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Bob Wilson introduced the speaker and
Decatur Rotary Club Member, Phyllis Edwards,
as someone he has watched diligently seek to improve education
while dealing with budget cuts since beginning her tenure as
Superintendent of the City Schools of Decatur (CSD).
Mr. Wilson praised her leadership, vision and
character and shared that Dr. Edwards
possesses a genuine commitment to children and their
education.
In anticipation of the first day of school, Dr.
Edwards shared the 2009-2010 vision, mission and
goals of CSD. Under the theme of "Fighting for Excellent
Schools," Dr. Edwards set forth the
priorities of "knocking-out" challenges head-on to become one
of the top ten community school districts in the nation. CSD
set five goals to continue its success: (1) improve academic
achievement; (2) close the achievement gap; (3) operate as one
system; (4) improve fiscal responsibility; and, (5) strengthen
relationship with community.
In keeping with tradition, Dr. Edwards
gathered everyone associated with CSD from bus drive to
administrator for the "Opening Day" kick-off. The kick-off
served to motivate, highlight accomplishments and preview the
upcoming year. Among many other accomplishments, CSD ended the
2008-2009 school year meeting goals, improving math and
language arts scores, recognized by Newsweek Magazine as 1 of
10 top school districts in the nation, receiving accreditation
for College Heights Early Childhood Learning Center,
completing its first year as a Charter system.
Dr. Edwards outlined that as
Superintendent she is the "Mother of CSD" responsible for the
system. Her job is to solve problems, settle disputes, be
accessible, provide support and oversee the budget and
employment issues. Dr. Edwards is also the
public representative of the CSD and the secretary of the
School Board.
For the upcoming year, CSD will continue to face budget
cutbacks, but will strive to keep focus on educating and
meeting its goals. CSD will continue to work to enable its
students to compete nationally and internationally in academic
and extracurricular activities.
In honor of Dr. Edwards' presentation, the
Decatur Rotary Club donated Homework for Grown-Ups:
Everything You Learned at School and Forgot to the DeKalb
County Library.
Reported by Kyle Williams
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