Sunday, December 22
Lawrence Business Magazine LLC
Lawrence Business Magazine LLC
2015 Second Quarter - Education & Futures

Professional Spotlight: Rick Doll

By on 172 Comments
PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT: RICK DOLL
Doll

Rick Doll, Superintendent of Schools USD 497

What is the school district’s most important service?
As a learning community, Lawrence Public Schools’ mission is to ensure educational equity and excellence so that students of all races and backgrounds achieve at high levels and graduate prepared for success in college, careers and life in a diverse and rapidly changing world. This preparation begins at the pre-kindergarten level by making sure children have the skills and supports necessary to be successful learners. As students progress through elementary, middle and high school, we challenge them to become increasingly independent in their learning so they graduate with essential knowledge and problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. The school district also supports adult learners in acquiring life and employability skills training or earning a GED or high school diploma.

What is your top priority?
Our top priority is student success. The Lawrence Board of Education’s Excellence, Equity and Engagement goals are to raise the achievement of all students, close achievement gaps and engage the community in this important work.

What has been some of the most important aspects of your success?
There are as many examples of school success as there are students. I’ll address three key district initiatives. The school board’s commitment to a districtwide focus on equity, specifically examining the impact of race on student achievement, has helped us increase our graduation rate by 15 percentage points in six years. This means our schools are successfully supporting 100 more students in earning a high school diploma.

Our blended learning initiative personalizes students’ educational experiences by emphasizing student choice and increasing student engagement. Integrating technology with direct instruction maximizes teachers’ ability to support students’ individual needs.

The district will complete a $92.5 million bond issue by the summer of 2016, implementing a community plan for improving school facilities – especially the older elementary schools in central and east Lawrence, enhancing technology and expanding career and technical educational opportunities for students. I can’t wait for the community to see the revitalization of its older school buildings.

How many people does USD 497 employ? How many live in Lawrence? Do you encourage them to live in Lawrence?
As the city’s second-largest employer (The University of Kansas is the largest), Lawrence Public Schools employ 1,823 staff. This includes 1,057 licensed and certified teachers, 712 educational support staff and 54 school and district administrators. More than 80 percent of our staff live in Lawrence.

How do you and the schools make a positive impact on the Lawrence community?
Public education is a great equalizer. An educated citizenry forms the basis for our democratic society. While people may not think of their local schools as drivers of economic development, one of the most important factors in determining the attractiveness of any community is the educational opportunities it affords its residents.

One obvious example of making a positive impact in the community is the district’s development of the Lawrence College and Career Center in partnership with Peaslee Tech. This new campus will offer career and technical education and training for high school students and adults, promoting an educated and skilled workforce and filling an identified need in our community.

What do you see as your personal responsibility and the school’s responsibility to the community?
My personal responsibility is to focus and inspire educators and support staff to meet the needs of all students, to work with the school board to ensure the staff has the necessary tools and resources to do so, and to hold us accountable for student success. Through an annual goal-setting process, the board, with input from teachers, staff and administration, sets the direction of the school district. The district is responsible for the prudent use of state and local taxes to prepare students for success in college, careers and life.

Spotlight

Lawrence Public Schools USD 497

How do you manage your day-to-day stress of the district?
The most stressful issues for me are those beyond my control, such as Kansas school finance issues. I start each day believing that everyone in our organization is doing his or her best. I spend a lot of time in our schools watching, teaching and learning happen in our classrooms; this keeps everything in perspective. I try to stay in a problem solving, not a blaming, mode when difficult issues arise.

How do you reward excellent work performance? How do you manage poor performance?
A highly qualified and effective teacher is the single most important factor to a student’s success in school. The district seeks to recruit, develop and retain high quality teachers, staff and administration. District and school leaders encourage and evaluate staff.

By emphasizing effective professional development, the district works to improve staff performance. We use a clearly defined evaluation model, adopted in collaboration with our teaching professionals, to maintain excellence and to appropriately manage situations when individuals do not meet our high standards.

While student success is its own reward, the board seeks to provide a supportive environment conducive to teaching and learning, and a fair and competitive compensation and benefits package for staff. With assistance from the Lawrence Schools Foundation and other community partners, we recognize and reward excellent teaching and outstanding teamwork. It’s certainly a thrill to join the Foundation in presenting its annual $10,000 Bobs Award to deserving faculty during the last week of school.

What is the biggest challenge you feel the school district faces?
Kansas school finance issues continue to present the district’s greatest challenge. We must rely on the Governor and Kansas Legislature to take the necessary action to adequately and equitably fund public schools. It is difficult to maintain excellence in education with dwindling financial resources.

Over the course of your career, what has been the single largest change in the Lawrence education environment?
A dramatic and exciting change during my tenure in Lawrence is the district’s emphasis on expanding career and technical educational opportunities for students. The Lawrence College and Career Center, opening in the fall, will prepare students for their chosen future through hands-on learning experiences in an innovative, engaging environment.  With direct engagement with business and industry leaders, students will have access to technology and curriculum that is relevant to preparing them for post-secondary enrollment and high-wage, high-demand careers. Our students will be able to earn tuition-free, college credit while attending high school, giving them a great head start on their future. 

What do you foresee as being the biggest challenge for education currently and in the future, locally and nationally?
The greatest challenge for public education nationally is the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, which will have assessment, accreditation and funding implications for our schools. The greatest challenge for us at the local level is having the funding necessary to do what we know is best for students.

Share.

Related Posts

172 Comments

  4. แทงบอล on

    The following time I learn a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I imply, I know it was my option to read, but I really thought youd have one thing fascinating to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you can fix should you werent too busy on the lookout for attention.

  9. 金鯱賞 ウマ娘 on

    Whereas the line wanted to cancel a cruise this week and another July three as the ship was heading for San Juan so the crew could be vaccinated, there are opportunities later this month when cruises resume from St.

  13. 世田谷区抗原検査 on

    From 1571 till 1885, it was a parliamentary borough, which returned two Member of Parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom until 1868, and one member between 1868 and 1885.

  14. 突発的に 言う on

    A week later he made his first start for the team in their last recreation of the season away to Hull Metropolis, retaining a clear sheet in a goalless draw which relegated the opponents.

  17. scam on

    Just want to say your article is as surprising. The clearness in your post is simply cool and i can assume you’re an expert on this subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please keep up the rewarding work.|

  19. sex video on

    Excellent blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my web site loaded up as fast as yours lol|

  21. แทงบอล on

    Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you actually know what you’re talking about! Bookmarked. Kindly also visit my website =). We could have a link exchange agreement between us!

  25. www.crypto30x.com on

    Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I will revisit once again since i have saved as a favorite it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  35. sex video on

    Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is wonderful, let alone the content!|

  37. Converting VHS to Digital on

    I liked as much as you will receive performed proper here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. in poor health certainly come more in the past once more since exactly the similar nearly very steadily within case you defend this hike.

  39. Converting VHS to Digital on

    Good day! This post could not be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate! He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!

  44. zencortex on

    You have made some decent points there. I checked on the net to learn more about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  55. 進撃の巨人 cm on

    Waṇetsi (Waneci: وڼېڅي), commonly referred to as Tarīno (Waneci: ترينو), and generally Tsalgari (Waneci: څلګري), is a distinct number of Pashto and is taken into account by some to be a distinct language.

  61. Gay porn on

    Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice whilst you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a weblog website? The account aided me a appropriate deal. I were tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea|

  64. Porn video on

    Hello are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and set up my own. Do you require any coding knowledge to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!|

  66. Buy viagra online on

    My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on numerous websites for about a year and am concerned about switching to another platform. I have heard very good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can import all my wordpress posts into it? Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!|

  70. ufabet on

    I?m impressed, I have to say. Actually hardly ever do I encounter a blog that?s both educative and entertaining, and let me inform you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your thought is outstanding; the problem is one thing that not sufficient persons are speaking intelligently about. I’m very glad that I stumbled across this in my seek for one thing relating to this.

  98. オンラインデート on

    I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!|

  99. ポルノビデオ on

    Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don’t understand the reason why I am unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone else having identical RSS problems? Anyone that knows the solution can you kindly respond? Thanks!!|

  101. ゲイポルノ on

    I was suggested this website by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my difficulty. You’re wonderful! Thanks!|

  103. ゲイポルノ on

    I have learn several good stuff here. Certainly price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how so much effort you place to make any such magnificent informative website.|

  104. snaptik on

    Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your website is very helpful. Many thanks for sharing!

  105. Sex video on

    I do trust all the ideas you’ve presented in your post. They’re very convincing and will certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for newbies. May you please extend them a little from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.|

  107. dxfdsf4545dfgfd on

    You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time go after your heart.|

  110. erc20 address generator on

    An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who had been doing a little research on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast simply because I discovered it for him… lol. So let me reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending some time to discuss this topic here on your web site.

  114. ufabet on

    I have figured out some points through your website post. One other thing I would like to express is that there are lots of games out there designed mainly for toddler age little ones. They include things like pattern acceptance, colors, pets, and styles. These normally focus on familiarization rather than memorization. This keeps little kids engaged without having a sensation like they are studying. Thanks

  118. iwin on

    Can I simply say what a comfort to find someone who really understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You definitely know how to bring an issue to light and make it important. A lot more people must look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised that you are not more popular since you surely possess the gift.

  123. Video laten maken on

    I’m amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. The problem is something which not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy I came across this during my hunt for something relating to this.

  126. 愛媛方言クイズ on

    Medical malpractice against doctors and hospitals for misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis, improper treatment, delay in therapy, improper prescription of medication or medication, improper technique in testing and procedures which result in important and everlasting accidents which an extra process or therapy is not going to cure or resolve.

  127. 文章リライトai on

    Sith teach their apprentices to revere the dark side of the Power, to offer full reign to aggressive emotions resembling rage and hatred, and to believe that others are expendable within the pursuit of power, thus making the Lords’ demise inevitable.

  128. アメリカ 投資銀行 on

    Joining formal courses, enjoying loads of over the board chess, or becoming a member of a web-based club or class are all great methods to earn expertise and match wits and skills with gamers inside your range or are higher than you.

  130. 数学用語 かっこいい on

    Survived by his wife, Anna I Ladwig, at the house; 10 sons, Clarence Ladwig, Yakima; Wilfred Ladwig, Spokane; Bruce Ladwig, Baker, OR; Harold Ladwig, East Port, Idaho; Marion Ladwig, Pullman, WA; Kenneth Ladwig, Centralia, IL; Allen Ladwig, Columbus, GA; Gary Ladwig, Spokane; Rodney Ladwig, Davenport, WA; Vernon Ladwig, Wilbur, WA; four daughters, Mrs Louise Barr, Spokane; Mrs Shirley Pooley, Seattle, WA; Mrs Sharon Groh, Almira, WA; Mrs Marlene Lupfer, Deer Park, WA; 30 grandchildren; 24 nice grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

  131. システムソフト 株価 pts on

    The decisive error was 60.Ra4; instead, 60.b4 was advised by analysts and chess engines as the only move that leads to a draw with greatest play, since the advancing b-pawn provides White queening threats that yield counterplay and make an exchange of rooks acceptable.

  139. ufabet on

    I simply couldn’t go away your web site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the usual info an individual supply to your guests? Is going to be again steadily in order to check up on new posts

  145. Ufabet on

    Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon every day. It’s always exciting to read content from other authors and use something from other websites.

  155. 元に 基に 意味 on

    The college, which was identified as the Bordentown College, came to have a 400-acre (1.6 km2), 30-constructing campus with two farms, a vocational/ technical orientation, and a college preparatory program.

  158. 888b on

    You’ve made some decent points there. I looked on the net for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this web site.

  162. 888b on

    The very next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me just as much as this one. I mean, Yes, it was my choice to read through, but I genuinely thought you would have something helpful to say. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you can fix if you weren’t too busy searching for attention.

  164. chocolate chip cookie on

    I have seen that intelligent real estate agents everywhere you go are Promotion. They are knowing that it’s not only placing a sign post in the front area. It’s really concerning building connections with these vendors who later will become purchasers. So, while you give your time and efforts to supporting these traders go it alone — the “Law associated with Reciprocity” kicks in. Thanks for your blog post.

  170. /idgod.dev on

    Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely feel this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read through more, thanks for the information!|

Leave A Reply

Contact to Listing Owner

Captcha Code