Posts from — May 2010

The PPS board is meeting today at the BESC from 11-1:00 to discuss Superintendent Smith’s high school redesign plan.  The meeting is open to the public for observation but the board won’t be hearing testimony today (not that they hear it at other meetings).

Just once I’d like to see the Superintendent answer the board’s questions herself.  I honestly don’t think she’s read the plan that her non-educator and unlicensed Chief of Staff has put together.  The Superintendent’s Chief of Staff always steps in to respond to the questions addressed to the other Smith.

Superintendent Carole Smith – this is YOUR district and we will hold YOU accountable for our students!

PPS Chief of Staff Zeke Smith’s  college major is number 11 on the list of lowest paying jobs but he could certainly bring the average up.

Drama Majors:

Average starting salary – $35,600

Average midcareer salary – $56,600

Zeke’s salary - $124,067

In the spring of 2004, the Portland School Board voted to divide lower-performing Marshall and Roosevelt high schools into small schools. Next week, the first class of students who entered those small schools as freshmen will graduate. Their high school careers have been marked by changes and transitions, and improved success in class – but most memorably by more personal relationships with their teachers, classmates and their school. As one senior said about Renaissance Arts Academy, “I found a home.”  [Read more →]

At last Monday’s PPS board meeting,  a board member mentioned that there were 4 new charter high school applications.  How do they play into the high school redesign plan?  Where are the students for those schools expected to come from? 

It doesn’t make sense for PPS to close Benson, send students back to their neighborhood high schools  then turn around and watch those students get siphoned off into a charter school.

Who are the applicants?  Have they been involved in the high school redesign process?

• Youth leadership has emerged at Benson and Marshall
• Students have demonstrated more integrity, passion, commitment and common sense than the Benson and Marshall principals
• I’ve been able to reconnect with old friends from my neighborhood
• Parents, teachers and students are working together to improve education
• Academic Priority Zones

We ARE making a difference.  Keep the pressure on!!!

Sign the petition to keep Marshall open.

Marshall Petition

Let’s be clear on Superintendent Smith’s high school redesign proposal. 

She is recommending that 3 Marshall Campus schools close and a new school opened on the campus.  She is also recommending that Benson High School close and a new program is housed on the campus.

Both recommendations are in violation of  PPS School Initiation and Closure policy 6.10.030-P.  Where are the School Initiation and School Closure Reports?  Is she planning to produce those after the board votes?

http://www.petitiononline.com/BHS2010/petition.html

My understanding of the high school redesign is that Benson would no longer be a school.  Instead it would be a program.  There wouldn’t be a Benson diploma or Benson graduates.  Thoughts on this?

Steve, Ed, David and especially Fred Locke…your three minutes are up!

Why does the board limit student testimony but allow administrators to talk endlessly about their ideas? 

The principals aren’t the ones that are going to be attending the schools.  They go on and on about building schools that will inspire and engage while students are expected to sit in quiet disagreement.

Last night’s students provided the most compelling testimony on the high school redesign.  Let’s hear from more of them!

Marshall and Benson students are invited and encouraged to comment on the posts on this site and to also submit statements or articles to be posted.

Tell us what you want and need. 

Email me at carrie.adams@comcast.net if you have questions.