Business as usual is no longer possible for schools
COMMENTARY
By Dr. Jim Schroeder OUTGOING SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

Schroeder

One has to marvel at the determination and courage of past explorers. Take, for example, Hernando Cortez, a young man who left the comforts of his home to become a soldier and sail uncharted waters. In 1519, he landed near Vera Cruz. As the people prepared to move inland, Cortez ordered that their ships be set ablaze. Though his actions were extreme, his intent was to remind everyone that there was no turning back.

In the past 14 years as the Midlothian District representative on the school board, I have become keenly aware of outside influences and internal challenges that face our school system. These in turn affect our community. The perception that our school system impacts only students and their parents is false. A paradigm shift is taking place before our eyes. Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) is a powerful force, which affects not only our 58,000-plus students, but also the economy, safety, property values and ability to attract families to the area. Everyone receives a return on their investment as our schools improve.

Chesterfield County has moved into uncharted territory. Voters have selected new leadership to navigate the changes our county will face. Both county and school elected officials will be required to work together to develop effective solutions as issues arise.

I would like to share some perspectives from my 14-year tenure on the school board. CCPS currently has more than 8,000 dedicated employees, including over 4,000 outstanding teachers. Sustaining this in the future will require an aggressive investment. Currently, 70 percent of our budget goes to instruction, which includes teacher salaries and benefits. There is fierce competition to recruit and retain the best and brightest teachers and school leadership.

The demographic changes in Chesterfield have required offering a more diverse curriculum and teaching methodologies.

An explosion of information and advancements in technology has revolutionized the marketplace. We are charged with preparing our young people to be competitive in a 21st century global society. Data-driven and evidence-based decision-making and staff development to maintain an educational system that is second to none cannot be achieved with business as usual.

The culture of character as defined by our Core Values and the community will require greater intensity and effort than ever before. Without healthy relationships learning will not take place. To combat the negative breakdown of values and families, the entire community will have to step up to the plate.

Together, both the school board and board of supervisors must gather the brutal facts. What is necessary to provide services required - not just in new subdivisions but throughout the county? If we are unable to sustain our old neighborhoods and schools, we will all suffer. The shrinking world is not standing still…nor can we.

I have raised but a few of the changes we will be facing if we are to thrive in today's world. Comfort is the greatest enemy to change. We must understand that without healthy, well-designed change we will become a community of the past. We must continue to move forward. Whether it is the 15th or the 21st century, change requires moving from what is known to the unknown. As Cortez reminded us: there is no turning back!

This is an outstanding community filled with dedicated, engaged citizens. I want to thank you for the privilege of serving you as the Midlothian school board representative during the past 14 years. It has been a wonderful ride!