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4 <br /> <br />worked out before we fund other things. He said he has not gotten an update of these <br />plans and would like to see the vision of how to address the achievement problem. <br /> <br /> Dr. Purnell said the remediation and intervention plan has been updated and she <br />will provide that information. She said we have the capability to find out about students <br />who start with pre-school. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he would also like to see the number of children new to the <br />system in each grade level. <br /> <br /> Ms. Van Yahres said she also worries about adolescents and is proud that the <br />School Board put back the Dean of Students at Buford School. Regarding closing the <br />achievement gap, she said curriculum alignment, good hiring policies for teachers and an <br />evaluation system will help. She said the School Board has high expectations and she <br />thinks they are on the right track and this shows up in the budget. She acknowledged that <br />the Board has not articulated as well as they could where we are going. <br /> <br /> Dr. Griffin said that when she came into the School division she had no idea there <br />had not been more of a conversation with the community about things that needed to be <br />done. She said if she had known this she would have made sure everybody was on board <br />and would have slowed things down a bit. She said some things have to be done, <br />including an assessment program, curriculum alignment and professional development. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati asked what the School Board Chair is going to do to build <br />consensus. <br /> <br /> Ms. Smith said that the Strategic Planning process addresses every issue brought <br />up today. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton asked about the sense of the Board and Superintendent about the <br />need for diversity coordination in the district. <br /> <br />Dr. Griffin said this is part of the professional development plan. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she would like to see the Board work toward having someone <br />in-house for diversity coordination in future budgets. <br /> <br />It was pointed out that Dr. Purnell has background in this area. <br /> <br /> Ms. Wiggins said we should always have someone on hand to deal with those <br />issues. <br /> <br /> Dr. Griffin said that next year's School schedule will have time built in for <br />professional development. <br /> Mr. Lynch pointed out that Albemarle County Schools use highly respected <br />people in this area and suggested they be explored. <br /> <br /> Mr. Bill Igbani, School Board member, said that the School Board Association <br />will come and work with the administration on the school improvement plan. <br /> <br /> Mr. Byron Brown, School Board member, said he wants us to move forward and <br />put the focus on children. He said it is important to have a diversity plan and someone in <br />the system to address this. He said we need to understand where children are coming <br />from. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ned Michie, School Board member, said that he would love to give an <br />additional 1% to 1 ~A% salary increase, but feels there was a compromise with what <br />money was available. He said the Board would have to cut positions to raise salaries <br />more, but feels it would be great if the Council wants to give more money for salaries. <br />Mr. Michie said that the morale problem is a big one, but is being worked on. He said the <br />pre-school program is important and he would like to move to include three-year olds and <br />to talk about this as part of the Strategic plan. He noted that there is not enough room in <br /> <br /> <br />