Superintendent Presents District Goals

By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The first Board of Education work session of the school year began on a positive note as Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Robert Feirsen presented his annual list of district goals. He started the meeting on Tuesday evening with the goals his administration has accomplished, which were then followed by those that are currently still being worked on, and those that the district plans to focus on this school year.

"We are a very goal-directed organization because we very much believe that goals are the way that the organization can measure progress," he said. "Every year we want to make sure those goals are meaningful."

Dr. Feirsen, who presented his first list of goals three months after beginning his job in August, 2005, explained that many items cannot be completed in a single year. "We never finish something until it is completely done, totally cooked," he explained.

Accomplished goals include: strengthening the evaluation/observation processes for non-tenured teaching staff; developing and implementing a staff development program for psychologists; initiating a curriculum review in world language, including the foreign language program in the elementary schools, commonly known as FLES; implementing an extended school day program for selected classified students; utilizing a data mine to promote student achievement; implementing a professional period at the high school, which provides additional interaction opportunities between students and teachers during tutorials, test preparation, research assistance, etc.; reviewing the state athletic framework with coaching staff to ensure alignment with the Positive Coaching Alliance; preparing for the New York State audit; reviewing bus routing; investigating the feasibility of developing a master contract for charter buses for extended field trips and Adult Education excursions, which resulted in a contract with Hampton Jitney; reviewing the system for evaluation of noncertified personnel and making recommendations for improvement; renovating the Middle School field; and implementing a new student information system.

The district is currently working on several goals from previous years. Dr. Feirsen and his staff plan to: continue the curriculum review cycle for math, science and guidance and world language; implement a plan for enhanced use of instructional technology, a technology staff developer and an enhanced district web presence; implement a revised evaluation process for tenured teaching staff; continue assessment of Advanced Placement courses and examine the possibility of implementing the International Baculaureate (IB) program; extend and enhance coteaching; promote conceptual teaching and learning; develop a master plan for facilities and grounds; develop a report of student achievement, which is scheduled to be presented to the public on Oct. 27; update the district's Academic Intervention Services plan; provide support for nontenured administrators and supervisors; strengthen student writing, particularly non-fiction; improve the average AP score; revise the district's professional development plan; respond to internal auditor recommendations; and ensure a commitment to quality service and outcomes through continuing improvement and accountability, including study of exemplary organizations and increased "client centered" orientation.

The district's average AP test score was 3.1 in 2007 and 2008. However, 125 more students took an AP exam in 2008. Dr. Feirsen said administrators are reviewing student performance to identify patterns and trends.

Dr. Feirsen is especially excited about conceptual teaching and learning, which involves taking data and other resources that focus on how the mind works and applying it to how material is taught. New teachers and their mentors are provided with an "Understanding by Design" workshop. Also, the opportunity to attend an INTEL Teach program will be extended to additional faculty members.

This year the district will: pilot "green" initiatives in all aspects of district operation; revise the report cards at the primary schools to align with standards; increase the percentage of students who graduate with Regents Diploma with Honors, which is achieved by scoring a 90 or higher on five or more Regents exams; respond to and /or implement the New York State Comptroller's audit recommendations; identify potential supplementary sources of funding for school programs; initiate the revision of the district's special education plan; enhance literacy for students in grades K through 12 and prepare for the revision of ELA standards; and develop Response to Intervention (RTI) procedures.