Francis' work since appointment deserves credit - by Eddie L. Johnson

I am writing this letter in support for Superintendent of New Bedford Schools Dr. Mary Lou Francis and all the teachers in our school system.

Dr. Francis has worked tirelessly during her 15 months at turning around our school district.

Remember, she took over as superintendent of the district after the former superintendent abruptly left in the middle of April 2010.

A point worth noting: MCAS statistics for the district's newest Level 4 School, Hayden-McFadden, were based on 2010 results, not 2011. Dr. Francis became the superintendent after most of the MCAS test was administered. In 2011 Hay-Mac's MCAS test scores actually improved.

What I find interesting is that the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education based the underperformance on MCAS 2010 instead of 2011. Why?

I am sure most people remember the turmoil the School Department was experiencing in the final days of Dr. Bonner.

When Dr. Francis took over the position, she had to quickly rebuild bridges and bring a sense of normalcy to the district.

Within a short period of time after assuming the role of superintendent, things started getting back on the right track.

Within a short time after being appointed, she created the Superintendent's Roundtable, of which I am a member.

She is the first superintendent in the history of the department to invite community organizations, nonprofit organizations, government representatives, educators and individuals from the business community to attend meetings at which we are informed of new initiatives, given updates about the district, heard presentations and given the opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions.

Just recently, an article appeared in the paper about the decrease of the dropout rate, which is an improvement in a number of years.

The dropout program under the direction of Bernadette Coelho is encouraging and working with students who plan on leaving school by finding them alternative choices to stay in school and obtain their high school diplomas.

Another new partnership in the works is with Bridgewater State University, where the university will be recruiting about 300 middle school students in a summer residence program.

This program was brought before the School Committee in October 2010. The students will live on campus for a few weeks, be involved in academics and given lessons in life skills.

As part of the program, Bridgewater State students will be involved in mentoring and teaching these students, which will continue after the summer.

Superintendent Francis favorably approved of the Environmental Science Curriculum, which includes two members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency who are involved in getting into the classrooms at the high school to share their expertise and knowledge in this field.

These are just of the few new programs, ideas and initiatives that have been set in place for our district. I am sure that there are many items I have not mentioned.

Thanks to Dr. Francis for all she does for the New Bedford Public Schools.

Eddie L. Johnson is a member of the Superintendent of New Bedford Public Schools' Educational Roundtable and Educational Environmental Curriculm Committee.