Theresa Axford, superintendent for the Monroe County School District, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s going on in the schools.
It’s hard to believe the end of the first quarter for our students is already upon us.
Axford said, “October 11th is the end of the quarter. We have a system for supporting students throughout the district through tutoring and other means and for me as superintendent, it’s really important to follow grades with students and make sure that they are doing what they need to do to pass all their classes. When a student gets a failing grade, it really kind of sends them catapulting in the wrong direction, so we try to catch them before they fall.”
The support services put in place during COVID still continue.
Axford said, “COVID was a period of time for us where we just didn’t know how our students were doing and it wasn’t necessarily grades, but it was that social emotional thing, because they were losing time with their classmates. But I will say, and I know that I probably said this last year, because we’re also desperately trying to put those times behind us, but this is the first year that we’ve had the level of participation that really seems like pre-COVID, not only for students, but also for parents and by that I mean our events, our school events are attended more. We had so many parents come to our Back to School nights and are back to visiting the school. So I think that not only students kind of forgot how to do school, but parents forgot how to do school as well. So it just seems like everything is headed in the right direction, higher participation in clubs, higher participation in school events, more enthusiasm for being involved in school and that’s always a good thing, and that’s what we want.”
What other kind of advocacy programs in terms of support are available for our students?
Axford said, “One of the big things that we have is called PBIS, that’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support. Through the PBIS program, which is a national program, it’s in many schools in Florida, and the reason it’s kind of around is because it works. The concept behind that is to catch students doing something good and then to recognize them for it and that recognition can be small, just in the form of a teacher saying, I really like the way you helped Mike with his assignment, those kinds of things. We all like to have that recognition, that little, tiny pat on the back, but then also that PBIS program expands into school wide celebration. So there are events that, like a movie night, that students qualify to attend because of their behavior, and there are other things like that that really kind of keep the positive thing going. Then there’s another program, which is called AVID. It’s Advancement Via Individual Determination. It really teaches a student how to advocate for themselves. That’s a life skill, without a doubt. Those programs, along with a really strong tutorial program that students can seek on their own, that’s what AVID really teaches a student to do, is to examine where their support is needed, what they’re weak in, what they don’t understand about a math question, and then go and get somebody to help them with it. You couldn’t have a better life skill than that. It also teaches students when to say no and how to say no. A lot of times you’ve got to be able to have that skill as well.”
Referendums are coming up on the general election ballot that would support funding for schools.
Axford said, “It’s really important to get the word out that it is not a new tax, that these things have been in place for at least 20 years and probably longer than that. But what the half mill is used for is really teachers’ salaries and having a school resource officer in every school. So, that’s the most important thing for parents. They want good, qualified staff up there working with their students, and they want their students to be safe. So this half mill, if it didn’t pass, it would lose about $20,000 in teachers’ salary. You know how difficult it is to live here with an annual median income up around 97.5, 98.5, I think it is this year. It was up to $100,700. So we’re working at trying to keep teachers’ salaries up where they can live here and be successful. Our starting salary is now 62.1, but still that’s chasing that $100,000 mark, and to have that loss happen, well, we would just have to cut staff like crazy. It would decimate our schools. So people need to know they’re not going to be paying more. They’re just supporting what’s already there. That’s the half mill, and then the half cent is for all our capital projects. So we have a lineup of capital projects that you wouldn’t believe and we just would not be able to get to them without that funding. So the half cent, the tourists really pay for most of that. The figure is they pay for about 60% of it. So it’s just something that, well, I just think our community, once they hear this message, and they know that they want to keep our schools functioning at the high level that they are, they’re going to be able to understand how they should vote. So I’m certainly hoping that and I appreciate your letting me talk about it.”
So it’s important for voters to remember it’s NOT really a tax and the question will be at the end of the ballot.
Axford said, “The half mill is the Yes, and the half cent is a four, the way it’s written on the ballot and also the fact that we’ve had to bring it at this general election. It’s new legislation, because usually it’s not handled this way, but I understand that, and I think it should be in a general election. But for us, it’s just bringing two things at the same time, which is kind of like, oh boy.”
We’re very lucky to have the school safety that we do.
Axford said, “The sheriff is absolutely our greatest partner, and so is Chief Brandenburg. I mean, we have a wonderful partnership with Key West PD, and the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. Last year, we’re one of seven districts that had absolutely no deficiencies in the Office of Safe Schools visits, and they visit all the time since Parkland Florida is really strident in its efforts to keep things safe, and so Monroe County is one of the seven districts that had no deficiencies. We work hard at it, and we want our schools to be safe. I think we all feel safe living in the Florida Keys. I mean, that’s one of the reasons I brought my family here.”
October is National Principals Month.
Axford said, “I’m so proud of our principals. We have great buildings and if you look at the school’s Facebook pages or the District Facebook page, it’s just full of amazing things that are going on. The fourth graders were at the turtle hospital the other day, Poinciana is opening their library on Saturdays so that kids can come in on Saturdays. Everybody’s taking school pictures now. So this is kind of school picture month and up at Sugarloaf, the fourth grade class, Mrs. Myers class had an instructive lesson on dairy farming, and they did it virtually. They went actually, to a dairy farm. So I mean, the things that go on in our buildings are so wonderful, and it’s those great principles that head it all up and make it happen. So I’m so happy for to celebrate them this month. All of your listeners, if they want to just give their principals a nod this month, it would be great.”
Take Stock in Children also helps children in the district.
Axford said, “One of the greatest programs ever. It’s absolutely amazing and Chuck has been out there recruiting for a new group of Take Stock, and I think he’s up to 100 additional students now that are coming into the program this year. So it’s just wonderful.”
What should be happening as the first quarter comes to a close?
Axford said, “Parents should be talking to their students about making sure they’ve got everything caught up and that we’re not going to have to worry about any of those failing grades. If any parent feels that they need support, just call the school. As I said, we’ve got district wide excellent tutoring programs at every school, so there’s plenty of help out there if you reach out.”