Borchers to discuss school improvement, STEM, Access Oak Ridge in Tuesday lunch

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers will discuss school improvement, STEM, and Access Oak Ridge during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday.

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Oak Ridge Schools officials have previously said they would like to transform the school system into the premier preK-12 STEM school district in the nation. Borchers is expected to highlight that plan and other programs during a Lunch with the League on Tuesday, January 19, at Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church.

Access Oak Ridge is the program that has, so far, provided convertible laptop computers to every middle school student. Borchers is expected to give an update on that program during the Tuesday meeting, which starts at noon.

Borchers will also review areas of focus and strategic initiatives for school improvement, a press release said. The public is invited.

In the press release, Borchers said he will focus on collaboration.

“In the end, student learning depends first, last, and always on the quality of teachers, administrators, and support staff in our schools,” he said.

Borchers started his education career as an elementary physical education teacher in the Sioux City, Iowa, Community School District. He also has worked as an interim assistant principal and guidance counselor in Iowa City, Iowa; as assistant principal and principal in Mankato, Minnesota; and as associate superintendent of secondary schools for the Anoka-Hennepin, Minnesota, School District.

Prior to joining the Oak Ridge Schools, Borchers was the superintendent of the Rockwood School District in 2010. He earned a doctorate from the University of Minnesota, master’s degrees from Wayne State College and the University of South Dakota, and a bachelor’s degree from Morningside College.

Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge, Lunch with the League is open to the public.

There is no cost to attend, and reservations are not needed. Box lunches will be available starting at 11:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis for $8, or you may bring your own. Coffee and tea are provided.

The program will be held in the Social Hall of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, which is at at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

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