Changing the magnet review process

Look for a new way for reviewing magnet programs.

The new plan is to have staff present an overview of the health of the school system, with magnet schools being just one part of the process. Board members said they didn't feel it was necessary to keep spending day-long reviews of the magnet program.

"By focusing on fixing magnets, we're not focusing on fixing other schools," said school board member Beverley Clark during Tuesday's student achievement committee meeting.

Here's how it all developed.

David Ansbacher, senior director for magnet programs, was asked to develop a draft timeline for the annual magnet review. Click here for the timeline even though it's not what will be used.

During the discussion, board members complained they were spending too much time reviewing magnet schools and not enough on non-magnets.

Clark said adding a magnet program is not always the answer to help a school.

During the discussion, board members said it's staff and not the board who should propose magnet changes. That's interesting considering how staff only proposed demagnetizing Broughton High and magnetizing Millbrook High after board members said they wanted to reopen discussion of Broughton's magnet status.

Also during the discussion, school board member Lori Millberg said they shouldn't make magnet decisions so late in the process that it causes last-minute changes to the reassignment plan.

The changes at Broughton and Millbrook led to considerable last-minute revisions of the plan by staff. Some Millbrook parents have complained that the reassignment changes were made too quickly.

As a result of all the talk, Supt. Del Burns suggested holding a bigger picture review of the school system instead of just a magnet review. He said staff would come back to the board with more details on how it will be implemented.