Board members met with administrators and teachers at the Frances Meadows Center for the four-hour retreat. Superintendent Dr. Merrianne Dyer said all system goals focus on student achievement.
"We're looking at where we are in achieving those goals, putting time lines and emphasis on things we may need to give extra attention to," Dyer said. "The budget process is in place and we want to be sure we're expending money on the things that are going to make a difference."
Retreat participants divided into teams to review the four system goals. They include mastering curriculum to increase academic achievement; parent and community involvement in the new charter district; efficient instruction and administrative processes and improved financial performance.
WELCOME NEWS FROM THE STATE BOARD
Georgia public schools can add more students to their classes under a measure passed by the state school board Thursday.
That was welcome news to Gainesville School Superintendent Dr. Merrianne Dyer, who said the building economy downturn has reduced enrollment.
"If we ever had to have a time when they're raising class sizes statewide, this is probably a good time," Dyer said.
Dyer said Gainesville's charter system already permitted class size waivers.
"It doesn't mean a great deal of difference to us, we had that flexibility to start with," she said. "We have slightly fewer students than we did last year and as long as the economy is like it is, the people who lived and worked here who were in construction are just not here, so the enrollment is down."
The state board unanimously passed a temporary increase to the state-mandated class size limit to help districts through rough budget waters.
The Gainesville School System's retreat held Thursday focused on student performance
http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/1/216650