Priorities

By Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Adams

I have been asked what my top priorities are for the MDUSD. Here are my top five priorities.

1. Quality instruction for students while remaining fiscally responsible.

Student instruction should and must result in both measurable results (e.g. test results, ability to perform and so forth) and, in addition, less tangible results (i.e. a student's increasing ability to understand, discern and reason). This requires the hiring, supporting and retention of outstanding teachers.

2. Complete, well-rounded educational experiences for students.

In addition, of course, to the core curriculum, the educational experience must provide broader opportunities for our students including offerings such as career academics, music, athletics, drama, and so forth. The vision of education in MDUSD must include a confidence that there must and will be reinstatement of a complete educational opportunity for our students consistent with available funding. Students must be positioned for optimal, individual success and enjoyment coupled with the increased ability and desire to perform after their public school work is competed...

3. Administrative simplification, better district support, financial transparency and timely, accurate communication at the district level.

In short, we must make the district more customer oriented. We must find better ways of providing service and making things simpler and easier for parents, teachers and other stakeholders to understand and act upon for the benefit and best interests of students.

4. Find and obtain every possible dollar available from federal, state and local sources, living within the means available, and leveraging available dollars.

I understand that a trustee of the MDUSD board has little, if any, influence on the state governing authorities who fund public schools. But, the cuts to MDUSD (particularly in the past two years) represent the core problem this district currently faces and they beg for a solution. This means finding and obtaining every possible dollar available from federal, state and local sources, living within the means available, and leveraging available dollars.

5. Improve school performance and restore a sense of confidence to MDUSD.

There is no question that many in our community view MDUSD with distrust. That must change--one issue and decision at a time in which we act consistent with the trust the public has given to board members to lead MDUSD.