New Expectations: schools should improve accreditation

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
March 21, 2003
Members of a group helping the Meridian School Board prepare its search for a new superintendent said Thursday they expect all public schools to advance at least one accreditation level within a year.
In 2002, Meridian schools were rated on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being top-performing and 1 being low-performing. No schools in Meridian were rated Level 5 and six schools were rated Level 1.
The New Expectations work group, composed of business leaders, met Thursday. The group is charged with determining what Meridian public schools and the community should expect from each other.
Another work group, called What Works and composed of teachers and school administrators, is charged with determining what educational programs work well in the school system.
New Expectations has one more planned meeting on March 27; What Works also has one more planned meeting on Tuesday. Both are expected to present reports next month to the Meridian School Board.
School board members say they will use information from the groups to help search for a new superintendent to replace Janet McLin, who will retire June 30.
Elaine Maust, a member of the New Expectations group, said the new school superintendent should have a clear job description "if we are to expect change and improvements."
New Expectations members expressed fears about the overwhelming task of the new school superintendent.
The group also said the new school superintendent's job cannot be successful unless the community takes a bigger interest in the school system.