West Ada School District Update
August 7, 2020
Letter from Superintendent Dr. Mary Ann Ranells
Dear West Ada School District Family,
As a result of our Board meeting Tuesday evening, we have received many emails and phone calls wanting clarification about the new school year. Our mission has not changed; our vision has not changed; our focus and dedication to keeping our students safe and providing a quality education have not changed. What has changed is the delivery model.
There are many voices in the community providing input and suggestions for what we should do. We read every email and consider all suggestions which range from one end of the spectrum to the other.
Based on the Board’s decision Tuesday evening, students will begin on September 8. The data on community spread of the virus will determine if we begin the year in yellow with an alternating day schedule, or in red where all learning is remote. The Board will meet again on August 25 to make a final determination based on science, data and the recommendations from Central District Health.
Even though it may have been confusing, the Board wanted to make certain some students who may still need to receive instruction in small groups during a “Red Remote Learning” stage would be provided the opportunity. This was the main reason the Board requested a change in language to the yellow and red categories. It would simply allow for schools to bring in small groups of specific students based on their individual needs (IEPs, 504, EL, etc.) or specific needs for their program (CTE, AP, etc.). For example, last spring we did have some CTE students who had to return to the classroom to prepare for their skills tests in order to receive industry certification. We also know some students with special circumstances may need to return to school for brief periods of time. Those decisions are made by our professional educators or the teams who determine how best to meet the needs of our students.
For parents who prefer to have their children enroll in the Virtual School House, registration closes on August 26. We have more than 1,400 students registered to date and are excited about this school of choice.
The Fall Reopening Plan is located on the district website, and we expect the plan to continually change. We are learning to embrace “change” with a positive, can-do attitude. We must not be so consumed by what people are telling us we cannot do that we forget how good we are at doing the impossible.
Be safe. Be well. Be proud.
Mary Ann Ranells
Upcoming Events
August 17 – Athletic practices begin
August 19 – Team designation for alternating schedule available in PowerSchool for K-8
August 21 – Last day for parents to submit reopening survey
August 25 – Board meets to decide school opening category, Election Day
August 26 – Virtual School House enrollment closes
September 1 - Team designation for alternating schedule available in PowerSchool for 9-12
September 7 – West Ada School District offices closed for Labor Day
September 8 – First day of school
Parent Survey Results
At the end of July, parents were emailed a survey link from the school district. This survey asked questions related to interest in returning to school and desires for health practices. The response window closes on August 21 giving more parents the opportunity to respond. Results will be sent out again after the survey closes on August 21. Results will go out again after the survey closes.
Results as of August 7:
1 - Most likely community spread of coronavirus in the West Ada School District will continue this fall. Schools may open and then close. The closures could be single schools or the entire school district. West Ada may be switching back and forth between opening and closing schools. Please rate how likely you are to send your student to school next fall if there is community spread of coronavirus and schools may open and then close for periods of time.
62.29% likely, 29.12% not likely, 8.58% uncertain
2 - If no, what option would you prefer for your family?
58.86% blended in-person and virtual learning, 27.62% virtual learning, 8.24% paper packet learning, 5.28% other
3 - Assuming that schools will be allowed to open at the end of August, will you send your child(ren) to school?
62.2% yes, 12.66% no, 25.14% uncertain
4 - If you answered no, will you enroll in West Ada's Virtual School House, an online school that is based on each student accessing learning using a computer that has internet access? This system includes daily instruction with a certified teacher.
42.14% yes, 14.38% no, 43.48% uncertain
5 – If upon return in August or any time thereafter, the virus is present in our community but children are allowed to attend school when social distancing and group-size limits are followed, what learning environment would best meet the needs of your child?:
79.27% blended in-person and virtual learning, 20.73% virtual learning
6 – What safety measures need to be in place for you to be comfortable to send your child/children to attend school? (Multiple responses could be selected.):
48.86% all wear masks, 56.99% social distancing, 84.97% hand washing stations, 47.2% smaller lunch shifts, 30.96% smaller break times, 60.6% no large group gatherings, 50.72% daily temperature checks for all, 59.15% immediate seclusion of any signs of COVID-19, 18.61% no safety measures needed if my family is healthy
7 - Is your child involved in sports?
52.17% yes, 47.83% no
8 - If yes, will you be allowing your child/children to participate in the fall?
58.89% yes, 16.7% no, 24.42% uncertain
9 - If yes, which sports would you feel comfortable allowing your child/children to participate in the fall?
20.88% football, 11.49% volleyball, 13.48% cross country, 20.41% soccer, 33.74 other
What is a supplemental levy and why is it on the ballot August 25?
A supplemental levy is a levy allowed under Idaho Code that permits school districts to ask voters to provide additional funding for any school district operational cost. The revenue can be used for any expenditure that is allowable under Idaho Code. Currently, most school districts in Idaho use supplemental levy revenue for operational costs like salaries and benefits.
The supplemental would be used to maintain the current number of school days and the current level of staffing. The proposed supplemental is not an increase in funding. The supplemental levy proposes to continue the current level of local operating revenue.
Supplemental levies require a 50 percent plus one vote to be approved or a 50 percent minus one to be rejected by the voters.