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Superintendent UpdateOctober 7, 2013Dr. Barry Williams, SuperintendentGATES COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

+ Topics of Interest

Graduation Rate AwardLegislative UpdatesTeacher Tenure LawA New Teacher’s PerspectiveAn Important Message from the

PresidentThe month of October

+ 10 Districts in the State Earn State’s Top Graduation Rates in

2012-2013 Superintendent Dr. June Atkinson honored ten school

districts for having the higher four-year cohort graduation rates among all districts in the state in 2012-2013.

“Last year our statewide graduation rate increased to 82.5 % while students and teachers transitioned to new state standards and assessments and many schools faced significant financial challenges” (State Superintendent - Dr. Atkinson). 

+ The Best of the Northeast

“This outstanding accomplishment is a testament to the high quality teachers and school leaders we are fortunate to have in our schools. I commend principals, teachers and superintendents in these districts for their resilience, enthusiasm and their commitment to preparing all students for success in the future” (State Superintendent June Atkinson).

+ Commendations

“This outstanding accomplishment is also a testament to all employees we are fortunate to have in our district. Additionally, I commend the school board members & board of commissioners for their resilience, enthusiasm and commitment to preparing all students for success in the future” (Gates County Superintendent, Dr. Barry Williams).

LEA NAME # Students in CohortGrad Rate

Elkin City Schools 85 94.1 %Mooresville Graded 366 93.4 %Pamlico County Schools 126 92.9 %Chapel-Hill Carrborro City 878 92.6 %Cherokee County Schools 264 91.7 %Mount Airy City Schools 145 91.7 %Gates County Schools 140 91.4 %Dare County Schools 370 91.4 %Catawba County Schools 1411 91.3 %Union County Schools 2913 90.8 %

+ Request that the General Assembly address these issues

Restoration of master’s pay and doctoral pay for teachers and certain instructional support personnel.

Reduction in state-mandated tests and elimination of the requirement to schedule them in the last 10 days of the school year for elementary and middle schools and the last 5 days of the course in high schools.

+ Address these issues

Elimination of the prohibition on school counselors administering tests

Elimination of the mandate for superintendents and school boards to designate 25% of their non-probationary teachers as their highest performing in conjunction with offers of 4-year contracts and state-funded $500 bonuses to take effect July 1, 2014.

+ Priorities for Strengthening & Enhancing Public Education in North Carolina

All educators asks that the General Assembly, the Governor, the State Board of Education and other state leaders work with us on focused initiatives to attract and retain the highest quality personnel to work in public schools across the state and to support enhanced achievement of North Carolina students to ensure their readiness for competition in the global economy.

+ Teacher non-Tenure LawSequence of Information

July 30, 2013 Mr. John Leidy introduced the Teacher Tenure Act to all Gates County principals and directors at our summer administrative retreat in Elizabeth City.

August 29, 2013 Ms. Jennifer Hill conducted a meeting with all principals on creating a rubric to evaluate teachers.

September 4, 2013 Ms. Jennifer Hill conducted a follow-up meeting with the principals and Dr. Williams to finalize the rubric for awarding employment contracts

September 13, 2013 Mr. John Leidy presented a PowerPoint presentation to all Gates County teachers on the Teacher Tenure Act.

+ Keeping Everyone Informed September 24, 2013 Mr. Richard Schwartz presented a

PowerPoint presentation at the North Carolina Association of School Administrators 2013 Law Symposium.

September 26, 2013 Dr. Williams mentioned this document to the Gates County Board of Education with tentative scheduled dates for more information provided to the teachers and principals on the Teacher Tenure Act.

September 26, 2013 Ms. Jennifer Hill facilitated a meeting with all principals to discuss updates and the next steps in the implementation process of the new Teacher Tenure Law.

October 7, 2013 Dr. Williams will present this document to the Gates County Board of Education.

+ And now a Message from the POTUS

+ In with the “New” and well; back in with the “New”

+ Years of Research states Typically, each school has a single administrative officer, a

principal, who is responsible for the operation of the school. The administrative hierarchy may consist also of a number of department chairpersons, school counselors, a social worker, school psychologist, diagnostician, and so on.

The principal is primarily responsible for administering all aspects of a school’s operations. What then do principals actually do on a day-to-day basis? One way to analyze what principals do is to examine their job from a number of perspectives: (a) leadership functions, (b) administrative roles, (c) management skills, (d) task dimensions, (e) human resource activities, and (f) behavioral profiles of effective versus successful administrators.

+ Learning

+ Collaborating

+ Disaggregating

+ Evaluating

+ Participating

+ Observing

+ Teaching

+ Counseling

+ Not Forgetting Family

+ Principal for a Day

Essay contest for 5th, 8th and 12th grade students Essays due to front office & Dr. Williams will pick up Winners announced Friday October 25 Winners shadow principals on a mutually

predetermined day Superintendent will meet with students to discuss their

day. Report findings, introduce students/essays at

November board meeting.

+ Essay requirements

Essay should first address what they think is the job description of a principal.

Second, essay should address what qualities a principal should have.

Finally, essay should include a paragraph addressing the statement…”if I were principal for a day, I would….”

5th grade essay—no less than 500 words. 8th grade essay---no less than 750 words. 12th essay---no less than 1000 words.

+Essay requirements, cont’d.

Essay should be typed or written in ink, double spaced. Essay should reflect student’s original thinking. Handout will be provided for copying purposes and

giving to students See handout for sample cover page and permission

slips.

+ To Our Principals

From the Gates County Board of Education, the central office and all employees in the district (and me) …

We appreciate what you do! October is Principal Appreciation Month!

+ In Memory

Board of Commissioner, Colleague and Teammate

Johnny Michael Hora

9/28/2013