Broward County School Board President Dr . Rosalind Osgood Invites Community to Help Students Reach for the Stars
6BB AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE SUN SENTINEL FRIDAY , OCTOBER 14 , 2016
By : Isheka N . Harrison
Children come first always . That ’ s the philosophy of Broward County Public Schools ( BCPS ) Superintendent Robert W . Runcie . As the leader of
Robert W . Runcie the na�on ’ s
sixth largest school district , Runcie is no stranger to the importance of inves�ng in youth . During his tenure , he has worked diligently to provide students with a high quality educa�onal experience that will prepare them for future success . This commitment to excellence has earned Runcie many honors , including being named “ Florida ’ s Superintendent of The Year ” in December 2015 .
“ The number one priority is con�nuing to improve this district so we can do what ’ s best for students , raise student achievement and close achievement gaps ,” Runcie said .
As a testament to this sen�ment , BCPS has introduced and expanded several
By : Zach Rinkins
Dr . Rosalind Osgood
Many people send their children to school with hopes that they will become compe��ve and produc�ve ci�zens . For Rosalind Osgood , D . B . A , the promise of a more empowered community inspired her professional career as a minister , social worker , and educator . The Broward County na�ve is not a person who likes to do much talking . She prefers to create solu�ons that obliterate debilita�ng obstacles .
“ A�er teaching leadership and public policy on the college level for several years , I realized that the only way you can make systema�c change in the public sector is by
Robert W . Runcie Says Students are His First Priority
experien�al learning programs . They include digital classrooms , college and career readiness , early literacy , dual language , industry cer�fica�ons , financial literacy , a SMART ( Safety , Music & Art , Athle�cs , Renova�on and Technology ) Ini�a�ve , the largest debate and scholas�c chess programs in the country , etc .
Calling students and families the ul�mate customer ,’ Runcie said the district creates innova�ons by working with the community to create relevant programs that personalize things as much as possible .
“ I want to provide the right kind of interven�ons for the most vulnerable students ,” Runcie said . “ For so many of our kids who come from struggling environments , on any given day we can be a child ’ s best hope .”
Under Runcie ’ s leadership , BCPS has made con�nual gains in scholas�c achievement . Last year , the district boasted its highest gradua�on rate in six years with 13,000 seniors walking across the stage , earning over 90 million in scholarships , being accepted into over 600 colleges and universi�es and earning over 660 industry cer�fica�ons .
BCPS also recorded its highest reading
being in a posi�on where you can influence policy and make decisions ,” says Dr . Osgood , chair of the School Board of Broward County ( SBBC ). “ I was going to school while simultaneously raising my children . I began to understand that some Black students , par�cularly males , have a different experience than other students .”
Osgood experienced that difference first hand when her son was a�ending high school . She recalls a teacher calling a security guard on her son because he was asking too many ques�ons . This occurrence inspired a solu�on , “ I promised myself that once I got my children through college , I would posi�on myself to be able to help children have a more posi�ve educa�onal experience .”
Originally elected in 2012 , Osgood is now SBBC ’ s chair . As chair , she presides over a nine member governing body that sets policies , manages a roughly $ 3.7 billion budget , and writes statutes for the na�on ’ s sixth largest school district . Broward County Public Schools ( BCPS ) serves over 271,000 students and approximately 175,000 adult students in 236 schools , centers , technical colleges , and 101 charter schools . The Nova Southeastern University levels for 3rd grade students ; had the highest pass rate for Advanced Placement ( AP ) courses in a decade ; closed the achievement gap with Black students gaining six percentage points more than their white counterparts ; outscored the top five school districts in Florida with the highest achievement on the Florida Standards Assessments ( FSA ); and won state championships in football , basketball , baseball and cheerleading .
While proud of these accomplishments , Runcie said his work is far from being done . “ I ’ ll never be sa�sfied with where we are because I ’ ll always feel like we can get be�er . I ’ m not a status quo type of person . I always believe and hope the future can be be�er than today ,” Runcie said .
Commi�ed to crea�ng a culture of con�nuous improvement , Runcie makes it clear that he is not an island . He credits all BCPS employees with contribu�ng to the district ’ s current upward trajectory . “ I recognize that you cannot accomplish anything by yourself . We have well over 25,000 employees in the district that show up every day to make sure we deliver a high quality educa�on experience for each and every child that shows up on our
Broward County School Board President Dr . Rosalind Osgood Invites Community to Help Students Reach for the Stars
graduate serves BCPS ’ s fi�h district with schools spanning from Fort Lauderdale to Planta�on . Her diverse district has given her a broad perspec�ve .
“ Some of the biggest challenges for some students are massive social-economic problems . Not just poverty ,” notes Dr . Osgood . “ Some of these children have parents and even siblings that are incarcerated .”
She con�nues , “ And , many of these parents , including myself , have these children before they are mentally , financially , emo�onally , and spiritually prepared to raise them .”
Osgood says the community must solve this challenge .
“ We need the community to help us raise our children ,” she asserts . “ I tell all parents , the best thing you can do for your child ’ s educa�on is to build rela�onships with their school and with their teachers .”
The school board chair says the district and the individual schools have resources and professional development programs aimed at giving students mentors and exposing them to the so� skills required for a produc�ve life . Despite the challenges , Osgood encourages the community to help doorstep ,” Runcie said .
Runcie said the district is finalizing its new strategic plan which focuses on improving early literacy and increased family counseling opportuni�es among other items . He challenges all BCPS employees to con�nue making decisions focused on what ’ s best for the student .
“ The students are my inspira�on and mo�va�on to con�nue to do this work . In many ways , it ’ s personal for me . I see in many students myself when I was younger . I had caring teachers and adults who pushed me . We ’ re not here because of where our students are today , but rather where we can take them tomorrow ,” Runcie said .
To those who aspire to follow in his footsteps Runcie cau�ons against selfish ambi�on .
“ I don ’ t think you should necessarily aspire to be a superintendent for the sake of being a superintendent . I believe it ’ s about having a mission , a purpose and a drive to impact public educa�on to have a legacy of doing something great for our kids and our community . That should be the focus ,” Runcie said .
kids reach for the stars .
“ It is our job to help our children compete in a globalized economy . We must have high expecta�ons for them ,” she implores . “ We must tell them that we expect them to become doctors , lawyers , company presidents , and produc�ve ci�zens . If we hold them to high expecta�ons , they will rise to the occasion .”
The JM Family African Achievers Award winning leader iden�fies these BCPS resources for adults , parents , and students .
ADULTS / PARENTS : Broward Technical Colleges are SBBC ins�tu�ons that provide affordable voca�onal-technical instruc�on . Successful graduates earn state accredited professional cer�ficates . Most programs can be completed within a year . www . BrowardTechnicalColleges . com
STUDENT : The BCPS ( www . Broward Schools . com ) website offers a plethora of informa�on on available reading , math , tes�ng , mentoring , and learning support .
Dr . Osgood prides herself in being accessible and responsive to her constituents . Give her office a call at 754-321-2005 or log on to www . District5 . BrowardSchools . com