Intervention plans for city’s underperforming schools unveiled

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Carol R. Johnson today announced intervention plans for the city’s schools designated by the state as “level 4” or  underperforming. The plans to turnaround 12 of the city’s public schools follow months of planning.

“Today we are taking the next steps in the journey of educational success for all of our schools in Boston,” said Dr. Johnson. “We recognize that some of our schools need additional resources and this latest designation puts us in a place where we can make meaningful changes that will have a positive impact on our students.”

The “level 4” designation allows districts to utilize the new tools granted in the landmark education reform law that was passed in January.  These tools include the flexibility to change staffing and work conditions considerably. Dr. Johnson has appointed new leaders at five of the 12 schools; the remaining seven schools are led by principals and headmasters who have been appointed in the past two years.

“Today, with the State’s release of “level 4 schools”, we have the green light to take advantage of the breakthrough Education Reform Act the State Legislature passed in January – legislation that gives us the tools we need to leverage success,” said Mayor Menino. “We have a commitment – a promise – to our students to provide them with enriching programs, resources and educational opportunities that are up to par. Today we reaffirm that promise.”

At the event, held at the Holland Elementary School in Dorchester, Dr. Johnson introduced principals appointed to lead the efforts in each of the underperforming schools (biographical sketches attached):

Louis Agassiz Elementary School           Maria Cordon*

William Blackstone Elementary School   Stephen Zrike

Jeremiah E. Burke High School              Lindsa McIntyre*

Henry Dearborn Middle School             Jose Duarte*

Paul Dever Elementary School               To be announced

English High School                               Sito Narcisse*

Elihu Greenwood Elementary School     Maudlin Wright*

Harbor Middle School                           Robert Martin

John Holland Elementary School            Jeichael Henderson*

John F. Kennedy Elementary                   To be announced

Orchard Gardens K-8 School                 Andrew Bott

William Trotter Elementary School          Mairead Nolan*

*Current principal. New appointments effective July 1, 2010.

Many of the schools identified by the state as underperforming are located within the Circle of Promise, an area that encompasses parts of Dorchester and Roxbury. Last month Mayor Menino and Dr. Johnson announced plans to begin collaborative work with community partners within the Circle of Promise.

Additionally, Dr. Johnson detailed plans for staffing arrangements at each of the underperforming schools.

“While we reserve the right to make staffing changes in all 12 schools, in six of these schools we will ask all of the staff to reapply for their positions and re-commit to this work,” said Dr. Johnson.

The schools where all staff will be asked to reapply include:

Jeremiah E. Burke High School (Dorchester)
William Trotter Elementary School (Dorchester)
William Blackstone Elementary School (South End)
Paul Dever Elementary School (Dorchester)
Harbor Middle School (Dorchester)
Orchard Gardens K-8 (Roxbury)

In November 2009, when Dr. Johnson announced her five-year strategic plan, the Acceleration Agenda, the Superintendent identified four "turnaround" schools that were not named to the state's list of underperforming schools. While they are not "level 4" schools, the Emerson Elementary School, the Guild Elementary School, the Tobin K-8 School, and Odyssey High School will continue to receive attention and focus around school transformation.