by David Chapman
Staff Writer
The aftermath of Tropical Storm Fay was a common conversation piece, but it was the path of education – and not storms – that was the focal point of Meninak members during their Monday meeting.
Duval County School Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals headlined the meeting and discussed the “Six Steps to Stronger Schools” — a four-year strategic plan recently adopted by the Duval County School Board.
The multi-pronged plan includes an increased academic achievement level and graduation rate for all students, employment of quality teachers and principals, the further creation of safe and respectful schools, increased community support and an enhancement of internal practices.
“Creating a plan helps provide focus,” said Pratt-Dannals. “When something new comes up, it let’s us ask ‘How does it fit in the plan?’ and creates an opportunity to be visible in the public with targets.”
Pratt-Dannals also noted the goal to eliminate the racial, language and income achievement gaps between students by 2014.
“We expect to make a lot of progress very quickly,” he said, referring to closing the gap and the six-step plan.
That progress is needed, he said, due to the ever-changing dynamics of workforce and post-secondary school readiness.
“The bar (of what is expected of students) has been raised,” he said, “and we want them to be able to jump over that bar.”
He was also discouraged by Florida’s dead last ranking of school funding per $1,000 of taxpayer income as shown by a U.S. Census Bureau study. Florida receives $33.51 for each $1,000; North Carolina is next at $38.51 for each $1,000.
“This really is a business,” he told the crowd. “If we don’t tackle it, it will continue to go down dramatically and 20 years from now people will be scratching their heads wondering how things got so bad.”
Also notable from Monday’s Meninak meeting:
• He’ll also keep his eyes on court battles regarding Amendment 5 and its placement on the November election ballots. The amendment would affect school funding by replacing property tax revenue with a State sales tax increase among other sources of revenue.
“It’s definitely on the radar,” he said. “As of now, it’s been thrown off the ballot, but we’ll have to see what the Florida Supreme Court does.”
• Citing economic woes, Pratt-Dannals said he’s as satisfied as one could be with the school system’s tentative agreement with the Duval Teachers Union for the 2008-09 school year. The agreement must be ratified by the School Board and employees Sept. 2 before it goes into effect, but he’s happy with the relationship the system and Union have.
“Most districts are in total upheaval,” he said. “At times it’s a challenge (to work with the Teachers Union) but we have a positive working relationship.”
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