Don't like to keep sharing the travails of a superintendent making weather-related school closure calls, but it would look like ducking since today's call turned out so poorly if I didn't. Getting to school this morning would have been safe with the two hour late start, but we were very concerned with getting students home if the weather forecast was accurate. Late snow, cold temperatures, commuters leaving early, and our youngest students on the road last is not a good combination. I have been there and it was one of the most difficult situations I can recall for all of us. Unfortunately, we did not receive the anticipated snowfall so I do look foolish to some for the call.
As I look outside now, it appears like the snow is here. At least it is in my little section of Ravensdale. Just in time to make tomorrow and Friday another opportunity to second guess the weather and practice our analysis and synthesis skills as we evaluate the conditions and make a decision. I'm still waiting for the no-brainer decision, but don't expect that it will show this week. Lori, Susie, Bonnie, and Bridget are putting in long, stressful hours checking roads, answering my questions, and fielding calls from upset parents this week. They deserve a big thanks and appreciation for their commitment in difficult and anxious situations. Though the call in hindsight can certainly be questioned, we made it based upon the best information available at the time.
On another topic, we are anxiously awaiting the Governor's budget. It is the first budget to be submitted and we expect it to be out tomorrow. It will give us an indication of how difficult it will be to develop a balanced budget as I don't think a democratically controlled house and senate will make major shifts in the education portions of their budgets that come out after the session begins in January. We will soon be starting a budget development section on our web site to share information as we go through this process. We know there is a need for staff to have accurate and timely information as these difficult decisions are made. The addition to the web is one vehicle for dissemination of this information.
Finally, I'm pleased to say that we have spent considerable time discussing the comments to my post on our curriculum. On the January 5th waiver day we will be sharing with all High School and Junior High staff information on our curriculum development work and Classroom 10. Nancy will be with Terry and teacher leaders at the High School and I will be with Rob at the Junior High. I am looking forward to this opportunity for sharing information, identifying additional needs, and answering questions that resulted from your comments.
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1 comment:
Just wanted to say that I may not have liked the call (don't want to lose days later in the year), but it was the right decision. A great example of analyzing and synthesizing the information available in order to make an informed decision.
Also, I appreciate the willingness to be open to the staff regarding the curriculum. It really does mean a lot.
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