Laurel School District Superintendent John Ewald

1. Superintendent’s Report
Board of Education
Entry Plan Data
January 16, 2013
7:00 p.m.
Participation in Entry Plan Events has provided
invaluable insights and allowed the Superintendent
to quickly gain a broad understanding of the
Laurel School District.
John D. Ewald
Superintendent of Schools

2. Laurel School District
Superintendent’s Retreat with the Board of Education
Entry Plan Data
Superintendent’s Entry Plan Events
Student Town Hall Meetings
 Laurel MS
 Laurel HS
Listen & Learn Events
 Parent Listen & Learns
 Student Listen & Learns
 Department Listen & Learns
Community Leader Interviews
 Elected Officials
 Community Leaders as Determined by Stakeholders

3. Superintendent’s Entry Plan Events (cont’d.)
Neighborhood Chat
 Laurel Public Library
District Staff Interviews
Department Interviews
Principal Interviews
Board of Education Member Interviews

4. Superintendent’s Entry Plan Events
Two Questions Were Asked
 What are the best things in the Laurel School District, what
are our celebrations?
 What are the challenges in the Laurel School District, what
do we need to work on?

5. Celebrations:
 Exceeding DE AYP on State Assessments
 Laurel HS Academic Achievement Aware
 Appreciative Students
 Dedication and Collaboration of Staff
 Students stayed because of Advanced Placement (AP)
 Sense of Family
 Community is Strong
 Red Ribbon Week
 Good Classes; Algebra, Methods, Problem Solving
 Good Sports

6. Celebrations (cont’d.):
 Project Based Learning
 Band, Band, Band
 iPads through Grants
 Cohesive Staff Focused on Students
 Sense of Community
 Enthusiasm in Schools
 Exceptional Staff
 Collaborative Planning
 Exchange of Instructional Practice

7. Celebrations (cont’d.):
 Classes are not interrupted.
 Significant Improvement and Change
 There is opportunity and challenge.
 Tremendous teachers and caring staff.
 All new custodial equipment.
 New Superintendent.
 Open door policy.
 DCAS scores are up.
 Successfully made it through substantial challenges.
 Great communication through Connect ED.
 Always on time.

8. Celebrations (cont’d.):
 Groundbreaking ceremony is near.
 Kids are great!
 We all know each other.
 Laurel HS Achievement Award
 Great staff
 Building New Schools
 Great Tech Team
 Very Driven and Successful School District
 The Financial Recovery Team (FRT) has Left Town
 Community Support

9. Celebrations (cont’d.):
 District Office Staff’s Ability to Multi Task
 Good, bright students.
 Integrated PreK Program
 Including special education students back into the District.
 Support for Kindergarten students at risk.
 Sports
 Community
 Principals
 Red Ribbon Week
 Honor Roll
 Teachers never giving up on us!
 Courses
 Commitment of Staff
 We all want to go to college!

10. Challenges
 Only recognizing athletes, not scholars.
 What do I do after Spanish III?
 DCAS
 Uniforms
 Not ready for DCAS
 Not enough time in classroom or content, all DCAS.
 Money/Finances
 Technology
 Parent Engagement
 Translation Services
 Tech support in each building

11. Challenges (cont’d.):
 Reductions in Staff
 Inclement Weather Bus Needed
 Professional Development for Support Staff
 Children Have Many Needs
 Culture of Respect
 Consistent Implementation of Policy and Regulations
 Hard to Keep a Superintendent
 School Choice
 Parent Attendance
 Communication
 Perception About District is Not the Best

12. Challenges (cont’d.):
 Faculty and staff spread too thin.
 Transparency and Communication
 Professional Days for Specialists
 Grants – Businesses – Utilization
 DPAS Component V
 Too Much Paperwork
 PLC’s are Huge Disruption for Families
 Technology
 We need a PR Director to “sell our schools.”
 Continuing need for AP Classes
 Parents are making choices outside the District for 7-12.
 Need for a Parents’ Academy

13. Challenges (cont’d.):
 Starting School Year without a Budget
 Parental Involvement
 Home Access Not Used in All Schools
 Hungry Students
 Poverty
 Students Frustrated by Discipline of Others
 School Board Needs a Representative Body
 Technology Old and Outdated
 Parent Involvement with Conferences
 Need for Vertical Alignment & Discussion
 Accountability Tools

14. Challenges (cont’d.):
 Mistrust of the District
 SMART Boards in Every Classroom that Work
 Programs for Kids Who May Fall Behind
 Financial Transparency/Trust Issue
 Information – Communication – Connect ED
 Superintendent Should be in Buildings & Classrooms
 Huge Budget Issues
 Poverty Level
 Not Enough Electives for Students

15. Input for the Superintendent
 Greet Students
 More Student Town Halls with More Grade Levels
 Medical Programs
 Look & Listen
 Meet the People
 Open Lines
 Visibility
 Classrooms
 Transparency
 Walk the Talk

16. Board of Education’s Analysis of Entry Plan Data
 Theme 1
 Theme 2
 Theme 3
 Theme 4
 Theme 5

17. Superintendent’s Analysis of Entry Plan Data
 Student Achievement
 Learning Opportunities
 Trust
 Transparency
 Technology
 Communication

18. Board of Education’s Draft Strategic Goals
 Goal 1
 Goal 2
 Goal 3
 Goal 4
 Goal 5

19. Superintendent’s Draft Strategic Goals
 Provide rigor, relevance and relationships to each of
our students.
 Graduate students who are college and career ready.
 Create a self-sustaining workforce.
 Engage our community in meaningful ways.
 Provide each student a 21st Century Education.

20. Engaging Our Stakeholders
 Superintendent’s Day in the District; 1-9-13, North Laurel ES
 Laurel Lions Club Meeting; 1-10-13
 Superintendent’s Leadership Story, Vision for the Laurel School District & Updates on
Construction
 Superintendent’s Town Hall Meeting; 12th Grade Students, Laurel HS, 1-22-13
 Superintendent’s Town Hall Meeting; 8th Grade Students, Laurel MS, 1-22-13
 Laurel Odd Fellows Club Meeting; 1-24-13
 Superintendent’s Leadership Story, Vision for the Laurel School District & Updates on
Construction
 Superintendent’s Day in the District; 1-25-13, Laurel MS
 Superintendent’s Day in the District; 1-31-13, Laurel IS
 Neighborhood Chat; Laurel Public Library, 1-31-13
 Superintendent’s Leadership Story, Vision for the Laurel School District & Updates on
Construction
 Superintendent’s Day in the District; 2-1-13, Laurel HS
 Laurel Chamber of Commerce Meeting; 2-6-13