Superintendent Major Accomplishments
and Goals for Greene County Schools
By
Dr. Douglas L. Ragland
Superintendent 2004-2007
Adequate Yearly Progress
• The Greene County School System made Adequate Yearly Progress for the
third consecutive year by accomplishing this feat in 2006. Adequate Yearly
Progress is the state’s highest level of assessment for school systems. This
standard had only been in place for three years and we mastered it
throughout its existence.
Educational Ruler
• Greene County School System adopted the Alabama State Board of
Education’s Educational Ruler to ensure (1) Safe and Disciplined Schools,
(2) Highly Qualified Staff, (3) Challenging Curricular, and (4) Emerging
Leaders.
• Educational Excellence has been exemplified, as a result of the application
of the Educational Ruler, in the Greene County School System.
Meeting the Challenge Schools
• Eutaw Primary and Paramount Junior High Schools were named as
Meeting the Challenge Schools and received $8, 500.00 each and a formal
resolution from the Alabama State Board of Education.
• This award signifies academic excellence for schools whose population
consist of 80% or higher poverty levels, meeting statewide and national
academic standards.
Personnel
• During my tenure as Superintendent of Greene County Schools, the
personnel was as follows:
• Total Staffing: 225 Employees
• Professional qualifications are as follows:
• Bachelor’s Degree: 64.5
• Master’s Degree: 33.9
• Educational Specialist Degree: 4.6
• Earned Doctorate Degree: 1
• All instructional aides certified and highly qualified for 2005-06
• 95.35% percent of teachers were highly qualified for 2005-06
• Professional Development was deemed a high priority
• One National Board Certified Teacher in the district in 2006, with the goal
being to have National Board Certified teachers in every school by 2007
• First-ever Recruitment Plan created for Greene County Schools with the
goal being to recruit the best personnel nationally.
National Board Certification
• In the 2006-07 school year we made history in the Greene County School
System by having a teacher successfully pass the rigorous tests and
achieve National Board Certification
• Our goal was to have at least 2 teachers per grade school to become
Nationally Board Certified annually until all schools achieved 100%
National Board Certified teachers.
Newly Hired Personnel
• During my first year as Superintendent of Greene County Schools, the
following vacancies were filled and the personnel in each one contributed
immensely to the district’s success:
• Technology Coordinator
• Chief Financial Officer
• At Risk Coordinator
• Parental Involvement Facilitator
• Maintenance Supervisor.
Financial Success
• Officially released from state financial intervention by the Alabama State
Board of Education at its state board meeting on Thursday August 11,
2005.
• Local Tax Referendum passed with a majority vote (91%) on January 23,
2007.
• Successfully lobbied for a one cents sales tax granted by the Greene
County Commissioners in the amount of 300,000 for 3 consecutive years.
This brought a total of $900,000.00 of discretionary funds to the district.
Finances
• Greene County Schools had an operational expense budget of
approximately 4 months at 4.3 million dollars in 2007.
Finances
• Successfully prepared, maintained, and supervised a 14,000,000.00 million
dollar budget throughout my tenure.
Finances
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14 mills of property tax
Over 3 million dollars generated from advalorem taxes
Two 1 cent sales tax appropriations generating over $600,000 dollars
Approximately one million from Bingo Funds at Greene Track
Approximately 35,000 from satellite dog racing at Greene Track
State Funding: 51.7%
Local Funding: 23.8%
Federal Funding: 23.1%
Other: 1.4%.
Finances
• Raises for personnel were made effective July 1, 2006, by the Greene
County Board of Education. The timeline that the raises were distributed
to employees was based on the following:
• 12 month personnel-July
• 10 and 11 month personnel-August
• 9 month personnel September
• Approval of these raises was indeed indicative of financial progress and
stability in the district.
Academics
• Greene County High had 59% of its students attending 4 year higher
education institutions after graduation.
• Greene County High had approximately 30% of its students attending the
Alabama College System.
• Greene County High had approximately 3% of its students attending the
armed services.
• Greene County High had approximately 7% of its students going directly
into the work force.
• Greene County High had approximately 1% of its students undecided as to
what they will pursue after graduation.
Awarding of Advanced Placement
Initiative Grant
• Greene County High School was awarded an Advance Placement Initiative
Grant on October 12, 2006, by the Alabama State Department of
Education in the amount of $7,200.00 in the following areas: English
(Advanced Placement English, Literature and Comprehension); Math
(Advanced Placement Calculus) and Social Studies (Advanced Placement
U.S. History).
Partnership with Shelton State
Community College
• Greene County High School developed a partnership with Shelton State
Community College to provide free scholarships to students seeking to
attain Associate Degrees and areas of specialization in Certificated
Programs after successfully completing a cost free Focus Industry Training
Program for 5 weeks.
Stillman College Partnership
• The Greene County School System developed a Dual Enrollment
Partnership with Stillman College in allowing students to take courses in
English and Math and receive credit for them while in high school.
Tuskegee University Partnership
• The Greene County School System developed a Training for Math and
Science Teachers Partnership in professional development with Tuskegee
University Faculty and Staff.
Scholarships
• Over $1,000,000.00 in total scholarship monies for the class of 2005 at
Greene County High School.
• Over $800,000.00 in total scholarship monies for the class of 2006 at
Greene County High School.
• 1.8 million over 2 years.
Accreditation
• All schools in the Greene County School System were accredited by SACS
CASI, the regional accreditation agency for universities, colleges and K-12
schools in 2005. This was the first-ever accreditation for the schools in the
district.
Accreditation
• Greene County High School successfully
Accreditation review on April 19, 2006.
passed
its
SACS/CASI
Accreditation
• Eutaw Primary School met all SACS CASI Accreditation Standards and
received its Accreditation from the SACS CASI Review team on Thursday,
December 8, 2005.
Accreditation
• Carver Middle School met all SACS CASI Accreditation Standards and
received its Accreditation from the SACS CASI Review team on Wednesday,
November 30, 2005.
Accreditation
• Paramount Junior High School successfully renewed its accreditation in
May, 2005.
Career Technical Education
• Business Industry Certification Committee from the Alabama State
Department of Education certified Greene County Schools Peter J. Kirksey
Career Technical Education Program in the following areas:
• Business/Marketing
• Cosmetology
• Health Science
• Agri-Science
• Agri-Technology
Career Technical Education
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Business Education/Carver
Business/Paramount
Automotive Technology
Family and Consumer Science
Cooperative Education
100% of the Career Technical Programs were certified according to
Business Industry Standards in 2007.
Maintenance
• During my tenure as Superintendent of the Greene County Schools, there
were no substandard classrooms in the district, and all physical plants
were maintained to ensure safety and a conducive environment for
learning.
Professional Development
• Teachers, Administrators and support personnel were encouraged and
offered ongoing professional development opportunities locally,
statewide, regionally, nationwide and internationally.
National Board Certification
• We set a goal to have at least two teachers per school annually to achieve
National Board Certification.
Capital Improvements
• Five Year Capital Improvement Plan of approximately 4 million dollars
approved in September 2005, and over 2.3 million dollars of
improvements were done for the 2006-07 year including roofs, flooring,
fencing lighting, parking, restrooms, and athletic renovations.
Capital Improvements
• Capital improvements at Eutaw Primary and Carver Middle Schools totaled
1.4 million dollars in 2004-05.
Alabama Reading First Initiative
• Eutaw Primary School was awarded the Initial ARFI-grant funding in the
amount of $600,000.00 and two additional sub grants for $400,000.00
totaling $1,000,000.00.
Comprehensive School Reform
• Carver Middle School was awarded funding in the amount of $95,000.00
in 2004-05, and $60,000.00 for 2005-06 for the Comprehensive School
Reform (CSR) Grant, which was researched-based, and geared towards the
Middle Schools that Work concept.
Technology Competitive Grant
• The Greene County School System was awarded a total of $110,000 in
Technology Competitive Grants in December 2004 and 2005 and
$55,000.00 in January 2007.
E-rate Grant
• The Greene County School System was awarded an E-Rate Grant in the
amount of $85, 469. 90 for the 2006-07 school year.
Child Nutrition Improvements
• As a result of prudent use of commodities, $288,000.00 was awarded to
the child nutrition program by the state to upgrade equipment in the
kitchens at all schools.
Certified Nursing Assistant Program
• A partnership was developed with the Greene County Hospital and Peter J.
Kirksey Career Technical School in an effort to secure employment for
graduates of the Certified Nursing Assistant Program.
Children’s Policy Council
• A partnership was developed with the Children’s Policy Committee to
create a new Greene County so that the students and county will be
ranked at the top and not the bottom.
• Emphasis on Parental Involvement was designated as a top priority in this
partnership.
Academics/Extra Curricular
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Greene County Students successfully competed in the following activities:
Science Fair
Math Tournament
Future Business Leaders of America
County Spelling Bee
State Spelling Bee
Area, District, Sub-District, and State 4A Basketball Champions for 200405.
Statewide Band Competition(1st place) Magic City Classic
JROTC
Partnership with Mercedes in attaining internships
There were 3 former graduates from this internships employed in the
Mercedes plant and one current student in the program in 2006
Overall we had 8 students to go through this internship.
Academics/Extra- Curricular Goals
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Students scoring 26 or above on ACT
99%Attendance Rate
All schools meeting AYP
Academic and National Merit Scholars
0% 4 year dropout rate
Every child passing all portions of the AHSGE
Every child reading on grade level by grade 3
Teaching the Whole Child in meeting his needs academically, socially,
physically, emotionally, and through extra-curricular activities
• Foreign Languages offered at all schools (ACCESS)
• Football, Basketball, Band, and Cheerleading offered at the middle and
junior high schools in addition to the high school.
Alabama State Spelling Bee
• Desmond Garner, 7th grade student at Carver Middle School
competed in the Alabama State Spelling Bee on Saturday,
March 11, 2006, in Birmingham and placed 6th out of 65
students. This is the best ever performance by a student
representing Greene County in the state spelling bee.
Dr. Douglas L. Ragland’s Goals
Presented to the Children’s Policy Council
• All students reading on or above grade level
• All students successfully passing all parts of the AHSGE
• All students scoring at proficient levels on SAT 10, ARMT, and Writing
Assessments
• Reduction in dropout rate to equal 0% by 2006
• Students attaining national merit scholarships, academic all American
scholarships, athletic scholarships
• Students scoring at least 26 or above on ACT
• Advanced academic curriculum offered in grades k-12 such as gifted
education and foreign languages
• 100% parental involvement
• Dual enrollment with higher education
Dr. Douglas L. Ragland’s Goals
Presented to the Children’s Policy Council
• 98-99% attendance
• Meeting the needs of the whole child academically, socially,
physically, and via extra-curricular events
• Local, state, regional, and national championships in debate,
forensics, oratorical, spelling bee, math, geography bee , band and
science, competitions to name a few
• High percentage of students entering higher education
• High expectations and the belief that every child can learn and
behave.
Professional Development
• 100% of teachers and administrators in the district with advanced degrees
was set as a top priority.
Parenting Days
• Parental Involvement was exemplified greatly in the district with excellent
attendance at all schools for the Statewide Parenting Days in October,
2004 and 2005, and the Annual Parent Orientation Days in 2005 and
2006.
Technology
• Development of Greene County Schools website at
(www.greene.k12.al.us)
• We were one of the first of 81 school districts whose websites were listed
on the Alabama State Department Of Education website in 2005
• Financial data available at (www.greene.k12.al.us).
Highly Qualified Personnel
• The Greene County School System had 95.35% of its teachers highly
qualified and certified in their respective fields and 100% of teacher aides
highly qualified according to No Child Left Behind and state requirements
in 2007.
Comprehensive Monitoring
• Successful Alabama State Department Comprehensive Review conducted
in February 2005 in the following areas: Instruction, Finance, Professional
Education Personnel Evaluation, Federal Programs, Special Education,
Technology, Child Nutrition, Career Technical Education, Transportation,
Prevention and Support Services.
Dynamic Indicator Basic Early Literacy
Skills
• DIBELS scores for Eutaw Primary and Paramount Junior High ranked above
many affluent school systems in the state in 2005.
Organizational Chart
• Reorganized the district for fiscal and academic accountability.
Basketball Championship
• GREENE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL - 2005 ALABAMA STATE CLASS 4A HIGH
SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS.
Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments
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Released from State Financial Intervention on August 11, 2005
Local Tax Referendum passed with a majority vote (91%) on January 23, 2007
Reorganization of district for fiscal and academic accountability
Over 1.9 million awarded to district in academic grants (reading, math, science, technology)
Greene County High School was awarded an Advance Placement Initiative Grant on October
12, 2006, by the Alabama State Department of Education in the amount of $7,200.00 in the
following academic core subject areas:
English (Advanced Placement English, Literature and Comprehension)
Math (Advanced Placement Calculus)
Social Studies (Advanced Placement U.S. History)
Greene County Schools had 95% of teachers deemed Highly Qualified in 2007according to
the state standards of the No Child Left Behind Act
One teacher achieved National Board Certification during 2006-07school year
Successful Comprehensive Review conducted by the Alabama State Department of Education
First-ever state championship in Athletics (Boys Basketball)
Placed in the top 6 in Alabama State Spelling Bee out of 65 counties competing.
Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments
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School System met AYP Status every year
All schools accredited by SACS/CASI
100% of Career Technical Programs achieved Business Industry Certification
89% of Greene County High School Graduates attend Higher Education
Institutions (59%- Four year, 30%-Two year)
Over 1.8 million scholarship monies awarded to Greene County High School
Seniors from 2004-06
4.3 million surplus
Passage of a multi-million 30 year tax referendum with over 91% of the voters
supporting it
Successfully lobbied for a one cents sales tax granted by the Greene County
Commissioners in the amount of 300,000 for 3 consecutive years
Attained a minimum of 4 months operating expenses
The Greene County School System was awarded an E-Rate Grant in the amount
of $85, 469. 90 for the 2006-07 school year.
Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments
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Increased Community and Faith – Based Involvement
Aggressive Recruiting Plan for Personnel
Development of Consistent Code of Conduct in holding students and parents accountable
Development of first-ever Greene County Schools Website
First-ever parent orientation days at each school prior to opening of school in an effort to
foster communication and promote teamwork
Instructional partnerships for students and teachers at Shelton State Community College,
Stillman College and Tuskegee University
Recipient of $30,000 grant for Homeless Children and Youth Program for 2006-07 school
year from the Alabama State Department of Education
Eutaw Primary School received a formal resolution and $8,500.00 for being named a
Meeting the Challenge School, which is symbolic of academic excellence
Paramount Junior High School received a formal resolution and $8,500.00 for being named
a Meeting the Challenge School, which is symbolic of academic excellence
Carver Middle and Paramount Junior High Schools received together $200.00 for excellent,
creative and talented art work submitted by 4th graders at each school for the
enhancement of art education at the respective schools.
Summary of Challenges and Accomplishments
• All classrooms were rated standard or above standard
• Updated Transportation Fleet and great safety rate
• Over 3.7 million spent in building improvements
• All Strategic Plan goals met (curriculum, technology, capital
improvements, teacher certification, and parental involvement)
• Decrease in projected dropout rate from 49% in 2003 to 20% in 2004, to
15% in 2005
• Stable enrollment.
Homeless Education
• Recipient of $30,000.00 grant for Homeless Children and Youth Program,
awarded by the Alabama State Department of Education for the 2006-07
school year.
Eutaw Primary/UAB
• Partnership between UAB and Eutaw Primary for Visual Screening
designed to capture and treat vision deficiencies in enhancing student
achievement.
School Report Card
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Attendance- 96.2%
Spending per pupil-$7, 771.72= ABusiness Industry Certification- 89%= B
Mills Equivalent-24.17-(14 mills for schools).
Greene County Schools Mission
• In Greene County Schools we plan to have a world class school system by
educating every child fully, serving every stakeholder immensely, and
consequently ensuring the optimal success of our children, parents, and
community at large. We will be known as Greene County Schools:
Tradition of Excellence and Pathway to Success, thus leaving no child, no
parent, and no community behind!!! Remember, Together Everyone
Accomplishes More (TEAM).
Conclusion
• “Coming together is the beginning
Working together is progress
Staying together is success.”