2001 - A Great Place to Work Award
By Vickie Dickneite
March 06, 2008
Marshall Public Schools
One of the things that make Marshall a great place to work is the opportunity for professional development. Marshall staff members have completed PPP Implementation, Home Visit, and In-the-Classroom Training. The Superintendent, working alongside teachers, has personally visited families in their homes.
The district strives to provide adequate compensation. According to a Missouri State Teachers Association study on comparative pay schedules, Marshall's beginning pay package ranked in the top 7% in the state. In fact, the district's average teacher salary is about $2,500 above the state average. As you'd expect, teacher turnover is low. That stability pays off. Marshall's graduation rate is consistently above the state average. An aggressive A+ Schools program has helped over thirty graduates attend community college virtually tuition-free.
The district's stability helps foster change. Here are two examples. Five years ago the district employed one English as Second Language teacher. Responding to a changing school population, the district now employees four full-time ESL teachers, plus two translators. And if you happen to be a parent logging onto the district's web site, you can keep up with school events in English or Spanish - fulfilling the district's pledge to provide a link between parents, the community, and the school.
Another example involves Marshall's youngest students. Seven years ago their Parents As Teachers program employed one part time and one full time worker. Today, they have five full time staff members in their self-supporting PAT program.
