Information on the School Systems of the Superintendent Candidates

One of our primary contributors to Brian’s Blog has worked through the afternoon and submitted information to the blog on the school systems of the five finalist candidates for Superintendent of Knox County Schools.

Eric Williams, assistant superintendent at Collier County Public Schools in Naples, Fla.

Here is the link to fast facts of the School District of Collier County, Fl.

The School District of Collier County has 47 schools including two charter schools and three new schools – Parkside and Veterans Memorial Elementary Schools, and Cypress Palm Middle School. The district serves a total student population of nearly 43,000. There are 26 elementary schools, ten middle schools and eight high schools plus a Pre-K thru 12 school (Everglades City School).

There are also 12 Alternative School Programs. Lorenzo Walker Institute of Technology (LWIT) serves nearly 1,700 adult students during any given semester.

Diversity

White 42.9%
Black 5.9%
Hispanic 41.6%
Haitian 5.5%
Mixed 2.7 %
Asian 1.1 %
Indian .3 %

Free/Reduced Lunch: Approximately 45.2% of our student population is categorized as “Economically Needy” – they qualify for the free or reduced lunch.

The District School Board of Collier County is the five-member elected policy-making body of the district. School Board members serve staggered, four-year terms.

Brian Binggeli, assistant superintendent for Fairfax County Public Schools in Falls Church, Va. Here and here are links to facts about Fairfax County Public Schools.

Total number of full time positions ………………………348
Total number of full time classroom teaching positions ..169
Total number of support staff ………………………………168
Professional staff with advanced degrees……………….172

PROJECTED ENROLLMENT
2007-08 164,843
Percentage of all Virginia students enrolled in FCPS 14%
FCPS national ranking by enrollment 13th

STAFF POSITIONS–FULL-TIME

School-Based
20,483

James McIntyre, chief operating officer for Boston Public Schools in Massachusetts. Here is a link Boston Public Schools.

Projected SY08 enrollment is 56,190 (a decrease of 580 from SY07), including:25,430 students in kindergarten–grade 511,890 students in grades 6-818,870 students in grades 9-12

Student Demographics:

41% Black
35% Hispanic
14% White
9% Asian
1% Multi-racial, non-Hispanic
<1%>

Positions
4,979
4,941
teachers
730
726
administrators
503
488
support personnel
1,198
1,202
aides & monitors
364
363
secretaries & clerical staff
1,182
1,187
custodial/safety/technical
502
505
part-time & summer staff

Staff Demographics Group
Teachers
Administrators
Black
25%
46%
White
61%
33%
Hispanic
9%
17%
Asian
5%
4%

Mr. Robert “Bob” Thomas and Donna Wright, both assistant superintendents of Knox County Schools located in Knox County, TN. Here is a link to facts about Knox County Schools.

Enrollment

The school system has a student population of about 53,000. Elementary schools range in enrollment from 117 to 1,026, with a building average of 474. Middle schools range in enrollment from 540 to 1,194, with a building average of 874. High schools range in enrollment from 777 to 2,384, with a building average of 1,312. There are two vocational centers associated with their respective high schools and whose populations are included with them.

Personnel

The Knox County School System employs about 4,200 licensed certificated professionals; about 3,800 teachers; 85 principals; 85 assistant principals; and a number of other supervisors, administrators and support personnel. The system also employs over 3,000 non-certified personnel in the areas of maintenance, custodial services, food service, and health services.

The total operating budget for Knox County Schools was approximately $356 million in 2005. Of that $188 million came from local sources, $125 million came from state sources, and $43 million came from federal sources, according to the KCS website.