A University of Virginia educational leader who oversees a turnaround program in the Pine Bluff School District told board members Tuesday he expected the district to have made greater progress since the partnership began.
William Robinson is executive director at the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education. The partnership began under Pine Bluff then-Superintendent Linda Watson. It is meant to improve students scores; evaluate teachers; use data to measure students and teachers; and use data to chart progress and mitigate behavioral problems.
“The turnaround progress over two years is not where we wanted it to be,” Robinson said, citing administrators turnover last year causing chaos.
Robinson said district leaders spent too much money on external providers and operated too many school buildings. He said there has been only a marginal gain in student achievements.
Robinson said there is still reason to hope. He credited Chief School Reform Officer Alesia Smith for making a positive impact in the education of children.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
At the same time, Robinson said that if the district does not improve, it may “cease to exist” within one decade.
The turnaround program is being paid for by a private group of business leaders. Pine Bluff began the partnership in 2013-2014. Watson was fired in April 2015. The board hired T.C. Wallace Jr. as interim superintendent.
On the subject of finding a permanent superintendent, Robinson said many people will give a variety of opinions. Robinson recommended the board look for an educator who listens, who leads toward a common direction, who solves problems, who effects results and who will reorganize resources.
Robinson contrasted these ideas with someone who would simply direct traffic and manage politics at central office.
Board members heard from Richard Wilde, an Arkansas Department of Education School Improvement Unit Programs Manager. Wilde is monitoring and advising Pine Bluff School Board members.
He advised the board to look at its current student-to-teacher ratio with an eye toward a possible reduction in staff positions in 2016-2017. Board member Phyllis Wilkins asked Wilde if the district was currently meeting standards in terms of student-to-teacher ratio. Wilde responded yes.
Wilkins asked Wilde how they can save money. Wilde said board members should not travel long distances for training and reduce professional development.
“It becomes a politically charged issue when you travel [for training when you are considering reductions],” Wilde said. “It does not play well with the public.”
The board did not vote Tuesday at the work session.