November 27, 2018
Superintendent's Message
Hello Olympia School District Families,
Hopefully all of you enjoyed a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. As we approach the winter holidays, it is a good time to reflect on all of the things that we are thankful for in the Olympia School District. The greater Olympia community continues a long history of supporting our schools in so many ways. Thousands of volunteers continue to dedicate tens of thousands of hours of help in our classrooms every year. We have talented, dedicated teachers and support staff serving our students skillfully and compassionately. As evidenced by strong achievement results, our hard-working students continue to excel academically, artistically and athletically. All of this makes Olympia a destination for families and staff in search of an extraordinary community in which to live and work that is committed to public education.
As the calendar year comes to an end, this is also the time that we refine our budget projections for the upcoming school year. You may recall from an earlier newsletter message that we are once again looking at a significant shortfall in the 2019-20 school year. I suspect for some that this is probably beginning to sound a little like a broken record, but the fact remains that the McCleary “fix” — legislation passed in 2017 — was not a fair solution for all school districts in the state. There were winners and losers because the revenue was not distributed equitably, which has actually caused more inequality between school districts. Several factors have contributed to this disparity in funding and our bleak financial outlook:
- The state issued “regionalization” funding bonuses ranging anywhere between 6% and 24% to about one-third of the state’s nearly 300 school districts. This “no-strings attached” addition to these chosen districts’ state apportionment was reportedly distributed in part because of a higher cost of living in certain areas of the state. But when looking at a map of the districts that did or did not receive “regionalization,” it does not make sense. Olympia School District received zero regionalization dollars.
- The McCleary fix created a new state education tax, which was funded in part by markedly reducing school districts’ abilities to raise funds through local levies. The new local levy formula, like “regionalization,” has had a massive unequal impact across school districts. The new formula states that local communities can only run local levies at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. In Olympia, we ran our previous, voter-approved Educational Maintenance and Operations levy at a rate of just over $3 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. As a result of the new law, we will only be able to collect about half of our previously approved amount. Instead of a $27 million collection in 2019, we will only collect about $14 million. The infusion of new state dollars does not cover that dramatic reduction. The inequity is glaring in that some districts, particularly to the North with higher property values, will still collect 100%, or close to it, of their previous levy amounts under the new funding formula. Compounding the inequity, some of those districts that will collect their full levy amount will also collect 18% in regionalization.
- The Legislature eliminated a long-time funding mechanism that apportioned more funds to districts with more experienced staff who earn more. As a result, the change penalizes districts with more senior and experienced teachers and staff. As stated previously, in Olympia we have a significant number of experienced and dedicated teachers, high above that state average, who are committed to our community and stay in our district. This was one area in which our advocacy efforts last year paid off and resulted in an increase in dollars for Olympia beginning in 2019-20; however, that increase does not fully make up for the funding we would have received under the old formula. In fact, it falls about $2 million short.
- Increased health benefits for part-time staff, special education requirements and mandatory class-size reductions in the lower primary grades will cost millions of dollars to implement because they are underfunded state mandates.
All of these factors together have us currently projecting a budget deficit of between $8.5 and $9 million in 2019-20 if we continue to operate all schools and programs as they are currently staffed and funded. To reduce our budget by that amount would result in about a 6% reduction in our approximately $137 million operating budget.
As mentioned previously, we are not alone in facing a significant budget shortfall next year. You will hear similar messages from many districts in Thurston County, as well as other counties statewide, because the factors that are impacting us are also impacting many of them.
We will be providing our community with more information and feedback opportunities for how best to approach the projected budget deficit. As stated previously, we had some success last year but will need to be even more successful this longer legislative session, which begins in January, in urging lawmakers to find long-term solutions for Olympia School District students, staff and families. And given prior history when the Legislature faced major policy and budget decisions during a longer session, any possible financial solutions will not likely be finalized until June. Unfortunately, that would be too late for some of the budgetary decisions we will have to make due to legal and contractual timelines.
This budgetary challenge will undoubtedly be stressful. While we are committed to a transparent process with ample opportunities for all stakeholders to provide feedback, we know there will not be any easy or pain-free solutions. And while we relentlessly educate and advocate for our district with state officials, we will do all we can to protect those things that make Olympia such a wonderful learning community.
Sincerely,
Patrick
Superintendent
Olympia School District
Another Bearzaar in the books
The 18th edition of the annual Bearzaar is complete, and there were once again a record number of booths, participants and attendees. Crowds were met with enthusiastic Olympia High School student volunteers and Pepper Bear!
An annual tradition at OHS, the Bearzaar is a fundraiser for the OHS Associated Student Body (ASB). All of the hallways throughout the school were packed with handmade crafts, antiques, tasty treats, not to mention people! This year there were a record 170 vendors that set up shop for the festivities. This doesn’t even include the “Bear Wear” that was being sold by OHS Marketing teacher Jennifer Fabritius and her students in their classroom-turned Student Store.
For the first time OHS art students had their artwork for sale. Students followed the steps of a Stanford Art Business plan and created/listed their artwork for sale in the art room. Anyone attending the Bearzaar was welcome to come in and observe the amazing pieces on display, and even leave with one or two if they so chose!
This event has grown so much over the years that while admission and parking are free, for $5 guests could purchase the “Early Bear Special.” This allowed shoppers to enter the building an hour prior to the doors officially opening to have their pick of all available items. According to attendees, the line began forming at the front door of OHS at 7 a.m., two hours prior to the doors opening!
Great work Bears, we can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next year!
Board seeks input on proposed dress code policy and procedure
The Olympia School Board is seeking input from OSD students, families, employees and community members about a proposed districtwide student dress code policy and procedure.
While individual schools have rules around student dress code, currently there is no districtwide policy or procedure.
Written comments about the proposed policy and procedure may be submitted through Friday, January 4 on a brief online feedback form. The form includes a complete version of both the policy and procedure.
The school board held a first reading of the newly proposed student dress code policy and procedure on November 19, 2018. Board members plan to review input received between now and January 4 before they hold a second reading of the policy and procedure at the January 22, 2019 board meeting. That meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at LP Brown Elementary School, 2000 26th Ave. N.W. in Olympia.
Any policy that comes before the school board requires a minimum of two readings (reviews) by the board before it can be considered for approval. Board action may follow the second reading on Tuesday, January 22.
In addition to the online feedback form, comments about any policies before the school board may be emailed to [email protected]. Links to the proposed student dress code Policy 3224 and procedure 3224P are included on the district website Board Policy Review webpage.
2018-19 Student Board Representatives
Anna McClatchey, a junior at Olympia Regional Learning Academy (ORLA), and Grant Erickson, a senior at Capital High School, are this year’s student representatives on the Olympia School District Board of Directors. While the student representatives are not voting members on the board, their input is vital to the various decision-making processes.
Anna McClatchey
In addition to serving as student representative on the school board, Anna McClatchey has served as ORLA’s ASB president in past years and is “an amazing leader” at ORLA, said ASB Advisor Cristy Havens.
Anna’s leadership roles at ORLA also include being a student instructor in the school’s Arts Alive class, where she teaches choreography for musical numbers. As Havens observed, “She teaches with kindness and patience for all students.” Anna has been in four productions, though she especially enjoyed the musical, “Seussical.” In her spare time, Anna enjoys raising rabbits, playing piano and singing.
To Anna, love for learning is an important aspect of school that she wants all students to enjoy.
Anna credits much of her love of learning to her time at ORLA. She likes the engaging teaching style of the staff and the time they spend relating to the students. “Having an amazing teacher makes all the difference,” she said.
As a part-time Running Start student, Anna enjoys her time spent at ORLA. “ORLA is like another family.” Anna’s career goal is to teach, preferably in the Olympia School District.
Superintendent Patrick Murphy said he appreciates Anna’s collaboration on the board and her way of seeing things “through the lens of the entire school district.”
Grant Erickson
Grant Erickson developed his leadership skills during his time as team captain on Capital High School’s football and basketball teams. When asked about his leadership style, he replied, “I lead more through example.” He focuses on maintaining a positive attitude and a good work ethic.
On the academic side, Grant said he especially enjoys math and science. He sees various career paths open to him, including engineering and pre-med. In his free time, Grant enjoys spending time with his friends.
Being chosen as a student representative was something Grant found “really humbling.” He said he was honored that the teachers chose him as a good fit for the position.
Grant enjoys the opportunity to advocate for all the students in the Olympia School District. Superintendent Patrick Murphy describes Grant as “considerate and collaborative” in school board proceedings.
One of Grant’s focuses is being a voice for equity. Grant said he sees how cliques can affect students and hopes to promote a welcoming and open culture throughout the schools.
Both Anna and Grant welcome feedback from their peers. Both can be best reached by their student emails:
The two student representative seats rotate annually between all four high schools in the district. Next year’s representatives will be chosen from Avanti and Olympia high schools. We look forward to seeing which two students will be chosen next year to represent students throughout the Olympia School District!
Schools across district celebrate our Veterans
Students throughout the district honored veterans this month with color guards, music, guest speakers and special events including the landing of an UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on campus.
The Reeves Middle School band, orchestra and choir gave a stirring Veterans Day Assembly presentation at Boston Harbor Elementary. Students performed traditional songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” as well as lesser known tunes such as Jay Ungar’s beautifully haunting “Ashokan Farewell.” Many veterans from the community attended, as well as veterans who had children or grandchildren in the audience. At the conclusion of the assembly, veterans were invited to speak of their time in the military.
Capital High School’s Veterans Day Assembly was also a moving presentation. A color guard from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) presented the colors. Once the colors were posted, the high school band, led by Dan Lundberg, performed a series of melodies. The audience applauded as the hymn for each branch of the military was played, and members of each branch stood to be recognized. “Captain Salty,” a mascot figurine that the band brings along for many performances and important occasions, also made a guest appearance at this event.
The Capital HS assembly concluded as students, staff and guests walked out to the soccer field where a new UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, with only 30 hours of flight time, prepared to land. The helicopter was flown in from JBLM, with the parent of two CHS students part of its crew. The helicopter circled the school as students, staff and guests waited at a safe distance. When the “all-clear”was given, everyone streamed onto the field to get an up-close look at the helicopter.
School board to vote December 10 on student outcomes
After more than six months of extensive community input, the school board is ready to consider approving a set of student outcomes that will drive the more specific goals of the district’s new Strategic Plan.
The board is scheduled to vote at its next meeting on December 10 on six proposed student outcomes, also referred to as targets or key focus areas for Olympia School District students. The board meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Knox Administrative Center, 1113 Legion Way S.E. in Olympia.
The following is the latest version of the proposed student outcomes. The board edited the wording twice during October based on comments received at nearly 50 focus groups and via an online survey:
Our students will:
- Outcome 1: Be compassionate and kind.
- Outcome 2: Have the academic and life skills to pursue their individual career, civic and educational goals.
- Outcome 3: Advocate for the social, physical and mental wellness of themselves and others and be hopeful about the future.
- Outcome 4: Have the skills, knowledge and courage to identify and confront personal, systemic and societal bias.
- Outcome 5: Discover their passions, be curious and love learning.
- Outcome 6: Be critical thinkers who contribute to and collaborate with our local, global and natural world.
The process that led to the development of the proposed student outcomes began last May when the district invited more than 130 people representing a cross-section of the community — students, staff, family members and community members to a two-day Educational Summit at the Hotel RL in Olympia.
In addition to 40 middle and high school students, who made up the largest represented group in the room, there were teachers, principals, custodians, bus drivers and other support staff; parents, grandparents and other family members; and community members representing businesses, organizations, service clubs and more. Responses to a pre-Summit online survey also helped to inform the two-day event.
The district followed up the Educational Summit by inviting community members at large to share thoughts about the student outcomes via an online feedback form. Additionally, Superintendent Patrick Murphy, other district leaders and at least one of the school board members shared the outcomes and sought feedback in person at 49 focus groups. The focus groups included meeting with staff and parent groups at each of the district’s 19 schools, as well as with a variety of community organizations and service clubs.
Using the student outcomes as the target, plans are to have specific metrics and an action plan developed by the end of this school year. The metrics and action plan will help inform school and district improvement plans. Community input will continue to be sought as part of the yearlong process.
Olympia School District’s last 5-year Strategic Plan expired in June 2018.
Congratulations Classified School Employees of the Year
Congratulations to three Olympia School District employees selected to receive this year’s Olympia School District Classified School Employee of the Year award.
The employees learned of the honor during surprise announcements at impromptu morning staff meetings. The news was greeted with applause, standing ovations and hugs.
This year’s honorees are:
- Travis King, paraeducator at Centennial Elementary School. This is King’s fifth year at Centennial Elementary, where he works as a behavior technician.
- Denise Pigue, paraeducator at Garfield Elementary School. Pigue is in her fourth year at Garfield Elementary School, where she works as a behavior technician. She has worked for the district since 2008.
- Todd Thornton, head custodian at Roosevelt Elementary School. Todd has worked as head custodian at Roosevelt Elementary for four years and for the district since 2006.
All three will be honored at a special recognition ceremony during the December 10, 2018 Olympia School Board meeting. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Knox Administrative Center, 1113 Legion Way S.E., Olympia.
The annual award recognizes employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, professional leadership and collaboration.
In September, the Olympia School District opened nominations for Classified School Employee of the Year. The district invited staff, students, parents and community members to submit nominations.
A screening committee made up of OSD employees and community members reviewed the submissions and recommended the three names to Superintendent Patrick Murphy.
Murphy, Assistant Superintendent Nancy Faaren, School Board President Frank Wilson, Board Vice President Joellen Wilhelm and school leaders announced the winners and presented them with flowers.
Classified School Employee of the Year is an annual statewide awards program through the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It begins with local nominations from school districts throughout Washington. Those individuals have a chance of then being named a regional Classified School Employee of the Year, which allows them to advance to the state competition.
The State Superintendent of Public Instruction recognizes the regional finalists and announces the state Classified School Employee of the Year at the annual spring award ceremony at the Old Capitol Building in Olympia.
The state award winner and regional finalists are invited to several annual recognition events including the Governor's Reception for Exceptional Educators.
2018-19 Snow Bulletin
Every year it seems snow or severe weather conditions lead to the closure or late start of our schools, and we want to keep you updated about those decisions.
The Olympia School District will inform you as soon as possible when school schedules change through our phone/email/text messaging system, our district website and district social media (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter).
We also encourage you to monitor local radio and/or television stations for up-to-date information about weather-related closures or delays. If school is open but you think it would be unsafe for your child to attend, school officials will accept your judgment and it will be treated as an excused absence.
The District will make every effort to operate normally, despite the weather. On rare occasions, however, weather conditions may make it necessary to modify bus routes, and when that occurs, media outlets will be asked to announce the use of “snow routes” or “emergency routes.” Below you will find our Snow Bulletin & Emergency Snow Routes for the 2018-19 school year:
Hansen Alternative Program (HAP) hosts 12th Annual Author Night
Hansen Elementary School’s Alternative Program (HAP) recently hosted its 12th Annual Author Night, showcasing stories written and illustrated by HAP students. The young authors sat around the library while parents and staff walked from student to student, listening to each child read their work aloud. For the first time this year, a guest speaker was invited to open the evening’s events.
Illustrator and author, Corinna Luyken, spent many years as a teaching assistant in various elementary schools. Luyken read from “Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse,” a book she illustrated. Hands flew up when Luyken asked the students what pets they had at home. Curious students leaned forward to see the “white horse” hidden throughout the illustrations. Luyken concluded her presentation by presenting some of the original artwork from the book. Hansen’s authors-to-be then scattered to their seats throughout the library to begin reading their own written and illustrated stories.
The student stories were illustrated in a variety of ways, from pencil, to colored pencil, to marker. Some pages included lined paper stapled together, while others were laminated and bound. The students read their works with confidence to their encouraging audience.
We are excited for next year’s Author Night! Thank you to Hansen Elementary for encouraging such a wonderful creative outlet. Perhaps in the coming years we will see these students’ writings and illustrations on the shelves of our bookstores. Keep writing, young authors!
Upcoming Events
November:
- November 28 – 50-Minute Early Release
- November 29 – "Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age" - Olympia High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) at 6 p.m.
December:
- December 4 – "Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age" - Capital High School Performing Arts Center (PAC) at 6 p.m.
- December 5 – 50-Minute Early Release
- December 10 – Board Meeting: Knox Administrative Center at 6:30 p.m.
- December 11 – "Screenagers: Growing up in the Digital Age" - Knox Administrative Center at 6 p.m.
- December 12 – 50-Minute Early Release
- December 19 - January 2 – Winter Break (No School)
The Olympia School District will provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities program without discrimination based on race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. Auxiliary aids and services will be provided upon request to individuals with disabilities.
The following people have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies, reports of alleged sexual harassment, concerns about compliance, and/or grievance procedures:
- Steve Rood, Title IX Officer, [email protected], (360) 596-8545 or Nancy Faaren, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, [email protected], (360) 596-6117
- Ken Turcotte, Section 504 and ADA Coordinator, [email protected], (360) 596-7530
- Pat Cusack, Director of College and Career Readiness, [email protected], (360) 596-6102
- Scott Niemann, Affirmative Action Officer and Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, [email protected], (360) 596-6185 or Nancy Faaren, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning, [email protected], (360) 596-6117
All four individuals may also be contacted at 1113 Legion Way S.E., Olympia, WA, 98501.