As the 2009-2010 school year nears the end of the first month, I would offer two somewhat contrasting comments.

 

The first comment focuses on the human side of education. In the end, schools are a people business.  From this perspective, I am delighted with the overall quality of the new teachers and administrators added to the Midland Park staff over the summer.  Joining with the many quality individuals already in place in Midland Park, they present a solid base for further improvement in the education offered in Midland Park.  Almost all have a little-occasionally a good deal of--prior experience.  This is a positive in that the little kinks that need to be worked out when a person begins in the profession have likely already disappeared.

 

Significantly, the other major advancement in the school system over the summer has taken place at the other end of the spectrum--technology.  However, technology can help the people be ever more effective and efficient in their work.  Specifically, all of the following have occurred or are in the process of occurring. 

 --Lightpath was installed at all the district buildings. This installation has greatly expanded

   the network speed in the district.  Staff and students should no longer need to

   unproductively sit in front of a district computer as the circle goes round and round.

--Along with the increased network speed, the district has updated software packages in

   key areas:

  --the archaic IEP software in student services has been replaced with TIE-NET,

    a program strongly linked to New Jersey special education regulations

  --SchoolDude, despite its odd name, will enable work orders to be processed

    clearly and cleanly so everyone can know the status of facility projects

    scheduled for completion

  --new business software can produce clearer reports and allow more accurate

    reporting over time

  --and expansion of the MMS student management system will end the

    outdated reporting of attendance with bubble sheets and eventually--after full

    teacher training--permit parents to check on their students' attendance

    and assignments.  This will be true at both the elementary and secondary level.

  --Connect EDU is a free guidance software package that is being gradually introduced

    at the high school.  It will offer services not conveniently available through

    the guidance office

 

Finally, it is recognized that we need to also upgrade our equipment around the district.  Using the stimulus funding, the district will strive to add or repair soundfield systems throughout the elementary buildings.  While students with hearing impairments will benefit from these additions, so will all other students.  Just as a classroom needs good lighting, instruction also benefits through a good sound system. From the same source, we hope to install Smartboards and projection devices to 40 to 50% of our classrooms before the end of the year.

 

These notable improvements have all occurred through grant funding or through approved budget numbers from the past two years.

 

In combination, the new people and new technology bode well for an ever better educational program in Midland Park.