Good morning,

 

I’ve just released two separate but related reports that affect school families and taxpayers.

• The first report sets the priorities for next year’s District budget.
• The second sets school bell times for next year, drawing closure to the work of the Bell Time Study Committee.

 

You can see both documents and related information on the district website:

1. Superintendent’s Direction for Budget Development  details four priorities for next year’s District Budget:

a.   Comprehensive educational program reflecting community values.

b.   Primary focus on helping students meet learning standards in reading, writing,   

      communications, math, and science.

c.   Program review and new instructional materials for social studies, health and fitness.

d.   Priorities set by the I-728 Committee for student support. These include:

• Continuing the reduced class size currently in effect for grades K-4, 6-8, 9-10
• Smaller science class sizes for grades 6 – 10
• Expansion of extra reading support from K-2 to K-5
• Further class size reductions for grades K-5, as funding allows

 

2. Bell time information  includes the committee’s summary report and media coverage of their extensive work.

 

I agree with and support the committee’s findings – including the research showing that later bell times have advantages for older students.  I was pleased to see the committee also concluded that the District’s existing transportation system and bell time schedule is highly efficient. 

 

In light of funding realities for this school district, I must conclude that changing school schedules by 15 minutes at a cost of $200,000 is too modest a change at too high a cost.

 

For that reason, and to observe the budget priorities identified above, I’ve set school schedules next year using the same, cost-efficient schedule we have this year – making slight improvements on Wednesdays for middle and high school students. Students at the new Freshman Campus will start classes 15 minutes later than the tenth, eleventh and twelfth graders at IHS and SHS.

 

Sincerely, 

 

Janet Barry, Superintendent