Superintendent's Blog

March 31, 2009 – Supporting Our Employees

Last week was a challenging week for the district. The economy has hit many industries, and unfortunately, public education is not invincible.  

I want to reiterate my feelings about how vital our employees are within the organization. Positions are important, but it’s the people who contribute to the success of our schools and students. We want to ensure that our employees, to the best of our ability, find homes within GCS. The district will work with any and all impacted employees to ensure they receive the support they need and deserve.     

The Employee Support Center Web site is a useful online tool for employees. It will answer many questions and provides links and additional information to community resources. We hope this Web site will give clear and accurate information – something that is essential during uncertain times like these.

We don’t know when the economy will turn around, but let’s continue to work together, support one another and encourage each other to succeed.

March 17, 2009 – Achieving Education Excellence One Step at a Time

Last week was significant for Guilford County Schools.

During the Board of Education meeting Tuesday evening, the Board approved to accept and support the strategic plan with the understanding that staff will bring items with budget implications to the board.

The board also approved a plan to reorganize central administration services, and requested that staff recommend its top two options for how to divide the district geographically. Staff plans to make these recommendations to the Board at its March 26 meeting.

Having the Board’s support holds great value for me as we move toward a direction that will provide quality, timely and cost-effective support to schools, communities and of course, our employees.

This decision, of course, was made with careful consideration as well as internal and external feedback through surveys and focus groups. Through regional reorganization, we place our resources closer to our schools and will continue to improve our services and responsiveness to local needs and concerns.

This step is important to improving the overall effectiveness of the district, and will undoubtedly impact many people at many levels.

With the new organization, the district’s School Support and Instructional Improvement positions will be eliminated. Where possible, current employees will be reassigned to new positions created within the new structure. It is proposed that each geographic region have a superintendent, executive director and five other academic and support personnel. By appointing liaisons from central office departments for each region, we can streamline communication.

Depending on the number of regions that are ultimately selected, about 15 to 25 new positions may be created. We are currently in the process of filling the positions. The new positions will be effective July 1.

Additionally, as we make budget decisions for the 2009-10 school year, other departments will be redirecting resources to support the new organization to meet anticipated shortfalls in state funding and to align our services with the goals outlined in our new strategic plan. We hope to learn more about the projected state funding when Governor Perdue presents her proposed budget early this week.

I know change is hard for everyone, but as we move forward, I truly believe that this regional model is what’s best for this district. I am certain it will give our teachers and school support staff the resources which will allow our students to achieve excellence in the 21st century. This also will give parents and community members one place to call to get questions answered and issues resolved.

As always, I welcome your comments. Please send any feedback to feedback@gcsnc.com. For more information regarding the regional reorganization, click here.