Gainesville City School District superintendent Dr. Wanda Creel announced to the Board of Education this evening that she will pursue new opportunities at the conclusion of her contract on June 30, 2017.
"Over two years ago, this board
unanimously chose Dr. Creel to be our superintendent because of her qualifications, her experience, and her vision for taking our school system to the next level of excellence. We charged her with the specific goals of increasing our overall graduation rate and closing the achievement gap," said Board Chair Dr. Delores Diaz. "We also
unanimously charged her with making some necessary changes that involved personnel and finance. The record shows that she has met those goals. Under Dr. Creel's leadership the following has occurred:
- Our district 4 year cohort rate increased from 68.7% in 2014 to 79.5% in 2015. Not only are graduation rates rising, but the gaps between subgroups are decreasing. In 2015 the graduation rate for Blacks rose 20%, the rate for Hispanics rose 14%, the rate for Students with Disabilities rose 30%, and the rate for English Learners rose 20%.
- The creation of a Ninth Grade Center in 2015 is providing additional support for students during a critical transition time from middle to high school.
- Students reading on level in the third grade increased by 10% because of an increased focus on literacy.
- At the middle school, more students have the opportunity to take an expanded number of high school courses for credit.
- At the high school, dual enrollment, move-on-when-ready, and internships in local industries all enable students to take and receive college course credit or work-based learning experiences that prepare them for entry into the workforce after graduation. Over the past two years, eight additional CTAE course opportunities have been established. Students taking dual enrollment courses now have access to transportation to both Lanier Technical College and University of North Georgia. For the first time, Lanier Technical College is teaching an onsite dual enrollment English course.
- Advanced Placement offerings have been expanded to accommodate the demand from a broader base of students. During the 2016-2017 school year the high school is experiencing an all time high of 824 enrollments in Advanced Placement Courses. Based on the number of students and their scores in AP classes, GHS received the AP STEM Recognition and AP STEM Achievement Award by the Georgia Department of Education. We are especially proud of the addition of the AP Capstone Diploma program during the 2016-2017 school year, as we are one of only 20 schools in Georgia to offer this option.
- Three programs have been introduced or expanded in our Comprehensive System of Learning Supports: RTI, PBIS, and ABC. These data based programs identify and help individual students who are struggling with academics, social issues, and personal behaviors. These three support programs will continue to increase the number of students who graduate with the tools to succeed in life.
- Technology is being used to improve parents' access to information. The GCSS website was expanded and improved, a mobile app and a Twitter feed were added, Power School access to student records was improved, a weekly "Have You Herd?" newsletter was introduced, and the GHS Information Guide was expanded.
- Parent Coordinators at each school, who act as liaisons between parents and the schools and serve as interpreters when needed, now also go out into minority communities to meet with parents on a monthly basis.
- Teachers now have common grade level or subject area planning periods to enable them to analyze data, monitor student progress, share strategies, and plan instruction together. At the elementary level, planning times are consistent among all schools, allowing for Zoom conferences to share ideas and best practices system wide.
- Regular meetings are held with teams from each school to provide training, monitor progress and provide support for the implementation of new initiatives.
- A rubric-based interview procedure has been introduced that engages the Governance Council and enhances the transparency of the interview process.
- A new Leadership Academy was created for aspiring leaders to enhance their leadership skills and enable them to assume greater leadership roles in the school system. Four members of the first graduating class of the program now hold leadership positions in the system.
- A successful ESPLOST campaign now enables us to construct much-needed classroom space to relieve overcrowding. Construction is underway for the new facility in the Mundy Mill subdivision and the new wing at Centennial, and planning is underway for the replacement facility for Enota.
- New financial strategies have added $5.5 million to the district's fund balance. Strategic budgeting has allowed the district to provide additional teacher support directly to the classroom while also providing a one-time 3% base salary grant for all employees.
Dr. Diaz concluded by saying, "Dr. Creel has built upon our tradition of excellence to make us stronger than she found us and better able to meet the needs of our students. I truly regret that she is leaving."
In full, Dr. Creel's official statement reads:
It has been widely publicized that an announcement would be made this evening regarding my contract and continuation with the Gainesville City School System. In order to quieten the distraction from the incredible progress occurring in our district that is focused on children please allow me to inform you that at the end of my contract on June 30, 2017 I will transition to cheering for the Red Elephants from a distance.
It has been and will continue to be an honor to serve as the superintendent for the district. I have embraced the vision and advocated for ONE Gainesville - supporting, nurturing, challenging and preparing our students for their future. In December of 2013, when I was invited to join the Red Elephant family, I became invested and pledged to work diligently for Gainesville's children.
Since arriving in Gainesville I have focused on implementing our Board of Education's plan to improve the academic achievement of our children while increasing capacity for quality teaching and learning in our schools. Although I am not a voting member of the Board of Education, the superintendent is charged with operationalizing the plan. With that responsibility is the realization that, unfortunately, I will not be able to make everyone happy. I will have to make difficult decisions and I must conduct crucial conversations with our stakeholders.
I recognize that change of any kind can be difficult and the responses to change are varied. I want to thank the many educators, parents and community members that are a part of the team that work tirelessly for the betterment of all children. I appreciate the kind, encouraging words and those who pray for me and with me. I also want to acknowledge and respect that there are others who may feel differently. I ask, for the sake of our children, let's join together and maintain our focus on a District Strategic Improvement Plan that was unanimously approved by our Board of Education that is poised to move our district forward. Please know that each day I am here I am committed to advancing Gainesville's tradition of excellence.
On a personal level, many of you have heard me speak of my Dad and know what a profound impact he has had on my life. He lived by the motto and taught me that "if anything is worth doing - it's worth doing well." I lost my Dad on April 9th of this year. It was my family's privilege to care for him in his home for the last three weeks of his life. During that time, along with family and friends, we laughed, we cried, we told stories and my Daddy gave advice. One of the last things he said to me was, "It's time for you to take care of yourself." It is my hope that one day you will see me as a courageous leader that stepped up and took care of things both professionally and personally.
Recently, I visited one of our elementary schools for an early morning meeting. One of our young students got out of her car about the time I was arriving. I opened the door and said "good morning" to her. Her adorable little face had a quizzical look on it when she looked up and smiled shyly because I wasn't a familiar morning face. We got to the second entrance and again I opened the door and told her that I liked her pretty purple jacket. She looked up, smiled and said "thank you". I noticed that my new friend waited while I spoke with a few people in the front office. There was one more door to pass through before entering into the halls of the school. This time, my friend opened the door widely, stood against it with her little body to hold it open and looked up at me with bright eyes and a big smile and together we walked out into the hall.
I chose education as my life's work in order to make a difference for children. I intend to continue spending the remainder of my time in education teaching young people how to open doors for themselves and how to take care of and lead others.
And now, let's get on with what we are here to do - make important decisions that impact the lives of the children we pledged to serve.
