A Message From the Superintendent

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As we look forward to a wonderful holiday season with family and friends, it is time to reflect on our programs in the 2011-2012 year and the challenges we face.

The administrators and I began the new school year with a book called Switch by Dan and Chip Heath. Switch is appropriate because it addresses how to help people change practices and policies in organizations. We are implementing several major changes this year. First, the accountability system is transitioning to a new test called the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) and now includes new high school tests called end-of-course (EOC) assessments. Also, we are implementing some of the changes required by reduced state funds.

The new testing system and increased rigor is good for our students in the long run, but staff members have struggled to make appropriate instructional plans for our students because information including test samples has slowly trickled in from the state. The new tests will be timed and students will be required to answer more difficult questions from longer and more complex reading passages. Strong reading and math skills will be necessary for students to be successful. Students will also need a solid foundation in social studies and science concepts.

Our ninth graders will be the first students to take the EOC assessments and the first to graduate under the new system, which will require them to pass a total of 12 exams during high school. The scores on each EOC will count as part of the course grade and could possibly determine whether or not a student passes the class. Currently, we are working on new administrative policies to implement the requirements and working with neighboring districts so that area district policies will be similar if students move from Aldine to a neighboring district.

After the state budget was approved in June, Aldine’s loss in state revenue was $24,666,476 for 2011-2012. But Aldine also received $10,643,134 in federal EduJob revenue so our general reduction was $14.6 million. In addition to the basic state allotment cuts, funding has been reduced another $13 million in program reductions and eliminations from the Prekindergarten (PK) Grant, the Technology Allotment, the New Instructional Facilities Allotment, the Instructional Materials Allotment, the Teacher Excellence Award and the Student Success Initiative.

Aldine did not have to reduce staff through a Reduction in Force (RIF), but we have implemented a hiring freeze for the last two years and we did reduce student services and increase class size in grades PK, 3 and 4. We are currently collecting data to determine the impact of reductions on the instructional program, but some of the impact may not be realized this school year.

Parents have asked questions about the new satellite bus stops for secondary students on the extracurricular routes and new athletic fees for middle school and high school sports. Aldine, like many other school districts across the area, state and nation has had to reduce services and look for ways to maintain programs as opposed to eliminating them. I know these changes may be inconvenient and a burden to some, but these are the decisions we have had to make in these difficult economic times. I hope that everyone in our community understands that we are doing everything we can to continue to give students a solid education.

I compliment all staff members for their positive attitudes in this difficult time. Many people are taking over additional duties and responsibilities to address service gaps due to the hiring freeze.

Have a wonderful holiday break and a ‘thank you’ to all of you for your continued support.