School administrators update board on projects

By Dana Arellano
Diversity Institute Fellow

08.11.04

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Congratulations and smiling faces were plentiful during Tuesday night's Metropolitan Board of Public Education meeting as board members and school officials put the finishing touches on some ambitious projects for the new school year.

With less than a week before opening day, the board heard updates from school administrators about a new computer system, the hiring of nearly 1,200 additional employees and millions of dollars in new construction.

Lance Lott, chief administrative officer for information technology, gave an update on a massive new computer system that allows the metro school systems to manage everything from e-mail and school schedules to database storage and reporting software.

Lott said the new web-based system, called Chancery, is getting a great response from principals and school staff.

"People love it," he said, adding that choosing Chancery as the district's new data management system remains a "calculated risk."

Chicago recently signed on as a Chancery client and Orlando and Memphis may be next, according to Lott. "All the large districts are watching us," he said.

In addition to new computer technology, the district has already witnessed a sharp increase in hiring.

"We have employed close to 1,200 new teachers this summer," Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources June Keel told the board. Half of those are experienced teachers recruited from around the country while the other half are new to the profession.

Keel said another 33 support staff openings are expected to be filled before school starts on Aug. 16.

"I never thought I'd see the day" the district would fill so many open positions, said Kathy Nevill, vice chair of the board. She noted that there are now fewer than 25 teaching vacancies in the district.

The district currently employs more than 10,500 workers and serves 69,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

To accommodate the number of faculty, staff and students, the district also has embarked on 16 new construction projects costing more than $76 million.

Chris Henson, the assistant superintendent for business and facility services, showcased the projects in a slide show presentation for board members. He said the projects included construction of a new elementary school that will be completed in October. Many other schools are scheduled for renovations while design plans are being drawn up for two new schools in the district, Henson said.

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