A message from the Superintendent

GESD Team Members:

It is hard to believe we are down to the last couple of days of the 2015-16 school year. I am sure everyone is ready for a well-deserved break to relax and to rejuvenate for the coming school year. Although we continue to face challenges, we cannot deviate from the work we need to engage in to raise the academic performance of all GESD students. Challenges should be viewed as challenges and not barriers to student academic success.

When you’re so profoundly involved in your daily work, it’s hard to appreciate all that you do for your students. But we see it every day, in many different ways, and we are so very grateful for everything you do that makes your students feel valued, and your commitment to success for all students. Your continued loyalty and service to GESD and the children and community we serve is deeply appreciated. Your confidence and participation in the work we are engaged in make a difference for our children and their families.

We are on the right path and are engaging in the right work. Although there is still much to do, this may be a good time to reflect on what we have accomplished this year:

• We anticipate that the Governing Board will approve providing pay increases at its meeting Thursday night, including raising the starting salary for all employees.
• In addition, $325 will be added to the base salary of all employees.
• Performance pay was increased from $1,500 to $1,800.
• Most employees will see no increases in employee benefits premiums.
• Developed and recommended policy change that will allow employees to sell back some accrued leave during the middle and end of each school year.
• Developed and recommended policy change that will allow employees to two opportunities per year to qualify for salary adjustments.
• We have made progress towards our goals of providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum.
• Eliminated combination classrooms.
• Moved towards curricular continuity across district schools through the use of District Pacing Guides and aligned resources.
• Continue to improve our instructional practices to align with College and Career Readiness Standards.
• Implemented a balanced assessment plan to better understand and improve student learning.
• Continue to refine job embedded professional development aligned to school improvement efforts.
• Continue to provide support to increase the effectiveness of collaborative teams.
• Provided some schools principal coaching.  The model will expand this year to provide coaching for all schools.
• Assigned schools support teams to assist with continuous improvement.
• Continue to explore and implement strategies to control costs in all areas.
• Have tripled the number of school and district partnerships with businesses and other community members.
• Established minimum standards for parent and community engagement at all District Schools.  Those standards will be raised.
• Working with individuals sites to adjust master schedules to create more collaborative meeting time.
• We are investigating cost savings ideas with neighboring districts (sharing warehouse space, sharing resources, etc.).
• Continue to address building and facility needs. Several renovation projects will occur this summer.
• Saw pockets of student achievement growth, based on benchmark assessments, throughout the District.

These are just some of our accomplishments this school year, and we look forward to working with you to do even more next year.

Best wishes for a restful, safe, and pleasant summer break. Please take time to do some of the things you enjoy that bring a joyful spirit to your heart and mind. You deserve it!

Joe