WLWV School Board Briefs
Oct. 2, 2017
The West Linn-Wilsonville School Board held a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 2. The following are select highlights from that meeting.
District Provides Enrollment Update
Downs told the Board that the District's has a total enrollment of 9,902, and an enrollment of 10,023 kids if you include preschool students. Enrollment is up a total of 128 students from the start of the 2016-17 school year, and Downs added that class sizes are within their target ranges with minimal outliers. Of particular note, Downs shared that Meridian Creek Middle School currently has 349 enrolled students, compared to 623 at Athey Creek Middle School, 556 at Inza R. Wood Middle School, and 778 at Rosemont Ridge Middle School. The Board agreed it would discuss enrollment numbers at specific schools at a future work session.
Monroe shared with the Board that it's been an exciting 2017-18 hiring season with the addition of Meridian Creek. Between new hires and positions filling retirements, WLWV hired a total of 78 licensed staff (classroom and specialist teachers), 56 classified staff (support staff), and nine administrative staff. She added that a continued strength of the District is its retention rate, which was approximately 96 percent this year.
WLWV Educators Share Groundbreaking Work with Board
First, Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Jennifer Spencer-Iiams introduced the District's Early Childhood Evaluation team, which works with children birth to age 5. Consisting of Early Childhood Coordinator Lori Prater, Speech Language Pathologist Iva-Marie Connall, School Psychologist Andrea Ramos, Speech Pathologist Nailah Paxton, Bilingual/Spanish Assessment Assistant Karina Archibald, and Physical Therapist Michele St. Marie, the panel of evaluation team members was recently invited to share their processes and strategies for enhancing collaboration and positive outcomes for children at the upcoming COSA session. They shared with the Board that their work has helped them make better-informed eligibility decisions and recommendations, and they've also been able to connect children and families with West Linn-Wilsonville Schools and services.
"I'd like to recognize that this wonderful group is so important, especially when you think that they're the first voice of the District, showing families that kids will be cared for," said Superintendent Kathy Ludwig. "They go to great lengths to make families feel safe and giving them trust in the District."
The Board also recognized a separate team from Boeckman Creek Primary, including Instructional Coordinator Mark Lapides, Special Education Teacher Leslie Holden and Counselor Zach Deets. The trio will present their research titled "Moving the Dial of Inclusive Practices" at the upcoming COSA Fall Session, which documents their efforts over the past year to increase student growth, team cohesion, and school culture.
"It's great to hear you talk about growth mindset and how that applies to all of us, not just teachers," said Board Director Regan Molatore. "It's good to hear that you've embraced little failures and really pushed yourselves to grow as educators."
High School Reports
Art Tech is looking forward to a College and Career Readiness Night as well as a Financial Aid Night on Oct. 17. The school has seen an increase in its clubs, and sophomores and juniors are looking forward to taking the upcoming PSAT. Art Tech also invited the Board to attend the school's first Rock Band concert, scheduled for Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
West Linn High's Shay Hicks shared some of her school's recent accomplishments, including how the school raised north of $2,000 for cancer awareness at Friday night's football game. She said the school is looking forward to hearing about Oregon's new Distracted Driving Law from Student Resource Officer Jeff Halverson, as well as homecoming week during the third week of October.
Wilsonville High's Kara Hix, meanwhile, thanked the Board for new safety measures her school has enjoyed this year. She said the school is looking forward to the Drama Department's upcoming production of "The Little Mermaid," as well as the school's annual homecoming parade. The school will also host a Disney for Doernbecher campaign to give back to children suffering from cancer, which follows the school's Stick it to Cancer fundraiser campaign that wrapped up last week.
Community Message from Board Chair Ginger Fitch
Dear PTA Presidents, PTSA Presidents, PTSO Presidents, and Booster Club Presidents,
This letter is to extend my personal thanks to you for your willingness to support our students, our schools and the District's work in support of our West Linn-Wilsonville community. Your time, enthusiasm, and commitment are greatly valued. Thank you for the work you do leading, and thank you to the organizations you lead. We are a better school district for your work and presence.
As Board Chair of the West-Linn Wilsonville School Board, I am personally committed to being a partner with you. We are known as a District that has tremendous community support, and research shows that a collaborative approach to support has a significant impact on our students.
I want you and your members to know that you are always welcome to raise ideas and concerns to me personally, by phone or email, as well as to the collective Board by email or at the public comment portion of our monthly meetings. Although we may request that you speak with school staff before we address anything, it is always good to know what our school leaders are wondering about and seeking for our students. I am personally committed to making sure the communication loop is closed when our community members raise ideas and concerns, and I would love to be held accountable on that commitment.
Also, if you have special events or opportunities that you want to invite Board Members to attend, do not hesitate to send me an email, which I will share with the rest of the Board, or even send an email directly to all Board Members.
Grateful for all you do,
Ginger Fitch
Upcoming School Board Events
- Work Session: Oct. 16, 5 p.m., District Office (22210 S.W. Stafford Road, Tualatin)
- Regular Meeting: Nov. 6, 6 p.m., District Office (22210 S.W. Stafford Road, Tualatin)
- Work Session: Nov. 20, 5 p.m., District Office (22210 S.W. Stafford Road, Tualatin)
About West Linn-Wilsonville
Website: https://www.wlwv.k12.or.us/
Location: 22210 Southwest Stafford Road, Tualatin, OR, United States
Phone: 503-673-7000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WLWVschools/
Twitter: @WLWVdistrict