For 15 years, under three different school superintendents, Charlotte County Public Schools have chased the elusive “A” score that all Florida school districts covet.
This week, the work toward achieving that goal paid off when the Florida Department of Education gave out Charlotte County’s first A rating in 15 years.
Superintendent Mark Vianello was quick to spread the credit out to every employee in the district — from teachers to bus drivers.
But he had praise for others too.
He said parents have embraced the need to improve and their increased interest in their children’s education has been a big plus.
And, certainly high on the list, the voters who approved taking a small percentage of the millage tax rate and putting the money back into the schools deserve a huge thank you.
While we are highlighting Charlotte County for its award, we can’t ignore the fact that Sarasota County earned an “A” grade for the 23rd straight year.
Sarasota, which is given a financial boost by a similar infusion of a special tax, has enjoyed the added income for years in voter-approved referendums.
A story in Thursday’s Daily Sun pointed out just how the state determines grades for each school — a tool used to monitor progress and target where help is needed.
Since the state started the program in 1999, school grades have sought to keep schools accountable while keeping parents informed on the performance each school.
Schools are graded “A,” “B,” “C,” “D” or “F,” each school graded based on the components for which there is sufficient data.
Schools must test at least 95% of their students, according to the FLDOE.
The school grading system focuses the school grading formula on student success measures, including achievement, learning gains and graduation.
Lee Swift, who retired in 2018 after becoming the longest continuous serving school board member in Charlotte County — 24 years — said he was proud of the performance.
“We have a lot of good people on that school board now,” Swift said Thursday. “And Superintendent Vianello has really adapted well.”
There have been good superintendents since that last “A” — including David Gayler, Doug Whittaker and Steve Dionisio.
Gayler was especially singled out by many, including Swift, for his work after Hurricane Charley devastated many of the county’s schools.
“He was there when we needed him most,” Swift said.
Swift also said dedicated school employees — going way back — have always been an important part of any success the schools can claim.
“When Charley hit, I was driving through town looking at the damage and saw a fellow at Sallie Jones Elementary cleaning up. The guy had a home with a tree laying on top of it, but he was trying to help at the school,” Swift recalled.
The “A” score means CCPS is among the top third of school districts in Florida. The district is also among the state’s 16 fastest-improving school districts and ranked 21st out of 67 districts.
Officials attributed the high grade to “significant academic growth and continued progress” across schools that resulted in a 39-point increase in overall accountability points compared to the previous year, according to a news release.
We know how hard teachers, administration and support staff worked to get back to an “A” status.
We salute them for their dedication and resolve to make our schools better.