Get the latest news, publications and more sent to you electronically. E-Updates are a great way to stay in touch with your local school district. Signing up is simple. Just send an e-mail message to Simona Boucek (boucek_simona@salkeiz.k12.or.us) in Communications (503-399-3038) and say you want to be added to the E-Update list.
E-Updates
Dropout rates and graduation rates for the 2007-08 school year
The Oregon Department of Education released the dropout rates and graduation rates for the 2007-08 school year. In a nut shell, a higher percentage of Salem-Keizer students are graduating than in previous years. Across the board, at each of our regular high schools, the dropout rate decreased.
Here are the dropout rates by each regular high school for 2007-08:
- McKay High School: 4.4% (down from 6.8% in 06-07)
- McNary High School: 1.7% (down from 4.2% in 06-07)
- North Salem High School: 5.3% (down from 8% in 06-07)
- South Salem High School: 3.7% (down from 6.6% in 06-07)
- Sprague High School: 1% (down from 1.7% in 06-07)
- West Salem High School: 2% (down from 3.4% in 06-07)
And for the first time ever, students in alternative programs were counted as well, so we have dropout data for Early College High School and Roberts High School. Both of these schools offer alternative programs to help struggling students complete their high school education, and target students who have dropped out or are on the verge of dropping out.
For Early College High School, the dropout rate was 20.7% in 2007-08; and for Roberts High School it was 21.8% in 2007-08.
Because the alternative programs were included in the district's dropout rate calculations, the overall district total rate increased from previous year (even though all our regular high schools improved on their dropout rate) ....
Salem-Keizer (as a whole): 7.2% (up from 7% in 06-07)
Oregon Department of Education also released graduation rates for 2007-08. Overall, Salem-Keizer increased the percentage of students graduating from our high schools within four years. The percentage went from 71.9% (in 06-07) to 72.8% (in 07-08).
CLARIFICATION TO ABOVE INFORMATION:
Just wanted to clarify some information in the E-Update sent out about dropout rates. There was some confusion regarding the alternative education program dropout numbers and what they mean to the overall district dropout rate.
In previous years, students who attended alternative programs and then dropped out were counted as "dropouts" at their original school. For example, if a student attended North Salem High School, then decided to attend an alternative program at Roberts High School or Early College High School, and then dropped out... that student's dropout counted at North Salem High School. It's why dropout rates BEFORE 2007-08 were not listed for our alternative high school programs because they were included as part of our six traditional high schools.
Starting with the 2007-08 dropout rates, Early College High School (ECHS) and Roberts High School are considered their own entities so students who dropped out of those programs are counted as dropouts for ECHS or Roberts - and NOT their original home school.
What does this all mean?
The dropout rates at each traditional high school partly went down because alternative education program students are no longer being counted as part of their rate. Our enrollment in alternative program high schools has increased and more students are accessing these options for completing their education, which is great news.
Message from Sandy Husk regarding the school district budget
Message from Sandy Husk regarding the school district budget:
I want to give you a brief update on our budget situation. As I have said before, our values in this process are:
>> Minimize impact on students
>> Minimize impacts on staff (try to save jobs)
>> Position ourselves for next year and beyond (budget and student achievement)
>> Move forward in a way that brings the district and community closer together
Yesterday, the Governor sent a letter to all school district superintendents, asking us to prepare budget scenarios within the range of a $5.4 to $5.9 billion appropriation for K-12 education next biennium. Even the top of that range is somewhat lower than we had been expecting. This could mean cuts of $33 to $47 million of our general fund budget in the next two years.
To read the full letter from the Governor, go to http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/system/files/Govenors_letter.pdf .
Community meetings to share budget information have been scheduled for April 29 and 30, 7 p.m. at our area high schools.
McKay, McNary and North are April 29
South, Sprague and West are April 30
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District school year calendar was officially amended. School year is now extended by 3 days to make up for snow days in December. Elementary students end school on June 12 and middle and high school students end school on June 15.
You can view the official calendar at http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/system/files/Amended+Calendar+08-09.pdf.
Salem-Keizer is now on Facebook
Connect with the school district in a whole new way...
http://www.facebook.com/people/Salem-Keizer/767516411
By using Facebook (a free online tool), we are offering our community more opportunities to receive and share information about public education in Salem and Keizer. For example, we are posting news, updates and quick facts about our schools and achievements of our students. It also gives our community an opportunity to comment and give feedback; and to further connect with their local school district.
If you have a Facebook account, add us as your friend. Or check out the Salem-Keizer Public Schools group on Facebook and join. It's free.
Please note: if you are a district employee, you cannot access Facebook from a district computer, please access it from home.
New online bidding Web site
Applying to do business with Salem-Keizer is now easier than ever; thanks to our new online bidding Web site (https://purchasing.salkeiz.k12.or.us/skebid).
If you currently do business or are interested in doing business with us, we encourage you to register for this service. It's free, and is now the only way to apply for projects with Salem-Keizer. In other words, no more paper requests for proposals - it's all electronic. In addition, through your account on the Web, we can send you notifications of new projects you can bid on.
But, you need to sign up - even if you are a current vendor with Salem-Keizer. Visit https://purchasing.salkeiz.k12.or.us/skebid and follow the easy-to-understand directions for setting up your account. In addition, the Web site has tutorials and guides to assist you in the process.
If you have any questions, please call me at 503-399-3083.
VENDOR FAIR SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 19
Time: Noon to 1 p.m. and 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Salem Area Chamber of Commerce
We are hosting a special event to introduce this new online bidding process to our local businesses. You will get an orientation of the new Web site; find out how it will help you to do business with Salem-Keizer; and you will have opportunities to ask questions.
Budget News - No cuts to school days proposed
Tonight at the monthly Budget Committee meeting, Superintendent Husk will go over the latest news regarding the budget. Here are the highlights, or click on this link for the complete update: http://www.salkeiz.k12.or.us/system/files/skps_budget_update_20090317_0.pdf
1. No cuts to school days proposed for this school year (2008-09). Reductions in funding are being taken from various sources totaling $9 million (amount of estimated shortfall).
2. Next school year looks worse; and we are in a situation where we are unable to predict funding for next year's budget with any reliability. There are too many variables still left unknown.
3. Budget process for 2009-2010 budget will start in April with special meetings with staff and community to share information that we have to date as well as gather feedback on potential reductions.
4. Superintendent's Budget Message will be either May 26 or 27.
5. Next revenue forecast: May 2009
First major milestone in the implementation of the construction bond
We are past the first major milestone in the implementation of the construction bond by selling $178.7 million of our bond authorization this week. This sale will generate funding to pay for repair projects at 48 schools and to construct four new schools. The favorable terms of the sale will bring a savings to taxpayers.
Based on this sale, the new estimate for the cost of the bonds is down to $1.06 per $1,000 instead of the original $1.21....meaning a savings.
For the complete update on the construction bond approved by voters in November 2008, please go to http://www.salemkeizer.us/bond/. The update includes what work has already been done and what's coming up next.
Message from Superintendent Sandy Husk regarding today's snow
1.) a message from Superintendent Sandy Husk regarding today's snow:
Dear Salem-Keizer community,
I want to take a moment to explain today's decision regarding keeping school open and on schedule. This morning, we made the best decision we could with the information that we had. Knowing what we know now about the road conditions, we would have made a different decision. I want to re-iterate that if at any time you feel it is not safe for your child to travel to school, you can make that personal decision to keep him or her home.
Thank you,
Dr. Sandy Husk
Superintendent, Salem-Keizer Public Schools
2.) This is a summary of information shared with Salem-Keizer staff this week regarding the budget outlook for this school year and the next. Here are the highlights.... for the complete message, go to http://www.salemkeizer.org/content/superintendents-update-budget-posted-feb-24
>>> Shortfall for THIS school year is now estimated at $12 million. This does include some of the federal stimulus money, but not all. We will know later in the spring the complete amount going toward Salem-Keizer and the rules attached to the money.
>>> Oregon Legislature discussing applying more stimulus money for schools for this year. That would give Salem-Keizer another $3 million. But this proposal has not yet been voted on.
>>> For next school year (2009-10), we're looking at about a $30 - $40 million shortfall. But that number could be reduced with the use of the federal stimulus and state reserves. It's just too early to have precise numbers since so many variables are still unknown.
Steps we're taking to deal with the budget crisis:
>>> We've already reduced purchases and have frozen hiring of all non-mission-critical positions.
>>> We've asked the employee associations to re-open contracts for discussions so we can discuss topics that impact staff pay and work time. Both associations would like to discuss things informally, but not open formal barganing.
>>> No decisions have been made regarding lay offs, shortening the school year or compensations.
Our primary goal in all of this:
>>> We want to keep the focus on student achievement and do what's best for the children of our schools. Our hope is to retain as many jobs as possible and move through this crisis in a way that brings us closer together as a district and community.