Audrey Caro
The School Board on Monday, Jan. 9, discussed the transition to a five-day school week and community feedback on a potential bond to address school facility updates.
A team of licensed staff, administrators and classified staff are in the first phase of planning for Sweet Home schools to transition back to a five-day week for the 2017-18 school year.
“There are a multitude of decisions to make,” said Rachel Stucky, director of curriculum and instruction.
One task for January is to look at staff survey results.
The survey addressed student instructional time, length of student contact time at each grade level, and professional development.
“I think it’s also important to note that one of the first things that came to mind with this great team that came together last month was how are we going to be involving the community,” Stucky said.
In the next phase, the team will focus on how to involve community members and families in making the transition.
“One of the first things we’ll be looking at is a survey,” Stucky said.
”We’re hoping to take advantage of the January conference days and have computer labs open for our parents and family members to come in and take that survey.”
More details will be rolled out in the coming weeks, she added.
Another factor that will be considered is how any recommendations will play into collective bargaining, which will take place later this winter and spring.
“Do you feel pretty confident that it will all come together enough that we’re not going to be scrambling at the last minute?” asked board member Jenny Daniels.
Stucky said she felt confident that it would come together.
“I think it’s important for people to have information and decisions made as early as possible because it affects families,” Stucky said.
“Nobody wants their final information in August.”
Bond update
Safety and security were the top concerns for people who responded to the district’s facility needs survey.
Supt. Tom Yahraes gave an overview of the results at Monday’s board meeting.
As of Jan. 6, the district had received 570 responses, 93 percent of which support the bond only if it does not result in increased taxes.
“Community members also placed a high priority on making improvements that extend the lives of school facilities,” according to the results.
Upgrading technology also was a high priority.
One respondent said they would only vote to approve a bond if the state matched the funds.
Last month the board voted unanimously to apply for the state matching grant of up to $4 million to help repair and upgrade buildings throughout the School District.
If the state approves, Sweet Home voters would have to pass a matching bond to receive the state’s grant dollars.
The state will notify districts by mid-January if they are eligible for a matching grant.
The survey is still open. To respond, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Facility_Bond.
In other business, the board:
n Appointed Mike Adams to fill a board vacancy left by Nick Augsburger, who resigned last month because he is moving out of the district.
n Accepted a $25,000 contribution from an anonymous donor for a playground structure at Foster School.