Superintendent's Messages  

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April 13, 2010

Dear Northshore Staff and Community,

On Monday of this week - after close to a month in an extended special session - the Legislature adopted an operating budget for the coming year.  While the impacts of that budget are better than some of the earlier budget proposals considered by the Legislature, the adopted budget still requires close to $3 million in budget adjustments in Northshore for next year.  Specifically, the adopted budget eliminates the last remaining Learning Improvement Day for our teachers.  It also eliminates the remaining Initiative 728 class size reduction funding and reduces the enhanced staffing allocation for grade 4 (although the enhanced allocation for grades K-3 are maintained). 

On Tuesday of this week, the School Board was presented with a budget adjustment proposal to address this $3 million gap.  The adjustment proposal includes the use of alternative revenue sources (use of fund balance and interest earnings), utility reductions (efficiencies and price stability), and staffing modifications (shifting portions of some positions to the Capital Projects Fund, further consolidating transportation routes, and restructuring the special education extended school year).  To the greatest extent possible, we have worked to maintain our current class size ratios, support continued curriculum updates, and minimize the impact on students in the classroom and our teaching and support staff.  The Board intends to take action on the budget adjustment recommendation at their regularly scheduled meeting on April 27. 

During the legislative session, a new law was also passed to allow communities to provide more local levy support to their schools.  This law would allow the Board to run a supplemental levy election to enhance the operating levy approved by our voters in February.  Such a levy would mean an additional $7 to $12 million in local levy funding over the next four years. 

Between now and April 27, I invite you to provide your feedback and input on our priorities as a district, the adjustment plan being considered by the Board, and a new law enacted by the legislature this spring to allow more local levy support for schools.  The district will host three budget workshops next week - April 20 at the Bothell High School Commons; April 21 at the Inglemoor High School Cafeteria; and April 22 at the Woodinville High School Commons.  Each workshop is from 6 - 8 PM.  For those unable to attend a workshop, I encourage you to submit your feedback and input via an electronic survey available on our website at www.nsd.org.



February 10, 2010

Dear Northshore Friends & Colleagues,

Last night's election results lead me to be cautiously optimistic that the Northshore community has again stepped forward to support our mission of "Strengthening Our Community Through Excellence in Education." 

While many votes are yet to be counted, it appears certain that the Renewal Education Operations Support Levy and the Renewal Technology Levy will easily maintain the 50% simple majority necessary for passage.  The Capital Projects Bond, which requires a 60% supermajority, is less certain.  Further vote counts later this week will determine the final outcome. 

I want to take this opportunity to give some much-deserved thanks.  Many community volunteers and district employees have worked tirelessly on this election over the past several months.  I can't thank each of them enough for their hard work and dedication on behalf of our students and staff.  Their efforts are crucial to our success.  I also want to thank our community for not only renewing our levies, but for also renewing through their votes and tax dollars a commitment to maintain a world class education for the young people we serve.  The Northshore community has a long and proud history of supporting its schools.  This election continues that tradition. 


October 6, 2009

Dear Families:

With the November 3 election behind us, I would like to share some results that impact our district.

Initiative 1033, which could have further eroded funding for public education and other important state services was defeated.  The Northshore board  - joined by many other school boards - unanimously approved a resolution opposing Initiative 1033 at its October 13 meeting.  The board felt strongly that the passage of the initiative would have hurt state and district efforts to further student learning and achievement.

Results from the school board elections confirm that three new members will join the Northshore School District Board of Directors: Todd Banks, Sandy Hayes, and Julia Lacey.  They will be sworn in at the November 24 board meeting and begin serving their four-year terms. Todd, Sandy and Julia bring new energy and perspective to the board, and I look forward to their contributions over the coming months and years.  All are parents of Northshore students and share a direct interest in our continued success and improvement.  Please join me in welcoming Todd, Sandy, and Julia to their new roles!

Serving as a board member is the epitome of selfless public service. Leaving that service this year are Gene Hawkridge, Cathy Swanson, and Sue Buske.  Gene and Cathy have each served for the past eight years, and Sue for the past four.  I appreciate their strength, courage, and wisdom leading our district through the many challenges of recent years.  Their legacy of a strong district rightly recognized for academic excellence, fiscal stability, and quality programs and staff benefit and enrich us all, now and into the future.  Please join me as well in recognizing and thanking Gene, Cathy, and Sue for their years of tireless and dedicated service to our district!



September 1, 2009

Dear Northshore families,

As a child, I always thought that summers seemed so long.  As the days and weeks stretched into late August, I remember getting bored and anxiously awaiting the start of a new school year.  As an adult, summers now seem to pass in a flash. 

I hope you have had a chance this summer to enjoy special time with your children and help prepare them to start the school year successfully.  District staff members have been working to ensure that we are ready to welcome your child back on September 2.  From the completion of building construction to the organization of the classroom, everything is in its place for the big day.

As quickly as the 2009-10 school year will surely pass, I hope you will look back a year from now and celebrate some key accomplishments with us.  First, a successful curriculum renewal in math with the implementation of newly adopted K-5 materials - replacing curriculum well over 10 years old and no longer aligned with state standards - and the successful pilot and implementation planning for new secondary math curricula.

Second, the successful passage of three critical ballot measures next February to support student learning; the Replacement Maintenance and Operations Levy, the Technology Levy and a Capital Improvement Bond to continue implementation of the district's capital facilities plan.

Third, the successful completion of several capital projects that will improve school environments and district efficiency: transition of Secondary Academy for Success to its new facility adjacent to Support Services; completion of Phase 1 of Kenmore Junior High and Woodinville High School remodels; completion of the new Transportation facility; and the completion of smaller projects at Bothell High School and Canyon Creek and Fernwood elementary schools.

A successful school system works in partnership with students, parents, staff and community members.  I welcome your involvement as we work to provide a quality education for all Northshore students.

Sincerely,

 
Superintendent Larry Francois

 

E-mail Larry Francois

(425) 408-7701

Biographical Information

Jan Ott serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent.