School Highlights: Points of Pride:
Basic facts about the $370 million bond issue
The $370 million bond issue that‘s on the ballot on November 4 will address five critical needs:
- Additional classrooms and schools to accommodate overcrowding and growth and create smaller class sizes
- 60 FEMA safe room storm shelters
- Support the end of busing for desegregation with renovations to schools in the AAA area.
- Renovate or rebuild aging and unsafe fine arts, PE and athletic facilities
- Upgrade technical education programs
More information on those five critical needs will be covered in future editions of the Express. There are other basic facts about the $370 million bond issue that are important for employees and community members to know. Some basic facts are listed below. (Click here for a bond issue fact sheet)
-
The state will pay 25%
Under Kansas law, Wichita taxpayers contribute tax dollars each year to help school districts throughout the state build and remodel their schools. Each year, Wichita tax dollars have been used by districts across the state to renovate and expand facilities.
This bond issue plan will allow Wichitans to benefit, as the state will pay 25 percent of the total cost— $92.5 million plus corresponding interest.
-
In addition to the 25% of state support, the $370 million bond issue triggers additional funding:
o $171 million in capital outlay – capital outlay funds are part of the district’s budget. The bond issue would free up funds to be used on other facility improvement projects.
o $18 million in FEMA grants for safe rooms – The additional FEMA funds will reinforce instructional space as storm shelters. Many of the new fine arts, PE and classroom additions will be reinforced as FEMA safe room storm shelters.
o $40 million (est.) in new facilities weighting – The state provides additional funding support for two years to districts which construct new spaces.
-
How much will homeowners pay?
The bond issue would mean $42.55 additional taxes per year on a $100,000 home, or $3.55 per month.
-
Why now?
The 2000 bond issue didn’t address all critical needs. The need will intensify for new schools to accommodate growth in northeast and southeast Wichita.
Answers for many frequently asked questions about the bond issue can be found on the district’s website.
New information about the upcoming bond issue election is available on the Wichita Public Schools website. The site lists all of the needed upgrades each school would receive, provides financial facts and provides voter registration information.
It's about Our Kids, Our Schools and Our Future!
Top
CARE launches Yes For Kids campaign
Supporters of the Wichita Public Schools’ $370 million bond issue kicked off their official campaign on August 19. Business leaders and members of the Citizens Alliance for Responsible Education (CARE) held a fundraiser event to launch the Yes For Kids campaign. More than 150 people attended the event to show their support.
“CARE is now Yes For Kids,” announced Sarah Olson, spokesperson for the campaign. The guests responded with applause.
“The story of the district’s needs is compelling, the district’s accountability is strong, and the outcome will be incredible,” said George Fahnestock, one of the sponsors for the event.
“Now is the time for lower class sizes, to build safe rooms before tragedy strikes and to strengthen our economy’s future with a well-educated workforce,” said Randy Thon, spokesperson and event sponsor.
Members of the Yes For Kids campaign will soon begin a door-to-door initiative to educate voters about the bond issue and will work to garner more public support prior to the election on November 4.
Top
Provide your feedback for the new superintendent
The Board of Education is looking for what employees and community members think are the most important qualities in the next superintendent. An online survey will be launched after the Aug. 25 Board of Education meeting to gather feedback and to help guide their selection of the next superintendent. During the BOE meeting, the Board will share its plans to engage the community with the search.
Employees and community members are encouraged to go to the Superintendent Search page on the Wichita Public Schools website and fill out the survey after Aug. 25. The questions follow three key topics identified by the BOE:
- Direction of the Wichita Public Schools
- Upcoming challenges and priorities
- Characteristics of the next superintendent
There is also a section for patrons to share their own opinions. All information shared will be anonymous.
The BOE will host its annual Board’s Night Out on Sept. 29 to gather additional feedback about the superintendent search. BOE members will be located at three different schools across the city. The time and locations of the meetings will be announced later.
The feedback gathered from the surveys and Board’s Night Out will be compiled and shared with the BOE by Oct. 13. The BOE plans to have a list of candidates by the beginning of December and have a superintendent hired by the end of February. Click here for more information about the search.
To subscribe to email updates on the superintendent search, click here.
Top
District does well on ACT
Student participation and composite scores continue to rise among Wichita High School students that take the ACT exam. This year, the composite score for the district was 20.7, higher than its been for the past 5 years. There were more students taking the ACT, with 1,407 seniors taking the test.
One school making the biggest gains was North High School, with a composite score that rose from 18.8 to 20.3, with forty more students taking the exam than last year.
"You normally don't see that type of growth in one year," said Denise Wren, Assistant Superintendent of High Schools.
Wren points out that teacher instruction is the key to improving students' success, whether on the ACT or any other test or course.
Last year, the district began giving eighth-grade students the ACT EXPLORE test and high school freshman the ACT PLAN test, which used to be taken by sophomores. The ACT EXPLORE test shows students how well they will do on the ACT PLAN test. The ACT PLAN test prepares students for the actual ACT test. In addition to the ACT options, every sophomore takes the PSAT. This prepares them to take the PSAT again as juniors when they are eligible for scholarships.
Wren said she's anxious to see this year's seniors ACT test results next year. The class of 2009 is the first class to take both ACT PLAN and ACT EXPLORE and she wants to see how much those tests impact how students perform on the ACT.
Top
PV's principal talks to students from Kuwait
 |
| Pleasant Valley Middle School principal Michael Archibeque talks with students while stationed in Kuwait. |
Capt. Michael Archibeque, principal at Pleasant Valley Middle School, talked with his students via satellite and computer link from Kuwait to encourage them to do well this school year. Archibeque, who's in the Army Reserves, was deployed to Kuwait in March. Archibeque said he missed being involved in the start of the new school year and missed his students and staff. Acting principal Ron Van Sickle worked with the Army to allow AVID students and Leadership cadets to talk with him about life in Kuwait. Click here to watch the video.
"There's sand, sand, and more sand," Archibeque said. "Sometimes you see a group of camels, but mostly it's sand."
Archibeque encouraged his students to get involved in community service. He said he is proud to serve his country and to serve others.
 |
| Michael Archibeque told his students that he reads all the time and has access to books while in Kuwait. Photo courtesy U.S. Army. |
"I challenge you to get involved. I challenge you to do well for yourself and others," he said. "As a soldier in uniform, I am performing a service to others and I am an ambassador of the United States. When you perform a service for your community, you are an ambassador of our school and for yourselves."
A staff member asked if he was reading 25 books, which is a new initiative to encourage middle school students and staff to read more books. He said he reads all the time. He was also informed that the students did very well on the state assessments last spring, with more students meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
"That's fantastic. I knew you had it in you," he told his students.
"I'm glad that I finally got a chance to see him," said Rafael Romero, eighth-grade student. "It was nice for him to tell us to help our community. He's the reason why I am in Leadership."
"It's scary to know he's over there," said Ali Ritthaler, eighth-grade student. "But it's pretty cool to see him again and to know he's working over there."
Archibeque is with the 441st Medical Company, where he works as an emergency medical technician. To see video of him talking about his duty in the Army Reserves, click here.
Archibeque has 80 troops under him. He said what they really enjoy most is receiving letters, and he asked that students and adults to continue to send letters. Those interested in sending letters to Archibeque and his company can send them to Pleasant Valley Middle School, via interschool mail or to 2220 W. 29th Street North, 67204.
Archibeque is scheduled to return home the end of April.
Top
Students encouraged to Make Good Choices
A new campaign launched this school year focuses on a positive message for students: Make Good Choices. The campaign is sponsored by the Wichita Crime Commission, the Wichita Police Department and the Department of Safety Services.
The Make Good Choices campaign focuses a theme that encourages students to be themselves and to talk with their parents, teachers or counselors for support. Make Good Choices posters will be on display in every school. There are also billboards and public service announcements that share the message.
For more information about Make Good Choices, visit the Wichita Crime Commission website.
Top
Benefit Pool Plan helps during times of crisis
Employees can enroll in the district’s Catastrophic Benefit Pool Plan until August 31. The Plan is designed to help plan members recover at least some of their temporary leave days used when a catastrophic emergency occurs. All benefited employees can belong to the plan by donating one temporary leave day to the pool. Each member is eligible to receive up to 20 additional days of temporary leave a year.
To be eligible for the Catastrophic Benefit Pool, a person must:
• have donated a day to the Catastrophic Pool
• have used up all of their temporary leave time
• not be eligible for or receiving disability payments or worker’s compensation.
When a catastrophic event occurs, plan members need to fill out a Catastrophic Benefit Pool Request Form. If the three conditions have been met, the person will meet with the Catastrophic Benefit Pool Committee. Each person's situation is considered on an individual basis.
For more information about the plan, or to receive an enrollment form, contact Risk Management at riskmanagement@usd259.net or 973-4581.
Top
Smoking cessation class starts Sept. 8
The district is offering free smoking cessation classes for employees and their spouses beginning September 8. New this year, the district’s insurance plan has a $600 annual premium for tobacco users. For the first year only, the tobacco premium will be waived if current tobacco users pledge to quit using tobacco products prior to Sept. 1 and enroll in a district sponsored tobacco cessation class.
Employees can choose to attend one of four six-week classes.
Class one – September 8, 15, 22, 29, October 6 and 13
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Focht Instructional Support Center, 412 S. Main.
Class two – September 9, 16, 23, 30 October 7, and 14
3:45 to 5:45 p.m.
School Service Center, 3850 N. Hydraulic
Class three – October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6 and 13
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Truesdell Middle School, 2464 S. Glenn
Class four – October 9, 16, 23, 30, November 6 and 13
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Stucky Middle School, 4545 N. Broadview Circle
Employees can sign up on MyLearningPlan or by contacting Risk Management at 973-4581 or riskmanagement@usd259.net.
Top
Masters of Education in C&I offered at WSU
Employees who are interested in pursuing a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction can enroll for a program offered this fall at Wichita State University.
The 36 credit hour program, offered through Wichita State University, is designed to familiarize students with knowledge, issues and trends in curriculum and instruction, and to help them with the skills of communicating with parents, analyzing data and integrating technology. At the core of the program is a process to improve student learning.
The Masters program is offered in two parts: the first is a set of 24 hours offered as a class and the second is 12 hours taken in any area of specialization. A new site-based cohort will be housed at Gordon Parks Academy.
The classes will be delivered in a classroom setting and online. For more information, click here.
Top
Teachers: Transcript deadline is Sept. 10
Any certified teacher that has acquired college credit to move up for a Track increase in pay, needs to turn in his/her transcripts to Human Resources, attention Linda Wagner, by September 10. Once the transcript has been received in Human Resources, a confirmation letter will be forwarded to the employee for verification.
The agreement with the United Teachers of Wichita states "All salary placements are subject to verification of experience and training and shall be adjusted in any direction for each school year to the level for which the teacher proves his/her entitlement on or before September 10 of each year."
If you have any questions, please call Linda Wagner, Certification Technician, 973-4619 or email lwagner@usd259.net.
Top
Jackson Elementary receives supplies from LSI
 |
| Photo courtesy Jackson Elementary |
Some students at Jackson Elementary are well prepared to go to school because of a generous donation from LSI Corporation. LSI donated thirty backpacks filled with school supplies along with additional supplies to support students.
On August 18, the school had a special assembly to thank LSI for their generosity. Everett Kimball, Steve Rush, James Dolyniuk, and Dustin Klug of LSI Corporation were part of the ceremony and were thanked for their willingness to support Jackson students.
Top
AmeriCorps GRASP members sworn in at City Hall
 |
| Photo courtesy Russell Miller |
Twenty-four AmeriCorps GRASP members were sworn in for the new year on August 14 at City Hall. Mayor Carl Brewer was the guest speaker at the ceremony.
The AmeriCorps GRASP members will serve as tutors and mentors in twelve Title I schools throughout the year. The schools served are Adams, Clark, Curtis, Enterprise, Hamilton, Harry Street, Horace Mann, Linwood, Mead, Park, Stanley and Washington.The program provides an opportunity for its members to become highly qualified paraprofessionals and encourages them to continue their education to become teachers.
Top
©2008 Wichita Public Schools. All Rights Reserved.