John Covington Archives - Do the Right Thing for Kids

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KCMSD in the News (July)

By DTRTFK On July 14, 2011 · Add Comment

Superintendent Covington on Transformation Phase 2

By DTRTFK On July 4, 2011 · Add Comment

The Star on latest Board/Superintendent Rift

By DTRTFK On June 15, 2011 · Add Comment

KC Star: KC board, Covington diverge on plan for ‘portfolio’ district

By DTRTFK On June 1, 2011 · Add Comment

Right Sizing Plan Passes by a Narrow Margin

By DTRTFK On March 10, 2010 · Add Comment

Tonight, the KCMSD School Board narrowly approved the Right Sizing Plan proposed by Dr. Covington. 26 buildings will be closed in an effort to redirect the District’s resources to improving the education of its 17,000 students. The Board voted 5-4 to move forward with the plan to transform the KCMSD. Sadly, Dr. Covington’s victory may be short-lived. After voting unanimously to bring Dr Covington to town to reform the District, four Board members proved that they weren’t willing to support him as he makes the tough decisions. The fractious board now places the implementation of the Right Sizing plan in jeopardy. The community cannot take for granted that Dr Covington will be allowed to dismiss teachers, introduce new curriculum, implement performance standards and revolutionize the quality of education in our District. The administration’s proposals may even be challenged in the coming months by board members who will be elected to serve on April 6th. The fate of our District depends on whether the new board will support the superintendent and his staff as they transform the district. As you attend the school board candidate forums and debates, ask each candidate if they plan to stand by this administration and the Right Sizing Plan that the community endorsed. Can the community afford a school board that is not unified in its vision? Ask each candidate if they intend to Do The Right Thing For Kids.

KCMSD Superintendent Hand -Picks Cabinet

By DTRTFK On October 20, 2009 · Add Comment

Questions We Asked:

By DTRTFK On October 14, 2009 · Add Comment

In a recent Lewis Diuguid column in the Kansas City Star, it was noted that Dr. Covington may need to eliminate up to 1,500 employees. We support this swift action to “right-size” the District’s administration. What assurances can the administration give parents that the terminations will be based upon the performance and effectiveness of those employees and not solely related to their tenure?
In an effort to streamline the District’s operations, Dr. Covington has noted that it may be necessary to close as many as 20 schools. What procedures are currently in place to insure that no new capital improvements are proposed, approved or conducted on buildings which may be closed in the coming year?
In addition to closing schools currently in use, the District owns many vacant schools that have been designated as “surplus”. These buildings are closed and may be currently for sale. Please provide the number of buildings owned by the District that are listed as “surplus” as well as all vacant buildings not currently for sale and how much it costs the taxpayers to maintain these facilities on an annual basis.
Dr. Covington noted in a recent interview with Steve Kraske that each teacher in the district will be provided an annual evaluation of their performance based upon classroom observations. We applaud this effort and to that extent, wish to know in what ways these teachers will also be held accountable for the academic performance of their students?
Additionally, Dr. Covington stated that good teachers have the single biggest impact on student achievement. We agree that our students deserve fully certified and qualified teachers. With the exception of the Teach For America teachers, how many teachers will the district retain this year who hold only substitute or temporary certifications?
Dissatisfied with the performance of the Success For All reading program, the school board charged the administration with the task of researching alternative programs. Our district promised it would spend the 2008-2009 year researching reading programs. It was not clear to the audience who attended previous board meetings what reading program was eventually approved by the Board. Please provide us with the details of what reading programs have been adopted by the district for the 2009-2010 school year and in what ways the staff have been trained to instruct them.

John Covington’s Challenge

By DTRTFK On October 5, 2009 · Add Comment

Questions We Asked

By DTRTFK On September 9, 2009 · Add Comment

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