Dear colleagues,
Welcome back from the Thanksgiving break. I hope you had a wonderful time with family and friends.
I would like to give you a brief update on our capital projects. If you recall, the 2008 bond included funds for the following projects: replace Machias and Riverview, expand and renovate Valley View, expand Centennial, finish the renovation of Snohomish HS, construct a new aquatic center, and provide technology for student learning at our schools that are not otherwise being replaced or renovated.
Staff and architects agreed to pursue a very aggressive schedule in order to take advantage of the current bidding environment. The bids for Riverview have come in substantially under budget and as I write this, we expect the bids for Machias will also come in favorably.
After an exhaustive evaluation of the former Hal Moe Pool location, we were forced to reject that site because we were unable to meet the parking requirements. The committee has now turned its attention to putting the pool at the Maple Avenue Campus (the former Freshman Campus).
We are on schedule and moving forward with the final work at Snohomish HS. We will be going to bid for the Centennial addition soon, and the rollout of technology in our classrooms is ongoing.
Have a great December,
Bill
As you know, Washington State does not fully fund K-12 education. Our district receives about 18% of its general fund revenue from a local school programs and operations levy. The current levy was approved by voters in 2006 and is scheduled to expire in 2010.
The school board voted November 4th to place a replacement levy on the February 9, 2010 ballot. The proposed levy, if approved, would replace the one that is expiring and would maintain local levy funding for Snohomish schools through 2014.
What would the levy pay for?
The programs and operations levy funds the difference between what the state provides and what it actually costs to educate Snohomish students.
Some examples of services and costs that the levy would support because they are not funded – or are only partially funded – by the state’s basic education allocation include:
To help with holiday plans, December payroll will be issued on December 18th. All time sheets need to be turned in by December 4th so that everything can be processed in time for the early pay date.
There is always a possibility that winter weather can impact delivery of your check, so the Payroll Department recommends direct deposit as the most efficient way for you to receive your payroll on time. To enroll for direct deposit, just stop by Payroll with a voided check and sign the form.
All direct deposit enrollment forms received by December 1st will be processed in time to affect the December payroll.
Slips and falls are one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in our district. Injuries can range from bumps and bruises to concussions or sprains / breaks of backs, ankles, wrists, and other parts of the body. Not only is it painful and inconvenient to sustain an injury from a fall, the average cost for an injury claim is almost $6,000 per accident in lost compensation and medical costs.
Proper footwear is among the most effective tools to prevent slips and falls. The right footwear can reduce the number of incidents by 70-80%, according to industry experts. Whatever style of shoe you select, make sure it features a slip-resistant rubber sole. Also look for a tread design that allows maximum contact with surface you are walking on; this offers the most slip resistance. Most important, avoid shoes like flip-flops and high-heels that offer little or no support, protection, or slip-resistance for wet floors or adverse weather conditions.
Babies!
Congratulations to second-time Grandma Maxine Marshall (SHS) on the birth of baby boy Cole Allen to Brogan (SHS ‘03) and husband Gordy Mitchell. Grandma was blessed with the news of a new baby to come on Easter Sunday, and Cole was born on November 10th. Big sister Ava loves her new little brother.