Board Briefs
Meeting Highlights - January 2018
January is School Board Recognition Month
School Board Passes Resolution to Authorize Local Option Levy Renewal
The Beaverton School Board on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 unanimously adopted a resolution to place a five-year Local Option Levy Renewal for the election on May 15, 2018. This is a vote-by-mail election.
If approved, the Local Option Levy Renewal would allow Beaverton schools to preserve 300 teaching positions, maintain class sizes, and help ensure students are prepared for post-high school success. The levy renewal costs $1.25 per $1,000 assessed property value. Homes with the median assessed value of $238,000 would continue to pay less than $25 per month. The levy could raise approximately $31-$35 million a year.
In 2013, voters approved a five-year local option levy to restore teaching positions that had been cut due to repeated state funding shortfalls. The levy has raised $128 million, and 100% has remained in Beaverton schools to fund approximately 300 teaching positions and reduce class sizes. In the 2017-2018 school year, 158 of these positions were allocated to Beaverton's elementary schools, 53 to middle schools, 70 to high schools, and 18 to options schools.
Public Comment
- School Board Recognition Month and a reminder to consider the lens of the teaching staff in viewing student achievement
- An Intelligent Drainage System project from Bethany-area elementary and middle school students
- An Oregon Army National Guard program to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented Oregon Army National Guard families
- Concerns about unwritten practices superseding written practices and policies
Student Success Coaches
Cordon told the Board the SSC's have been having an impact, providing resources, developing behavior plans and serving as a collaborative thinking partner with teachers.
Aloha-Huber Park K-8
Drue discussed how AHP students are grouped based on where they are at academically, and teachers differentiate instruction for those groups to help students grow and achieve.
With a diverse student population including 53 ethnicities and 30 languages, Drue said the challenge at AHP is ensuring each student receives the same access to Common Core Standards and curriculum, regardless of their academic needs. To address this challenge, Drue says the school has implemented a multi-tiered system of support, where students who are at or below grade level are immediately identified and supported in a small group instructional setting. He also said the school is engaging in "backwards mapping", that looks at the difference between what was intended to be taught, and what students actually learned.
Conestoga Middle School
To address these challenges, Hess created a Leadership matrix divided into three subcommittees: systems, instruction and culture. The committees are chaired by teachers and all staff may participate. Hess says the new leadership structure has led to better focus and attention to essential areas that students, staff and parents need.
Hess said AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) has permeated the school, with 83% of staff having participated in AVID Summer Institutes or AVID strand training. He believes that the continuation of AVID will help to further close the achievement gap.
WE Collaborate
Individual School Board Member Comments
- Board Member Donna Tyner attended a Beaverton Education Foundation Event. She also pointed out the BSD Innovation Expo that is coming up in March.
- Board Member Susan Greenberg thanked Chair Anne Bryan and Vice-Chair Becky Tymchuk for the extra work they do, in light of School Board Appreciation Month.
- Board Vice-Chair Becky Tymchuk was a guest at the Scholls Heights winter assembly. She also judged the regional "We the People" contest and congratulated Aloha High School for their 3rd place finish. Becky also attended the OSBA Legislative Policy session with fellow Board Member LeeAnn Larsen.
Other Reports, Discussion & Action
The full packet with meeting materials can be found on BoardBook.
Directors: Anne Bryan (Chair), Becky Tymchuk (Vice Chair), Tom Colett,
Susan Greenberg, LeeAnn Larsen, Eric Simpson, Donna Tyner
Beaverton School District
The Beaverton School District recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of the Beaverton School District that there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veteran status, genetic information or disability in any education programs, activities or employment.
Email: community_involvement@beaverton.k12.or.us
Website: beaverton.k12.or.us
Location: 16550 SW Merlo Rd, Beaverton, OR, United States
Phone: (503) 356-4360
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeavertonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @beavertonsd