Oxford Superintendent Tim Throne received high marks during his year-end evaluation from the school board.
In its rating of Throne, the board took into consideration that there has been a transition period from the time Throne took office in May until now and that some things were inherited from former Superintendent Dr. William Skilling.
Throne was evaluated in the areas of student growth, relationships, current programs and budget.
Each was worth 25 percent of the overall rating. There was a 1-4 scoring system, with 1 being ‘ineffective? and 4 being ‘highly effective.? Throne’s overall score was ‘highly effective? with an average score of 3.75.
‘As a superintendent, I’m excited to know we’re moving forward in a fair process of evaluation, that the board has been decent in recognizing and (giving) recognition (regarding) how well the transition has taken place,? Throne said. ‘But I’m even more excited that they have presented my role as superintendent with strategic goals that are measurable and attainable to reach and are not just subjective thought.?
He received a ‘highly effective? rating with regard to relationships.
‘The superintendent transitioned into leadership at a time of strained community, staff, and board relationships. Tim has made significant strides in fostering (the) healing of relationships, re-establishing partnerships and pursuing new opportunities. The culture and ability of all parties to work together has been an overwhelming success and the board rates him highly effective (4),? stated the evaluation comments.
Board Vice President Carol Mitchell said Throne has healed relationships that were hurting, such as the school district’s relationship with Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department. ‘There was a big wound there and we fixed that,? she said.
She also pointed out that Throne has been visible in every school. ‘To me, that’s unbelievable,? she added.
Board President Jim Reis agreed. ‘You’ve gone to every sporting event, met with every staff member, met with (the) Rotary Club, met with the community and every group in the community,? he said.
For Board Secretary Mark Stepek, the initial employee meeting at the beginning the year was turning point.
‘That was very powerful in my opinion,? he said. ‘Everybody is talking ‘Team O? and that was an incredible step.?
‘I think we knew that was the biggest problem and that’s what we stressed and he just dove into it,? Mitchell added. ‘We couldn’t have asked for any better.?
Trustees Mike Schweig and Kim Shumaker, along with Treasurer Dan D’Alessandro, agreed with the rating.
When it came to evaluating current programs, Schweig asked the superintendent to give a few examples of what he’s done with regard to them.
Throne said they’ve made some changes and investments in the Oxford International Residence Academy (OIRA) as well some modifications in transportation. However, Throne noted the biggest area was curriculum.
‘The majority of investments, I would say 90-95 percent, have all been in a curricular area to effect student achievement,? he added. ‘Part of that was adding teachers for programming, adding interventionalist(s) at the elementary level, add a reading instructor at OES, adding a math coach and a half-time data specialist to help Ken (Weaver) in his area.?
Reis said healthcare reform was another huge item.
‘It seems to me that he’s evaluated numerous programs and taken steps to improve them,? Reis said. ‘He’s hit the ground running to do that and has been highly effective in evaluating them.?
‘I would concur from the basis that I can’t think of anything else that I would tell him we need to do at this point because they’ve all been addressed,? added Schweig. ‘All those areas he’s handled. I can’t think of an area where I would say, ‘But this wasn’t covered.??
Stepek brought up playgrounds and Throne’s willingness to work with the playground committee.
‘It really does seem like you hear what people are telling you and you try to make things happen,? Reis said to Throne. ‘The money may not always be there, but the effort is always there.?
The board rated Throne as ‘highly effective? during this transition period due to his ‘swift attention to the board’s concerns and the productive solutions.?
‘The superintendent transitioned into leadership at a time of negotiations with an international partner and (a) great need for student interventions,? the evaluation stated. ‘Even before being appointed as superintendent, Tim commandeered the international negotiations and made significant district protective changes. Once appointed as superintendent, Tim immediately identified and provided for intervention needs.?
With regard to the budget, the board was in agreement that Throne had been highly effective. ‘I don’t think we even need to talk about that,? Stepek said.
‘No, he’s done an awesome job,? Mitchell added. ‘We’re a lot better off financially now than we were when you came. That’s huge.?
‘Since transitioning into the superintendent position, Tim has worked with staff to identify taxpayer savings as applied to Oxford Community Schools? bonds,? stated the evaluation. ‘Tim also worked with staff to bring a projected deficit to a significant fund balance increase instead of deficit spending. The culmination of health care savings with staff also leads the board to rate Tim as highly effective (4).?
For student growth the board rated Throne as ‘effective.? Because of the transition period, the board is not holding him accountable for the current test scores, such as MEAP and ACT, because those were taken last year, but they did note the superintendent has put into place measures to address current results.