Negotiations between teachers in the Wrangell Public School District topped the agenda this week as the school board met for their final meeting of 2012 – and saw the board and teacher’s union exchange letters proposing the topics of bargaining to take place early next year.
During a public work session before the regular meeting, union representative Michele Galla presented the membership’s letter requesting that a reasonable cost of living increase to the base salary be added over the next three years, a cost/benefit analysis of married employees’ insurance relating to primary or secondary coverage be addressed, a zero out healthcare co-pay, and teacher leave options be considered.
The district’s letter asked for longevity steps, compensation, medical benefits and certificated evaluations to be discussed. Negotiations are tentatively set to begin in late January.
In his report to the board, Superintendent Rich Rhodes brought forward a number of informational items regarding district operations and the coming year.
“I am happy to report that the Borough and City placed the High School Fire Alarm replacement project at #7 on the Capital Facilities project list,” Rhodes stated in his report. “The Borough and City also placed the Elementary painting project on the small items funding list. We have received a placement of #47 of 111 on the State Construction list through the Department of Education and Early Development. This is significant because if this project is not funded this year we will have to start over with our design and engineering costs.”
According to Rhodes, the budget preparation cycle is quickly approaching and the district plans on asking staff and the community to join in the meetings to set the budget priorities and funding for the 2013-14 school year.
The district is also working on plans for teacher training in mathematics and English scheduled for early next year.
“We are proposing to add two additional in service days in the spring, March 7-8,” Rhodes added. “This will allow teachers time to work on converting to the new Alaska State Standards in Mathematics and Language Arts before the end of the year and in line with their teaching assignments for 2013/2014.”
All three schools in Wrangell are also implementing a communication system this week that is expected to help with communication to the community of school events and changes – and that a Microsoft-based technology change is also on the way.
“This system can contact the parents of all students with one phone call,” Rhodes stated. “The second significant piece is that traveling students can be notified with one phone call of changes in schedules and events that are taking place. We are getting closer to launching Microsoft office on all Middle School, High School and Staff computers.”
Wrangell High School principal Monty Buness also submitted his monthly report to the board and informed them of the WHS Students of the Month for November.
“The Wrangell High School Students of the Month for the month of November were Victoria Ingram and Blake Stokes,” Buness stated. “These students were selected by the teachers of Wrangell High School based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, community service, and general citizenship. We are proud to recognize these fine students as our students of the month. They will all receive certificates and they will receive a gift certificate for themselves and their parents for hamburgers at the Elks’ Club. We are very appreciative of the sponsorship of this program by the Elks’ Club.”
The Stikine Middle School Student of the Month awards for November went to 6th grader, Riley Blatchley; 7th grader, Tymon Teat; and 8th grader, Dawson Miller.
In new business, the board adopted the 2013-14 district and board goals. The goals outline five key achievements the district wants to attain in the coming school year and outlines the path to reach them.
The five goals are: To ensure success in benchmark testing, the (High School Graduation Qualifying Exam,) and employability/life skills by continuing to move toward a Standards Based Instructional Model; To selectively integrate, maintain and enhance appropriate technology throughout the curriculum; To continue building communication, cultural awareness and positive interactions among schools, parents, businesses, community and the state; To continue to provide positive student/adult partnerships in an effort to promote self-esteem through asset building; and To provide relevant staff development resulting in a rich and comprehensive K-12 continuous curriculum in all content areas.
The board also accepted a number of grants, including a $49,517 award from the U.S. Department of Education for Indian education, and $266,670 in No Child Left Behind funding to be utilized through June 2013.
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