School Board Readies for a New Year

— by Ayn Gailey —

The first day of school for Orcas Island School District (OISD) is not until September 6, but it’s clear from this month’s two school board meetings on Thursday, August 24, that the board, the superintendent, principals, and administration have been hard at work all summer.

Strategic Plan

Under the leadership of OISD superintendent Eric Webb, there appears to be a paradigm shift under way. The words “vision,” “transparency” and “community engagement” are an increasing presence in board discussions. To that end, months ago, Webb, with approval from the board, engaged a private consultant, Mitch Everton, to help evaluate where OISD is at and where the district wants to be in 3 to 5 years.

The evaluation process included in-person group meetings with constituents and stakeholders, including community members, parents, teachers and administrative staff, and even middle school and high school students. Participants were asked a number of questions in an effort to share their evaluation of, hopes for, frustrations with and points of pride in their schools. Subjects covered were wide-ranging and included, but were not limited to the following:

• District strengths and weaknesses
• Potential Threats to district success
• School and classroom culture
• Teachers and Learning
• Transparency and Parent & Community Engagement
• Academics

Thursday’s first board meeting at 3 p.m. was focused on a strategic plan. Everton presented his findings to the board, including feedback from constituents, for the OISD board to review at the public meeting.

The next step is for the superintendent and board to create a vision plan with goals based on the feedback and findings. The board is currently deciding whether to include the public during the work-in-progress draft or present it to the public when it is a finalized statement.

Community Announcements

OISD parent Kevin White reported on Booster Club happenings, highlighting the initiation of volunteer sign ups and a slate of new projects on their agenda. Buildings Project Manager, Liz LeRoy announced that on Monday, August 28, Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is conducting a “walk around” to show what’s new around town. The Funhouse Commons addition, OISD building projects and the library renovation will be highlighted.

Principals’ Reports

Elementary Principal Lorena Stankevich spent much of the summer researching data, including academic and exam performance results in an effort to see what’s effective and where the school can improve. One of the outcomes of that work is the creation of school improvement goals, including but not limited to the following priority goals:

1)  Growth in Math competency
2)     Improvement in respectful and responsible student behavior

Stankevich also thanked the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF) for funding a weather station and the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) grant that allows the school staff to work on social-emotional issues and communication with younger elementary students. “The grant is wonderful because it allows us to keep up the positive things we are doing,” Stankevich said.

OASIS Principal Becky Bell announced that a wait list for the Alternative Education program has been opened as of this week. “It’s a fast and furious time in OASIS,” said Bell. “We’re getting transfers every day. Last year, enrollment stabilized around the middle of September.”

Bell also reported on the changes that have been made with Community Based Instructors (CBI’s). Bell said, “In June of 2017 the OASIS staff worked to update the application process for community based instructors. The changes included clarification of the legal expectations that certificated teachers oversee the instruction and that all documentation is on file. Most applications have been processed without concern. A few of the previous CBIs were no longer able to meet the requirements and are reviewing their own programs to see if they can make changes that will bring them into compliance.”

Bell, who is also director of Special Education, informed the board that there are 70 special education students enrolled this year, adding, “We’re getting a top notch group of new staff,” to help with Special Education.  Bell also reported our district anticipates a total of 43  English Language Learners (ELL) students who qualify for services and supports throughout the school year with many exiting the program as well because they have become proficient in English language use.

MIddle/High School Principal Kyle Freeman reported that middle school staff is finalizing plans for the introduction of 6th grade to the school, for the first time, and for the roll-out of a new mixed 7th/8th grade curriculum.

Freeman and staff will also host a middle school Ice Cream Social and Information night on August 31 to welcome all new middle school students and explain more about plans for the 2017-2018 school year. He also reported on the effect of state budget cuts on programming.

 “The realities of the current budget situation have had an impact on the plans we had made in the spring, and as always, student choices for classes and schedules impact the final plan. We may have more adjustments to make as the year begins and students make final changes to their schedules.”

One change the district has made based on current staffing is the elimination of Middle School Spanish for this school year. It is hoped that the program will return in the future, Freeman said.

Special thanks was given to OIEF. Through its generosity, the high schools will be again able to offer the popular “Theater as Literature” class. OIEF has also awarded a grant to fund the school’s back-to-school event at the high school.

Superintendent’s Report

School District Superintendent Webb informed the board that the district and Orcas Education Association have reached a tentative agreement for the 2017-2018 school year. According to Webb: “This agreement will be reviewed by their membership on August 30 and, if ratified, will be presented to you for approval during the September board meeting.

“I believe that the agreement is fair and equitable to both sides. I cannot praise our teachers and their bargaining team enough, as the entire negotiation process was handled professionally and respectfully. I would like to thank Anne Ford, Elyn Andersson, and Robert Dash for representing OEA and Sara Morgan, Keith Whitaker, Cameron Krein, Becky Bell, and Kyle Freeman for serving on the district’s negotiation team.”

The district is currently at an impasse in its salary and benefit discussions (opener) with the Public School Employees of Washington (PSE), which represents the classified staff of the district.”

This month, the district formally “submitted the advocacy committee and statements for the School Bond and Levy to the county to be included in the November election.

• The School Bond, which focuses on the needs of the district, will be in the amount of $10,800,000 for 20 years at an increase of $0.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
• “The School Levy, which focuses on field improvements and preparation for the track, will be for 6 years at $0.11 per $1,000 of assessed value.”

A Bond Levy committee has been established and has met. They are working on a website and strategies to keep the public well informed.