Blackhawk superintendent touts grants, learning partnerships and League of Innovative Schools acceptance

The Blackhawk School District superintendent briefed the board on district partnerships, grant-funded professional development and the district’s selection for a national peer network.

"When people hear the name Blackhawk School District, I want them to think great students, great teachers, great administrators, great board, great community," the Superintendent said during the voting-session meeting, framing the district’s selection to the League of Innovative Schools as recognition of that work.

The superintendent reviewed several partnerships, naming the Grable Foundation, the University of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania Learning Alliance as contributors to regional learning and professional development. He said the Western Pennsylvania Learning Alliance provides about $11,000 a year that districts may use for learning opportunities and conferences.

The superintendent described the League of Innovative Schools as a national network for sharing solutions and learning strategies, not a technology or robotics program. He said Blackhawk and a colleague completed an application and interview process and that Blackhawk is the only district in Bakersfield County accepted to the League. "It provides a national network and opportunities to learn about learning," he said, inviting board members to ask follow-up questions.

Board members thanked the superintendent and the staff who worked on the application. The superintendent also noted several upcoming events and district-hosted school tours tied to the partnerships; he encouraged trustees to consult the PDF of the agenda for itemized motion language and program details.

The meeting proceeded after the update; the superintendent offered to speak further with trustees who wanted additional detail about grants, conferences or membership benefits.