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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > March > 29 > Entry
Editorial: Ward will need help to keep ‘no excuses’ pledge
Dayton will have a new school superintendent this summer, current Deputy Superintendent Lori Ward.
Ms. Ward’s reputation as a problem-solver will be tested, because Dayton can’t wait any longer for the school district to start making real progress academically. Ms. Ward must deliver on her promise Wednesday, as she took the job, that she would accept “no excuses.”
Dayton must move past a decade-long overhaul of the district that has seen a big turnover in leadership at all levels and a massive project to construct new buildings. Lots of effort went into reshaping the school district in that time. But when it comes to test scores, little changed.
The district has spent most of the last decade at or near the bottom among more than 600 Ohio school districts for test performance. Last year it was second-worst behind Youngstown.
Dayton has significant poverty and other tough problems. But it still shouldn’t compare that badly to its peers. The district ranks 14th-lowest in Ohio for median income. It’s not as poor as cities like Cleveland, Canton, Mansfield or even Springfield. But its academic performance has consistently trailed them.
The last two superintendents — Kurt Stanic and Percy Mack — spent much time reworking the district’s unwieldy operations outside the classroom, with some success. The management of Dayton schools still needs improvement, but it is considerably more professional and reliable than it was a decade ago.
Acheiving that wasn’t easy, especially with the added pressures of charter school competition and financial woes. The task meant that, too often, the district’s focus was not on the classroom.
Even Dayton’s $627 million school construction program — though it can be a crucial element of the district’s future success in the long run — has, at times, been distracting and disruptive, forcing kids to relocate often.
But the dust has begun to settle. A decade of construction comes to a close in just two years.
The necessary pieces for better academic performance — new schools, better management, stronger community support, great teaching, focused instruction — must be brought together. Consistent and effective leadership is a must for that to happen.
Ms. Ward, 52, comes with a unique background, having worked as an IBM systems engineer before becoming a teacher at mid-career and then a school administrator for the past 11 years. She has a solid track record for working well with others and getting tough tasks done.
Introducing herself to the community, Ms. Ward asked for buy-in, support and hard work from parents, teachers, students, staff and union leaders to make the strong push on academics the district needs.
It can be done. There is no excuse for Dayton to remain at the bottom.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: City of Dayton, Editorials, Education, Scott Elliott
Comments
By Concerned
March 29, 2010 5:27 AM | Link to this
First, she must accept “no excuses” from parents of children in the schools. Then, she must accept “no excuses” from her staff including teachers. What we have seen all too often over the years is a system where students are pushed out the door without the requisite training for them to be productive adults. Too many times I see job applicants who lack the basic skills one would expect from a high school graduate. In a competitive world, average is not good enough. Best of luck Ms. Ward. You are in our prayers.
By bob
March 29, 2010 7:25 AM | Link to this
Who is she trying to kid? Dayton Public Schools are not dying. They are dead, dead, dead. They went down in flames years ago and even the DDN knows why, they just cannot come out and say it. Throw all the money you want at new buildings and whatever, the end product will still be the same: dropouts, losers, druggies, and criminals.
By JCalvin
March 29, 2010 9:05 AM | Link to this
The liberal educators who tried to hhide the problems back in the 80s and 90s by not expelling problem chillun and not making a record of discipline were able to hide the facts. But the no discipline philosophy meant the teachers had all the problems in the classroom while the principals bragged about how they had lower expulsions and discipline problems in “their” school. Not the right move, DPS, but it’s the symptom of how the administration doesn’t really know how to fix the problems. They just hide them. Well, now they can’t be hidden anymore. We have two schools who won state titles in basketball. Were the kids on the team even actually eligible or were those records faked as well. Odd that the schools can’t pass anything but the teams are great. Maybe the emphasis is on the wrong thing in those buildings. And where were the minority kids—I didn’t see a proper match of races on the teams to match the county and area ratio which must be aboue 60%/40% white/black. We need affirmative action in these schools on the teams.
By Rob
March 29, 2010 10:47 AM | Link to this
Tough job made tougher by idiots like some of the folks that will post to this editorial. That all said, every Dayton school super starts this way…seeking buyin. Personally, I would rather see results but I am more than willing to support her…for awhile. Success breeds success. Give ‘em Hell, Lori…rack up some quick wins and LEAD.
By fortressdayton
March 29, 2010 5:59 PM | Link to this
Nothing will change until the teachers union accepts the fact that lifetime tenure for teachers after only a few years service is ridiculous. It is nearly impossible to fire a teacher. Without the ability to regulate quality staff, the school boards and communities are held hostage to strong unions that keep incompetent teachers in place. Tenure for a grade school teacher after only a few years is preposterous and the national union leaders won’t accept that this encourages poor performance. That is a protection racket the mafia would be proud of.
By PAUL
March 30, 2010 9:04 AM | Link to this
Good Luck!!Success starts in the home. If it doesn’t start there, it’s like going into a restroom stall and realizing there is no toilet paper, after the fact.
By -IT'S GREAT IN DAYTON
April 3, 2010 8:34 AM | Link to this
Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-
By -IT'S GREAT IN DAYTON
April 3, 2010 8:34 AM | Link to this
Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-Dayton, it’s schools, government and businesses are all doomed. Dead. Just waiting for the funeral.——-