MADISON (WKOW) -- While MMSD Superintendent Dan Nerad won't discuss his future plans that could involve him taking a position in Omaha, Nebraska, he is talking with parents Tuesday night, just as the latest statewide test scores are released by the Department of Public Instruction.
Test scores show the gap between white and minority students continues to be a problem in Madison schools, and parents are telling Nerad about needed changes, as his resignation story unfolds.
Compared to other districts in the state, Madison has more advanced students, but also more with minimal scores in all grades tested. That's something Nerad is well aware of.
"The test results show that regardless of who is superintendent, there must be a focus on eliminating the gaps," says Nerad.
Nerad says you can't always compare Madison with other districts, which may have different needs, but he says these results help school leaders realize they need to focus on literacy.
Parents say things do need to change. That's why they're attending a public input session to learn more about the district's achievement gap plans.
"I think increasing any sort of parent involvement in the school looking at the needs of our teachers in the classroom," says Kim Fisher, a Madison parent.
This is the final meeting before the district will review comments to consider a final plan.
"I think in general when I look at these things I think they remind me of some things we're doing in pieces, but we don't have the funding to do it completely," says Kristine Lamont, a Madison teacher and parent.
Nerad says whatever happens with the Omaha job opening, he will stay committed to the achievement gap plan for however long he'll be around.
"Focus on our strategic plan, the work that will eventually be approved through the achievement gap plan and just stay at what we need to be doing for children," says Nerad.
Nerad wouldn't talk Tuesday night about the Omaha job, but he did say he's visiting there in the next few days. The Omaha School Board plans to choose their new leader by April 9. Based on what Omaha's current superintendent makes, the job could mean a pay raise of about $50,000 over Nerad's $201,000 salary in Madison.
