My first 100 days on the job
By Marcus J. Newsome, Ed.D. SUPERINTENDENT CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Newsome

Moving Chesterfield County Public Schools from competence to excellence and toward world-class prominence begins with a solid foundation. I recently completed my first 100 school days as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS), establishing a foundation for the next several years. Those days seemed to race by faster than a fifth-grader on a skateboard. But no matter how quickly the world is moving, I am filled with overwhelming hope and optimism that our greatest days are ahead.

Many of my mornings were spent visiting each of our 60 schools and getting to know students, teachers, administrators and staff members. Their friendly welcomes, honest questions, notes, letters and handcrafted gifts make me proud to call Chesterfield County my new home. I have seen firsthand why this school district has earned the distinguished reputation of an award-winning division and why Chesterfield has been recognized by America's Promise as one of the "Best 100 Communities in America" for children.

At each school, I met terrific kids, dedicated staff members and observed on-task behavior by students and faculty. I've also been humbled by the level of esteem afforded to the position of superintendent. I particularly remember a visit to an art class at Cosby High School because a student spontaneously began to show me around the room, pointing out the work of her classmates who were working on murals, papiermâché constructions and other projects. As a former art teacher, I really enjoyed this student's enthusiasm.

In addition to getting to know Chesterfield schools, I've been getting acquainted with our community partners and have been impressed by the goodwill that CCPS enjoys in the community. Among the school partners I have met with include the County Council of PTAs-PTSAs, the Chesterfield Public Education Foundation, Communities In Schools, the Chamber of Commerce, representatives from electronic and print news media, a host of advisory groups and faith-based community leaders. Every group has been kind, supportive and eager to work with the school system. People from all areas - parents, business leaders, elected officials, the faith community and civic groups - really have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome.

Another way I have gotten to know Chesterfield County is by facilitating five community forums, one in each magisterial district. The forums were organized to discuss our new "Design for Excellence," a dynamic strategic plan that will move Chesterfield schools forward, ensuring that our students are prepared for the 21st century. Our strategic plan contains four goals that shaped my first 100 days and that will shape every aspect of CCPS for the next six years:

+ Academic excellence for all students

+ Safe and supportive learning environments

+ A knowledgeable and competent workforce

+ Community investment in public schools

School employees and community members have begun working in innovation teams (think tanks) to create strategies that will help us achieve these four goals. Each innovation team has a specific area of focus - looking through new eyes at CCPS in an effort to offer fresh approaches to the complex problems and challenges before us.

Other activities during my first 100 days included crafting the school system's $572 million operating budget for 2007-08, securing funding to enhance school security measures, restructuring central office leadership to improve support for schools, overseeing the implementation of ParentLink (a new parent communication system), updating the school system's Web site and ensuring efficient and effective alignment by commissioning an independent curriculum management audit.

While there is much to be done, much has been accomplished during my first 100 days as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools. I expect our next 100 days together - and every 100 days after that - to continue to move our schools toward excellence.