PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Portsmouth Public Schools is working to improve achievement inside classrooms, mapping out what is being done to make that progress happen.
During the annual State of the Schools event held at Portsmouth Rivers Casino Wednesday morning, Portsmouth Superintendent Dr. Elie Bracy gave a progress report of the good, challenges, and the road ahead.
Dr. Bracy highlighted in his State of the Schools address the district's efforts to tackle chronic absenteeism and plans to raise teacher salaries.
"You see incredible things are happening right here in Portsmouth Public Schools, and more is coming," said Dr. Bracy.
Dr. Bracy says students in his district are thriving. He points to the fact this past year, 274 students graduated with honors, earned more than $11.6 million in scholarships and some were accepted into elite colleges and universities such as Harvard, Yale and Stanford.
Dr. Bracy also mentioned Portsmouth's poverty rate and how that number impacts student attendance.
"In cities like ours, where you have a poverty rate roughly at 18% there are real reasons families are left to keep their children at home," said Dr. Bracy.
He says in response, teachers have dedicated their time to helping students beyond the classrooms, partnering with their families to address this issue.
"Through all of these efforts, our chronic absentee data dropped more than 12% last year, our lowest absentee data in a decade," he said.
Dr. Bracy says the Dual Language Immersion Program and the Career and Technical Education Program are also great additions, helping students obtain successful careers.
Dr. Bracy says these successful strides couldn't be done without the hard work of dedicated teachers. That's why he's prioritizing a teacher salary boost for the next budget year.
"According to calculations from our firm, once in place, we will be the highest paying division for teachers in the region," said Dr. Bracy.
As the district continues to confront challenges head-on, Dr. Bracy believes Portsmouth schools are on the path to success.