In late September, the PFC sent out a survey to both teachers and parents gathering feedback on how best to utilize our strategic funds this year. THANK YOU to all that took valuable time to complete this survey!!
We gathered this feedback and created a committee of parents, teachers and PFC leadership. The purpose of this committee (Strategic Spending Committee) is to take these ideas into consideration and propose to our PFC members actionable recommendations for a vote.
We reviewed these recommendations and organized them into categories - Facilities/Beautification, Teaching Support, Academic Support, Enrichment, STEM, Art/Music, Counseling/SEL Support, Safety, and others. Look for future communications on the efforts that have been made, not only through this committee, but also our amazing principal and leadership at Walnut Acres!
To date, we have identified a few key areas that we want to act on, as we continue to research and define other areas where we want to leverage our money throughout this year.
At the Special Session to be held Dec. 5th, we would like to vote to approve the below:
- Increase Reading and Math Intervention Specialists (Academic Support & Teaching Support)
- Increasing Reading Intervention Specialists from 0.4 to up to 0.8 time
- Increasing Math Intervention Specialist from 0.4 to up to 0.6 time
- (Current math intervention specialist has other commitments and at this time cannot move to 0.8)
The added time will allow our Reading/Math Intervention Specialist to have smaller groups with kids that need the extra support, which show increased impact to student success. Join our General Meeting to learn more about what these amazing teachers do before our vote on December 5th.
We will vote to approve an increase of budget for Reading Specialists from 0.4 to up to 0.8 (2 days to 4 days a week) with anticipated start date no earlier than 12/5 AND an increase in budget for the Math Intervention Specialist from 0.4 to 0.6. ( 2 days to 3 days a week). This would take PFC budgeted costs from $102k to $150K (Net increase of approx. $48k).
- Murals (Beautification)
As part of the beautification of our schools, we are looking to create a few murals that are designed and done (with artistic support) by our students. These would be done on plywood, so they are moveable and will be updated in the future every few years.
Teachers are working on the execution plan, but have developed a budget of $1500 for supplies. This may be less, if we can get some supplies donated by Lowes/Home Depot.
We will vote to approve $1,500 for Murals for Walnut Acres Elementary.
So please join us for the Special Session on Tues. Dec 5th at 7pm via Zoom (link below).
Thank you in advance for support, and look for more communications to detail out what we are working on to have a safe, amazing school for our kids and community.
Strategic Spending Committee
Melanie Mitsch is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dec Special Vote General Meeting
Time: Dec 5, 2022 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 860 6560 9850
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