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SPPS proposes reshaping of district services, public forums set for May 12 & 28
Saint Paul, Minn. – Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) administration outlined academic reforms, school closings and an overhaul of its school choice program at a May 5 committee meeting with members of the Board of Education. These Large-Scale System Changes are aimed at using district resources more efficiently so that teachers and other staff can be more effective at raising student achievement.
“We need to provide major, systemic changes that will raise the bar on learning for all students, close the achievement gap, and address the structural deficit,” said SPPS Superintendent Meria Carstarphen.
The proposal is the first step as the Board considers these plans. Public input sessions to learn more and to provide feedback are scheduled for May 12, 6-8 p.m. at Central Senior High School and May 28, 6-8 p.m. at Harding Senior High School. The Board is expected to take action on the proposals at its June 16 regular meeting. Most of the changes, except for those funded through the federal stimulus package, would be enacted for the 2010-11 school year. Federal stimulus revenue must be spent starting in July because it is designed for short-term economic improvement.
The complete presentation on Large-Scale System Changes can be downloaded here (4.7 MB).
Large-Scale System Changes recommendations are in four categories:
• Academic Reforms
• Employee Effectiveness and Development
• Rightsizing/Consolidation
• School Choice
Academic Reforms
Some of the proposals for academic reform take into account one-time, two-year “federal stimulus” funding. SPPS will use these funds for intensive instructional coaching, which is a best-practice, in-the-classroom professional development for teachers. The district will ensure that math and literacy curricula are consistently and uniformly used district-wide. One district goal is to ensure that all students learn at or above grade level by grade three, a key item in the district’s strategic plan. Federal stimulus funds will be used to focus on proven literacy content. In addition, SPPS will focus on low-performing and struggling students by implementing a number of academic and social intervention programs. Finally, federal stimulus funds will allow the district to enhance its data systems to better track and evaluate student performance and curriculum and teaching practices.
Employee Effectiveness and Development
The district would negotiate with its employee bargaining groups a number of modifications and incentives to focus on raising academic performance for all students. A proposal would implement a competitive performance management system for all employees. Another goal is to put the best staff in front of the students who need to make most gains in their learning. SPPS administrations proposes applying for the state’s Q-Comp program as way to fund incentives for highly effective teachers and more job-embedded professional development. The district and the teacher’s union must reach an agreement in order to be part of Q-Comp.
Rightsizing/Consolidation
SPPS proposes to close elementary school programs at Longfellow Humanities Magnet, Roosevelt Elementary West Side School of Excellence and Sheridan Elementary School in the summer of 2010. This will provide for a full year of transition for families and staff. Humboldt Junior High School would be consolidated with Humboldt Senior High School after this school year. Closing and consolidating these schools would eliminate more than 2,100 excess classroom spaces and save $2.47 million.
School Choice
The district’s school choice program is widely regarded as one of its most attractive assets as families can receive transportation from anywhere in the city for nearly half of district schools. The system also is complex and requires a transportation program more costly than most other urban school districts. Under Large-Scale System Changes, the best elements of school choice would be kept through a three region model while streamlining the complexity. Within each region, the most popular magnet school programs would be duplicated, and the district would maintain seven magnets that families could attend from anywhere in the city: Central Senior High School, Open School, Capitol Hill Gifted and Talented Magnet, L'Etoile du Nord French Immersion, Crossroads Science and Montessori, Four Seasons A+ Elementary, and the American Indian Magnet School. With a regional school choice system, SPPS expects to save between $1.1 million and $2.2 million in transportation costs.
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