Shoreline School Board Meeting Monday February 6, 2012

Notes from Shoreline School Board meeting February 6, 2012

By Devon Vose Rickabaugh

National Board Certifications

Shoreline School Board members recognized ten teachers from the district who have just received their National Board Certification. This brings the total to 66 teachers in the district which is above the national and Washington State averages. Board Candidate Support Facilitator Marcia Garrett said that the process took at least 18 months to complete during which the candidates must demonstrate a deep understanding of national standards for their specified field. The teachers honored were: Jennifer Altena of Syre, Andrew Bagley of Shorewood, Christi Camp of Einstein, Mikael Christensen of Shorewood, Alisan Tucker-Giesy of Shorewood, Roberta Ruark of Shorecrest, Brynne Saskor of Shorecrest, Marybeth Scherf of Lake Forest Park, Sheryl Zahajko of Lake Forest Park and Clark Youmans of Shorewood.

Math Intervention

The IXL Math intervention program is an online program used by teachers in the district to give students individualized practice and reinforcement of concepts learned in class. It is not diagnostic or tutorial. Linda Smith, Instructional Specialist for Elementary Math gave a demonstration of the program. She said the next step is to evaluate its effectiveness using data comparing a student’s usage with her growth in test scores.

Budget shortfall for Fircrest

A “potentially significant” funding shortfall is looming for teaching students at the Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center (RHC). The program provides instruction through Shoreline School District to the medically, mentally and behaviorally challenged students who come from all over the state to live there. For the past three years the program has been running $500,000 short. Local levies cannot be used for this population and DSHS moneys will fall $l00,000 short this year. Twenty-five students ranging in age from twelve to twenty-one are taught either in Shoreline schools or in classrooms at Fircrest a staff member told board members. This number is expected to increase since Fircrest is the only facility of its kind in the state.

Day on the Hill

Board member David Wilson said he and Superintendent Walker attended the annual Day on the Hill in Olympia where they met with delegates from school boards and school administrators from across the state. They also met with state legislators where they emphasized “no more cuts to K-12” supported by the McCleary Decision which stated that “the state of Washington is violating its constitutional paramount duty to amply fund the education of all K-12 students”. Also they voiced making school construction assistance a priority and finding a long term solution to teaching students at Fircrest Residential Habilitation Center.