MTHS Parent Group Meeting Notes

May 7, 2007

 

Budget for 2007-08

 

MTHS Staff Reduction for next year is -4.78 FTEs (full-time educators)

This is a result of four factors:

  • Declining enrollment (causes a .7 reduction in staff)
  • No more funds available from the Edmonds School District Reserve Account. For every dollar we have been receiving from the State, we have been spending an additional cent ($.01). We can no longer do this.
  • When Edmonds School District had to determine next year’s budget, the state had not completely finalized their school budget.
  • The state approved a 3.7% staff cost of living increase, the school district needs to cover the cost of this increase with all staff that are paid through district funds (bonds, etc.)
  • There will be between a 4 ½ to 6 million short-fall in next year’s budget

 

How this affects MTHS next year includes:

  • MTHS will change planning class sizes from the ratio of 31:1 to 34:1
  • The average class size will be between 28-30. They are working to keep freshman and sophomore classes smaller.
  • All AP classes that ran this year will run next year. They will be running full AP classes, can no longer afford to run small AP classes. Next year there will be AP English, AP Government, AP Chem, AP Physics. AP Stats/AP Calculus will alternate each year.
  • There will be hiring in the area of Math to cover necessary classes.
  • Core classes for 11th & 12th graders will become Super Terrace classes. This includes English, Math, Science, etc. This alone reduces staffing by 2.2 FTE
  • There is consideration of dropping the 7th period classes. To keep the 7th period classes, they would need to be paid for from the building level budget. This will be decided over the next couple of weeks. (It was suggested that parents might be willing to pay for the 7th period classes, the same way that kindergarten parents pay for full-time kindergarten)

 

The #1 priority is to reduce class size if we get additional staffing for next year.

 

Senior Projects 2007-08

Senior project for next year will be called "Culminating Project".  It will be embedded into Senior Social Studies. It will be a full year class and all senior presentations will take place at the end of the school year over two days.

 

Healthy Youth Survey

Michael Clune, NCAC II, M.H.S., MTHS, Prevention/Intervention Specialist presented student data from the Healthy Youth Survey on Monday evening, 5/8/07. The survey data is comprised  by MTHS sophomores and seniors within the past 2 years. The HYS is administered State wide every 2 years to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades. It is believed that the HYS is one of the more accurate tools of addressing the impact of adolescent health risk behaviors. MTHS students document the HYS individually in a class environment, as similar to taking a test. The HYS is administered at the beginning of the school year.

 

A portion of the HYS asked students to respond to questions surrounding Al/Dr use: 

1. Have you smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days?

2. Have you used marijuana/hashish in the past 30 days?

3. Have you drank alcohol in the past 30 days?

 

 

Sophomores

2004

Seniors

2006

Sophomores 2004

 

Seniors 2006

Sophomores 2004

Seniors 2006

 

Smoking

Smoking

Alcohol

Alcohol

Marijuana

Marijuana

MTHS

15%

14%

37%

39%

20%

20%

ESD

18%

25%

33%

46%

19%

25%

WA. State

15%

24%

33%

45%

19%

25%

 

It's important to note that a high majority of students reported no use. This information helps parents and students challenge the myths, fears and false perceptions

that "All students are using all the time."  As it's important to provide and utilize appropriate interventions for those students and families in need, it's just as important to recognize and give recognition to students and families that are making healthy decisions when it comes to Al/Dr situations.

 

New Substance Abuse Services at MTHS include: (Sliding scale applies to all services)

  • Student assessments are now done at the school on Monday's after school. Parents may call 425-485-6541 and ask for Marsha Thompson to schedule an appointment. .
  • Chemical Dependency treatment is now offered at MTHS. The duration of this level I program is 1 time per week for 8 weeks. Students diagnosed needing more intensive and structured treatment will be provided a referral.
  • UA services are available at MTHS, cost $20. Parents can utilize this service at home as well.
  • A Quit Smoking Class, G.Y.B.O. (Get Your Butt Out) is now offered which runs 2x/week.Students who successfully complete the class receive partial credit. The class is on a flexible rotation schedule so that it minimizes missing a class.
  • U- TURN  is an active ASB club at MTHS. Students that are AL/Dr free are welcome to join!

 

Mr. Clune,  can be contacted at 425-431-5031 if you are a parent seeking information, in need of a referral or have a concern about your children (s) or other students using at school and not sure how to deal with it.

 

 

Robin Downie

robindo@msn.com