I
am pleased to see the community embrace the proposed Strategic Plan. There were
more than 300 people who gathered at Central High School last night for the
second public forum for us to receive the community's input on the proposed Strategic
Plan. More than 50 people spoke at the forum and I did not hear a single person
who was against the Plan. What I heard was overwhelming support for the Plan
along with a few concerned citizens who wanted to know more about certain items
related to the Strategic Plan. Earlier this week, we answered the community's
most pressing concerns through written and recorded messages, which we shared through
the District's website and this blog. I am hoping that after watching the video
messages and reading similar messages on the blog that most will feel their
questions and concerns have been answered. If you have not yet watched these
videos or read the messages, I hope you will take the time to do so.
I
want you to understand that I do not take any concerns lightly because I have
something at stake as well. My own son and daughter are students in this school
system, and what I am doing today affects their future success. Just as I do
not want my own children to miss out on any academic opportunities, I want that
same thing for all students in Bibb
County. But the current system does not support all students.
As
I envision the future for Bibb County's students, I am reminded of a saying:
"A rising tide raises all ships." Under this scenario, the students
who are currently excelling academically are at high tide, whereas those who
are failing are at a low tide. With what we are proposing in this Strategic Plan,
all students will rise to a higher tide. There should be no reason for any student
in Bibb County to be at low tide. Everyone
will benefit from a Plan that allows for all students to rise and succeed. Even
those who are already doing well will find greater academic opportunities and
success under the proposed Plan.
I
want to share with you just a few of the comments from last night's forum that
show why people in the community are so passionate about the proposed Strategic
Plan.
From
Michele Beverly: "It is not just about getting jobs anymore. People's life
chances are threatened because the communities in which they live don't have
the resources to properly educate them."
From
Dr. Jo-ne Bourassa: "If you want to change student achievement and
instructional practice, you have to have something better to change it to."
From
Dr. Sabrenai Brown: "Everybody
goes to school in Bibb County. ... 'The Macon Miracle' is the real deal."
From
Dr. Tandi Pressley: "We don't have certitude that our journey is going to
be perfect and without barriers and troubles along the way. If you're waiting
on a perfect plan, I'm just old enough to know you might as well keep waiting."
From
Gwendolyn Russell: "I know where our school system has come from to how it
has evolved to where it is today. Just as we update our computers, we need to
update our school system. ... I feel that 'The Macon Miracle' plan will provide
the conditions necessary to produce the quality school system to help our
students learn and become successful future citizens of our community."
If
you would like to listen to last night's forum in its entirety, click here. Listen to
it and you will understand why so many want for this Strategic Plan to succeed.
What
we have before us is a formidable challenge, which we can only solve together
as a community. In order for the District to be able to educate all of our students and guide them toward
academic and future economic success, we must all come together and work in unity. I look forward to continuing
to work with the community as we move forward. Thank you for your support last
night, and thank you for believing in a better future for all of Bibb County's children.
Dr. Dallemand,
ReplyDeleteI am a parent of a child in this school system, who is flourishing. I have some concerns about the plan and would like answers, but I am also willing to wait on some of them until we get the management plan. One of my most pressing concerns is that I have asked many questions on this blog, but I guess they have not been approved because they never appeared. My questions were never attacking you nor your plan. My questions were just that, questions. I read this blog (along with all the others and the videos), but I don't feel this was the whole story as to a couple of things.
One - this is not the whole story as to what took place at the Central forum. People have been reminded again and again to address you and the board, not individuals, but the crowd was rude and relentless to some people who had questions and concerns. Some commenters even likened you to Jesus and God, which I find very concerning. Two - if a large majority of the blog questions are blocked, how do you get an accurate and full picture of those who have concerns?
My questions are valid and researched, and they deserve as much respect as others to whom you listen. Allowing comments means taking the bad with the good. You promised honest, open, two-way communications, and I hope you meant it. I ask that you completely open up these blogs so that people can really be heard and get the answers they desire.
Thank you for your time.
I do apologize for the length of time that it is taking for me to respond to your questions and comments. I put much thought into my responses before publication. You are correct. Some questions and comments will not become published. Some questions have been answered in other forms also. If your questions have gone unanswered, it is not my intent to ignore you. I am working to communicate with all stakeholders as best I can.
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to share with me.
I look forward to attending, along with my fellow clergymen and clergywomen, your event on Saturday morning concerning a better future for our children in Bibb County.
ReplyDelete