High Performing Schools Working Group Named
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
October 2, 2013
For
More Information:
John Ivanic, City Council, (614) 645-6798
Dan Williamson, Mayor's Office, (614) 645-5300
Jeff Warner, Columbus City Schools, (614) 365-5000
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High Performing Schools Working Group Named
Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Columbus City Council and Columbus City Schools today
announced the 15 members of the High Performing Schools Working Group. The
Working Group was formed last month by the city and school district to examine,
deliberate, and recommend steps and standards to expand the number of high
performing schools within the Columbus City Schools district. The group will
convene briefings and hearings, issue draft recommendations for public comment,
and adopt a final report by the end of this year.
The members of the Working Group are:
- Co-chair Anthony Gatto, principal, Arts and College Preparatory Academy
- Co-chair Keisha J. Jenkins, external affairs director, Mayor Coleman’s
Office
- Co-chair Darryl Sanders, senior executive director of academic
services, Columbus City Schools
- Jessica Bennett, chair, Southside STAY
- Lois Carson, president, Columbus School Employees Association
- Paige Chapman-Layland, parent of Graham Primary School student
- Angela Daniels, parent of three KIPP students
- Celeste Ferguson, teacher, Columbus Collegiate Academy Charter School
- Jennifer LaPlace, teacher, Centennial High School
- Rhonda Johnson, president, Columbus Education Association
- Laura Lembo Kraus, Associate Director for Economic Access, Ohio State
University
- Karen Morrison, senior vice president of external affairs, Ohio Health
- Bryan O. Steward, Board of Education member, Columbus City Schools
- Shannon Taylor, PTA member, Eastmoor Academy
- Bishop Donald J. Washington, senior pastor, Mount Hermon Missionary
Baptist Church
“I want to thank the members of the High Performing Schools Working Group for
volunteering their time and talents to this important effort,” Mayor Coleman
said. “Creating and holding our schools to high standards is a key component of
the Columbus Education Plan.”
The High Performing Schools Initiative will produce policies and procedures
regarding:
- The Columbus Board of Education’s efforts to expand or replicate high
performing district schools to increase the number of students attending these
schools;
- The Board of Education’s preparation to contract with partnering
community schools to attract, expand, or replicate high performing community
schools. These partnering community schools will be high performing, located to
serve neighborhoods in need, and will increase the number of students within
the Columbus City Schools district attending these schools;
- The City of Columbus’ efforts to sponsor high
performing community schools to meet the neighborhood or career needs of
students within the City of Columbus.
“The High Preforming Schools Working Group will help Columbus set standards
that will improve the quality of education in our community,” said Council
President Andrew J. Ginther. “We must
provide the best education possible so that today’s students can be the leaders
of tomorrow.”
The Working Group will hold a series of public briefings through November to
discuss the best approaches to expanding the number of high performing schools
within the district. The group will then
submit a draft report of recommendations to the city and board and host meetings
for public comment. Upon completion of these meetings, the Working Group will
issue a final report of recommendations to the city and school district by the
end of the year.
"All students in Columbus deserve the opportunity to realize their
potential and have access to high-quality schools that adhere to
appropriate standards for academic
performance, school culture and environment, community participation, and governance and accountability policies,”
Columbus City Schools Interim Superintendent Dan Good said. “We have listened
to the voices of our families and residents, who have expressed the desire to
help formulate the standards that will define our schools’ learning environment
and neighborhoods’ success. The composition of the working group reflects their
ideas and includes significant parent and community representation.”
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