Superintendent Brian Osborne spoke repeatedly of “pockets of excellence” in district teaching. “There’s a culture and ethos here that’s deeply supportive of public education and proud of its diversity,” he said at a Town Hall meeting at Marshall School on Wednesday, November 11th. Sponsored by the Parenting Center and the elementary school PTAs, the meeting was an opportunity for Osborne to present his vision for district elementary schools, and to answer questions from the audience.

The superintendent was introduced by Dr. Angelica Allen, principal of Marshall School, and Karen Weiland of the Parenting Center. Ground rules were established for the evening: speakers were requested to introduce themselves, ask questions briefly and use no teacher or student names. “It’s a special thing,” noted Weiland. “Coming together as a community to talk about what’s on our minds is wonderful.”

Osborne prefaced his remarks by describing a visit to Marshall School’s Mini Town. “The fact that such things happen over and over is a sign of our district excellence,” he said of the physical education activity. 

The superintendent noted that the South Orange-Maplewood School District is engaged in “a multiplicity of change initiatives” focused on making the district “systemically excellent and bringing it into the 21st century.” Osborne said, “We have a lot going on. We’ve taken on a lot.” The district, said Osborne, provides “excellence for so many of our students. We seek this excellence for all.” He noted, “The disparity in outcomes keeps me up at night.”

The audience of more than 200 listened attentively to concerns raised by parents. A Tuscan parent sought information about lunch aides; lunch and recess supervision is provided by a third-party organization, according to Osborne, and those employees are now trained by the district. Another Tuscan parent spoke of overcrowding, urged the superintendent not to pursue rezoning the district, and asked about the residency verification process for students in district schools. Her question drew applause from the audience.

Osborne described potential rezoning as “within the realm of possibility,” and added, “We’ll do it as gently as possible.” He noted that the district is anticipating an enrollment projection study; this year’s district enrollment was 200 more students than anticipated. 

A Clinton parent spoke of a crowded kindergarten class, where 23 students have one teacher. Osborne noted that 510 students are enrolled in district kindergarten classes—“which is a great thing,” he said—and the Clinton situation is “on the radar screen.” He further noted that state regulations no longer permit the hiring of instructional aides.

A South Mountain parent asked how the district plans to develop teachers professionally. “Great question,” replied the superintendent. He explained that teacher development now looks to theFrameworks for Teaching program, which remedies a lack of “common expectations for excellence.” A follow-up question came about tenure and about “lackluster” curriculum at the elementary school level. The same questioner pursued information about the Enrichment program. Osborne noted that “40 percent of district students participate” in the gifted program; 70 percent of those students are white.

In response to questions about technology, Osborne noted that the district is moving to wireless internet in schools and increasing bandwidth during the current year. He and the questioner agreed about the value of technology in inclusion classes. 

A South Mountain parent offered thanks to Osborne for allowing special needs students to return to their “home” schools. Likewise, a Seth Boyden parent praised changes in the Seth Boyden Language Arts curriculum. However, she asked Osborne to “raise the bar” in seeking excellence for all kids. The same parent mentioned the recent documentary on NPR and asked if de-leveling is going to happen. 

“There isn’t a thornier issue,” replied Osborne, citing racial disparities in state test scores. “This is a huge problem.” However, “even though levels need to change,” said Osborne, “[the problem] is not attributable to the levels.” He said, “I was delighted by Nancy Solomon’s piece.” In answer to a question about how the district will measure progress, Osborne cited test scores, course selection, and what students do after graduation. 

A parent concern that drew applause was locked bathrooms at Tuscan. Her information suggests that, once cleaned, custodians lock bathrooms to avoid cleaning them again. “I’ll be on my BlackBerry before I leave the parking lot,” promised Osborne. “If I don’t have answers, I’ll be there on Friday.”

In response to a parent question, Osborne said that the district will continue to grow special needs inclusion classes through middle and high school. 

The slogan above the podium in the Marshall School cafetorium reads, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” As Weiland closed the evening by thanking the superintendent and the audience, Osborne stood under the sign. It seemed a fitting end to an evening that recognized both excellence and challenge in South Orange and Maplewood.