For Immediate Release October 29, 2012

Could the way student progress is measured and how teachers are evaluated and compensated in Virginia’s public school classrooms be influenced by a program that has roots in our own Salem School Division? That absolutely could be the case if the Governor’s office decides to take a serious look at the research and recommendations from the Salem City Schools’ “Growth Project.” Recently, Salem played host to what the Governor’s office called “A Policy Venture to Salem City Schools” that featured 21 educational and political leaders from across the Commonwealth, including State Secretary of Education Laura Fornash, State Delegates Dickie Bell and Kirk Cox and State Senator Bill Stanley. “The purpose of their visit was to learn about some of the innovations that have stemmed from The Growth Project here in Salem and to consider possible implications for the 2013 General Assembly,” says Dr. Alan Seibert, Salem Superintendent. Seibert and Growth Project Coordinator, Amanda Gibson, spoke to the group and later facilitated an informative panel discussion that featured eight Salem School Division teachers and administrators. Each of the employees has spent a great deal of time researching different compensation models and each one shared his or her findings with the guest delegation. The panel received a number of questions from Governor Bob McDonnell’s Senior Policy Advisor, Jasen Eige. “Being at the table with these individuals lets us know that we will have made every effort to represent the interests of our students and staff,” Seibert says. “It will be interesting to see how our efforts, beliefs and philosophies may or may not merge with those of policy-makers at some point.”

Last Cook

First Beth

Salem School Salem High School Chemistry Teacher

DiFusco-Funk Forester Lester Meredith Penn

Natalie James Wes Regina Bob

West Salem Fifth Grade Teacher Salem High School Physics Teacher Salem High School Earth Science Teacher Salem High School Guidance Counselor Andrew Lewis Middle School 7th Grade Civics

Preston Oster

Sonnya Andrew Lewis Middle School Business Education Jackie West Salem Fifth Grade Teacher

Last Bauer Bell Conway Cox

First Carol Dickie Ryan Kirk

Organization York County House of Delegates Henrico County House of Delegates

Daniel Eige Fornash Hammond Hogge

Sterling Jasen Laura Julia Susan

Va. Dept. of Planning & Budget Counselor & Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor Secretary of Education Governor's Office House Appropriations Staff

Inman Mullenaux Murray Nabors Peck

Dave Jamie Lauren Autumn Generra

Virginia Center for Excellent Schools Hanover County Chesterfield County Chesterfield County Governor's Office

Siddiqi Stanley Tucker Vaughan Waller

Javaid Bill Paige Robert Latonya

Office of the Secretary of Education Senate of Virginia Chesterfield County House Appropriations Staff Richmond City

Webb Morton

Emily Christy

Office of the Secretary of Education Governor’s Office

CONTACT: Dr. Alan Seibert Salem School Division Superintendent (540) 389-0130 - office [email protected] Mike Stevens City of Salem Communications Director (540) 375-4112 office (540) 353-2041 cell [email protected]