Grants represent state, federal confidence in SPS

It’s a good time to be in education and a great time to be in Springfield! The district ushered in the start of school amid a flurry of high profile guests and announcements this year, beginning with US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s visit to the High School of Commerce on the first day of school. There, the secretary publicly recognized the great work we have engaged in to transform our lowest-performing schools and referred to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a national leader in school reform. But the good news did not stop there. Below is a summary of the announcements we have received this school year. I am pleased to receive this funding; however, the real progress forward depends on our effective and strategic stewardship of these resources. Nonetheless, each represents a vote of confidence around the work underway and an affirmation in our capacity to deliver reform.

· Race to the Top - $13.7 million - The grant is designed to help school districts fund innovative programs, turn around poor-performing schools and improve graduation rates. Massachusetts is one of nine states and the District of Columbia awarded Race to the Top funding and Springfield received the region’s largest award. Among innovative ways the school district is planning to spend the money include extended school days, after-school programs, and the development of a special corps of teachers assigned to low-performing schools

· Teacher Incentive Fund - 5-year, $26.8 million grant to be shared by Springfield and Boston – The grant is designed to fund teacher incentives and to help retain and attract educators in Springfield’s 10 underperforming schools. Under the grant, all staff in a school that meets certain goals will receive additional pay. The grant will also help fund targeted professional development and a new teacher evaluation system.

· Education Jobs Grant - $5.3 million – The grant is designed to help cover salaries for an estimated 100 Springfield Public Schools teachers.

· Magnet School Assistance Program - $3.8 million a year for the next three years - The grant is designed to help strengthen students' knowledge and confidence in core academic subjects and with marketable vocational skills. The following schools, and their proposed themes, will utilize the funding. Springfield Central High School (Advanced Studies and the Arts); Springfield High School of Science and Technology (STEM Academies and 21st Century Communications); Van Sickle Middle School (Middle Years International Baccalaureate Program and 21st Century Global Communications); and STEM Middle Academy (STEM and Expeditionary Learning).

· Strategic Planning Grant - $150,000 - The grant is designed to allow administrators to implement the work processes necessary to help address the priorities identified in the district’s 3-year Strategic Plan. Strategic Grant Partners, a Boston-based pro bono consulting firm, provides the grant t in partnership with the District Management Council, an organization that provides strategic insights and practical solutions to the most pressing challenges facing school system leaders nationwide.

Community engagement at its best

The Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover Foundation Anti-Bullying Back-to-School 5k Road Race/2K WALK that took place over the weekend at Forest Park is a shining example of the kind of community engagement that makes a real difference. I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the foundation for your great work in organizing an event that drew together people from inside and outside of our city borders; children and adults; people of all ethnic backgrounds; from various organizations and faith-based affiliations. Just as importantly, I extend a hearty congratulations to all who took part in the event. Your involvement and engagement in issues that impact youth is critical to the mission of Springfield Public Schools; and the only way we can expect real change to take place.