Dixon pleased with evaluation system

With a new teacher evaluation system and slight boost in graduation rates, it's been a week of  positive news for the often troubled Buffalo School District.

WBFO and AM970's Jim Ranney spoke with Interim Superintendent Amber Dixon  about the developments.

Developing a teacher evaluation plan has been a lengthy process for the district. Dixon says that several previous plans had been rejected by the state Education Department, but the new plan was, in essence, pre-approved by state officials.

Gaining teacher approval was the final hurdle.

Dixon believes members of the Buffalo Teachers Federation voted in favor of the plan because "teachers had a voice in the process."

Prior to the vote, the superintendent released 30 teachers from their classrooms for three days so they could review the particulars of the plan and communicate that information with their colleagues.

Over $5 million in funding will now be  heading to six low-achieving schools. Dixon hopes the schools will be able to hire more staff, help with the professional development of current teachers and offer some after school programs for students.