June Board Meeting Highlights

June 10, 2024 Board Meeting Highlights

Electronic Device Policy (including cell phones, smart watches, etc): 

The Ballard Student Handbook was updated to include the electronic devices policies.  The existing policy is in place for the Middle School.  The high school policy has been updated.  The goal of the policy is to limit distractions and allow students to focus on classroom content in an optimal environment.  In short, students will not have access to their phones during the school day.  Middle schoolers must turn them off all day and high school students can use them during lunch.  The Board encourages parents to review this policy with middle and high school students that have cell phones.  Parents may contact the respective building office in emergency situations to reach their children. 

3-year old &  5-year old preschool tuition rates unchanged:  

The Board approved the recommendation to hold tuition constant for 3-year old and 5-year old preschool.  Tuition rates are $2,700 (for the school year) for 3-year olds and $3,816 (for the school year) for 5-year olds not going into Kindergarten.  

Ballard Flight Plan:

The Board was updated on Ballard Flight Plan.  Superintendent Dani Trimble is leading the discussions to update Ballard Strategic Plan, which will be called The Ballard Flight Plan.  She is gathering input from administrators, teachers, and community members.  The second session of a Portrait of a Graduate will also shape the plan.  The goal is to have a draft plan available publicly at the start of the 2024-25 school year.    

Ballard East & West HVAC Project: 

The upgrades to the East and West Elementary School Buildings HVAC systems are well underway.  Temporary classroom pods are in place and being connected to utilities.  The project is expected to be complete by August 2025.

New English Language Arts Curriculum for all grade levels:

The Board approved contracts for a new English Language Arts Curriculum.  This recommendation was the culmination of more than a year of work led by Katie Claeys, Director of Teaching and Learning, involving teachers from all buildings.  The teachers piloted the resources and developed their recommendations.  Thanks to Katie and the teachers for their work selecting these curricular resources.  

Amplify is the publisher for the K-5 and 6-8 curriculum. https://amplify.com/k8-ela-reviewer-toolkit  

The high school ELA curriculum is called My Perspectives and is published by Savvas https://www.savvas.com/solutions/literacy/core-programs/myperspectives-english-language-arts .  

This is a 7-year agreement to use these resources at Ballard.