April 21, 2010 Special Edition (NewsLinks articles are now archived on Docushare)
MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT – School board approves Reduced Educational Program and honors four schools for exemplary student achievement
In the last few issues of NewsLinks, I have been sharing information with you about the board’s potential to approve a Reduced Educational Program (REP) as it relates to the district’s budget challenges for 2010-11 and beyond. The school board last night authorized me to move forward with the program changes outlined in the REP.
Everett Public Schools is not alone in having to take this action as a result of state cutbacks and rising costs. In this weekend’s Everett Herald, you are likely to read about the impact of state cuts on our budget and upon those of neighboring districts who are faced with similar difficult decisions.
Last night’s REP approval decision was reached after many months of research and discussions by the Fiscal Advisory Council (FAC) formed in December. The FAC presented its initial recommendations at community meetings. The recommendations were modified as a result of those meetings and further work by the Superintendent’s Leadership Team and Cabinet.
At every step in that long and challenging process, very smart and dedicated people with good intentions spent countless hours to grasp the complexity and significance of the work we all do and how we achieve our mission within the funding limitations that exist.
I deeply appreciate the work and thought that went into this process. Board member Jeff Russell thanked the FAC members attending the board meeting last night and summed up everyone’s mixed feelings of gratitude about the process and aversion to making the necessary decisions. “Your (FAC) task was horrible. But when we face horrible tasks, we do our best when we talk to others about it. Over the last two years, this district has worked hard to make sound fiscal decisions that do not impact the classroom, but we have still taken out more than 70 positions, and the public needs to be aware of that loss to the educational program.”
Although their work for the 2010-11 budget process is concluded, we will meet one more time this school year with the FAC to review the process and prepare for the group to begin work early next year. Some of this year’s FAC members will remain among the group, and we will invite others to join so that we continue to have broad representation among the members and an increasingly growing knowledge base among them about our funding structure and challenges.
Board approval of a Reduced Educational Program initiates a series of steps. The finance department continues budget planning work to meet rigid state reporting requirements. Human resources staff continues working with schools and departments to staff programs and services. Schools finalize class schedules for next school year, and the process of ordering materials and supplies is based upon next year’s budget.
On May 11, the school board, during its regularly scheduled meeting, will review Associated Student Body budgets which are among the funds included in the district budget. On June 22, at another of its regular meetings, the board will hold a hearing on the budget which will then include the items authorized in the REP. On July 6, the board is scheduled to adopt the 2010-11 budget. Next fall, staffing will be adjusted based upon how many students enroll after school starts and upon specific program staffing needs and circumstances.
Life presents us with ironies, and last night’s board meeting showcased the irony of our board meeting agenda including a Reduction of the Educational Program AND a ceremony honoring four of our schools. Cedar Wood, Mill Creek, Silver Firs and Gateway each earned state honors for student achievement.
This year, OSPI and the State Board of Education developed a new award that recognizes the state’s top performing schools that have demonstrated profound impact on student learning. Schools across the state were identified using a new school accountability index designed to support continuous improvement efforts. This award is separate from the Schools of Distinction honors received in the past by Gateway, Heatherwood and Evergreen and last year’s Great Schools award earned by Gateway.
Mill Creek, Silver Firs and Gateway were recognized for Overall Excellence – awarded to the top 5 percent of all elementary, middle and high schools in the state. This recognition is based upon a two year average and at least 10 categories in a matrix rated each year and in schools with a gifted student population of less than 10 percent.
Cedar Wood earned a Special Recognition Award for accomplishments of the school’s gifted students. More than 10 percent of Cedar Wood’s students are enrolled in gifted education programs, and the school’s third-, fourth-, and fifth- graders’ achievements in reading, writing, math and science rank in the top 5 percent of the state’s elementary schools with a student population of more than 5 percent gifted.
Mill Creek Elementary also earned a Special Recognition Award for their two year average of reading and writing achievement. Mill Creek is also in the top 5 percent of elementary schools in the state to reach this level of student learning success.
Although these four schools earned official state recognition, each of our schools and each of you perform unheralded deeds on behalf of students and our mission. Thank you for what you do every day.
Sincerely,
Dr. Gary Cohn
Everett Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities. Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the school district's Affirmative Action Officer, Title IX Officer, ADA District Coordinator, or Section 504 Coordinator. Affirmative Action Officer, Carol Stolz, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4106, Title IX Officer, Randi Seaberg, 3715 Oakes Ave., Everett WA 98201, 425-385-4104, ADA Coordinator, Kristine McDowell, 202 Alder St., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-5250, Section 504 Coordinator, Becky Ballbach, 4730 Colby Ave., Everett WA 98203, 425-385-4086.
Diane Bradford (previously Lindenstein)
Communications Dept.
Everett Public Schools
425-385-4040
From www.everett.k12.wa.us, sign up for InTouch e-mail messages; choose the school information you want most.