Wheeler’s Statement, Stepping Down as Kent School Super in June

It is bittersweet that I have decided not to seek another contract with the Board of Education for the position of Superintendent of Schools.

As many of you know, I have had a long career in public education. June of this year will mark 45 years of serving students in three school systems in Maryland.

I have been a teacher, principal, curriculum specialist, assistant superintendent, associate superintendent  and deputy superintendent in three school systems. I served in the Baltimore School System twice. The systems were urban, suburban and rural. I also taught at Howard Community College, the Community College of Baltimore and, most recently, Goucher College.

While each school system is different in terms of their culture and norms, there are probably more similarities than differences. Each system had challenges and opportunities for improvement.

My experience in Kent County has been daunting.  I know there are people who believe that funding doesn’t  matter and to those who believe that, just take a look at what is happening right here in our community. Continuous loss of resources, including human capital makes progress or even maintaining the status quo unsustainable over time. We have weathered the storm of school consolidation and working without a leadership team, as well as not having supervisors in key instructional areas. These instructional areas will ultimately be the metrics by which schools and the school system will be judged in 2014. Yet, despite the challenges, I have had the pleasure of working with remarkable educators who care deeply about this school system and, most importantly, the children who attend the schools here. I have worked with individuals who work tirelessly, assuming a myriad of responsibilities, sacrificing personal time and relationships to ensure that the students are provided the best that this system could offer. Support personnel take pride in their work and understand that their role is valued and appreciated. They make a difference in the lives of students.

I am grateful that the Board of Education has allowed me to be part of this school system and, while I have always appreciated and understood the value of education, my tenure in Kent County has crystallized for me just how critical an educated citizenry is on the viability of a community.

When I drive to and from work each day, I can’t  help but reflect on the lost souls that are being housed in the detention center. I can’t  help but think about the lost productivity and intellect that are languishing there.

And so when I reflect on the cost of an excellent school system I know that the dollars spent today will earn dividends in the future and contribute positively to the quality of life for us all

While there have been many challenges over the last four years, there have also been remarkable improvements that, unfortunately, are not acknowledged or celebrated and so I will take this opportunity to share with you some of the improvements that have occurred.

• We have developed an Alternative Education Program in a building unto itself. This allows for our most troubled students to continue their education in a setting that is appropriate for their individual needs.

• We offer an evening school for students who want to recoup courses, or who find the traditional high school difficult for them.

• We provide a tutorial program in each elementary school that is staffed by retired teachers funded through a grant.

• We provide a mentor program for all first, second, and third year teachers funded through a grant.

• We have a messenger system that allows us to provide information to parents via telephone, computer, or text messages. We can reach parents and staff within minutes in the event of an emergency. Principals also use this system to remind parents about specific events that occur in the schools.

• We have a substitute calling system that automatically calls subs when a teacher is out. This has greatly improved our ability to have classes taught when teachers are absent. Most of our subs are certified teachers.

• We have a longitudinal data system that allows us to track student achievement over time. We are also able to develop assessments that students take online and are immediately scored so that teachers can use this information for re-teaching or grouping of students for instruction.

• We have excellent crisis management protocols with established partnerships with law enforcement, the health department, fire department, and the 911 Center.

• We have defibrillators in each of our schools as well as central office. I know that a life was saved because of having this technology.

• We no longer have paper time sheets, which increases payroll accuracy and saves staff time.

• We have Promethean boards in over 90% of our classrooms. Laptops, or iPads or iPods are accessible in 100% of our classrooms. Not only is this technology engaging for students, it allows students to see and experience events virtually all over the planet. Education Secretary Arne Duncan on October 2 called for the nation to move as fast as possible away from printed textbooks and toward digital ones. Over the next few years textbooks should be obsolete, he declared.

• Through technology our students are able to take online courses that allow them to take classes we cannot offer because of our small numbers or inability to find a teacher with the required certification. This technology initiative was supported by a huge grant from Dr. Grasmick, which enabled us to implement the 21st Century initiative also known as “Kent Readiness”.

• We have cameras on all buses, which enable us to monitor student behavior as well as support investigations where necessary.

• We have keyless entries in all buildings, which facilitates safety. We can monitor whom and at what time someone enters and leaves our schools and offices.

• General education students who are experiencing difficulties have individual learning plans similar to the special education IEPs

• We provide a full day instructional program for four­ year-old students living in poverty. This program is designed to provide the students with the readiness skills that will allow them to be successful in school. Unfortunately, when children start school unprepared, unless intervention is intense and immediate, the academic gap gets wider as the students get older. Excellent early childhood programming is one key to closing the achievement gap.

• The fine arts program has been enhanced through the introduction of band at the elementary level and excellent drama instruction at the middle school level.

• Other instructional programs that are being enhanced are STEM, Environmental Literacy, and Gifted and Talented Education.

• This year we began an employee assistance program that is funded through the health trust fund. This program provides supports for employees with issues related to health both mental and physical, legal issues and a host of other conditions that compromise the employees’ productivity and sense of self.

• We have a flexible spending plan, which allows employees to set aside pretax dollars for health expenditures.

These are only some of the initiatives that have enhanced education in our schools.

In my opinion we have a lot to be proud of. Do we need to improve? Absolutely, but improvement will not be achieved through rhetoric and criticism. School improvement is very hard work, which will occur over time through excellent teaching, strong leadership, appropriate funding, and real parent and community participation. Sustained school improvement cannot be mandated or coerced.

On June 30 2012, my journey will end in the KCPS but my love for and belief in public education and respect for the men and women who dedicate their lives to public education will endure.

President Kirby, I thank you for your support. I respect the fact that each Board member was elected to advocate for and serve the students who attend the Kent County Public Schools. If you don’t who will?

I am confident that the Board of Education will be earnest in the effort that it will take to hire a superintendent and, above all, will hire someone who will put “Children First”.