‘Race’ could mean $7 million

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‘Race’ could mean $7 million

County News

Friday, 03 September 2010 12:58

School District plots course for federal funds

By Fallan Patterson
Staff Writer
Committees began meeting Monday to plan the Osceola County School District's proposal for its share of the $700 million allocated to the state by the federal Race to the Top grant competition.
State school districts that signed the Race to the Top application – 65 of 67 – have 90 days to complete their draft plans with their teacher unions.

“The next four years promise to be an exciting time in our schools as we put this money to the best of uses – building a better future for our children,” Eric J. Smith, Florida's commissioner of education, said.
The state will keep half of the $700 million and distribute the remainder to the qualifying school districts. The Osceola County School District estimates its share at $6 million to $7 million over four years.
Kathy Donato, president of the Osceola Classroom Teachers Association, handpicked 21 teachers to serve on the seven committees and provide input for the district's proposal to the state.
“It's a true collaboration where the teachers will have some say,” Donato said. “We will work smart and decide what we need for the students to help them be number one and compete in the global world. I want to show the legislators that we know more than them.”
Donato will be floating between committees helping where she can. She also encouraged teachers and staff not on the committees who want to offer suggestions to contact committee members to ensure their voice is heard.
Each school district must provide plans within four specific parameters: standards and assessments including adopting a common core objective; data systems to support instruction; great teachers and leaders; and turning around the lowest-achieving schools.
Superintendent Michael Grego said he wants the money to go toward better staff development and recruitment and to strengthen struggling schools by producing higher achieving students.
“We see each of these areas as something Osceola can improve on. We get to raise the bar for our students,” Grego said. “It gives us an opportunity to take these grant dollars and expand.”
Donato said she wants to implement a mentoring program for first-year teachers and those new to the district to help them for the first three to five years of their careers.
“We need to do more for peers helping peers,” she said. “My grandchildren are in those classrooms and I don't want robots out there.”
After the completed proposals are presented by the committees, the language will be drafted by the Bargaining Leadership Team, made up of nine district employees and nine union members. Once the wording has been finalized, the School Board and the union members will vote on whether to pass it.
“There's going to be many eyes looking at it,” Donato said.
Grego said the district also plans to apply for additional portions of the other half of the state's Race to the Top funds for separate initiatives and programs, such as the implementation of a unified statewide data system or increased programs for Exceptional Student Education, or ESE.
“It’s a great opportunity for Osceola County. It will pull us all together at the state level and with neighboring districts,” Grego said.
“It's a way to have some statewide collaboration.”