Taschner: That conversation was generated at the board meeting, I have not had a conversation. Our conversation is not about…let’s have no students fail. Our conversation is let’s have every student succeed at what they’re doing. And there will be some students that will, you know, through different circumstances or different choices…may need additional help at some other time. They may not understand or there may be something that keeps them from being able to focus on that. And I think that happens. But our goal is to make sure that students understand…and we take…we get them, we move them as far as we can in a year, we can demonstrate how far we’ve moved them and then we say, ‘Okay, now we have to move them this far the next year.’ That’s the goal.
The Times: What is one thing you’d like the parents and taxpayers to know about your long-term intentions for this district?
Taschner: One of the most exciting things that’s happening this year is the creation of a steering committee that will include parents, tax payers, community members, people from Chester County, people from industry to build a STEM school. It’s not just the STEM school but the STEM school is, I think, the beginning of a different way of approaching…the greatness that we aspire to be in Coatesville. You know my long-term goal is that when people think about Chester County schools, that we’re at the top of that list. That people want to move here because we have a great STEM school, we have a school…a performing school of the arts. We have things to offer here, our students get picked for great colleges or they go on to great technical careers. That’s what we’re trying to build in the long term and I think the STEM school…that only happens with the dialogue and the support of a community…it doesn’t happen just from within the school. And what I want them to know is that…this journey is one that we are going to take…continue to take together. And they’re going to be times that [laughs] probably we disagree on different things but if we can agree on the…big things, which are kids and we can agree on the big thing that this district deserves and our children deserve and the community deserves a school district that brings industry, that brings people who want to live here, then I think we’re…that we’re going to be very successful together.
Due to her schedule, which limited the time available for the face-to-face interview, Dr. Taschner answered the following remaining questions via email:
The Times: Will there be block scheduling in the middle schools and how will the teachers engage their students for that length of time?
Taschner: The students will have Math for two periods and Language Arts for two periods. Science, Social Studies, World Language and Related Arts classes will be for one period. The College Preparatory Math Series is focused on the application of mathematics. Students will engage in problem solving, group activities and creative tasks. Completion of these engaging activities in a 40-minute period would be very difficult. In Language Arts, students need time for independent reading, shared reading (modeling/direct instruction), guided reading, and time for writing. A 40-minute period would be prohibitive in allowing sufficient time to provide instruction in the aforementioned and in allowing time for student practice.
The Times: Will middle school students be leveled to their abilities this school year?
Taschner: There will still be different levels of math. Some students will take Course 1, some students will take Course 2, some will take Course 3, others will take Algebra, and others will take Geometry.
The Times: How much does the economic condition of the district drive the decisions you and the board are making?
Taschner: The Board and Administration are working to ensure that student needs and services are the first priority in the district. We are also listening to the concerns and feedback of taxpayers and continue to work diligently to create fiscally responsible options for creating outstanding educational opportunities for students.
The Times: How much money will be saved annually by outsourcing mental health services to the CCIU?
Taschner: The total amount in salaries and benefits was: $625,271.32. The savings would be approximately the same. With services provided from licensed professionals, the district will be able to bill back for services through medical access.
