FLINT, MI – The Flint Neighborhood Colleges administration has recognized eight priorities from the district’s strategic plan to concentrate on within the subsequent six months as COVID-19 funding deadlines method.
Superintendent Kevelin Jones introduced the eight priorities to the board at its March 8 Committee of the Complete Board of Training assembly.
Included within the priorities are well timed points just like the spending of COVID-19 reduction funding and boosting tutorial achievement after the pandemic.
Priorities additionally embody district-specific points like constructing administration, staffing and making a proposal to the Charles Stewart Mott Basis.
The Flint college district remains to be getting used to 5 new board members who’re working with the administration on all types of various priorities.
Jones felt the necessity to provide you with these eight priorities to concentrate on over the subsequent six months.
“That is about following the strategic plan,” Jones informed the board. “We aren’t good, and I acknowledged that on this doc. We try our greatest to do what’s greatest for this complete district together with your help.”
The 8-point plan was supported unanimously by the board to hold it to the Wednesday, March 15 common board assembly, the place it may be formally adopted or voted down.
Right here is every precedence that was included within the proposal:
ESSER III Spending
The Flint college district has simply over a 12 months and 6 months to allocate the remaining 80% of the $100 million in ESSER funding it obtained in the course of the pandemic. The expiration date to expense gadgets again to COVID-19 funding is on Sept. 24, 2024.
Renovations are ongoing at Doyle-Ryder Elementary Faculty and Potter Elementary Faculty utilizing ESSER funding. Car parking zone restorations are additionally being expensed.
Educational Partnership
The Michigan Division of Training is looking for an settlement with Flint Neighborhood Colleges and the Genesee Intermediate Faculty District to extend tutorial achievement after seven of the district’s 11 colleges have been recognized as “low performing.”
Sustainable Future plan (constructing closures/gross sales)
Discovering a approach to right-size the district and rid themselves of duty for a lot of vacant college buildings within the metropolis is unavailable, Jones stated.
“Planning for a sustainable future is one thing that this district has no alternative however to do,” Jones stated.
The district has explored choices to eliminate vacant buildings which can be now not getting used, however no gross sales have taken place as events are solely fascinated by shopping for the buildings, not leasing them.
Whereas the board did vote to demolish Washington Faculty, which burned down in 2021, that’s all of the progress that’s been comprised of an official board motion perspective.
Mott Basis proposal
Jones was given the inexperienced gentle by the board in February to debate a potential grant request with the Charles Stewart Mott Basis to probably construct a brand new highschool, contemplate long-term programming and renovate present buildings.
Conferences have already begun between the 2 organizations.
“You may have a accomplice that’s keen to have conversations about constructing higher for Flint youngsters. We’ve received to do one thing. I’m excited past phrases,” Jones stated. “If the board permits this to occur, and by no means does the rest for me, I’m advantageous. That’s how vital it’s as a result of I need to have the ability to see that we left a legacy right here.”
Staffing
A number of of the Flint Neighborhood Colleges buildings are in determined want of recent lecturers. On prime of that, the lecturers’ union has demanded a wage reopener that the board of schooling has but to present route on.
Board/Administration Communication
One of many eight proposals is establishing a line of communication between board members and members of the administration. Jones stated there have been points speaking on either side.
Ongoing Renovations
Doyle-Ryder Elementary and Potter Elementary renovations are nonetheless ongoing. Car parking zone restorations and a potential furnishings substitute throughout all colleges are on the horizon.
Satisfaction Survey
The district desires to carry a satisfaction survey for workers and the neighborhood by the top of the varsity 12 months, Jones stated.
Learn extra at The Flint Journal:
18 innovations from Michigan college students that may make a baby’s life simpler
Doyle-Ryder scheduled to reopen for 2023-24 college 12 months after renovations
Clear backpack coverage voted down by Flint Board of Training