There are so many things to say about AYP, and I'm sure that I have forgotten some of what I used to know about all of that!! I can say that Cloudcroft Schools were destined to eventually fail under NCLB. Personally and professionally, I do not believe that that act is all bad. It did set standards and benchmarks so that all schools could measure progress. However, in the case of CMS, our test scores have been and are still high. There is a point where high-performing schools cannot continue to achieve the increased proficiency required by the state and NCLB. I believe that Cc Elem and MS are beginning a slight downward trend due to earlier high scores. I'm sure that there are other extenuating circumstances (such as the scores of sub-groups), but we are NOT a failure or setting lower standards in Cloudcroft. Amy Lane has been our testing coordinator for about four years, and I KNOW how diligently she has monitored our schools' progress. In the future, I don't know who will be the testing coordinator for our district, but I do know that it is a hugely important job.
As for comments on the four-day week, I agree (and have expressed to board members) that the board should speak up in meetings regarding their opinions/comments and the four-day week. The more I talk to staff, the more I find that many of them do not support the 4-day week. In recent board meetings, I got the feeling that it was the majority of teachers who support the shortened week. ALL of them may reconsider after the AYP announcement. I wonder if it's too late to modify the calendar once again?? Truly, I don't know the answer to that.
Two board members (who voted for the short calendar) told me that they did it because THE TEACHERS wanted it. I'm not at all sure that the majority of our professional educators were in favor!! It was just presented that way by Mr. Snoddy and Mr. Rogers--in all sincerity, I'm sure.
Healthy debate is just that--healthy; but in order to debate, two sides/persons must speak their opinions and feelings. Board members, please hear this. You were elected to represent all of us, and to vote your conscience for the students and families of the school district. I have full confidence that you can and will do this.
Also, I am not in favor of recalling the five board members who VOLUNTEER their time, family, and finances to serve on the Cloudcroft Board of Education. Let's just communicate, communicate, communicate. Nothing productive comes from poor communication between the board, superintendent, administration, staff, community, families, and children. We are better than this!!! Let's talk, please. (And, just for the record, I consider any "anonymous" comment as invalid. Let's take some responsibility, too.)
Glena Muncrief
Retired Superintendent
Cloudcroft Municipal Schools
