A Summary Presentation to the Providence School Board Opening of Schools – 2014-15 A Summary Presentation to the Providence School Board Joseph P. DiPina, Jr., Chief of Administration September 8, 2014
Opening of Schools Planning Process Planning for SY 2014-15 school opening began on June 12 Purpose: Ensure inter-departmental collaboration Mission: Open in orderly, efficient and organized manner Series of planning meetings held throughout the summer June 12 August 7 June 26 August 14 July 10 August 20 July 24 PPSD Convocation: August 25 Opening of Schools: August 27
Participating Departments Superintendent’s Office Teaching and Learning Finance Communications Student Registration Family and Community Engagement Human Resources Public Properties Facilities (PPSD and Aramark) Food Services (PPSD and Sodexo) Transportation (PPSD and First Student) Technology Student Affairs Office Safety/Security and Athletics
Focus Areas Student Registration Student Transportation Impact of SKYWARD Implementation Re-Opening of the West Broadway Middle School
Student Registration Office saw a significant influx of applicants in late August 600+ students registered in last 2 weeks of August alone Deployment of SKYWARD this summer Impact on Registration Example -- increased time per transaction District response: Deployment of additional staff – nurses Deployment of senior administrative staff Approval of overtime hours Support from the “CILE Team 7”; FACE
Transportation Commitment to Improved Performance 13,000 students transported each day on 144 yellow buses Coordination with PPSD Transportation, First Student and RIPTA Routing – considerations for safety and cost-effectiveness Daily tracking for timeliness and efficiency Validation of Routing Scheme by Transportation Consultant RIPTA riders -- 2,000/day total 3.0 miles 2.5.miles = 1,000 more riders Construction project at Kennedy Plaza
SKYWARD Implementation New student information system deployed across the district Schools Registration Transportation Central Support Office Training, training, training! Growing pains – SKYWARD vs. REG Upcoming Features: Lottery System Parent Portal
West Broadway Middle School PPSD response to projected 6th grade student “bubble” Rehab of school building closed in 2007 Roof, heating system, drainage Painting/rehab of classrooms, rest rooms, hallways and stairways Phased Growth of School Grades 5 and 6 in 2014 Grade 7 in 2015 Grade 8 in 2016 Special Thanks: W. Black, R. Mellion, B. Luger, A. Sepe, Aramark, Gilbane
Recommendations Begin the Opening of Schools 2015 process NOW! Redesign the Registration Office Develop the “PPSD Student Service Center” Make it the “focal point of the District” Access to Registration, Special Education, Family Engagement Access to community programming Key emphasis on Customer Service “Purpose, Urgency, Focus and Service” Requires collaboration of Administration and our union partners Will provide better support to our schools
Recommendations Transform Central Office to the “Central Support Office” Better support School Autonomy Deliver Customer Service Training to all PPSD staff Track and Measure Customer Satisfaction Prepare for additional RIPTA riders- 2.5 miles 2.0 miles An additional 1,200 riders; a total of 3,200/ day Negotiation of new contracts with Locals 1033 and 1339 We look forward to working collaboratively with both unions Explore opportunities for creativity and innovation in support of better services to students and their families
Questions/Discussion PURPOSE • URGENCY • FOCUS • SERVICE THANK YOU