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Dr. Jill Takacs, Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Jill A. Takacs has served as Superintendent of the School District of Jenkintown since the fall of 2016. Before her tenure here, she was the assistant superintendent of the Middletown Township Public Schools in Middletown, New Jersey. As an educator for 35 years, she has served as teacher, assistant principal, principal, curriculum director, assistant superintendent, and acting superintendent.

Dr. Takacs has presented numerous seminars and workshops for the New Jersey School Boards Association, New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Learning Forward, National Association for Professional Development Schools, New Jersey superintendents’ organizations, as well as Rutgers and Monmouth Universities. She has been recognized and awarded on the state and local levels for her educational contributions with these endeavors including the 2015 Governor’s Educational Services Professionals Award and has been featured on the New Jersey Department of Education’s website promoting educational initiatives.

Dr. Takacs is a strong advocate for children and academic excellence. She has successfully established college and career readiness programs, including high-quality academic programs, gifted and enrichment programs, high school elective and pathway opportunities, academic clubs, and student leadership initiatives. She has implemented high-quality staff development to differentiate instruction, infuse technology, reform assessment practices, and improve student learning. Dr. Takacs has secured competitive grants for educational endeavors and implemented creative ideas for cost savings measures and revenue generation.

Superintendent’s Objective Performance Standards

Superintendent's Goals 2024-2025

1. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Superintendent will work with the Administrative Team to enhance the educational experience of the students within our school district by expanding both co-curricular and curricular opportunities.

Objective 1: Expand Co-curricular Offerings

● Develop new clubs, activities, and organizations that cater to diverse student interests and passions.

● Propose new club offerings for 2024-2025, such as: Chess Club (ES and MS/HS), Game Club (ES), Creativity Club (ES), Performance Club (ES), Gardening Club (ES), Yoga/Mindfulness Club (ES), Book Club, (ES), Coding Club (ES), Sports Club (ES), Cooking Club (ES), Bocce (MS/HS), Peer Buddy (K-12)

● Foster a supportive environment that encourages collaboration, leadership, and personal growth through co-curricular experiences.

Objective 2: Strengthen Curricular Programs

● Write a Science and Technology Curriculum to address the Implementation of STEELS Standards.

● Write Special Area Curricula with a continued focus on DEIB inclusivity.

● Survey students and staff about potential new elective courses/programs for the 2025-2026 school year.

2. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Superintendent will work with the Administrative Team to increase staff engagement and voice in leadership roles throughout the District.

● Establish a Professional Learning Committee, with staff from both buildings, to plan and create varied learning opportunities, including workshops and trainings led by teacher leaders, articulation opportunities, and off-site experiences.

● Expand teacher leadership opportunities through various committees, including, but not limited to, MTSS, SAP, Data Committee, DEIB Committee, Wellness Committee, Safety Committee, and the Threat Assessment Team.

● Afford teachers planning and articulation time to collaborate with colleagues, both in and out of the district. (MCIU, PATTAN, neighboring school districts, UPENN).

● Afford teachers resources and opportunities for wellness and self-care through our health care provider and/or other agencies and organizations.
● Highlight teacher and student successes at Board Meetings throughout the year.

3. During the 2024-2025 school year, the Superintendent will collaborate with the administrative team to expand data collection and analysis within our LinkIT framework.

● Benchmark Testing and Data Analysis:
○ Implement common grade-level/subject-area assessments.
○ Conduct an analysis of student performance on District and State assessments to identify
strengths and areas for improvement.

● Teacher Involvement and Professional Development:
○ Engage teachers in ongoing data analysis to inform instructional strategies and improve student
outcomes.
○ Use data-driven insights to guide professional development efforts.

● Student Progress Monitoring:
○ Update students’ grades regularly in PowerSchool to enhance progress monitoring and provide
timely feedback and support for students and parents.
○ Analyze student and cohort performance to drive targeted interventions and instructional
adjustments.

Superintendent's Goals 2023-2024

1. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate a formal review of co-curricular offerings that include athletic offerings, clubs, and activities. Interest surveys, meetings, and data analysis will take place to ensure student interests/needs are being met both at the elementary and middle/high school levels. This goal will be met by collecting data through both formative and summative data points, and the administrative team will report by mid-year on the findings. The review will include data analysis concerning current participation rates at each level and will ensure that participation rates and offerings align with the district’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. An action plan will be devised prior to the end of the year that adjusts future offerings accordingly.

Goal Met

2. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administrative team to conduct an educational facilities and program evaluation/review to identify plans for expanding current student educational programs and opportunities (ie, mental health services, STEAM, and/or career readiness opportunities); as well as implementing future programs and opportunities, with an innovative lens, to serve the current needs of our students and deliver skills for post-secondary life. This goal will be realized with a set plan, identified in our upcoming Comprehensive Plan, to expand academic and services for students.

Goal Met

3. During the 2023-2024 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administrative team to build upon the robust LinkIT framework for data collection and analysis. The team will utilize common grade-level/subject-area assessments that ensure equitable learning opportunities for all students. The data collected will be used to ensure instructional consistency and refine grading practices. Ongoing analysis of individual, as well as grade-level progress, will drive our professional development efforts. Additionally, student grades will be updated, in real-time, to increase progress monitoring for parents and students. By leveraging data-driven insights, we aim to improve student outcomes, enhance instructional practices, and promote equitable educational opportunities. This goal will be met when common assessments are utilized across all grade-levels and subject-areas; and when PowerSchool grade books are updated weekly.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2022-2023

1. During the 2022-23 school year, the administrative team will collect and analyze data to identify areas in need of equitable consideration and attention for universal wellness practices as identified by a district climate survey and on the PAYS survey. This information will be used to plan for future professional development opportunities in the area of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging for students and staff. Furthermore, resources will be evaluated, included, and implemented in our curricula to be more inclusive of our student and staff population as each curricula is written and implemented.

Goal Met

2. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate the following curricula writing and implementation. World Language curricula will be implemented for the 2022-2023 school year for K-12 (with the exception of AP French and Spanish to be done for 2023-2024).  English Language Arts curricula will be written during the school year and summer with implementation slated for the 2023-2024 school year for K-12. Social Studies curricula will be written during the school year and summer with implementation slated for the 2023-2024 school year for 7-12. Math and Science teachers will participate in the research and review process that will include review of best practices, and opportunities to collaborate on K-12 district needs/alignment.

Goal Met

3. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administrative team to facilitate continued professional development opportunities in the area of Data Collection and Analysis. Staff will populate the Link IT data tool with common benchmark assessments for grade levels and subject areas, attendance data, and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) climate data. This information will be analyzed, with fidelity, to drive instructional practices and set teaching and learning goals, as well as address the universal wellness practices.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2021-2022

1. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administrative team to facilitate development opportunities in the area of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for students and staff. The administrative team will also collect and analyze data to identify areas in need of equitable consideration and attention, including, but not necessarily limited to academic opportunity, engagement, and opportunity, special education identification/participation, extracurricular opportunity/engagement, and discipline. Furthermore, curricular resources will be evaluated and enhanced to be more inclusive of our student and staff population.

Goal Met

2. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate curricula writing for Year 1 of the established 5-year curricular cycle. Professional Development will be provided to staff in identified areas as needed. The administrative team will afford teachers opportunities for site visits in other districts to research best practices. Curricular materials will be evaluated and updated accordingly for associated courses.

Goal Met

3. During the 2021-2022 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administrative team to facilitate professional development opportunities in the area of Data Collection and Analysis. Staff will work collaboratively to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses from trends gathered in the Link IT data tool. This information will be utilized to drive instructional practices and set teaching and learning goals for students and staff.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2020-2021

1. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent will promote and facilitate effective opportunities for Distance Learning, including ongoing monitoring of and responding to challenges and opportunities for improvement.

The School District of Jenkintown is committed to providing engaging learning experiences for all learners. During the days of unexpected, yet necessary closures, JSD will provide opportunities for Distance Learning. Distance Learning will require students to access synchronous and asynchronous instructional opportunities from home in order to continue seamless education during unplanned school closures. Teachers will communicate directly with students and families to provide the curriculum, content, support, assignments, due dates, and more.  The Administration will solicit feedback from teachers and families to identify challenges and opportunities and to periodically update the Board regarding those challenges and opportunities.

Goal Met

2. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent will initiate a review of the District’s policies, practices, operations and curriculum to evaluate how the District can promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The School District of Jenkintown is committed to ensuring that all members of the school community feel safe and valued.  To this end, the evaluation should include all aspects of the District, including promoting and facilitating the expansion of knowledge for students and teachers regarding cultural competency, equity, and inclusion.

Goal Met

3. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent will work on improving the safety of our educational environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic.As we work together to navigate this unprecedented time in our community and world, we will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation. We believe that the safety of students is our number one priority. We will implement practices that promote a clean and healthy environment for students and staff. In addition, the District will purchase PPE and other materials aimed at ensuring the safety of our entire school-wide community.

Goal Met

4. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent will develop and implement a plan for a comprehensive, systematic, and recurring review of curriculum.The plan should include participants in the process, communications and updates and an annual timeline.

Goal Met

5. During the 2020-2021 school year, the Superintendent will (1) evaluate the options for District-wide online data collection tool regarding student ability, historical data and achievement to allow the District to monitor student progress and development and inform decision making and (2) make recommendations to the Board regarding one or more data collection solutions and implementation plan.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2019-2020

1. During the 2019-2020 school year, the Superintendent will promote and facilitate executive functioning training for students and staff.  (This is critical as our population continues to change and students are less prepared to be independent learners. Teachers will utilize the skills learned to support students and their parents.)

Goal Met

2. During the 2019-2020 school year, the Superintendent will promote and facilitate student and staff educational endeavors relating to differentiating instruction through the use of collaborative design thinking projects. (This builds upon the work staff completed in May 2019 with AJ Juliani.)

Goal Met

3. During the 2019-2020 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administration and staff to continue the expansion of our STEAM initiative through seeking new course opportunities, collaborative learning experiences, and additional technology purchases and staff development opportunities.

Goal Met

4. During the 2019-2020 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administration and staff to continue to facilitate Bullying Prevention/Pro-Social Skills Awareness and Intervention.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2018-2019

1.   During the 2018-2019 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate Bullying Prevention/Pro-Social Skills Awareness and Intervention.

Goal Met

2.   During the 2018-2019 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate the implementation and integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and Maker Space initiatives into the curriculum.

Goal Met

3.   During the 2018-2019 school year, the Superintendent will facilitate professional development to enhance college and career readiness, including design thinking, collaborative learning, and creative problem solving.

Goal Met

Superintendent's Goals 2017-2018

1. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Superintendent will promote and facilitate sensitivity training for students and staff.

Goal met

2. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Superintendent will promote and facilitate student and staff educational endeavors with cross curricular content and integrating technology.

Goal met

3. During the 2017-2018 school year, the Superintendent will work with the administration and the Board of School Directors to enhance and improve safety and security measures for The School District of Jenkintown.

Goal met

Superintendent's Goals 2016-2017

1. During the 2016-2017 school year, the Superintendent will conduct a needs assessment for professional development desired by staff members or required for professional growth.

Goal met

2. During the 2016-2017 school year, the superintendent in consultation with the Director of Technology, will identify technology initiatives to advance staff proficiency as measured by the SAMR model and will plan the requisite professional development for growth.

Goal met

3. During the 2016-2017 school year, the Superintendent, in consultation with the building principals, will promote student academic and co-curricular accomplishments through recognition programs.

Goal met