3/18/09 

ThisWeek 

David J. Cross

 

Columbus City Schools’ graduation rate continues to climb.

Superintendent Gene Harris announced last week that the district’s graduation rate for the 2007-08 school year was 73.9 percent — an increase of 3.3 percent and the highest since she joined the district in 2001.

“We absolutely are pleased with the increase in the graduation rate,” Harris said. “This did not come about without some really hard and focused work.”

The district has increased its graduation rate all but once since 2001, going from about 55 percent to what it is now.

Nonetheless, the district is still well short of the state standard of 90 percent. Harris has set a goal of meeting the standard by 2012.

“I don’t think there are many people who aren’t aware of our goal for (having a) 90-percent graduation rate,” Harris said.

According to the district’s academic plan, last year’s rate exceeded the district’s expected benchmark of 73.2 percent, Harris said.

To stay on track for the 90-percent goal, the 2008-09 graduation rate will need to be about 77 percent, she said.

She noted teachers and the community have helped increase the graduation rate.

“I have to give our teachers and principals great credit,” she said. “Those are the people on the front line.”

In addition, Harris lauded the district’s credit recovery courses and its after-school programs.

“All of those things are working together,” she said.

School board president Carol Perkins said the improved graduation rate was among the reasons Harris received an exemplary performance review.

“We have made a promise to the community for a 90-percent graduation rate by 2012 and this is a step in the right direction,” Perkins said. “It’s just good news all around. I’m just elated.”

Earlier this month, the seven-member school board offered Harris a 4-percent raise worth $7,436. However, Harris asked to defer the raise until the district had finished negotiating with its two largest unions.

In 2007, the board approved a 7-percent raise for Harris, bringing her base salary to about $172,000. Harris also receives a $6,000 annual car allowance and $6,000 for expenses, and the district pays about $13,000 into an annuity fund for her retirement.

“She could have accepted it and no one would have had a problem with it, but she chose not to do so,” Perkins said of Harris’ raise. “I just think that speaks volumes about her.”

In approving the raise, the board pointed to an evaluation that stated Harris’ performance was “excellent.”

The evaluation also pointed to Harris’ work in the district improving its graduation rate and achieving “continuous improvement” — the equivalent of a C — on its state report card.