LOBBIST MESSAGE

Subject: Superintendent's State of CCSD 01/05/2012

Superintendent Dwight Jones addressed a community group in the Chaparral High School Theater, Thursday, January 5, 2012. Mr. Jones was right at home in the high school setting. The band played. Mr. Jones reminisced about football and cheerleaders. The address was upbeat, however as far as outlining his administration during 2011 and explaining his goals for 2012, the jury is still out. The optimistic address included- students, staff, community and climate, reform and the need to tighten our belts given the current economic climate so that together students in Clark County will indeed be Ready by Exit.

Superintendent Jones first explained his plans for moving Clark County School District forward when he first took office in his message, A Look Ahead. He promised to be transparent and to bring positive change and reform to Clark County. During a special CCSD Board Meeting on Wednesday, January 4, 2012 , Superintendent Jones received his first review and was found to be in compliance by the Board of Trustees. Given that any administration needs time to get their foot prints in place and let the old regime fade away, it will be interesting to see just where CCSD will go under a Jones Administration.

My overall understanding of the State of CCSD and where Superintendent Jones will take the district in 2012 is that the District will be more efficient, embrace technology, appreciate the hard work of staff, improve the dropout rate, include early childhood education, embrace literacy for all students including English language learners and socio-economic learning disparity,provide mentoring and personalize instruction, raise the bar with high expectations, listen to data , promote accountability, promote a return on investment, prove that education is an investment and settle employee negotiations amicably.He also referenced the Prime Six Schools and a possible future bond initiative. As a former cheerleader, I cheered for the home team and hope for a victory in that K-12 public education will truly be adequate and equitable. As a middle-aged retired educator the comment I liked most is that Superintendent Jones said ,"We will keep doing things that work and stop doing tings that do not work. "


Respectfully,

Sam King Advocacy Grassroots Lobbyist LWVNV