Plainfield Board of Ed president Bridget Rivers shared the good news that the state has removed Plainfield High School from the list of 'persistently dangerous' high schools in New Jersey.
The school made headlines when it was placed on the list in 2008, as required by the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), an initiative of former president George W. Bush, in which schools that exceeded certain violence levels for three consecutive years are so designated.
The measures included violence, weapons offenses, vandalism and substance abuse.
Plainfield High School was specifically cited in 2008 because of what are referred to as 'Type A' violence incidents, specifically assaults on faculty, staff and students that ranged from 8 to 11 incidents yearly from 2005 through 2007. This was in contrast to 70% of the state's schools, which reported fewer than 5 incidents per year, according to reports in the media at the time.
When the announcement of the PHS designation was made, Schools Superintendent Steve Gallon outlined the steps he had taken since coming on board in July, 2008, which included the hiring of a new principal, staff training and the placing of 'clear expectations on students'. "I've made unannounced visits to the school every day," Gallon said at the time, "and I'm very encouraged."
Those actions and that encouragement have now paid off.
In the letter removing the PHS designation, dated July 31, Assistant Commissioner Barbara Gantwerk wrote, "I am pleased to notify you that the PDS (Persistently Dangerous School -- DD) designation has been removed ... effective immediately."
Congratulations to the students, staff, Board and Superintendent!
-- Dan Damon
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7 comments:
Bright sunny news for a nice summer morning in Plainfield !
This Gallon is really making an impact. I met him and heard his presentation at the Block Association meeting last week. He is showing himself to be the real deal. Dan, can he be hired by the City as a consultant on how to run a bureacracy? They really need help.
Who says the administration wants to know how to run a bureaucracy?
Dan:
Someone who knows and witnesses its dysfunction firsthand. I don't know if they want know how be they need to learn.
Great going! It appears that our school system, which most people assumed would never be fixed, will be the one thing that will bring people to Plainfield. Good housing stock at good prices (no tax abatements) and a good school system. Many thanks to Dr. Gallon and all the people who worked so hard to make this happen.
oh...the city knows how to run a bureaucracy...they do it very well. Nothing gets accomplished, it soaks up money and does nothing but get bigger... Plainfield does that very well
Rob,
I agree. What has the city done under this Mayor that it can be proud of?
This administration is incompetent and an embarrassment.
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