Entry Plan Retreat

Entry Plan – Results from All Staff

Manheim Central School District

What do you consider to be the primary strengths and weaknesses of the School District?  Teachers, Administrators, and School Board?

School District

Strengths Common Thread –

a.      High School - The community is supportive of district academics, extra-curricular activities and commitment to technology.

b.      MS – Mutual cooperation exists between community and school district including teachers, administration and students to develop lifelong learners.

c.       Stiegel – Caring parents and staff working together with a diverse population to achieve student success. 

d.      HC Burgard – A collaborative community which allows for autonomy and empowerment of teachers with students to be focused at the core.

e.       Doe Run – As a close knit school district, staff and students receive positive support from various areas such as family, team members, administration, ELL, technology, and reading.

f.       Support Staff - Strong sense of community which supports schools with the quality education of the students in the most effective and cost-efficient manner.

g.    Community – Community wants what is best for kids

Weaknesses Common Thread –

a.      HS - The district lacks consistency in administration follow- through on initiatives as a result of poorly-delivered vision.

b.      MS – After years of constant changes in following trends in curriculum, technology and state mandated assessments, a clear vision is lacking.

c.       Stiegel – Continue to enhance communication regarding district issues while stabilizing rate of change. 

d.      HC Burgard – Input from teacher committees is not referenced in decision making and in-service needs differentiated according to grade level and subject matter.

e.       Doe Run - Strive for consistency across buildings in all areas: curriculum, standards, administration, and expectations.

f.       Support Staff - Communicate effectively through the utilization of experience, ongoing training of current employees, and building orientation for new hires.  

g.    Community – School District needs to develop a better relationship and response with the press.

Teachers

Strengths Common Thread –

a.      School Board – We believe they are committed to the kids and dedicated to the district

b.      HS - Teachers are dedicated to student achievement.

c.       MS – Teachers create a sense of community through a strong work ethic in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration.

d.      Stiegel – Dedicated teachers supporting one another

e.       HC Burgard – Teachers are kid centered, dedicated and have students as the focus of learning community.

f.       Doe Run – Team oriented staff that is committed to best practices

g.      Support Staff - Care about the kids and all other staff as well.

h.     Community -   The teachers are competent and committed to student success.

Weaknesses Common Thread –  

a.      School Board – We believe the teachers are looking for change and must willing to embrace change. 

b.      HS -Teachers need time to master and implement new and current initiatives.  

c.       MS – There is a need for improved communication within and across grade levels, subjects and disciplines to foster the creation of a unified middle school.

d.      Stiegel – Change needs to be a process and justifiable before moving forward. 

e.       HC Burgard – Need to be more acceptance to change does not want to become overwhelmed.

f.       Doe Run – Allow more time for teacher collaboration across the district to ensure consistency among grade levels.

g.      Support Staff - Some teachers do not maintain professionalism and are not consistent with discipline. 

h.     Community -  Teachers are uneasy with the changes in administration and unsure of the district’s future direction.

Administrators

Strengths Common Thread –

a.      School Board – We see opportunities with the new administration to bring ideas and a fresh view that can be well balanced with district veterans.

b.      HS - The administrators understand their impact on the climate, tone and academic achievement of the students.

c.       MS – Administration in our school district strives to create a positive, supportive climate that facilitates timely communication and resolution of challenges.

d.      Stiegel – New administration has given hope as we move forward as a team.

e.       HC Burgard – Hopeful that new administration will be consistent and follow through with effective initiatives.

f.       Doe Run - Administration has a strong desire to initiate positive change and to support staff members through current best practices in education.

g.      Support Staff - Administration maintains a professional attitude in handling issues brought to their attention.

h.     Community -   New administration has hit the ground running by soliciting input from the district stakeholders.

Weaknesses Common Thread –

a.      School Board – The new administration will need to learn the district and community culture.

b.      HS - Administrators needs to better manage and communicate educational/district initiatives that need to be filtered before being implemented.

c.       MS – The overall lack of approachability and stability has led to a disconnect among school board, administration and staff.        

d.      Stiegel – Looking forward to a consistency in administration and policies district wide.

e.       HC Burgard – The need for positive communication on district happenings and reasons for district initiatives (Monday morning message).  

f.       Doe Run - Uneasiness with the amount of turnover and lack of consistency, but hopeful for direction from newly hired administration.

g.      Support Staff - Administration needs to be visible in order to gain an understanding of the district operations and functions of individual positions.

h.     Community -  So many of the administration are new and need to learn the district demographics.    

School Board

Strengths Common Thread –

a.      HS - The Board wants to do what is best for kids and district.

b.      MS – The current school board is portrayed as being passionate about our schools, community and students.

c.       Stiegel – Community members striving to continue to make Manheim Central the best district it can be. 

d.      HC Burgard – Focused on the community and made an active effort to look into issues.

e.       Doe Run - Plays an active role within the school, district, and community.

f.       Support Staff - Attend district functions when available.

g.      Community – Group is committed to doing the right thing

Weaknesses Common Thread –

a.      HS -  Board members need experience and training on how best to handle school issues. 

b.      MS – The School Board members need mentoring and training to foster a positive, student-centered school district.

c.       Stiegel – We are hopeful as the new school board gains experience and knowledge of policies, procedures, and the infrastructure of the school district and guides the district forward.

d.      HC Burgard – More contact with staff and allow the board time with the learning curve.

e.       Doe Run - Looking forward to continued support and visability.

f.       Support Staff - Newer board members need to learn the operations of school district to be effective board members committed to their election platform.

g.     Community -  Lack of interaction of board members during meetings and diversity among members.

What are the key issues which you think the school system must confront?

Common Thread –

a.      School Board – Curriculum (academics, Keystone Exams), Funding (PSER’s, Building and Grounds), National Board Certification

b.      Leadership Team – Need to be fused together as a collective team. Having us work as a district in a collaborative effort using clear expectations, communication, direction and vision toward district goals.

c.       HS - Curriculum alignment is needed to meet the current state testing requirements. Revisit the issues surrounding department funding and educational environment (climate control (HVAC) and bullying).

d.      MS – State mandates, efficient scheduling, alignment of curriculum and remediation need to be equally addressed.

e.       Stiegel – The loss of instructional time, due to scheduling restrictions, impacts core instruction.   

f.       HC Burgard – Budget to reflect core programs and needs of the system. Staff development that is differentiated in response to needs and changes are asked to make. Consistency between the three elementary buildings with respect to delivery of district initiatives.

g.      Doe Run – Curriculum which is standards aligned followed by a working document for staff.  Professional development needs to support implementation of curriculum standards.

h.      Support Staff - Prepare graduating students with life skills and/or for post-secondary education. 

i.      Community - Curriculum needs to be addressed with respect to following state mandates at the same time meeting the needs of students.

What do you most want to preserve in the Manheim Central Schools?

Common Thread –

a.      School Board – Preserve and enhance sense of community and pride in Manheim Central.

b.      Leadership Team – Maintain those items that establish community pride but yet challenge the community/school to move forward at an appropriate pace.

c.       HS – We want to preserve a sense of community involvement in the success of all students, in all aspects of education.

d.      MS – Community spirit promotes a strong academic core which is essential in developing and supporting responsible, well-rounded students.

e.       Stiegel – Maintain the effective programs within the district and community involvement in schools.

f.       HC Burgard – Allow teachers to have a say in the educational decisions through collaboration with administration and community.

g.      Doe Run – Provide a variety of unique experiences to create a well rounded student

h.      Support Staff - School and community interaction which allows an open line of communication.

i.       Community – The district needs to preserve the strong sense of community

What would you like to see change?  

Common Thread –

a.      School Board – We want to have open and honest communication between the school and all stakeholders

b.      Leadership Team – Efficient use of resources to provide an appropriate balance of academics and extra‐curricular opportunities that sets standards for and celebrates high levels of achievement.

c.       HS – Increase rigor within the curriculum, improve connections between grade levels and minimize the amount of instructional time lost due to testing.

d.      MS – An effort needs to be made to develop a mutual respect among all employees through a structured communication system, including increased face-to-face interaction.

e.       Stiegel – Consistently deliver standards based curriculum without compromising individual teaching styles.

f.       HC Burgard – More collaboration between administration and teachers.

g.      Doe Run – – Ensure that there is continued support for new and exisiting district initiatives. 

h.      Support Staff - Explore effective education strategies to be implemented within the district and review support staff compensation package. 

i.    Community - District should maintain the commitment to open communication by establishing appropriate groups and mechanism for interaction.

 How can the Superintendent and his staff assist you in maximizing your effectiveness as a teacher?

Common Thread –

a.      School Board – Consistent open and honest communication

b.      HS – Support a collaborative vision that allows teachers, students and administration to reach their fullest educational potential.

c.       MS – Strong leadership will work to create the vision, culture and climate that will allow us to reach professional and district goals.

d.      Stiegel – Encourage a team approach with increased communication among staff, administration and community.

e.       HC Burgard – Allow feedback on some of the new initiatives

f.       Doe Run – Continue to invest time, to listen, to respect teacher input and to foster communication.

g.      Support Staff - Provide training updates that are relative to support staff positions. 

As you think about how the Board currently operates as a group, what gives you satisfaction?

Common Thread –
a.  School Board – The group is able to communicate with one another and enjoys a healthy dialogue as a result of the diverse backgrounds and willingness to serve the community.
b.   Leadership Team - Realize that strategies are needed in order to move the district forward and will support leadership team as long as rational for the strategy is sound. Board is willing to learn and to listen to leadership team on educational issues.

What frustrates you?

Common Thread –
a.  School Board – We want to get moving to tackle many issues but have little control over several.
b.  Leadership Team - School Board should continue to follow protocol for procedures relating to issues coming before the board.