SUP’S SCOOP
Volume 3, Issue 3
Each year we celebrate the commitment
and dedication of our school board members during January. I am grateful to work with such a dedicated
group of volunteers who give of their time to be of
service to our school patrons and our community.
You know that our board conducts
annual school visits to see firsthand the wonderful education that our students
are receiving. In an effort to improve
opportunities for staff and board members to socialize, the board has asked me
to arrange informal gatherings at school sites.
Building principals will communicate the dates to staff, and board
members will arrive after school to share root beer floats and good
conversation with any interested staff members.
I hope you will join us when we visit your site to celebrate your commitment
to kids and get more acquainted with our school board.
Midway through the 2004-2005 school year, our student enrollment has increased approximately 125
FTE students. This unexpected growth
spurt has meant larger class sizes across the school district. In response, the district has increased
certificated FTE staff by 11.5 and classified staff by 7, at a cost of $900,000.
Sup’s Scoop Page 2
In addition, we are planning for the
purchase of portable classrooms for both high school and elementary growth. It is expected the portables will be in place
for the start of the 2005-2006 school year.
In classrooms all across the school
district, I see wonderful efforts going on to help all our students obtain the
academic skills necessary for success in our changing global society. A recent law has been enacted requiring all
incoming ninth grade students, who did not pass the seventh grade WASL, to have
individual student learning plans.
Through a grant, we have hired Jeff Brandenburg to assist students and
families in developing student learning plans as well as monitoring progress
through the school year. In the future,
learning plans will be required for fifth and eighth grade students, and Jeff
is helping with the planning necessary to meet the requirements of the new law.
Jeff is just one more example of our efforts
in continuous improvement across the school district. We can all be proud of the work we do for our
kids.
Please e-mail Superintendent Jones with your ideas for the next Sup’s
Scoop. E-Mail: rjones@be.wednet.edu