CRAIG HOCKENBERRY WEC SPEECH

CRAIG HOCKENBERRY SUPERINTENDENT THREE RIVERS

Economic Center

Talking Points -April 15th 7:30am (CRAIG HOCKENBERRY)

I would like to thank the Western Economic Council for asking me to say a few words about education this morning.

Also, how great is to be with Principal Otten? Congratulations, on a remarkable career.

I have had an exciting journey in public education over the last 23 years. I have worked in 3 different school districts urban, rural, and now suburban.

I have worked as a teacher, an asst. principal, a principal, and a superintendent. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

Aside from the great kids, families and staff I have worked with over the years I found it incredibility rewarding to work with partnerships both public and private to help impact the lives of children. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

I started my career in CPS where I was involved in a national movement called Community Learning Centers. (CLC) CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

The idea was based on a concept that would make schools the hub for services and the focus would be on "the whole child". It was a very multi-dimensional approach to education. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

Health Clinic -Cincinnati Health Department /Growing Well

Dental Clinic- Delta Dental

Vision Center-One sight-Luxottica

Early Learning Center- Cincinnati Early Learning Center

Mental Health Services-St. Aloysius

All of these services were based on a sustainable business model with strong public and private-partnerships. The big picture was that each of these partnerships provided a service that would impact academics.

As the services and partnerships increased we saw a dramatic climb in student achievement.

Oyler gained national attention as we developed this super model for public and private partnerships and we caught the attention of NPR-Marketplace and American Public Media. From this came an awarded winning documentary titled, Oyler, One School, One Year.

The documentary has been screened across the nation and has won several national awards. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

I was honored to be a part of this effort to transform a community.

After 15 years, I left Oyler and I was fortunate enough to work in Adams County for 2 years as Superintendent of Manchester Local. Manchester was located 71 miles east of Cincinnati along the Ohio River.

Manchester was the opposite of Oyler. It is one of Ohio's most rural school districts. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

-1000 kids

-131 square miles

-High poverty (working poor)

-Majority of the families were farmers-tobacco, corn, cattle

-Agricultural & vocational education top priorities

-Very religious (10 commandments)

-Extremely high achieving school district

During my 2 years in Adams County one of the most interesting observations was that the children were as poor as kids in the urban centers and poverty was still at a high level, but the family unit was still intact. Unlike Oyler where there was a complete deterioration of the family unit.

Now, I'm the Superintendent of 3Rivers which also has been a different experience.

We have an economically diverse school district with families in poverty, middle class, and very wealthy. CRAIG HOCKENBERRY

Recently, 3Rivers closed 5 of it schools and consolidated into one campus.

-63 million dollars

-7 acres under roof

-3 Schools (3Rivers Elementary, Taylor MS, Taylor HS)

-State of the art auditorium (Best HS auditorium in state of Ohio)

-400 GEO thermal wells to heat and cool the building

-We transport students 1,600 miles every single day

-We the have the 2nd largest parochial school population in the state.

-22 million dollar operating budget

-242 employees

-2400 students (increase 20-30 per year)

-38% of our student are on free and reduce lunch

-We serve 322 SWD

Again, I'd like to thank the Western Economic Council for the invitation to come and talk with you. I'd also like to extend the always open invitation to tour our great school.

CRAIG HOCKENBERRY CINCINNATI OHIO