School Board approves the 2009-10 Operating and Capital Budgets
School Board Directors approved the 2009-10 Operating and Capital Budgets at the July 1 School Board meeting. The Operating Budget increased from a proposed $556.7 million to $558.3 million due to the District recalling 57 of the certificated teachers who received reduction-in-force (RIF) notices in mid-May.
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Dr. Susan Enfield appointed as Chief Academic Officer for Seattle Public Schools
Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., announced today the selection of Dr. Susan Enfield as the new Chief Academic Officer for Seattle Public Schools. The appointment of Dr. Enfield follows an extensive national search that included interviews by teams comprised of staff, community and labor association representatives. Dr. Enfield’s appointment is effective July 6, 2009.
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Planning for February 2010 Operating and Capital Levies
Seattle Public Schools places levies on the ballot for voter consideration every three years. The February 2010 levy measures will include an operating levy (also called educational programs and operations levy) that pays for more than 20% of day-to-day operations, including teaching salaries; and a Buildings, Technology and Academics III (BTA III) capital levy that will pay for many small renovations and major capital projects at schools across the district. Planning for the BTA levy began in 2008. Click here for the most recent presentation to the School Board on June 18, 2009, and here for additional background information. More detailed project proposals and information will be shared this fall.
School Board approves New Student Assignment Plan that will be effective 2010-11; June 24 Board work session presentation
The School Board voted to approve the New Student Assignment Plan at the June 17 Board meeting. Two new amendments were also approved:
* Jane Addams: designated Jane Addams as a K-8 option school through at least the 2012-2013 school year
* Siblings: for attendance area schools, it is the Board's desire to address sibling assignments in the transition plan, provided it is feasible without displacing incoming attendance area Kindergarten students.
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Seattle Public Schools to Recall 57 Teachers
Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson announced today that Seattle Public Schools will recall 57 of the certificated teachers who received reduction-in-force (RIF) notices in mid-May. In most cases, teachers will be able to return to the position they held at the time of the RIF.
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New Approved Bus Arrival and Departure Times for 2009-2010
At the June 3 School Board meeting, School Board Directors voted to approve new bus arrival and departure times for the 2009-10 school year which will change the start and end times for all schools.
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High School Graduation Commencements celebrate the Academic Achievements of SPS Students
Seattle Public Schools celebrates the academic achievements of its high school graduates with commencements occurring throughout the city, Tuesday, June 9 through Thursday, June 18. Superintendent Maria L. Goodloe-Johnson, Ph.D., will be speaking at four high school commencements this year: Ingraham High School, Rainier Beach High School, Roosevelt High School and South Lake High School.
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Special Education Services: Improving Outcomes for Students
Seattle Public Schools is working to improve the ways in which services are delivered to students with special needs. The vision is to move to an "Integrated Comprehensive Service Delivery Model" in every building, provide a continuum of self-contained programs in each cluster, and educate our students in the least restrictive environment according to their Individualized Education Program (IEP).
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H1N1 Flu Information - Prevention and Symptom Monitoring
Public Health - Seattle & King County has revised its guidelines related to school closures related to the H1N1 (swine) flu virus. Public Health officials advised us that, because the flu virus appears to be mild, they will no longer recommend that schools close when there are just a few 'probable' or 'confirmed' cases of H1N1 at a school. Based on this advice, the three schools that were first closed last week were reopened on Tuesday, May 5. As of Wednesday, May 6, all schools are operating on a normal schedule. Public health has asked families, students and staff to focus on prevention and to monitor for flu symptoms.
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Ensuring Student Safety at Seattle Public Schools
Recent incidents have heightened concerns for the safety of our students, both at school and in the community. Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has a zero tolerance policy for violence done to - or by - our students. All of our children deserve to be safe. Seattle Public Schools continues to seek new ways ensure that safety. Creating a learning environment that is safe and secure for all students is our number one priority.
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BEX III Projects - Project Updates
Building Excellence III (BEX III), a capital bond, was approved by voters in February 2007. The bond funds renovation or replacement of four high schools, two middle schools and one K-8 school; and provides for other capital improvements. For more information on BEX III Projects, visit the BEX Web site.
Illustration on right shows an artist's rendering of the Denny/Sealth campus. |
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School Board Unanimously Adopts Strategic Plan, "Excellence for All"
On June 4 the School Board voted unanimously to adopt the Strategic Plan, "Excellence for All." The plan, a series of detailed appendices, and a PowerPoint presentation are posted on this Web site. For additional information and background data, please visit our Strategic Plan Web site. The plan was informed by input from more than 3,000 community members. Feedback received during May is summarized in a Strategic Plan Input Summary. Next steps include developing detailed project work plans for each strategy. Community members are welcome to continue to share thoughts about the strategic plan with the Superintendent and strategic planning team via a feedback form or via email to strategicplan@seattleschools.org.
For the latest news from around the District and schools, read School Beat, our District e-newsletter
School Beat, an electronic newsletter covering District and school-based news, is published twice a month during the school year for the staff and community of Seattle Public Schools. School Beat includes news and information on School Board meetings, student and staff accomplishments, school and community news, and upcoming events. The Public Affairs Office is always looking for stories on interesting classroom projects, inspirational people, or events in our schools to share with the greater Seattle community. If you have a unique story to share, please send your ideas to goodnews@seattleschools.org.
