Going far together: Superintendent gives state of the schools speech
Vestavia Hills City Schools Superintendent Sheila Phillips believes that, even though it may slow the process down, cooperation between the school system and community leads to better results in the long run for students.
That was the message of Phillips’ State of the School System address at the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Feb. 9. She recalled an African proverb that she had heard in a movie: “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Most of Phillips’ speech was centered on the work of people in the school system around her, rather than any individual accomplishments. She said that the teachers and administrators in Vestavia Hills are so highly driven that “all I have to do is step back and say ‘Go.’”
“I regret we couldn’t fill the room with teachers because that’s where the magic happens for our kids,” Phillips said. “I am smart enough to know I am not the one making things happen.”
The school system completed its strategic plan in the 2014-2015 school year, and part of that process was creating a new mission statement for kids to “learn without limits.” The mission statement includes the importance of a safe environment, community support, courage, creativity, diversity and providing multiple paths to a good future. Phillips said she also values transparency and accountability in the school system.
The strategic plan includes professional development for teachers and a more active classroom, with new studies, activities and online options to engage students. Phillips said that rather than looking at test scores, Vestavia Hills City Schools are looking at students’ goals and interests to guide growth and improvement.
In elementary schools, this shows up through creative makerspaces and language classes. In middle school, it’s the introduction of robotics classes, and students at Vestavia Hills High School have access to more advanced computer skills courses and programs such as the Seal of Biliteracy for students who achieve bilingualism.
“Those don’t come from the district level. Those things started in the classroom,” Phillips said. “There is no one that knows better than us in Vestavia Hills … how to serve our students.”
Communication, both inside and outside the school system, is another element of the system’s new strategic plan. Phillips said that praise, advice and criticism from those who know the “pulse” of the city are valuable for the school system to move forward.
“I prefer that we know all the thoughts that are out there to make a well-informed decision,” she said.
Looking forward, Phillips said Vestavia City Schools have a $29 million reserve, but there is also a need to improve school facilities to match the quality of the education. Phillips has toured all the school system buildings and said there is a plan being prepared for renovations.
“That reserve isn’t going to go that far,” Phillips said. “Trust that we are agonizing over every single penny spent within the district.”
The chamber made a donation to the Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation to thank Phillips for her speech.