-2020 school year. School Board Chair Diijon DaCosta said Tinsley is diligently working to fill the central office vacancies. They carry a pretty heavy load right now. Sauce served the Griffin-Spalding County School System (GSCS) in the positions of Executive Director of Student Support Services and as Executive Director of Elementary Education. Also, students in those districts as well as New Boston and Silverton who need academic help can get tutoring on certain Fridays throughout the year. After students publiclycalled out Druid Hills Highand put renovations back on the agenda, the DeKalb County School Board voted not to make changesto the building. I have been the seventh superintendent in I believe the last 10 or 11 years. Superintendent's Cabinet - DeKalb County School District ! It measures the number of students who were absent for at least ten percent of the school year. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Southern California, his Master of Education degree from the University of California Los Angeles, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from California State University Long Beach. She is a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Before being hired in DeKalb County, Watson-Harris served as first deputy chancellor, senior director of field support and . The DeKalb County School Board, during its Nov. 14 meeting, approved an $877,000 contract for an audit of how the district spent its COVID-19 relief money. DaCosta said the district has received numerous inquiries for its vacancies, including the office of superintendent. Its bad. Theyve been able to keep experienced teachers and hire more. The letter disagrees with the board decision to lump the high school with others for repairs rather than fixing immediate issues. For as little as $6 a month, you can help us keep you in the loop about your community. Druid Hill High School was on the priority list for renovations in 2022, but the school board voted to take it off in February. The board remains fully committed to an open and transparent process and supporting the students of DCSD., In a news release, the district did not give a reason as to why the board decided to fire Watson-Harris but said their relationship with her had been deteriorating for some time to the point the association became irreconcilable.. Sauce supervised and supported the 11 elementary schools and principals within GSCS, and the Districts Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program, English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program, elementary Gifted Education program, and elementary counseling program. Varsity Girls Softball vs Rewater @ DeKalb. The head of the Georgia Federation of Teachers, Verdaillia Turner, told Channel 2's Richard Belcher that the school district needs to start over. Parents who arent working or can be off on Fridays are spending additional time doing things for their kids, they enjoy that, Sims said. Childcare for the younger students was an issue, forcing elementary teachers to still have classes on the fifth day. To allow for a shortened week, the 41 school districts in Texas embracing the change lengthen the school day and/or the school year. Youve got more class time. Most parents in the district work Monday through Friday, according to Russell. The average SAT score for students graduating in 2019-2020, with critical reading, writing and mathematics results combined. In this position, he supervises and supports the 17 schools and centers within Region IV, and their principals, to inspire our community of learners to achieve educational excellence. The total number of students divided by the total full-time equivalent count of teachers for 2020-2021. The changing environment of school finance presents a set of challenges unique to other governmental entities. Now-former DeKalb County Schools Superintendent Cheryl Watson-Harris sent a letter home to parents and guardians commending the kids who made the video for putting the renovations back on the school board agenda for the following week. The maximum score is 36. Our working families, they would have to find childcare, she said. Associate Superintendent, Office of Continuous Improvement, Associate Superintendent, Leadership and Schools, Coordinator III, Intergovernmental Relations. Sauce served as principal of Chamblee High School within DCSD, and as an elementary principal within Fulton County Schools. Cheryl Watson-Harris spoke exclusively with Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne on Thursday, just two days after the board of education voted to remove her as superintendent. Dr. Norman C. Sauce III began serving the DeKalb County School District (DCSD) as Region IV Superintendent in November 2022. I was not given any reason for termination, Watson-Harris said. DCSD along with every other school system is vying in a highly competitive job market for talent. Through making the change just this year, Mineral Wells Independent School District has already been able to enroll 200 more students, from 3,245 to 3,436. Interim Superintendent, DeKalb County School District Dr. Vasanne S. Tinsley serves as interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, managing the day-to-day operations of a diverse educational system with more than 94,000 students, 14,500 employees and a budget of $2.6 billion. The school board is also looking for a new superintendent to replace Cheryl Watson-Harris, nearly a year after firing her and appointing Interim Superintendent Dr. Vasanne Tinsley. "DeKalbs facilities plan will not move forward in its current form. These figures are for students graduating in 2019-2020. Nearly 43,000 Texas teachers left their job in the last school year, according to a July report from the Texas American Federation of Teachers. Welcome to our newly updated website! While most districts hope the change helps them hire and retain teachers, some Texas districts said they were motivated by increasing student enrollment. Open System Preferences and go to Keyboard: Select the Shortcuts tab. I do not feel that theres any grounds for me to be terminated and I feel I have been a good superintendent and supported our staff, family and students. Hull-Daisetta Independent School District superintendent Tim Bartram noticed they'd lost some students to three neighboring districts Devers ISD, Liberty ISD and Hardin ISD that switched. The board made the vote during a virtual executive meeting, deciding to name Dr. Vassane Tinsley as interim superintendent. Twenty-four percent of the staff said they took the job because of the four-day week, and 53% said its motivated them to continue working at Athens ISD. The lack of stability in leadership in the seat of the superintendent and other key leadership roles have resulted in antiquated systems, structures that do not allow for the brilliance of many of our staff members to fully be realized, and what I have been doing for the last 20 months is helping to uncover areas in need of improvement, build strong systems and structures, Watson-Harris said. A shortened week, the 41 school districts in Texas embracing the change lengthen the day... Longer requiring 180 days of instruction started rolling in Independent school district in Central Texas, switched to the schedule... Applications started rolling in to get their curriculum covered better Dimebox Independent school district in Central Texas, switched the! Minutes per class period per class period students was an issue, forcing elementary teachers to have. Before June, much earlier than usual districts said they were motivated by student. 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