BREAKING NEWS :

The Renton School District announced Friday that it’s planning a special meeting to discuss the Lindbergh Pool closing at 6:30 p.m., March 16.
Last week swimmers, parents and community members swamped a budget meeting at Lindbergh to show their support for the pool.
The district is facing an about $6.1 million budget cut, and county funding for the district-run pool dries up this year.

Below is a district press release.

Second LHS Pool Meeting Planed-3!4!2010

I was working my way through different presentations from a missed school board meeting when I came across this crazy flow chart.
My best guess is that the presenter was trying to explain the district’s intranet was complex, which I think they probably succeeded at.
It was at the end of a 54-page technology presentation — talk about detail oriented.

031210 CrazyComputerFlowChart

The Renton School District increased its sports fees to $75 per sport. The original fee was $50 per sport.
Students aren’t required to pay for more than two sports, and families no more than three total.
With the budget cuts the district is facing next year, it’s not surprising that a fee like this would see an increase.
In the document below, scroll down to the second page to see the changes in red.

Procedure 3520p Track Changes 2-24-10

Closing of the Lindbergh pool would also mean that Kentridge High School’s swim team won’t have a place to practice next year.
As pools are closing left and right, swim teams (private and public) are left wondering if they’ll have a place to swim next year.
Meanwhile the Renton School District is left deciding if it should take on the financial burden of a second pool, when it’s looking at laying off teachers.
Kentridge students addressed the Kent School District board asking to help the Renton School District keep its pool open, according to Brian Beckley, from the Kent Reporter.
However, Kent is facing larger budget cuts than Renton, which has a $6.1 million budget gap.
Next year will be the first the school district will have to pay for the county-build pool. It annexed two years ago, but was being operated with money from the county, about $175,000

The Renton School District is asking for input on what to do about its $6.1 million budget gap.
A public survey is available online until Feb. 28. The district uses this survey to decide their priorities.
Community budget sessions are also planned through next week.
Hot topics this year include the closing of the Lindbergh pool, cutting full-day kindergarten and the opening of Honeydew Elementary, which would cost about $1 million.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see parents of students with learning disabilities, as the state cut 100 percent of the funding for the Highly Capable program.
About a month ago I talked to Rich Moore, the assistant superintendent of business, about these meetings. He said he’s having parents from all grades meeting together this year, because in years past their suggestions have been to cut each others programs. It will be interesting to parents from different grade levels interact.

The meeting schedule:
7 p.m., Feb. 23, Hazen High School, 1101 Hoquiam Ave. N.E., Renton
7 p.m., Feb. 25, Lindbergh High School, 16426 128th Ave. S.E., Renton
7 p.m., March 1, Renton High School Commons, 400 S. 2nd St., Renton

Below is the budget cut presentation Moore offered about a month ago. My story on the budget cuts is also good background.

10-11 budget development 1-11-2010 (2)

The Renton School District will be discussing the implementation of online Spanish core classes in science, algebra and social studies courses at Wednesday night’s board meeting.

The pilot program began in 2008 with four online courses for Spanish-speaking students with the hopes of increasing poor graduation rates.

I can imagine it’d improve standardized testing scores as well, although the Spanish-speaking students still won’t know how to read the English-written test.

The program is called CONEVyT, a strange acronym for National Council on Education and Lifelong Learning. The four recommended courses are Algebra, Physical Science, United States Government and World History.

Below is the memorandum. The meeting is at Renton High School at 7 p.m.

CONEVyT Online Program

I’m going to do a profile story on Barbara Madsen, a former Hazen graduate recently elected the state’s Chief Justice. She graduated in 1970, and has been pretty busy.
She lives in Olympia now, but it’s worth a story.

Barbara Madsen

Here is the press release:
Hazen High School alum Barbara Madsen has been elected as the state’s newest Chief Justice to Washington’s Supreme Court. Justice Madsen, who graduated from Hazen in 1970, was first elected in to the Supreme Court in 1992, and re-elected for a third term in 2004. She has served as a public defender in King and Snohomish Counties, and a Seattle City attorney. The chief justice presides over the court’s public hearings, serves as the administrative head of the state’s judicial branch, and is the court’s main spokesperson.

Renton Schools Superintendent Dr. Mary Alice Heuschel and her cabinet team delivered more than 5,000 homemade cookies to staff throughout the district today as part an annual staff appreciation celebration.

Each year Heuschel and her team spend several nights making cookies and treats to deliver to staff during the holidays. Heuschel started the tradition to show her gratitude to staff upon taking over as superintendent three years ago.

“We make the cookies in Renton High School’s kitchen. We leave them to cool on racks in the back and return each night to make more and decorate,” said spokesperson Randy Matheson in an e-mail.

Students throughout the district will have an opportunity to attend the third annual Lindbergh High School Apprenticeship and Trades Fair Dec. 3.

The fair gives Renton School District students ideas for job training and apprenticeships. Several of the fair participants will have hands-on activities for students.

“They are our future workforce, and providing information to help them prepare and train them in this very competitive job market is key,” according to a press release.

The fair is open to all high school students and buses will be transporting students from different schools.

The fair is from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a complimentary lunch from the Lindbergh culinary arts students.

The Renton School District plans to install two cameras on district school buses. Most buses already have one camera, but the district is planning to install a second to get a different angle.

The board acknowledge the decision at their last board meeting alongside approving some minor language changes.

This was the letter of consent, which explains why the board originally authorized the use of cameras:

The Board authorizes the use of digital cameras on district-operated school buses for the primary
purpose of reducing discipline problems, thus providing a safer environment for the transportation of students.  The reason for recording the transportation environment is to provide school officials, drivers, and parents/guardians with documentation when dealing with inappropriate student behavior.  Disciplinary action shall be in accordance with district policies and procedures.

The superintendent shall prepare procedures for use of digital equipment on buses, notification of use of video equipment, authorized review process for digital recording including their audio components.

Below is a document showing a language change to the original policy:

Procedure 6608P Track Changes 10-28-09