The Red Clay Consolidated School District's School Board voted to approve a new, revised Priority Schools MOU with the State Department of Education.
It was a long journey to get to this 'yes' vote, a journey that started back in September. This is not the original MOU laid out by the state. Instead, Red Clay decided to draft an alternative MOU they say is “more simplified” and allows for multiple measures of evaluating school success.
Dr. Adrianna Bohm was the only dissenting board vote calling Priority Schools a turnaround demand, rather than a turnaround plan.
State Secretary of Education Mark Murphy said in a statement following the vote that while the actual plans for each school are still being developed, his department is excited that the process is moving forward.
“We have worked closely with Red Clay leaders over the past few months on a path forward that can deliver more services and resources to the children in Red Clay’s three priority schools," said Murphy in his statement. "Red Clay has worked tirelessly with teachers, parents and other stakeholders to develop an MOU that is tailored to their needs and represents a compromise that has the potential to deliver for their students. It provides for the selection of a great school leader who will have the flexibility to modify the school day, extend the school year or change the curriculum to best meet students’ needs."
Before the vote, each of the district’s three Priority Schools - Warner Elementary, Shortlidge Academy and Highlands Elementary - presented updates on their plans. Warner Principal Dr. Chrishaun Fitzgerald noted that included ideas beyond academics.
"We found that an experienced licensed clinical social worker, therapy groups and the extension of additional social emotional care are warranted throughout the building," said Fitzgerald.
One controversial portion of the proposed plan would have Warner and Shortlidge transitioning to a community campus model, dividing the schools by grade level with one campus housing kindergarten through 2nd grade and the other 3rd to 5th.
State officials say Red Clay submitted a first draft of plans to the state for feedback on December 12 and did commit to filing final school plans by DOE's January 7th deadline, but with the Red Clay beginning its winter break Wednesday both sides agreed an extension to January 22nd is in order.
"We were able today to reach an agreement where we could have our final plans submitted after our January 21st board meeting. That allows us time to communicate with our schools, our parents, our teachers, more about what these plans mean." said Red Clay’s Deputy Superintendent Dr. Hugh Broomall.