News from the Superintendent: April 6, 2009

April 5, 2009

Dear APS Community Member,

Hope you had a good first week back from break. There are just seven weeks left in the school year, and this is a critical time of year with SBA testing and preparations for high school graduation.

Speaking of testing, most schools have at least started the process. Remember, it is important that students are present and on time for every day of testing. As parents, we also need to recognize the value of the kids getting a good night’s sleep and a complete breakfast each day of testing. I know that both students and staff have been working hard all year to prepare for the tests.

The 60-day Legislative Session has wrapped up, and we are still awaiting the Governor’s signature on bills that will impact education. The funding formula bill passed the House of Representatives, including a gross receipts tax to fund the change. The Senate, unfortunately, did not take action on the bill. We will continue to work with Rep. Mimi Stewart on this bill, and we thank her for her sponsorship and leadership of this issue.  

This year, because of the continued strain on the state budget, the legislature did not pass any pay raises.  We did and will continue to advocate for increased compensation for all employees, including educational assistants, clerks, secretaries and bookkeepers.  

There was a bill to consolidate our medical insurance with other state employees from across the state.  This issue was studied several years ago, and it would have increased co-pays, premiums and administrative costs.  Fortunately the bill was tabled, and we will continue to advocate against consolidation as long as it harms staff.

This gives you a small glimpse into the legislative session. Joseph Escobedo, APS government affairs liaison, will be posting a more comprehensive report of the session on the web soon.

I would like to congratulate all of the middle and high school students who have won awards or received attention for their participation in various math and science fairs recently. There are too many to name and I’m afraid I’d miss someone, but these students should know how proud we all are of them.

Today is the deadline for teachers to submit proposals for BP A+ for Energy program grants, and I think you’ll agree that there are some pretty special science minds in our schools that need to be fed.

Remember, this Thursday is a regular school day. The previously-scheduled in-service was moved to accommodate testing. April 24 is now a half-day for students in the morning—helping make up for December’s snow day—and the afternoon is to be used for staff professional development. May 22 is the last day of classes, and will be a full day. Thanks for your patience as we settled these issues.

Have a great week and enjoy the long weekend.

Sincerely,

Winston Brooks
Superintendent