Superintendent-elect Stan Jefferson shares his goals for Mansfield City Schools with President/CEO Jodie Perry and her staff at Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development. The staff of the Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development and Superintendent-elect Stan Jefferson agree on the impact Mansfield City Schools can have on the community’s sustained growth.
Jefferson shared his vision and priorities during a meeting Thursday afternoon in the chamber’s conference room.
“Mansfield City Schools must build relationships with parents and community agency partners, and they must be ongoing, continuing relationships – not just at levy time,” Jefferson said.
“Amen!” responded Jodie A. Perry, chamber president and CEO.
Jefferson said the district’s challenge is how to successfully get students from A to Z when students individually are very different.
“We will do that through academic reform. We must drive academics and instructional leadership in Mansfield City Schools,” Jefferson said. “And we will have a conducive – warm and caring -- learning environment and a caring staff that puts students on a platform and helps them get to the next rite of passage.
“Our new mantra is: Mansfield City Schools is in the love and serving business.”
Jefferson
said technology and facilities are two of the most important tools students
need for success. He said the district is working toward providing a Chromebook
for every student in the district while preparing to engage the community in a
discussion this fall about the need to build new elementary schools.
There is no
specific plan for new facilities yet, Jefferson said, but he noted existing
elementary buildings date to 1936, 1950 and 1961.
“A lot of great things are happening in this community. Our future leaders live here,” Perry said. “I definitely agree that facilities make a huge difference in learning outcome, particularly for younger students. And technology is important. Sometimes there are technology limitations in older buildings.”
Jefferson said the revitalized school district – emphasizing academic excellence and offering modern facilities – can be an important factor in the community’s sustained growth and prosperity.
Perry
agreed.
“Schools are important to the community,” she said. “We see it all the time when people are looking at moving here. Schools are one of the top factors.”
Chamber
staff who participated in the meeting included:
-- Clint
Knight, director of workforce development
-- Angie
Fanello, marketing and communications coordinator
-- Lisa
Duckworth, program and events coordinator
-- Nikki Lewis,
foundation manager
-- Ashley
Meyer, member services coordinator
-- Roberta
Perry, assistant to the CEO and community development manager