03 09, 07 22:27
A quote I saw at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. summed up the purpose and importance of public schools to me.
KNOWLEDGE WILL FOREVER
GOVERN IGNORANCE:
AND A PEOPLE WHO MEAN
TO BE THEIR OWN GOVERNOURS.
MUST ARM THEMSELVES
WITH THE POWER
WHICH KNOWLEDGE GIVES.
– James Madison
Education is the foundation of personal freedom and central to a healthy, vibrant democracy. Public schools provide equal opportunity for all to seek knowledge. They empower everyone with the knowledge and skills to succeed. They create better citizens, which produces a more responsible community.
[I originally posted this on Friday, June 16, 2006 on a previous web site.]
Tags: Philosophy, Schools
03 09, 07 22:24
As the only elected officials that represent children, the school board’s fundamental role is keeping the district focused on the learning and achievement of all students. The board accomplishes this by:
- Setting the strategic direction of the district for staff and the community
- Listening to every view in the community to inform their deliberations
- Evaluating and adopting policies consistent with the district vision
- Equitably allocating district resources based on the district’s vision and goals, and monitoring the district’s fiscal health
- Operating openly and honestly
- Performing regular and timely evaluations of the superintendent’s and the district’s effectiveness
- Representing and protecting the district’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels
[I originally posted this on Friday, June 16, 2006 on a previous web site.]
Tags: Philosophy, School Board