The Central Kitsap School District board of directors discussed a range of issues from science and technology grants to safety at an Aug. 12 meeting:
CKSD awarded $2.4 million worth of science and technology grants
The first grant, worth $900,000, is an Office of Naval Research program that teaches STEM through aviation lessons. It is designed for students in grades 9-12 from 2015-2018. It includes teacher training and two high school aviation classrooms.
The second is a $1.5 million Department of Defense Education Activity grant for students in grades 3-8. The five-year grant aims to make students “future ready” with a focus on English, science and technology and includes Linux Chromebook computer carts.
District improving ‘sight lines’ for safety
To boost safety at district schools, the school held an “active shooter” exercise earlier this year. It has also taken steps to improve “sight lines” at the schools by trimming foliage on school grounds so that it is easier to see who is approaching the school. Inside, school hallways should ideally offer a straight line of sight, although in practice this is not easy to accomplished due to the layout of some buildings. Schools are limiting access points of entry so that all students and visitors can be clearly monitored.
“One of the paramount things that we do is try to keep our kids as safe and secure as possible,” said Joe Vlach, CKSD director of operations.
The schools also plan to upgrade their 1990s-era security cameras with newer ones. Also, the district plans to repair dilapidated fencing, as fencing decreases the odds someone will walk across school property without being seen. Less important doors will be locked, requiring that teachers carry more keys. A notification system was installed in buildings this summer. The system allows law enforcement to be contacted immediately without calling 911 by pressing special buttons.
Vlach said the new Bud Hawk Elementary school was a model school for security.
“Bud Hawk, from a CPTED (Crime Protection Through Environmental Design) standpoint, that is how you want to do it: One vestibule, great visibility. You actually see the playground and it makes it easier and safer for staff that they can visually monitor the parking [and] they can monitor student access,” Vlach said.
Expenditure-wise, 82 percent of CKSD spending is for staff salaries and benefits and 18 percent is for materials, supplies, and operating costs. (See chart at top of page for revenues.)
Legislature adds $10.1 million to CKSD’s budget
Everything is going reasonably swell with the district’s $128 million budget. This year the district will have around 10,732 students. That number is projected to gradually drop to 10,643 students by 2022.
Revenue is funded 70.5 percent by the state, 9.5 percent from the Federal government and 20 percent from local taxes.
Expenditure-wise, 82 percent of spending is for staff salaries and benefits and 18 percent is for materials, supplies, and operating costs.
The state Legislature increased district revenue by $10.1 million. Of that, $3.3 million will go toward materials and supplies for students, $2.7 million for 3 percent cost-of-living adjustment raises, $1.7 million for retirement benefits, $1.5 million for all-day kindergarten, $611,000 for smaller K-3 class sizes and $250,000 for K-3 high poverty classes. The Legislature also funded all-day kindergarten for all CKSD schools except for Brownsville Elementary and Emerald Heights Elementary.
[PDF link: More budget details.]
District considers waiving some PE requirements for athletes
The district is looking at allowing a physical education waiver for students involved in Washington Interscholastic Activities Association-approved athletics. Students in such sports could waive up to one full credit of two required physical education class credits. The waiver would apply to WIAA-approved sports such as soccer or baseball, but not activities like cheerleading, band or ballet.
Because one credit is then freed-up, students would be able to pursue elective classes, or make up for a class that they didn’t do well in, which could be especially helpful when the school shifts to a 24-credit requirement.
Knute Anderson residents object to proposed sidewalk at Silverdale Elementary
Pete Wimmer stressed again that he and other residents along Knute Anderson Road NW were unhappy with the changes the district is making as part of its renovation of Silverdale Elementary. Wimmer said residents objected to a planned sidewalk that would connect the school to Knute Anderson Road. He said the speed limit was 25 mph but said people often drive faster, making it a dangerous road for school children. Wimmer said dust from the project was also ticking-off residents and that the contractor wasn’t following the rules.
