Notes from “On the Scene with Dr. Green” at Tucker Middle School – October 11, 2018
Dr Green, Superintendent of DeKalb County Schools, conducted his 2nd (of 7) meeting at Tucker Middle School. Good crowd in attendance.
Opening:
Dr Green praised 2 schools which received Blue Ribbon of Excellence (Austin and Kittredge)….County started “Early Learning for 3 Year Olds,” full day program which includes on site wrap around services including health center, food bank and DFACS.
A number of questions were raised:
Q: Woman seeking an appointment with Dr Green with a complaint about special education.
A: He said his approach is to be available and if a complaint is received, it is being assessed.
Statement: NAACP encouraged people to learn about the School Volunteer Program.
A: He said this is an important program which can involve people who are not parents.
Q: What is being done for bus drivers?
A: There are 850 positions allocated for this; rolls being cleared of “stagnant” resources (those who have left the system) upon review.
Q: Date for high school graduation?
A: Will be held at World Congress Center during the week of May 28th.
Q: What is the status of School of the Arts K thru 12?
A: Very important program, looking for funding thru philanthropies.
Q: When is the roll out of musical instruments funded thru SPLOST 5?
A: $4m available this year (the next 3 years, there will be $2m available each year)… instruments will be distributed over the next 60-90 days.
Q: What about schools on the Governor’s “turn around” list?
A: Need to have consistent lists which seem to change…16 schools on the list (Tier 3 is the list of schools suffering most, and will be receiving more funds. There are no schools in the Tucker Cluster on either Tier 2 or 3 list!!!
Q: When will there be a new Smoke Rise school and disposition of old school?
A: Hired architect, talked GDOT, the City and County waste management…Decision on the old school will be up to the community. It will not be boarded up and not used.
Q: What is the purpose of Strategic Planning sessions?
A: Important vehicle as the 5 year plan is developed
Q: Is DCSD discussing the value of “GA milestones”?
A: Discussions are still to be brought before the School Board…County is looking at developing its own assessment mechanism.
Q: School bus broke down the other day and replacement bus broke down too. What is being done to resolve the bus issues?
A: Apology that children had to face such…60 new buses purchased…additional bus needs will be brought to the Board. An app will be used next school year to track the status of the bus on the road.
Q: Doesn’t special education needs more resources?
A: The IEP is essential tool on how to work with the individual student…County is reevaluating what works and what doesn’t. The top challenge is with autism based on new research…need to give teachers better training…Superintendent meets every 2 weeks to discuss how this important program is working.
Q: Aren’t more resource officers are needed?
A: Challenge due to salaries for these…approved hiring of 10
Statement: Thanks for crossing guards at Tucker High…and thanks for K-9 (Rex and Rocky) to do drug searches
Q: Has there been any discussion with the safety issue of having schools serve as polling precincts?
A: Superintendent understands safety of children. Now cordoning off sections of the schools and shoring up security.
Statement: Vicky Turner, member of the School Board, gave passionate talk about importance of children, quality education, praise for Dr Green and his staff and a commitment about her following up on issues raised in her upcoming meeting with the Superintendent. The Board and Dr Green are to hold each other accountable.
The meeting was 65 minutes.
To read the official DCSD’s write up of this meeting, click here to visit the DCSD website or click here to download a PDF.