?
The Kennedale Independent School District recently posted a summary of the findings from recent community forums. It comes after new Superintendent of Schools, Chad Gee, conducted forums on several campuses in the district. {{more: continue …}}
?
Opening the doors wider …??The school district under new leadership has put an emphasis on improving communications with the public and being more open in the actions that it is taking. Gee, who came on board as the new superintendent in December, seems to be the spark.?Last month for the first time in school district history, the school board agreed to publish “agenda packets.” The packets will include most, if not all, of the information that each board member receives prior to meetings. This format will include links that provide details and clarification of agenda items.??Public’s pros and cons on the district …??The following is a listing of the findings from the forums as summarized by the school district. The findings are divided into three areas: what the district is doing well; what is working but could use attention; and, what needs improvement. The items listed under each category are in no particular order.?What the district is doing well …??
Parent Portal Parent/Portal notifications?…?Competitive academics/athletics …?Academic offerings?… Advancement in technology …?Friendly and respectful staff?… My School Bucks …?Retention of staff?… Dual Credit Offerings …?PTO involvement?…?School Calendar …?Balance of athletics and academics in UIL?… Quality teachers and staff …?Communication increase?… Campus security …?Commitment of technology at secondary level?… Wildcat Pride …?Open door policy?… Administration …?Semesters on calendar?… Parent/teacher communication …?Communication from coaches?… House System in Kinder – 6th …?Safety and security?… School Calendar …
?What is working but could use improvement …?Teachers entering grades in timely manner …?Security – cameras and voting on campus during school hours …?Career readiness?… Teachers/staff wearing and having standardized badges …?Performing arts program?… Cross walks and school zones …?Technology responsibility?… Extracurricular activities at junior high …?Study skills for homework?…? Parent participation and involvement …?Accommodations for SPED/504 …?Easing the stakeholders into new leadership style …?Dress code?… Courses to earn high school credit at the junior high …?Bullying and digital citizenship?… Speculation 504 is being assigned to campuses/possible conflict of interest … Transportation (elementary riding with older students on bus) … Communication from administration on district events … Buses arriving late making it difficult for students to eat breakfast/lost instructional time … Computer availability for testing/technology at elementary level … Registration process – wanting online registration and less forms … Consistency with online grades, parent portal, mobile app … Grades not being entered on time affecting parent portal and mobile app?…?What needs improvement …?Consistency of dress code being enforced & Dress code … Loss of instructional time due to dress code issues … Lack of after school programs and community partnerships … Discipline at high school/fights … After school tutoring programs not being available …
Parent involvement … Grades not entered in time by teachers … Reaching parents/guardians without technology … Chromebook issues and submitting digital assignments … Retention of teachers at some campuses … Lesson plans on teachers pages being consistent and enforced … Inability to collect fines and the cost of those fines impacting district resources … Vendor approval for staff being open all year versus once a year … Teaching critical thinking … Facilities at James Arthur Intermediate … Grading policy not being followed … Retake/retest policy … Professional development … Athletic forms being outdated … Junior high football field … Crossing guard at Delaney … Communication when transitioning from elementary to middle & middle to secondary …?These items and additional information gathered from other meetings including with staff will be reviewed by the school board and the superintendent for the development of an action plan(s).?It is in this context that the final approval of 2019-20 school calendar has been delayed so that additional review by parents and staff can be done.? Questions have risen over the pros and cons of a six week grading period compared to a nine week grading periods. One alternative calendar under consideration is based on the nine week grading period format.?The next school board meeting is set for March 27, 2019 at 7 p.m. in the KISD Media Center on the campus of Kennedale High School at 901 Wildcat Way, Kennedale, TX 76060?
