A+ Alliance comments on new superintendent
Members of the A+ Alliance say they are pleased to hear last night’s remarks from Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent John Q. Porter and his plans for the new John Marshall High School. The group formed in response to the need for a public school that served their neighborhoods on the far northwest side of town, and the problems that kept the school in the public eye.
Porter spoke at Thursday’s John Marshall: Steps for Success committee meeting before the committee voted to disband after Aug. 30.
“Dr. Porter is a breath of fresh air for this district and the New John Marshall. He recognizes and acknowledges that problems do exist and he is determined to remedy them, to do what is best for the children and to the satisfaction of the Oklahoma City taxpayers. We will strongly support and hold him accountable as he proceeds and makes what are sure to be difficult, yet necessary decisions,” A+ Alliance spokeswoman Lesli Massad said in a press release.
A large number of parents and community members have attended and been actively involved with the efforts of the Steps for Success committee from its inception. However, many have been reluctant to get involved out of fear that this would simply be an effort in futility and that nothing would change — that the status quo would remain, according to the release.
“We are so pleased that finally our voices have been heard. Dr. Porter knows that changes are necessary if this school and this district are going to be competitive. He also knows that there are a lot of disenfranchised customers out here and he needs to develop a quality product to increase demand. I look forward to what Dr. Porter will do and will assist him in any way I can,” Lyn Watson another A+ Alliance spokeswoman, said in the release.
“As a result of last night’s meeting, the A+ Alliance is already working to encourage all of its members to offer their support to Dr. Porter, as well as to the school’s new principal and its entire administration. It indeed takes a village, but it also takes a leader and in Dr. Porter we finally have a strong leader,” according to the release.
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It is good that the New John Marshall has new leadership and is doing much better.
However, my concern is that OKCPS has other schools who could benefit from having a “Steps For Success” committee. Why are these schools not receiving highly publicized assistance? Why was the former mayor, willing to step up and help this school, but apparently not willing to take a stand and help other schools with similar problems?
ALL OKCPS students deserve safe and orderly learning environments, not just those attending the newest school which happens to sit in an affluent area of the city.