RESOLUTION NO. __________, SERIES 2018
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A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP OF SUPERINTENDENT MARTY POLLIO AND THE JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS.
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SPONSORED BY: PRESIDENT DAVID JAMES
WHEREAS, Marty Pollio, Ed.D., was selected by the Jefferson County Board of Education to serve as the acting superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) beginning in July, 2017, and was named permanent superintendent in February, 2018.
WHEREAS, under the authority granted under KRS 158.785, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) conducted a management review of JCPS in August, 2016, and a subsequent management audit in April, 2017.
WHEREAS, initial findings of the management audit were released on September 20, 2017, and JCPS submitted final corrective action plans on October 31, 2017, with the final findings only recently published.
WHEREAS, while the final findings of the management audit identified deficiencies and JCPS readily states they recognize institutional short comings that must be corrected, we trust our current locally elected Jefferson County School Board and appointed superintendent to review and correct these problems.
WHEREAS, under Dr. Pollio’s leadership, the district has had a strong focus on compliance, working intensely and collaboratively with KDE to address issues surrounding the district’s corrective action plans, with very positive results.
WHEREAS, Dr. Pollio and the locally-elected Board of Education have worked hand-in-hand to create systemic and sustainable changes within the district, with a focus on improving academic achievement of all students.
WHEREAS, in the 10 months since assuming leadership, Dr. Pollio has focused the work of the board and district around three critical priorities: improving student learning; improving culture and climate; and creating organizational coherence, all with focus on equity for students.
WHEREAS, key initiatives to improve student learning include:
• District-wide implementation of regular universal screening assessments in mathematics and reading in grades K-8, adding high schools next year;
• The development of a bold new instructional initiative around a transition readiness continuum and a backpack of success skills that will transform instruction and student preparedness for transition in JCPS;
• Opening the W.E.B. Dubois Academy for the 2018-19 school year with a full class of sixth graders;
• Centralization of the ESL Newcomer Academy to better serve our newcomer students;
• Establishment of a task force to reimagine how services to alternative school students are provided; and
• Full implementation of the Academies of Louisville initiative, a national model for implementing wall-to-wall high school career academies with business partnerships.
WHEREAS, efforts to dramatically improve culture and climate have quickly yielded strong results, as reflected in the recently released JCPS Comprehensive School Survey, including:
• Increase of 35.9% of respondents agreeing that the superintendent and central office administrators provide effective leadership for schools;
• Increase of 19.5% of respondents agreeing that JCPS manages funding in an efficient and responsible manner;
• Increase of 4.6% of respondents agreeing, up to 87.5%, that they would recommend JCPS as a good place to work;
• Increase of 8.2% respondents agreeing, up to 82.7%, that they are very satisfied with JCPS; and
• Significant increases in parents agreeing that:
• The superintendent and central office provide effective leadership;
• They are satisfied with their child’s school; and
• Their child’s school really cares about them.
WHEREAS, dramatic steps have been taken to improve organizational coherence, including:
• Complete reorganization of the central office structure to better support schools;
• Initiating an action-focused revision of Vision 2020, the district’s strategic plan, in order to hold the district accountable to the community;
• Development of a transformative racial educational equity policy for JCPS;
• Opening a satellite office in West Louisville at the California Community Center to better engage JCPS families and remove barriers to learning;
• Being the first authorizer in the state to meet the legal requirement to develop policies, procedures, and an application for charter schools; and
• Increasing district communication and accountability through weekly wrap-ups, bi-weekly press briefings and other communication efforts.
WHEREAS, the significant progress that has been made in only 10 months reflects that Superintendent Pollio and the democratically-elected Jefferson County Board of Education are an effective leadership team, focused on improving teaching and learning for all students in the district.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE LOUISVILLE/JEFFERSON COUNTY METRO GOVERNMENT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION I: The unique importance of maintaining locally-elected school board members, who are accountable to members of this community and who understand what helps students thrive in local schools, is hereby recognized.
SECTION II: The significant progress to improve the educational opportunities for JCPS students under the leadership of Superintendent Pollio and the Jefferson County Board of Education is hereby commended and applauded.
SECTION III: A determination to make JCPS a state-managed district under KRS 158.780 and KRS 158.785 undermines the voters of Jefferson County by eliminating the power of the elected JCPS Board Members as well as reduces morale, diminishes community engagement and involvement, decreases momentum, and impedes the tangible progress being made.
SECTION IV: While many challenges remain, support for and collaboration with the current JCPS leadership team by the Kentucky Department of Education, the Kentucky Board of Education, and the entire Louisville community, is hereby deemed the best means to improve outcomes for students and make JCPS a model urban school district.
SECTION V: A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Governor Matt Bevin and each member of the Kentucky Board of Education.
_______________________________ ________________________________
H. Stephen Ott David James
Metro Council Clerk President of the Council
_______________________________ ________________________________
Greg Fischer Approval Date
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
Michael J. O’Connell
Jefferson County Attorney
By: ____________________________
Resolution Supporting Dr. Pollio (5-3-18).docx