By Virginia Burroughs, Contributing Writer
1:59 PM Thursday, August 25, 2011
Excitement was in the air as Northridge Schools started the new school year Tuesday. On Aug. 12, Superintendent David Jackson learned that the entire district had received an “Excellent” rating by the state, “and the phones began to blow up,” he said.
“I was in tears with chills — it was a dream come true.”
Jackson, a native of Appalachian Pennsylvania, says “I know what hardship is, and feel like I could have been born and raised here.” He’s been with the district for 11 years as teacher, assistant principal, principal, and, since last year, superintendent.
“I came to Dayton to work in inner-city schools, and started at Meadowdale High School in Dayton,” he said. “My experience there was good, but I got a call from a friend here at Northridge, we started talking, and I got curious about the district. I came in as a math teacher and was hooked — it’s been a wonderful experience.”
When he took on the role of superintendent last year, Esther Dennis Middle School had just received an “Excellent” rating for the first time, the high school was rated “Effective,” but the elementary schools and district as a whole were in “Continuous Improvement.”
“Ten years ago, we were in “Academic Emergency” and had a 60 percent graduation rate,” said Jackson. “The ‘Excellent’ rating and our 90 percent graduation rate for last year are testaments to the Northridge community.”
Northridge has one high school, a middle school, two elementary schools, and a center for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.
Before students started last year, “I met with the entire district staff at an opening-day breakfast meeting, and laid down the challenge. There was a lot of excitement at that meeting, and the staff carried it throughout the school year.
“I believe in setting lofty goals and doing what has to be done to reach them, and everyone came together to make it happen.” In addition to hosting other staff get-togethers during the year, Jackson made sure there were district-wide community events.
“During the school year, I saw a more positive attitude throughout the district with students and parents, and we did start to come together as a family. In addition to the district’s family outings and community events, individual buildings had family picnics, celebrations of successes, and parent volunteer activities. Teachers would help one another with individual students’ needs, and we opened the computer labs to families in the evenings. These were all positive steps.”
Now that the entire district is “Excellent,” Jackson says “We’re in the process of planning an extravaganza on the front lawn so everyone can come and celebrate. My motto is ‘Together we can, together we will’ — and now I can add ‘together we did.’ ”
Contact this columnist at virgburroughs@gmail.com.