Our program was introduced by Jayne Mohr. Jim Pavelka is serving as the Interim Superintendent at TCAPS. Jim is a Chippewa, a Spartan, a Marine and a former member of this club! With the step into our new decade, Jim has now been in education for seven decades! He is sharp, quick-witted and his passion for quality education is palpable.
Jim stepped in as Interim Superintendent in October and has received an overwhelming amount of support from our community. He spends about half his time in the classrooms and is astounded on a regular basis by the dedicated teachers and students who are actively engaged in learning. He praised the dedicated bus drivers who are the first person a student sees in the morning when going to school.
He shared some TCAPS stats:
● 10,000 students
● 1300 employees
● 100 buses
● 16 school buildings
● 945,000 meals served
● The second-largest employer in Northern Michigan
● SAT Scores top State and National average
● The Class of 2019 had $4.1 million in university scholarships awarded to them
● TCAPS operates at 3.1 mills, while the state average is 5.4 mills.
● Number of students dual-enrolled at TCAPS and NMC: “A lot”
Jim states that the district is well managed and that a superintendent leaving after 78 days is an anomaly. However, 25% of all districts have an opening or are looking for a superintendent. It’s a great job, but it’s a tough one.
Jim was thanked for providing ample material for this year’s Rotary Show. To which his response was “Please spell Pavelka right in the Rotary Show”. Don’t worry Jim, we will. (And Jim those show dates are April 30 - May 2 if you’re interested in attending!)
The qualities listed in a job description for a superintendent are often unrealistic. When asked what are the top three qualities of a good superintendent Jim responded with:
Intelligent Good Communicator Be able to make tough decisions that are in the best interest of the students.
President Homer followed up on that comment that he could relate to elaborate job descriptions in the world of the clergy. “Even Jesus wouldn’t qualify!”
And with that, it was adios for another week. Join us next week for another episode of “Rotary Club of Traverse City”.
Jim Pavelka