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Norfolk's School Board requested an economic impact study from the city last week, the latest step in the division's struggles to shore up its standards and its reputation.
Board member Brad Robinson told The Pilot's Steven Vegh that such a study, designed to show the return on dollars the city spends on the division, would alter the city's thinking about schools. Rather than a cost, he said, schools are an investment.
Everyone - the City Council, School Board, principals, teachers, parents and students - should get behind that idea and start pushing.
Research has shown undeniable links between quality schools and high home values. It also shows evidence that schools can serve as an economic development engine. Schools train future workers, who in turn are more productive because of their education. Strong schools assure businesses looking for a base that their investment and their employees will be supported by excellent education. Quality schools provide benefits for every member of a community, not just the students within the buildings.
Many argue that Norfolk already offers strong schools and quality education. They are right - for some students. But the past several years have shown that Norfolk also does too little for other students, their numbers reflected in sagging accreditation scores, high dropout rates and low on-time graduation rates. Early results show that Norfolk has made gains in the past year on graduation rates, but accreditation rates continue to drop.
The months since the ouster of the division's last superintendent have not been wasted; pieces have begun to fall into place for a strategy to deal with the division's woes. Its elements include a new leader with outstanding credentials, the stated desire of some in city leadership to find new funding for schools, and efforts to change the poor perception of Norfolk schools by reaching out to the community.
First, the division hired Samuel King as superintendent. Last year he was named Georgia's top superintendent by the state school boards association. His former division, Rockdale, met all federal Adequate Yearly Progress goals for the last few years, lowered dropout rates and raised graduation rates.
Next, while efforts to boost a referendum on an elected school board failed to make the fall ballot, the City Council appointed three new members. The reshaped board appropriately named full accreditation for all schools its top priority for the coming school year. Increasing academic achievement for all students and improving climate, safety and attendance at all schools round out the top three on the priorities list, which is still taking shape.
Board members have begun a program review that will take at least a year to ensure that the division spends the $300 million in its budget wisely. But a shift in allocations is unlikely to produce enough cash to build needed new schools and provide higher pay for teachers.
New schools and bigger paychecks do not provide a straight line to academic success. But they are crucial components in recruiting and keeping qualified teachers, as well as in convincing parents that their children have a safe environment in which to learn.
It appears schools have support on the City Council for more money. Councilman Tommy Smigiel and Councilwoman Theresa Whibley both have asked that the council use its September retreat to find new sources of money for schools. Although the state contributed more money to K-12 schools this year to cover growing obligations, cities have few means beyond real estate taxes to raise revenue.
One of the division's biggest hurdles to success may be the community's poor perception of Norfolk's schools. Combating that image requires resolving the problems the division faces, and School Board members acknowledge that the resolutions must come quickly.
But the division already has taken some necessary steps. It sponsored community meetings to invite discussion, ideas and ownership. It has shown a willingness to seek corporate support and investment of time and money from volunteers. Board members' priorities for the coming year also included a marketing campaign to promote the city's schools.
Last year, an economic impact study commissioned by Virginia Beach schools showed that every dollar spent by the division produced $1.53 in spending in the region. A more than 50 percent return on investment makes a powerful marketing tool.
A monetary measure of schools' worth to Norfolk provides only part of the picture. But it's an assessment that underscores the importance of public education, and a reminder to everyone - in schools, in city government and in the community - that all must make a contribution.
Source: http://hamptonroads.com/2012/07/investing-norfolk-schools
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