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Highlights from the May 2, 2023, School Board meeting:
- The Board honored four River Ridge High School students who qualified for the DECA national competition. DECA is a career and technical education program that prepares students for marketing, finance, hospitality, and management careers. Congratulations to:
- Elijah Robledo
- Yumin Kim
- Marc Guntalilib
- Mckenzie Waters
- The Board also thanked RRHS marketing teacher and DECA Advisor Bruce Brewer, who is retiring after many years of service and leadership for RRHS DECA.
- Olympic View Elementary School Principal Brittany Anderson, teacher librarian Kerry Beardsley, art teacher Shawna Myers and students shared information about leadership opportunities at OVES. Students on the Student Council shared a school art project with the School Board that celebrates similarities and differences. They also discussed a Compassionate Community project to support a cause important to OVES students. This aligns with NTPS Strategic Plan Goal 2 – Responsible, Resilient, Empowered Learners.
- Special Education Directors Dr. Kari Lewinsohn and Tyler Stiner updated the Board on special education services in NTPS (Strategic Plan Goal 4, Outcome c). We welcome all students as members of our learning communities, and the district has moved to a model where most of our students are served in their neighborhood schools rather than stand-alone programs. The Board heard about the district’s work to ensure inclusive practices and efforts, such as providing students with assistive technology to support them in communicating with teachers and other students.
- Assistant Superintendent for Operations Troy Oliver shared recommendations from the Boundary Review Committee, and the Board approved the following changes to begin in the 2023-24 school year:
- Move the southern boundary of Pleasant Glade Elementary School into the Mountain View Elementary School attendance area along Martin Way.
- Move the southern boundary of Mountain View into the Horizons Elementary School attendance area north of Kapalea Way.
- Students in this area will attend Komachin and Timberline instead of Chinook and North Thurston. Students can request transfers and follow all transfer rules if accepted. Current NTHS students can stay at NTHS on a guaranteed waiver.
- Phase out waivers for Meadows, Olympic View, Pleasant Glade, and South Bay Elementary Schools (our largest elementaries), with no new waivers beginning in the 2023-24 school year. Families currently on a waiver to these schools can continue applying annually to maintain waiver status.
- The boundary review aimed to balance size and economic diversity in elementary schools, ensure continuity in the K-12 experience for students, and promote efficient transportation.
