Issaquah School Board approves school construction changes
January 1, 2013
The Issaquah School Board approved more than $300,000 worth of changes Dec. 12 for construction at Briarwood Elementary, Liberty High and Maywood Middle schools.
Briarwood’s costs went up by $116,230.69. Of the 25 items included on the change order, 18 are $2,000 or more and nine of those have price tags more than $5,000.
The largest addition, by far, is $29,055 for modifications to the school’s ductwork.
Issaquah legislators receive key commitee assignments
December 26, 2012
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 26, 2012
Local lawmakers received or retained influential committee assignments — and the ability to shape state policy on education, transportation and other priorities — in the next legislative session.
Recent changes in how the state Senate operates changed prospective roles for local legislators. Though Democrats claim more members in the Senate, Republicans announced a plan in early December to instead put a bipartisan caucus in place to run the chamber.
With help from Sens. Rodney Tom, D-Medina, and Tim Sheldon, D-Potlach, Republicans received a 25-24 majority. Under the proposal, Tom is poised to serve as majority leader and oust Democrats’ chosen majority leader, Sen. Ed Murray, D-Seattle. (Until redistricting last year, Tom, a former Republican, represented some Issaquah neighborhoods.)
Issaquah School Board preserves Liberty High School’s block schedule
December 18, 2012
Steve Rasmussen
A celebratory cry gushed from the audience Dec. 12 as the Issaquah School Board voted 4-1 to preserve the eight-period block schedule at Liberty High School.
“The data to support a six-period day has always seemed to me to be weak,” board member Chad Magendanz said. “At this point, I think it is premature to make a change without a compelling case driving it.”
Since 1995, Liberty has used an eight-period block schedule where students take four 90-minute classes each day. Many in the school’s community like that eight periods give students more chances to explore electives. This, supporters of the block schedule say, cultivates creativity, innovation and a commitment to learning.
“I think we have something at Liberty, that is evidenced by the groundswell of feedback from the community, that says this is very valuable to us,” board President Brian Deagle said. “I don’t know how to measure it. We haven’t been measuring it, yet it’s been proposed that we get rid of it.”
Brian Deagle to remain Issaquah School Board president
December 18, 2012
Brian Deagle
Brian Deagle will remain president of the Issaquah School Board after receiving an unanimous vote from fellow board members Dec. 12 to keep the position throughout 2013.
As per district policy, the board is required to elect a new president each year. Superintendent Steve Rasmussen opened the floor for nominations and Deagle was quickly nominated without contest.
This is a the second time this year the board has unanimously voted for Deagle for board president. The first came Aug. 22, when then-board President Chad Magendanz stepped down because of his bid for a seat in the Legislature.
Magendanz has since won the election and is transitioning to his new role as the state representative for the 5th Legislative District. His last school board meeting will be Jan. 9.
Issaquah School Board OKs construction changes
December 18, 2012
The Issaquah School Board approved nearly $72,000 worth of changes to the construction projects at Maywood Middle and Challenger Elementary schools during the board’s Nov. 28 meeting.
Eight changes were made to Maywood’s building project and add up to $64,681 before taxes. The most expensive item on the list is $51,000 for additional underdrains for the softball field. According to the change order, the softball field contains large areas of poor draining fill soil. The $51,000 price tag does not include the cost of any impact to landscaping work.
Issaquah School Board preserves Liberty High School’s block schedule
December 12, 2012
NEW — 10:40 p.m. Dec. 12, 2012
A celebratory cry gushed from the audience Wednesday night as the Issaquah School Board voted 4-1 to preserve the eight-period block schedule at Liberty High School.
“The data to support a six-period day has always seemed to me to be weak,” board member Chad Magendanz said. “At this point, I think it is premature to make a change without a compelling case driving it.”
Since 1995, Liberty has used an eight-period block schedule where students take four 90-minute classes each day. Many in the school’s community like that eight periods give students more chances to explore electives. This, supporters of the block schedule say, cultivates creativity, innovation and a commitment to learning.
Issaquah School Board is set to vote on Liberty High School schedule
December 11, 2012
Students, staff and parents of Liberty High School could know soon whether their daily schedule will change. The Issaquah School Board is expected to vote on the issue at its 7 p.m. Dec. 12 regular meeting.
Since 1995, the school has used an eight-period block schedule where students take four 90-minute classes each day. However, in order to establish a common, districtwide high school schedule, and to give Liberty students more time to study core subjects, district officials are considering changing Liberty’s timetable.
During the Nov. 28 school board meeting, Superintendent Steve Rasmussen recommended switching the school to a six-period schedule, which is what Issaquah and Skyline high schools both use.
Issaquah School District students, athletes get $176,000 boost
December 11, 2012
The Issaquah School District approved more than 176,000 worth of donations during its Nov. 28 meeting.
The Issaquah Schools Foundation donated $88,597.55 to support various programs in the district.
From that, $12,500 is for the Middle School After School Homework program while another $7,500 is for similar high school programs. As well, $35,600 is for Science Tech; $25,000 goes to Humanities Plus; $3,500 is earmarked for Financial Literacy and Targeted Academic Interventions gets $3,797.55.
Superintendent recommends six-period schedule for Liberty High School
December 4, 2012
Superintendent Steve Rasmussen recommends Liberty High School switch to a six-period schedule.
During the 1990s, many schools across the nation began using an eight-period block schedule where students take four 90-minute classes each day. And in the fall of 1995, Liberty became one of those schools.
Seventeen years later, that could change. In order to establish a common, districtwide high school schedule, and to give Liberty students more time to study core subjects, the Issaquah School District is considering changing Liberty’s timetable.
Rasmussen made his recommendation to the Issaquah School Board during a work study session Nov. 28. The main reason, he said, is because the current block schedule gives Liberty students 127 hours per class each year, where Issaquah High School has 161 hours and Skyline High School has 165.
Boundary change shifts 175 students from Grand Ridge to Clark
December 4, 2012
When the first day of school comes next fall, 175 students who had gone to Grand Ridge Elementary School will say “hello” to Clark Elementary School.
The move was announced Nov. 19 as part of a boundary shift that will help alleviate overcrowding at Grand Ridge. Additionally, all kindergartners will go to Challenger and Endeavour elementary schools.
Located in the continually expanding Issaquah Highlands, Grand Ridge has the capacity for about 600 students, according to Jake Kuper, CFO for the Issaquah School District. With the use of portable classrooms, the capacity jumps to 800.
