Mayoral Candidate David Briley released his long-awaited education plan today. Briley had been hesitant to do so until the school system had finished its public input period on its strategic plan, which is expected to be released next month.
Briley has reviewed it and says his initiatives like giving teachers and principles more flexibility, more mentors for middle schoolers and increasing parental involvement are in line with it.
Briley says his major focus as mayor though will be on establishing a multi-year funding plan for the school system.
“It’s up to the Mayor to build a consensus about what the program should be and to make a commitment for the community that we’re going to fund it at the appropriate level. A big part of that is eliminating the annual confidence and crisis that parents have about whether or not their kids are going to get art, or music or are there going to be janitors in the next year.”
Briley also wants to add a deputy Mayor of Education position, and would also like to establish summer schools that emphasize critical thinking skills.