Turnbull plan gets green light

“I believe that we are at a good stating point with the new action plan to deal with some of the problems in the past,” said Mel Thompson.

Parents and residents of North Central have been complaining about the quality of education at the school for years, pointing to poor test scores, low teacher retention, and the high turnover of programs, which some called “experimental.” This year the district held a number of study sessions to get at the root of the problem and to come to some agreement about ways to improve the school. At the last study session a month ago, principals of Turnbull and district officials presented a formal evaluation of the school and put in writing some concrete plans for improvement. Some of these changes including increasing English language instruction, supplementing the conceptually oriented Math Investigations program with standardized instruction, and professional development for coaches and teachers. It was this plan of action that the board passes with little reservation.

Board member Phyllis Moore expressed her concerns on a few points. She stressed the need for the school to put academic performance as the top priority.

“Put the resources into academics,” she said. “Support stability and consistency in curriculum and in the classroom. Turnbull’s time, money and energy should be on education, not social services, volunteer management or other support services…Teachers and principals have a limited amount of time and energy. These should be spent on educating the students.”

The public has criticized the fact that Turnbull is running a preschool on site that they say detracts from the resources given to school age children.

Moore also said she wants to see a change in changing the multi-grade classrooms to one grade per classroom, as a more effective learning environment. One-grade classrooms are not in the action plan.

“Implement single grade classes as soon as possible to create an atmosphere conducive for academic success,” Moore said. “Do this to simplify the lives of the teachers so they can concentrate on the key objective, academic excellence.”

Board Chair, Jack Coyne said he disagreed with Moore.

“I think the social environment, the social services is critical to make this campus work.”

Georgia Helthall took issue with the use of the word “experimental” to describe the new programs introduced to Turnbull over the years, such as the multi-grade classrooms.

“It’s not a term I would use to describe Turnbull or any other school in the district,” Helthall said. “If we just did the same old thing we’d be in the same old place. We have to take risks.”

Thompson agreed with Helthall that there should be no criticisms of the programs “that didn’t solve any problems,” but instead of dwelling on the use of terms, he urged the board to look forward.

“Now is the time when we’re in a good position to look forward. I have every confidence in the principals at Turnbull that changes and modifications will be made.”

With those concerns, the board put their stamp of approval on the plan of action.

Residents from the Homeowners Association of North Central San Mateo were pleased with the step forward and have confidence in the board, but were concerned that a number of their issues were not addressed in the plan, such as doing away with multi-grade classrooms, focusing on academics.

They said they supported Phyllis Moore.

“The key issue is academic excellence. I think the things that will make that happen are in Mrs. Moore’s presentation,” said Jane Williams, co-president of HANCSM.

“There will be quite a number of things left undone. I agree that that was a good start by it’s not enough.”

>