Dist. 158 hopes talks yield positive results
Huntley Unit District 158 has put improvement at the top of its wish list.
At the school board's last meeting before winter break, Superintendent John Burkey handed out a gift to each of the members: Alan Blankstein's 2004 book "Failure Is Not An Option."
The sternly titled book outlines Blankstein's six principles for creating high-performing schools:
• Common vision and goals
• Systems for prevention
• Collaborative teaching
• Data-driven decisions
• Community engagement
• Sustainable leadership
Burkey said he hopes to use the book to initiate a districtwide discussion on how to carry out the district's vision statement -- to have all students meet or exceed state standards.
"I think it's an important vision statement, but we need to have an important discussion on, do we believe it, and how can we make it happen?" Burkey said.
Besides the dialogue that will take place among board members and administrators, the superintendent plans to set up discussion groups that will meet monthly from February to May at every school in the district.
"We want everybody, whether it's a cook in the kitchen or a teacher in the classroom," Burkey said. "They're all involved in the education of our children."
Board members said the book could help bridge the gap between successful students and those who are falling through the cracks.
"For the ones that are struggling, we've got to figure out how to make their story a success also," board Vice President Tony Quagliano said. "You've got to take on that kind of mentality that failure is not an option."
Board member Larry Snow said the district needs to focus on specific policies and programs instead of engaging in theoretical discussions.
"Leading a public relations book symposium is not going to improve the management practices of the district," Snow said. "It's the practice of good management practices -- that's the issue in this district, not some theoretical discussion about management philosophy."
But board President Shawn Green said the discussion around the book will help encourage teachers, librarians and other employees to play a more active role in setting the district's priorities.
"It doesn't do us any good to set these goals if the people that are actually in control of making us successful don't buy into it," Green said.