David Miller for Deer Creek School Board

My View: The Role of the Deer Creek School Board

As we continue to grow in the Deer Creek School District, strains will be put on different aspects of the administration. The job of the Board and involvement in daily activities will need to change. If we are to attain and continue a high reputation of academic excellence, the administration needs to focus on academics and the end product of graduating students ready for college or entry into the workforce. Stresses due to financial needs, faculty needs, growth problems, etc. will tax the administration in terms of time and energy, thus having a negative effect on the academic aspects. The administrative team needs to remain focused on academics. The Board will need to more involved in managing the growth problems. 1. The Board needs to make sure the right administrative team is in place. This team needs to be academically competent and experienced in managing a growth environment. 2. The Board needs to formulate a plan that involves the community, getting the vision of all participants, on where we want our schools to be 5 and 10 years from now. Committees should be formed to study all aspects to include curriculum, physical facilities, athletics, arts, teacher development, extra curricular activities, technology, etc. All input should be brought together into a comprehensive plan with a standing committee to keep it updated. 3. The Board needs to work with land developers to determine future plans for property in the District. Information needs to be obtained concerning the timing of projects, the size of developments, average income demographics of purchasers, age demographics of purchasers, etc. This information can help in determining the numbers and ages of children entering the District in the coming years. 4. The Board needs to be involved in business development in the area. Acting as a mini-Chamber of Commerce, we need to help sell the area to future businesses. This will help the tax base plus it will send the message to prospective corporations that we are a District where their employees will want their children go to school. 5. The Board must get creative in developing financial support for a growing District. Board members will need to make personal visits to corporate contact, foundations, government agencies, etc. to sell the needs of our District while we grow for the next several years.

As we continue to grow in the Deer Creek School District, strains will be put on different aspects of the administration. The job of the Board and involvement in daily activities will need to change. If we are to attain and continue a high reputation of academic excellence, the administration needs to focus on academics and the end product of graduating students ready for college or entry into the workforce.

Stresses due to financial needs, faculty needs, growth problems, etc. will tax the administration in terms of time and energy, thus having a negative effect on the academic aspects. The administrative team needs to remain focused on academics. The Board will need to more involved in managing the growth problems.

1. The Board needs to make sure the right administrative team is in place. This team needs to be academically competent and experienced in managing a growth environment.

2. The Board needs to formulate a plan that involves the community, getting the vision of all participants, on where we want our schools to be 5 and 10 years from now. Committees should be formed to study all aspects to include curriculum, physical facilities, athletics, arts, teacher development, extra curricular activities, technology, etc. All input should be brought together into a comprehensive plan with a standing committee to keep it updated.

3. The Board needs to work with land developers to determine future plans for property in the District. Information needs to be obtained concerning the timing of projects, the size of developments, average income demographics of purchasers, age demographics of purchasers, etc. This information can help in determining the numbers and ages of children entering the District in the coming years.

4. The Board needs to be involved in business development in the area. Acting as a mini-Chamber of Commerce, we need to help sell the area to future businesses. This will help the tax base plus it will send the message to prospective corporations that we are a District where their employees will want their children go to school.

5. The Board must get creative in developing financial support for a growing District. Board members will need to make personal visits to corporate contact, foundations, government agencies, etc. to sell the needs of our District while we grow for the next several years.