Schools
Board Airs Budget Worries, Hears High School Progress Report
As the state legislative session continues, board members keep an eye on Olympia while lauding academic progress being made at Enumclaw High School.
The school district and how decisions being made in Olympia will affect it in the coming months was in the back of everyone's minds during the Enumclaw School Board meeting Monday night, but there was a bright spot thanks to Enumclaw High School Principal Jill Burnes and Assistant Principal Paul Iacobazzi, who shared the progress that school officials have made in helping all students reach their potential.
In doing so, high school staff have been working explicitly on targeting two sets of students: those who are not mastering the material and those who have mastered it but don't have direction on what to do next, according to Superintendent Mike Nelson.
Through the high school's Professional Learning Communities (PLC), which involves educators executing ideas, collaborating and sharing information on effective teaching methods, the school developed its CORE/Choice Program, said Burnes.
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CORE/Choice involves regular time during school hours that is set aside each week for students who need extra help and those looking for enrichment opportunities, she said.
This involves a 25-minute session each Tuesday through Thursday between second and third periods where students (chosen by both Burnes and Iacobazzi based on regular grade reports) are given time to work with instructors in areas where they need extra attention and support to help them master core ideas and concepts. At the same time, students who are further ahead have the opportunity to study, to explore enrichment topics such as specialized history lessons, travel or even taekwando. Some community members have stepped in to assist in these enrichment programs, Burnes said, and the school welcomes the involvement.
Find out what's happening in Enumclawwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The goal is to increase graduate rates and student interest and involvement in Advanced Placement (AP) classes while decreasing failing grades and discipline referrals.
Nelson, in his earlier this year, already indicated that the number of students taking AP classes has been steadily increasing.
Initial results comparing first semester data from the 2009-10 school year and the 2010-11 school year found that the incidence of Ds and Fs decreased between 33 percent and 36 percent, according to their presentation. Similarly, the number of discipline referrals in that same time period has decreased.
And administrators have seen an improvement in students who had failed multiple classes. The school typically loses students to dropping out at grade 10, so being able to catch them before they fall through is extremely important, she said.
The school further fortifies this progress by acknowledging the students' efforts and achievements in improvements in their GPA. A lot of the recognition is student-driven, and peer support is important, said Burnes.
Still Watching Olympia
Board member Tim Nickson reported he and Nelson had met with several legislators in Olympia Monday, including state Rep. Cathy Dalquist (R-Enumclaw), Rep. Christopher Hurst (D-Enumclaw) and Sen. Pam Roach (R-Auburn). The discussions were regarding the uncertainty of the budget situation and how that was impacting student achievement in the district.
Nickson said the hit to Enumclaw School District's budget could be up to $780,000 and the K-4 enhancement program that allows for smaller class sizes could lose up to five teachers. "These are not small adjustments," Nelson said. Losing five teachers would drastically impact the district's ability to keep class sizes small.
Similarly, the state is looking into efforts to better streamline education proceedings in the state, but that would impact the role and control local school boards would have, Nickson said.
March 7 is the last day that state legislators can propose bills. Grassroots efforts are needed to keep education issues at the forefront in Olympia, he said.
Nelson added that this is the first time in state history where the state is making retroactive cuts, meaning that money that had been promised to the district and was incorporated into the current budget is now being cut. The district will likely have to cut $330,000 from its current budguet, but 85 percent of district money is tied to staff contracts, said Nelson. "We hope it's not something to continue year after year."
As the Legislature now works on the budget for the next biennium, the district is close to the end of what it can handle before the cuts will be "devastating the infrastructure of our school system," Nelson said.
He hopes to be able to keep capital projects in the district budget as Enumclaw projects growth in the coming years, he said.
A Generous Community
The School Board approved a number of donations bestowed on the district, including:
- $10,000 from the Helac Corporation to 6th Grade Camp
- $500 from Boeing (matching gift for Corey Cassell’s volunteer time) to EHS
- $2,500 from Southwood PTA to Southwood for purchasing Gizmos science program & training
- $559.87 from Sunrise PTA to Sunrise for classroom enhancements
- $21,609.27 from 6th Grade Camp Boosters 2010 to 6th Grade Camp 2011
Other News:
The board approved updates to District Policy No. 4215: Use of Tobacco on School Property and approved a resolution to proceed with working with Educational Service District No. 112 for services related to school facilities and operations, per the technology levy.
Board President Chris VanHoof reports that representatives from the state auditor's office are presently auditing select district information including transportation and open public meetings. They are expected to conclude in early March.
EHS Principal Burnes reports there are plans for an Advanced Placement (AP) Parent information night on March 17 for those with kids in grades 6 through 12. More information will be forthcoming.
Nelson designated March 14 through March 18 as Classified Employees Appreciation Week in the district to show support and thanks to cafeteria staff, bus drivers, custodians and more.
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