The numbers are out and, with 2 exceptions, all of the neighborhood schools made Adequate Yearly Progress “toward the goal of 100 percent proficiency of all students in reading and mathematics by 2014.” (whether AYP, SOL scores or the myriad other metrics used in modern public schools is meaningful is another subject entirely, one I think we all either 100% welcome or cringe at the thought of). At any rate, George Wythe High School and Swansboro Elementary failed to meet AYP, but the remainder of immediate area schools did. Here’s hoping Wythe gets the stable leadership it needs this year.

There had been some rumblings to this effect, but Style’s article was the first confirmation I’d seen that Denise Lewis (aka Principal Lewis @ Lucille Brown) was indeed no longer on the PH Charter board. The article suggests that internal pressure might have led to the resignation, while RPS, of course, denies such a thing.

True drama or manufactured controversy? You be the judge.

From Kathy Graziano’s office:

Four candidates are running to replace George Braxton, who is not running for a third term. Bert Berlin and Jonathan Mallard are from the eastern end of the district, both residing in Westover Hills. John Lloyd lives on Traylor Drive in Traylor Estates, and Adria Graham Scott lives in the Wayland subdivision off Huguenot Road.

Our forum will provide an opportunity to hear from the candidates, to ask questions, and to share your ideas with them.

It all goes down at 7PM tonight, St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7757 Chippenham Pkwy. Here’s your chance to put (screen)names to faces…

Just a quick reminder that the School Board will vote on the PH Charter school at tonight’s meeting. The agenda confirms that it’s to be held during the 6PM portion of the meeting.

Prior to the vote, George Wythe students will be recognized by the board for various reasons.

Thanks to the I Have A Dream Foundation, 15 George Wythe seniors have earned college credit during high school and will be able to continue their education at university and/or the military. These students are also acting as mentors for younger children at Broad Rock Elementary, where students receive academic support, cultural activities and individual attention through their elementary, middle and high school years, plus tuition assistance for higher learning.

School Board chair and 4th District rep George Braxton will not seek re-election this fall, citing the ever-popular “focusing more on my growing family and career” as his reason for stepping down.

Two questions spring immediately to mind:

• Are West and Braxton it or will more follow suit?
• Who’s best for the 4th District now?

It’s going to be an interesting few months.

The members of the committee charged with finding the next RPS Superintendent have been revealed. While the field of education makes up a majority of the committee, I do find it curious that only 1 current RPS employee is included. I realize the seasons can’t change in this town without Jim Ukrop’s approval, but it seems to me that the inclusion of a couple more principals or, god forbid, teachers (y’know, the ones who might actually know from experience where the current system is broken) might be a wise idea.

RPS Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman announced this afternoon that she won’t seek to have her contract renewed when it expires next year. I think that’s a good start, but is “next year” soon enough? It seems to be that the school board would be well-served to step in and encourage her resignation a bit sooner, even if it would be fairly hollow gesture at this point. I think it’s also key that she’s not the only “turnover” in central administration; again, I’m not holding my breath.

And while we’ve yet to hear a public comment from Mr. Braxton, at least one other school board member has offered up some thoughts (and it’s probably not the member you think it is):

I don’t often use the first person in school board meetings because every decision we make must be a collaborative one. Taking personal credit doesn’t do too much to advance our work, but taking personal responsibility does. I want you to know that I am responsible as a leader of an environment where corruption, incompetence, fraud or waste can pervade such a major function of the system. I am responsible for having the internal controls in place to catch errors before they become regular practice. And to the thousands of kids, parents, mentors, teachers, principals, and support staff who show up everyday to do their best to build something worthy of pride, I am sorry.

The School Board will tonight board produce its audit response plan; Thursday, RPS administration will update the school board and public about its improvement steps at a special meeting of the Facilities and Operations committee.

Will it make a difference?

We typically keep the editorializing to a minimum on these pages, but the combination of Dr. Sherman’s rather lackluster response to the city auditor’s findings combined with an internal RPS revelation that, as of March 31st, there are no more funds for extended-day activities sparked some red-in-the-face ranting that would have made Henry Rollins blush. Better judgment prevailed and we decided to hold our tongues, at least temporarily, until we hear what George Braxton has to say about the situation.

My suspicion is “not much,” but I’d be happy for Mr. Braxton to prove me wrong…

Amidst all the personal and political conflicts between school board members, RPS administration and city central government, it’s easy to forget that there are still some pretty damn good teachers employed by Richmond Public Schools. Now you can nominate your favorite to be a Super Teacher . A VA Lottery-sponsored program, Super Teacher Awards will “pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities.” 8 Grand Prize winners (1 from each of 8 geographical regions) will win $2,000 credit with The Supply Room Companies to outfit their classrooms and $2,000 cash from the Virginia Lottery. 3 additional teachers will win a $500 preloaded Visa debit card.

Entry deadline is April 11. Enter at the Lottery’s web site; mail-in forms also available.

When your School Board rep just happens to be the Chair of the most-scrutinized quasi-government body in recent memory, there’s never a dull moment for your district. The latest round of George Braxton vs. Keith West flared up this week, with Braxton removing West from his position as chair of the Finance committee. Braxton’s resistance to any sort of criticism combined with West’s abandonment and dismissal of the school system as a parent suggests the ugliness has only just begun.

Full Disclosure: The author’s significant other is a RPS teacher. Neither of us have much faith in the school board or RPS administration.

After a series of fights and the sudden resignation of its principal, George Wythe has a small bit of good news coming its way. Doug Wilder is ending a freeze on $1.4 million in maintenance funds; roughly half of that would go towards a new ventilation system at Wythe. Additional funds would go towards accessible parking at Westover Hills Elementary.

Citywide preschool registration begins Thursday March 20 and continues Thursdays through June 12 at all city elementary schools (except George Mason and Fairfield Court). Registration will also be available Wednesdays starting April 2 from 9-3. at the Southside Community Service Center, 4100 Hull St.

4th District School Board rep George Braxton has of late served as the board’s chair, but his tenure at the top could be coming to an end. 7th District rep Keith West, perhaps the most visible and outspoken member of the board (and certainly one of Braxton’s many critics), has been openly campaigning for the leadership spot. A T-D article today points out the increased interest in the board chair race. Public opinion seems to be mostly in favor of West taking the helm, but quotes from other board members suggest it’s a pretty even split so far.

The chairman vote is scheduled for Monday night’s meeting. Stay tuned…

The latest in a long line of RPS school renovation/closure plans is making the rounds and, perhaps not unexpectedly, our local schools are completely missing from the first 5-year phase. The second phase (circa 2012) would see Swansboro Elementary renovated/expanded and Huguenot High replaced with a new building at its current location.

4th District Representative/Board Chairman George Braxton has been pushing a new Huguenot High for quite some time. Personally, I’m surprised that neither Westover Hills nor Redd Elementary schools have been targeted for closure/consolidation, considering they’re roughly 7/10 mile apart, but then Patrick Henry has only been closed a couple of years…

…which seems like a good opportunity to mention that the PH School Initiative folks should be meeting tonight, 8PM, at the Berryman Community Center, 400 West 32nd Street.