In a passionate plea for community engagement to move Kent County Public Schools to Maryland’s top tier, Dixon Valve CEO Richard Goodall announced at a recent Chamber breakfast the formation of Kent Forward, a private sector initiative to support the county’s struggling schools.
With his own realization that Dixon’s ability to recruit top talent was handicapped by declining test scores, Goodall enlisted the help of Washington College and The Chester River Health Center to form the coalition that will provide resources, volunteer time, and encourage parental involvement.
In the Spy video highlights, Goodall makes a strong case that Kent’s business community must take a pro-active role in improving local schools.
Using techniques borrowed from the private sector, Kent Forward will work with the school system to identify important benchmarks that challenge the entire community, Goodall said.
The video is approximately 12 minutes long
Stephan Sonn says
Excellent.
Fletcher R. Hall says
I am concerned and a bit disappointed that here are not more comments on the announcement of the Kent Forward initiative.
I had the good fortune to see the passion with which Mr.Goodall explained the proposal. It makes sense, is driven by facts, goals, benchmarks and performance. The overall goal of having Kent County one of the five top ranked school systems in Maryland,in five tears, is both a challenge and a mission which can be achieved. It will take cooperation, communication and commitment. Mr. Goodall is correct that Kent Forward is not an just an educational initiative, but the essential prevailing stimulus the county needs
The thought, the hours of interviews and the planning that went into the development, on the part of the three largest employers in Kent County is highly commendable. It will be up to all of the citizens of Kent County to embrace and participate inthis initiative and give it more than lip servic Even worse would be to ignore this vital step toward the future.
The status quo is not acceptable any more.
Kent County must get behind Kent Forward!
Fletcher R. Hall
Chestertown
Maureen Ranville says
I would like to know if they have visited all of the schools in Kent County and spoken with the teachers and principals at the schools? Also, it seems to me that the message being given is that all of our schools in Kent County are failing. I do think there is always room for improvement, but lets also look at the schools that are performing better in the county and see how they are doing it. While data is meant to be factual it can also be skewed. I don’t think anyone would argue that we need to move Kent forward, and that we need to improve our school system, but it should be a group that is working cooperatively with the school system. Administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members should be involved and meetings should be held at times where all can attend, and all are allowed to voice their opinions.
Fletcher R. Hall says
I believe I heard about cooperation, community involvement, parental involvement and business community involvement as well asinvolvement of the ecucational establishment.
It takes the involvement of ALL segments of the community to help make an endeavor sice as Kent Forward to realy work. No smoke stacks, special and special interests. Just hard work, communication and will power. It can be done.
Carla Massoni says
The presentation was excellent. The tone conciliatory . The research impressive.
The goal possible. Let’s move forward together.
Robbi Behr says
This is an exciting initiative, and I admire and commend the folks involved in putting the time and effort into starting this project up. Bravo. Hopefully the word and enthusiasm will spread – it will, most importantly, benefit the whole community.
When I make it really big, I plan to fund a public Montessori elementary school. Too bad I’m not going to make it really big in the next five years. My lottery winnings haven’t been all I’d hoped. Sigh.
Carla Massoni says
Great idea Robbi – would this function like a Charter School pre-school? How would we do this? Other than your making it big (guaranteed) or the Lottery!!
Matt Gerstung says
Success, determination, courage, discipline and hard work is taught at home, required at work and reinforced by the community. Dick Goodall and the group promoting Kent Forward have hit the “bulls eye.”
Dawn Graney says
This is exciting … finally KC is on the right track. I have been disappointed with the “shoot from the hip” mentality and we will “clean it up later”.
Many of us that have resources to help – have disconnected ourselves from the KCPS system due to continuous smoke screens , personal administration agenda and other less than ethical decisions. Status quo has been transparent and it has been making a mockery out of our county. Failing schools do impact everyone – every business and every person residing in the county – THANKFULLY someone with the influence recognizes that well educated children are important to this county. Perhaps move us in a positive direction with Character and good old fashion work ethics.
I wish it were sooner as we are already looking at private sector, along with several of our neighbors – 1.5 hours
on a bus for an education that is not preparing my children for their future …. is not acceptable. A plan …. yes …..thankfully.
Holly Geddes says
I was at he breakfast and I also enjoyed revisiting what was said by watching this video clip. It is exciting to see folks talk about the connection between education and the economic future of both our students and our community. As a retired teacher this is a topic close to my heart. I am delighted that the large scale employers are taking the initiative.
However, I do see a gap in the response from the public sector. True, there are only two schools in Chestertown proper. But, they are in town. Quality training for our future citizens is very much a town government issue. The town has resources that it can bring to the table to help. The most important is the bully pulpit. The town can help spread the word of the good work being done. They can publicize the benchmarks and academic successes. They can help solicit volunteers and engage all the stake-holders to support the children. They can help support the parents in a variety of ways. There may even be facilities or funds that can be brought into the equation.
However, I hear nothing in town discussions about the down-turn in the achievement of our students. I am told that 8 or 9 years ago, Kent County schools were highly rated. I don’t know what changed, if anything. But there is clearly a culture that does not see the benefit of good training for our future citizens. Can we possibly run parenting videos on our town TV station? How else might the town encourage attendance to school and improved learning?
The future of these businesses is dependent on improvements in our education system. The future of our children and this town are also dependent on education and training. One function of any government is to make connections and facilitate solutions to solve such problems.