Durham Public Schools High School

The mission of Durham Public Schools is to provide all students with an outstanding education that motivates them to reach their full potential and enables them to discover their interests and talents, pursue their goals and dreams, and succeed in college, in the workforce and as engaged citizens. Mr. Schewel made a motion to approve; seconded by Ms. Carter. Pastor Davis requested that the Board "incorporate what was suggested to the Board about collaboration with community partners, and with teachers in this mission statement." Dr. Kainz agreed with Pastor Davis. She suggested adding, "The mission of the Durham Public Schools is to work collaboratively with community members and families…. She added that a quick addition of a phrase would address the suggestion that was made to Board, and keep the mission statement concise as a statement. Chairman Forte-Brown requested that Dr. Kainz write it in order for the Board to vote. Mr. Schewel withdrew his motion. Mr. Martin made a motion to table the Mission Statement and return it to the Committee that drafted it for discussion. Mr. Martin did not feel the Board should be writing at the Table. The motion was seconded by Ms. Carter. Chairman Forte-Brown restated the motion on the floor: "for the Board to withhold the voting on the Mission Statement, send it back to Committee, and re-draft it to include stakeholders in the community." Pastor Davis questioned why it must go back to Committee. Mr. Martin responded that it was in order for the Board to have discussion about how it is drafted, what the language is and to bring forward again for a reading. Pastor Davis noted that a simple request was made to add wordage: "Durham Public Schools shall collaborate with….families, teachers and community. Pastor Davis added that he did not know why the Board would have to do further work on this to bring back. Mr. Schewel agreed that the Mission Statement should go back to Committee, because of its importance. He noted that the statement will be posted on the walls of the Board room and in other places, and the words should be "just the words that the Board wants. Mr. Schewel also noted that "this statement will last a long time, the Board has worked on it a long time," and he does not feel that "the Board should slip in a few words now that may not be the exact words the Board wants." Chairman Forte-Brown stated that "We, (the Board of Education), are the Committee." Ms. Parker reiterated that the Board promised that this be completed by this time, and it seemed to be a simple matter of adding a few extra words to encompass the persons who should be involved. She expressed that, in her opinion, "it would be to the Board's advantage to vote down the motion to carry the statement back to Committee and then vote to insert those words." Mr. Martin clarified that the motion under discussion was to table this issue for "further discussion and word-smithing." The motion passed 5 to 2. Pastor Davis and Ms. Parker voted no. In response to a question from Pastor Davis, Chairman Forte-Brown explained that the Board of Education is the committee to which the Mission Statement will go back to. The same process will be used - to work and re-work the statement until it is ready for approval. Reform Governance® in Action Participation Resolution - Chairman Forte-Brown noted that there was no public comment on this item. Chairman Forte-Brown announced that the Board received an invitation to apply for Reform Governance® in Action. Chairman Forte-Brown shared the following points: A select group of Board/Superintendent teams have been invited by the Center for Reform of School Systems to apply to participate in this intensive two-year training and consulting program designed to accelerate student achievement in major urban school districts by strengthening reform leadership. The program is fully funded by The Broad Foundation so that district teams can participate at no cost to their districts. The cost, which is underwritten by The Broad Foundation, is $400,000. The district team must commit to 19 days of institutes, (including travel) and approximately 15 days at on-site work sessions. The team will travel to various sites and consultants will be brought in to work with the team on systematic reform. The Board must pass a resolution affirming its full participation in the RGA training and consulting program and its commitment to the program requirements, as described in the program description. Chairman Forte-Brown requested that the Board discuss this, look at the dates proposed, and talk about the opportunity being afforded. She noted that DPS has three Broad fellows: Dr. Carl Harris, Superintendent; and Board members, Omega Curtis Parker and Steve Martin. Chairman Forte-Brown noted that our system is currently in "reform mode" and careful consideration should be given to the great opportunity that is being granted to the district. She proudly commented that a limited number of districts have been invited to submit an application. She added that the work being done in Durham by the district, the Board and the Superintendent has not gone unnoticed. Mr. Martin moved to resolve to accept the invitation from the Center for Reform of School Systems to participate in the Reform Governance in Action - Cohort 3 which starts in July 2007 and concludes in February 2009. We are sufficiently informed about the purpose, goals, and scope of the work to commit to the conditions outlined in the application and accordingly we, as a Board, commit ourselves to full and active participation by all participants, meeting all the deadlines for required deliverables on time, and the production of high quality work. We commit our best effort. We understand that CRSS (Center for Reform of School Systems) can terminate our participation in the program should we fail to keep the commitments in this application. The undersigned agree to fulfill all the commitments and deliverables of the RGA program. Ms. Parker seconded the motion. Ms. Carter raised the concern that her term of duty on the Board concludes in June of 2008 before Phase 3 and 4 of the program begin. Mr. Martin shared that, from his experience last summer participating in the Broad program in Park City, Utah and in talking with people, he learned that this type of situation and issues related to staggered terms are dealt with regularly. He added that the current Board members are being asked to make a commitment to attend those sessions scheduled during their term and for those Board members whose term is not extended, the Broad Foundation will make accommodations. Mr. Martin shared that the training last year was very intensive from 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. each day for six days. The discussions, which included nine other urban school systems, focused on the different ways Boards can impact their school systems and through case study discovered a strong model called "Management Empowerment. Mr. Martin noted that Superintendent Harris participated in the inaugural class of that particular model. Mr. Martin reiterated what an extraordinary opportunity for Durham and the school district to be able to participate in this training. Ms. Parker stressed that the Board should be committed to this effort. The training is worthwhile, but it is very intensive, hard work. Mr. Schewel agreed with Ms. Parker that the training is a great opportunity and that the Board must be committed. He explained that because of work and family reasons, he is unable to commit to being at the out-of-town work shops at that level of commitment - 19 days away. Chairman Forte-Brown emphasized the importance of having a united front, because Boards that have unanimous support for participating in the training will be given preference in the selection process. Chairman Forte-Brown indicated that she had checked the calendar and did not see any conflicts. Mr. Schewel commented that he as much as he "hated" to disagree and to be the lone dissenter, he could not honestly say that he would be able to be out of town for 19 days. Dr. Kainz noted that the Board would not promise to do something that it had no intention of doing; however, there are unforeseen conflicts. Pastor Davis noted that he did have at least two conflicts, but he will make every effort to make exceptions. Mr. Schewel explained that Board members were looking at their calendars because this information was received late today, and they are expected to take action on it tonight. In an effort to sort out this commitment, Mr. Martin shared his thoughts: As a Board, we need to make a commitment that we wish to participate in the Reform Governance program. As a Board, we need to make a commitment that we wish to change our system to student achievement centered under this reform management empowered program. As a Board member, we make a commitment for the time remaining in our term of office. This is a rigorous, time consuming process, but it is very well run, and the Board's time will not be taken unnecessarily. We should make the commitment to participate as a group in this program, and each one of us should commit to participate as fully as it is possible. Mr. Martin shared that he does not believe that the opportunity should be held up because of being unable to commit to the two years. Mr. Schewel shared that he would like to sign the resolution to participate; however, if by his vote he is saying he will attend everything, then his vote would have to be "no;" or if by his vote he is saying that is a great thing for the Board and he supports its participation and he will go as often as he can, then he would be happy to do it. Ms. Parker called the question. Chairman Forte-Brown stated, "We are seeking a unanimous vote." Mr. Schewel raised the point that no one addressed his concern. Chairman Forte-Brown responded to Mr. Schewel, "as much as you can go." Mr. Schewel questioned if this was the understanding of the other Board members. Chairman Forte-Brown restated the motion to accept the resolution for Reform Governance in Action for the Center for Reform in School Systems.