March 20, 2009
Dear Parents and Guardians,
As
we are all well aware, our state and nation are facing unprecedented
economic challenges resulting in budget deficits affecting the Puyallup
School District. As we work to reduce our budget by $11 to $15 million,
we are faced with making decisions that will affect every student in the
Puyallup School District.
For
many years, we have studied the effectiveness of small schools. The
enrollment at Hilltop Elementary School is approximately 200 students,
and it is not expected to grow in the foreseeable future. In addition,
this significantly low student enrollment makes it challenging to
provide a viable and equitable student learning environment, as well as a
positive working climate for staff. Small schools make it very
difficult for the district to best serve our students, and the cost of
operating small schools continues to increase.
The
purpose of this letter is to inform Northwood Elementary families that
district staff will be recommending that, in accordance with Board
Policy No. 6883, the Board of Directors begin its review of the analysis
of the Hilltop Elementary School learning environment and possible
future closure of that school.
The
district’s administrative staff believes that current Hilltop
Elementary students may be better served in other North Hill schools
where a wider range of educational support will provide them with an
equal opportunity to district programs as their peers have in other
district schools. Combining Hilltop, Mountain View, and Northwood
elementary schools into two schools would provide a broader range of
educational programs and opportunities for all students, increased staff
collaboration, and more professional development opportunities for
intermediate and primary staff.
The
Board will consider this recommendation to analyze the potential
closure of Hilltop Elementary at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday,
March 23, in the Ballou Junior High Commons, 9916 136th Street E. in
Puyallup. If approved, the Board action will authorize staff to begin
development of a written analysis as required under Board Policy 6883
which will be presented to the Board of Directors on April 13. If the
Board moves forward with this process, there will be a minimum of one
public hearing as required by state statute for public testimony. The
date and time of this public hearing will be announced on the district
Web site, in other written district communications, and in local print
media for two consecutive weeks, with the last print media notice
published not later than seven days before the public hearing.
Experiencing
academic success is critical for our children. As parents, teachers,
and administrators, we must work together to ensure that we provide
students an appropriate learning environment which is supportive of
student learning. As superintendent of the Puyallup School District, it
is my responsibility to you and to your child to make sure that happens
in every school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tony Apostle
Superintendent