Shoreline School Board Meeting Summary September 28, 2015

Shoreline School Board Meeting Summary September 28, 2015

by Marianne Deal Stephens

Consent Agenda

The Board formally accepted the following gifts and grants: 

• $9000 from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation for Opportunity Grants to be used for “school supplies, field trips, or class fees for students in financial need. Each elementary school receives $400, Cascade K-8 $200, middle schools $900, and high schools $1700. 

• $5900 from Cascade K-8 PTSA for Classroom Supplies, distributed among the classes. 

• $5000 from Shorewood PTSA for Homework Club 

The Board approved: 

• Construction change orders for the Brookside Roof Replacement Project and the Shorecrest Baseball and Softball Field Improvement Project

• Extended Field Trips for several groups: Shorewood Dance and Drill Team to State Competition in Yakima in March 2016; Briarcrest 6th Grade to Camp Seymour in April 2016, and Meridian Park 6th Grade to Camp Orkila in May 2016. 

Introduction of Heather Hiatt, new Assistant Principal at Shorecrest

Executive Director Schools Brian Schultz introduced Heather Hiatt to the Board and welcomed her back to the District. Before she became an administrator, Ms. Hiatt taught science, including several years at Shorewood. Recently, Ms. Hiatt has been an administrator at Woodinville High School. 

Results of 2015 State Assessments

Dr. Michael Power presented results from various tests, including the new Smarter Balanced Assessments. An upcoming article will provide more detail, but these bar graphs show how Shoreline students exceeded State averages by notable margins, and exceeded the State predicted scores by wide margins.

Click on graphics to enlarge. 

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

In both graphs, the High School cluster on the far right has a different proportion than the other clusters. Both the Shoreline Public Schools (SPS) scores and the State scores are skewed lower by the significant number of test refusals. Each test refusal or no show was counted as a zero. 

Board/ Superintendent Priorities

Once a year, the District sets priorities for the school year. Several administrators presented the six 2015-2016 priorities.

Director of Student Services Amy Vujovich and Director of Teaching and Learning Teri Poff presented Priority #1, which includes all instructional programs. Director Poff explained that the the priority formerly focused on increasing academic achievement for every student. It has been updated to fit with the current emphasis on students graduating college and career ready so that doors of opportunity are open to them. 

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Directors Vujovich and Poff provided detail on curriculum, assessments, and professional development that will support this priority. See pages 85-88 and 108-112 of the September 28 Meeting Agenda. Throughout the discussion, both directors emphasized efforts to: create an inclusive and equitable culture; identify and close student achievement & opportunity gaps; and boost professional assistance for teachers.

Deputy Superintendent Marla Miller presented Priorities #2 and #3. Priority #2, Financial Stability, was articulated as “Maintain fiscal systems with adequate reserves to ensure the long-term financial stability of the District, while strategically using available resources to best serve the instructional needs of students. Continue to identify and implement operating efficiencies.” This goal and corresponding action plans were outlined in the three following areas:

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Priority #3, Capital Projects, concerns the management of school facilities. Within this area, enrollment growth will necessitate yet-to-be-determined changes. The District has begun an extensive study of the facilities and usage possibilities in order to best serve increased student numbers. 

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Director of Human Resources Tam Osborne presented Priority #4, Human Resources. 

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Director Osborne noted a few current realities:

• It is harder to find people to do the jobs that need to be done.

• In order to be competitive, we need to address hiring needs earlier by anticipating openings.

• We are building partnerships with local universities. 

• The new teacher mentor program will “provide collegial support and connection”.

Shoreline has a shortage of substitute teachers, and so has undertaken two measures: offering bonuses on Mondays and Fridays (the most difficult days to get substitutes); and hiring otherwise qualified applicants who do not happen to have teaching degrees. The latter measure is authorized by OSPI in response to widespread shortages. In regard to recruitment of potential employees, Director Osborne mentioned that, while “the story of who we are in terms of academic prowess is well known … the story of who we are is not well known.” He will work with Public Information Officer Curtis Campbell to create a recruiting video reflecting our diverse population. (See list of positions open).

Director of Instructional Technology Jim Golubich introduced Priority #5 Technology by saying that this year, “we will move from deploying equipment to helping teachers use it effectively.” Since we are “in a sweet spot” with the current array of iPad, Chromebooks, and refurbished laptops, the department can assist teachers with new ways to use the tools. The district-wide infrastructure upgrade will proceed as planned this fall.

 Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Priority #6, Communication, may be most visible to the Shoreline community. Newly hired Public Information Officer Curtis Campbell outlined plans for several changes:

• refresh current “Flagship” publication 

• publish an Annual Report 

• publish a biweekly electronic staff newsletter

• increase followers on social media 

• expand to Instagram and a video channel

• develop a mobile app for student, staff, and family use

Source: Shoreline Public Schools

Comments from the Community

Two Syre Elementary parents offered statements from two different sides of a controversy about a particular class. One parent urged the District to be more knowledgeable about a teacher’s background when hiring, and the other parent questioned the fairness of the process, wondering if the actions were prompted by unsubstantiated rumor. 

Marianne Stephens referenced her Shoreline Area News Op-Ed on the impact of the District’s late start and end dates on high school students. She added that a small but compelling group of high school students cannot take advantage of summer opportunities because Shoreline finishes near the end of June, well after many institutions have started summer programming. 

School Board Reports and Communications

Director Debi Ehrlichman, discussing the recent Day of Sharing, wished to acknowledge in particular how the local Rotary Clubs “support our students in so many ways”. She also congratulated Lake Forest Park Elementary for receiving an iPad Learning Lab from Jackson Food Stores. (See previous article).

Director David Wilson noted that Director Richard Potter’s son was one of four Shoreline students named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists. (See article)

Director Wilson also noted that Basetti Architects was honored for its historical renovation of the Ronald School as part of the new Shorewood High School. (See previous article)

Board President Mike Jacobs enjoyed the recent Shorecrest/ Shorewood football game.