By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Kennett Consolidated School District Superintendent Kimberly Rizzo Saunders reported to her board on the information she gathered from her entry plan findings.

She conducted a widespread survey in the first two months following her arrival at Kennett, and she revealed the results at the Jan. 13 meeting.

She prefaced the report items with how the information was gathered and collated.

Then she said she listened to and conducted interviews with local leaders, four former superintendents, teachers, stakeholders (taxpayers), administrators and students.

She also emphasized how important it was for her to find out what the expectations were from her new community.

“I made a promise to listen to all of the stakeholders. …Listening will remain an essential theme of my leadership,” she said. 

Rizzo Saunders called her results a “call to action.”

Upon her arrival last summer, she shared that she chose to come to Kennett because it has a tradition of excellence, strong support from the community, resilience and fiscal responsibility.

Building on those perceptions, she proceeded with her lengthy report at the board meeting.

She separated her information into three categories: Strengths, Challenges and Opportunities.

On the subject of strengths, she reiterated the cooperation and service of community organizations.  Many interviewed said they were pleased with the extra-curricular activities, even beyond the sports.  A large number said they were especially pleased with Mary D. Lang Kindergarten School because it succeeded in presenting a critical first step in the children’s education and was a “model of best practices.”

There was a general positive liking and trusting of the school faculty and administration.

On the subject of challenges, Rizzo Saunders spent time talking about complaints that students who performed at the average level “fell through the cracks.” She called them the “middle students,” of which about 40 percent of the students are in that category.

A respondent (or respondents) told her: “Only certain kids get the best opportunities.”

Those who seem to get fewer opportunities are often ones who are economically disadvantaged or speak English as a second language.

It is true, she said, that they are less present in advanced placement courses and other special programs.

She was also told schools needs more bilingual staff and that the school counselors are overloaded.

Some staff and parents were concerned about teacher turnover, inconsistencies in curriculum between buildings and that some teachers need more uniformity in curriculum.

In the area of opportunities, Rizzo Saunders said partnerships with community organizations are helpful and should be pursued.

She hopes for more bilingual and cross-cultural programs and looks forward to aligning professional strategies among staff.

She also mentioned enhanced mental health and response to behavioral needs.

“We are at a pivotal crossroads,” she said.

She added, just to make sure it was clear: “These are the things I was told.”

Her next step is forming focus groups of stakeholders to develop five-year plans aimed at evidence-based processes. She will place a board member on each of those committees, she said.

Board President Dave Kronenberg responded enthusiastically to her report.

He said this was the first time he had heard a new superintendent entry plan.

He added that Rizzo Saunders gave “new ears” to the feelings of the Kennett School District community. 

In other business, Director of Facilities David Brice reported on the progress in the construction of the two new elementary schools.

He said there has been completion of some ramps, walls, wiring, plumbing and lighting.

At Greenwood an entrance ramp has been built and further work is boing done on the foundation.