La Gaceta Newspaper, Tampa
Published July 23, 2010
District 6
In this countywide school board race, April Griffin, who is completing her first term, is being challenged by Benjamin Fink, Sally Harris, and Terry Kemple. This is an easy race for us. Mr. Fink and Ms. Harris did not respond to request to talk to them and while we did not call Mr. Kemple, we believe we have his number. Mr. Kemple pushes the business approach to the school district and calls it his ABC Plan: A=Accountability, B=Budget, and C=Cooperation. That's it. The whole plan. Wow! Too bad the great minds at the school district didn't come up with that before.
What appears to drive Kemple to public service are religious issues, even though he leaves that subject out of his repertoire. The drive for Good Friday as a holiday lit his fire, but we want more than that at the dais.
April Griffin has used her outsider status to challenge the superintendent and the administration to be more accountable. She has pushed to make the school board meetings a slice of democracy instead of a choreographed pep rally. She even went as far as giving the superintendent a low grade for her it's my way or the highway style. Of course rocking the boat gets a little mess and has led to some critics in the media, but hey, what is it they say about breaking eggs and an omelet?
She is the leading voice on the board for vocational programs, knowing that college should be everyone's goal, but not everyone's reality. Her efforts have kept funding for these necessary programs and given a voice to a sometimes forgotten group of kids.
Griffin is independent, fresh and unafraid while still listening and learning.
That's why we strongly endorse April Griffin for school board, District 6.
Tell me what you think
Monday, July 26, 2010
Tampa Tribune Endorses April Griffin
District 6
April Griffin, 41, of Temple Terrace is seeking a second term. Three candidates are challenging her.
They are Benjamin Fink, 34, a business owner and consultant specializing in technology, who lives in New Tampa; Sally Harris, 60, of Tampa, who owns and operates a preschool and spent 18 years in the county school system as an occupational specialist; and Terry Kemple, 63, of Brandon, president of the Community Issues Council, a Christian-based organization.
All the challengers are well-intentioned and knowledgeable about key issues. But none matches Griffin's energy, determination or attention to detail.
Griffin isn't perfect. After being elected, she pursued change with more enthusiasm than expertise, but she eventually settled down and began to work effectively with administrators and others. She pushed to change a flawed hiring policy that allowed personnel who retired to be rehired at the same pay scale.
Excited about implementing the Gates' grant, Griffin understands the need to fairly evaluate teachers, to take into account their different challenges in the classroom.
She pledges to continue championing technical and career education for students who, for whatever reason, will not attend college, as well as readying students who want to attend college.
And she says students should be screened earlier for disabilities – allowing administrators and parents to create individual education plans sooner.
Griffin, who says she spends 50 to 60 hours a week on school business, brings a useful outlook to the board: Family issues not of her doing forced her to leave home when she was 17. She got her GED when she was 24, so she has an understanding of students who don't come from model homes.
The Tribune endorses April Griffin for Hillsborough County School Board, District 6.
Tampa Tribune article.
April Griffin, 41, of Temple Terrace is seeking a second term. Three candidates are challenging her.
They are Benjamin Fink, 34, a business owner and consultant specializing in technology, who lives in New Tampa; Sally Harris, 60, of Tampa, who owns and operates a preschool and spent 18 years in the county school system as an occupational specialist; and Terry Kemple, 63, of Brandon, president of the Community Issues Council, a Christian-based organization.
All the challengers are well-intentioned and knowledgeable about key issues. But none matches Griffin's energy, determination or attention to detail.
Griffin isn't perfect. After being elected, she pursued change with more enthusiasm than expertise, but she eventually settled down and began to work effectively with administrators and others. She pushed to change a flawed hiring policy that allowed personnel who retired to be rehired at the same pay scale.
Excited about implementing the Gates' grant, Griffin understands the need to fairly evaluate teachers, to take into account their different challenges in the classroom.
She pledges to continue championing technical and career education for students who, for whatever reason, will not attend college, as well as readying students who want to attend college.
And she says students should be screened earlier for disabilities – allowing administrators and parents to create individual education plans sooner.
Griffin, who says she spends 50 to 60 hours a week on school business, brings a useful outlook to the board: Family issues not of her doing forced her to leave home when she was 17. She got her GED when she was 24, so she has an understanding of students who don't come from model homes.
The Tribune endorses April Griffin for Hillsborough County School Board, District 6.
Tampa Tribune article.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Hillsborough school district wins national accreditation
In April, a 40-member team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools conducted more than 1,800 interviews with school board members, staff, students and community members.
The credits students earn in Hillsborough County public schools may now be recognized all over the country — and the world.
Achieving accreditation involves three steps: meeting high quality standards, implementing a continuous process of improvement, and engaging in quality assurance through internal and external review.
Benefits of accreditation include national recognition for quality, access to research-based guidance on building curriculums and improving teaching methods, and a leg up in seeking grants for education improvement, district officials have said.
Here are some of the qualities that earned the district praise:
• Effective leadership and collaborative culture.
• Willingness to try new things as reflected in the overhaul under way through the $100 million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant.
• Strong fiscal management, supportive professional development and a sense of "empowerment to do what's best for kids and schools."
Read full story here.
The credits students earn in Hillsborough County public schools may now be recognized all over the country — and the world.
Achieving accreditation involves three steps: meeting high quality standards, implementing a continuous process of improvement, and engaging in quality assurance through internal and external review.
Benefits of accreditation include national recognition for quality, access to research-based guidance on building curriculums and improving teaching methods, and a leg up in seeking grants for education improvement, district officials have said.
Here are some of the qualities that earned the district praise:
• Effective leadership and collaborative culture.
• Willingness to try new things as reflected in the overhaul under way through the $100 million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant.
• Strong fiscal management, supportive professional development and a sense of "empowerment to do what's best for kids and schools."
Read full story here.
Friday, July 2, 2010
College admissions now requires criminal background
From the gradebook
Higher education is supposed to give people a leg up to move ahead in work and society.
But in light of some recent high-profile campus massacres, a growing number of colleges and universities have begun checking applicants' criminal histories along with their high school transcripts, Inside Higher Ed reports.
Not everyone is sold on the idea, which comes with its share of problems even as it seeks to resolve a huge concern.
Darby Dickerson, vice president and dean at the Stetson University College of Law, described criminal background checks to the publication as a "legal and policy jigsaw puzzle" of intertwined concerns about campus safety, legal risk and individual rights.
Others, meanwhile, suggested that it's the wrong approach to essentially post a Keep Out sign to people with a criminal past, people who need a fresh start as much if not more than others. Your thoughts?
Read full USA Today story here.
Higher education is supposed to give people a leg up to move ahead in work and society.
But in light of some recent high-profile campus massacres, a growing number of colleges and universities have begun checking applicants' criminal histories along with their high school transcripts, Inside Higher Ed reports.
Not everyone is sold on the idea, which comes with its share of problems even as it seeks to resolve a huge concern.
Darby Dickerson, vice president and dean at the Stetson University College of Law, described criminal background checks to the publication as a "legal and policy jigsaw puzzle" of intertwined concerns about campus safety, legal risk and individual rights.
Others, meanwhile, suggested that it's the wrong approach to essentially post a Keep Out sign to people with a criminal past, people who need a fresh start as much if not more than others. Your thoughts?
Read full USA Today story here.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Turn around students
The annual turn around awards yesterday, today, and again tomorrow are why I get up every morning and do what I do. I have been so moved by their stories. These students have shown determination and strength of character through some very difficult times and gotten themselves on the right track with the help of some very dedicated, caring teachers and support staff. Our district has some amazing people. Where was the media to show the stories of "kids these days"?
I stand corrected. The media did report on this story. Read the article here.
I stand corrected. The media did report on this story. Read the article here.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Veto SB 6/HB 7189
Last Wednesday I spoke out against SB 6 and HB 7189 at a teacher rally. Last Friday I personally spoke with Governor Charlie Crist and shared my objection to SB 6 and HB 7189 and asked him to veto these bad bills. He was very gracious, listened, and asked good questions.
I told him that I understand the need for reform, but it must have teacher input. I said that the state of Florida needs to let Hillsborough County lead the way with the Gates grant, which has had teacher input and much thought, consideration, and now funding behind it.
He has 5 days to make a decision and needs to hear from more people. Call him, write him, let him know these bad bills and he needs to veto them.
If you oppose SB 6 and the matching HB 7189 call his office at (850)488-7146 and let him know.
Your voice can make a difference and he is listening. Read the SPTimes article where the Governor says "I've never seen anything like it," "I think I've gotten three people who said I should sign it compared to hundreds (opposed). It's been pretty overwhelming."
Friday, March 5, 2010
Gates questions and answers
A reader asked me to put the Gates grant out there for all of you. I understand there are concerns and I would like to address them.
Please post your questions and I will answer them. I want this to be an honest productive conversation. If we keep it on that level this should turn out to be a very interesting thread.
Please post your questions and I will answer them. I want this to be an honest productive conversation. If we keep it on that level this should turn out to be a very interesting thread.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)