Announcements - Wednesday, 3/5/08

[Deb]

WCSD MASTER PLAN REFERENDUM. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO CAST AN INFORMED
VOTE ON MARCH 11, 2008.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Are artificial turf athletic fields included in this referendum?

No. However, turf fields are currently being researched for a possible
future referendum.



Years ago the District experienced comparable enrollments. Why is
there a need now for more space?

*Federal laws passed since the 1970's require districts to provide
special education services to disabled students in settings such as
resource rooms and self-contained classes, and related services
including adaptive physical education, physical and occupational
therapy, speech, social work, school psychologists, and testing
accommodations. All of these require additional classroom, office and
therapy space.
*No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation now mandates Academic
Intervention Services (AIS), which include counseling, occupational
and physical therapy, and speech, as well as support with academic
subjects.
*In the past, only art, music, library, and physical education were
offered to elementary students. Today we also offer enrichment and
computer classes.
*Federal laws now mandate English as a Second Language (ESL) services
for an increasing number of identified students within the District.
*It was not uncommon to have class sizes of 30 or more students in the
past. Now, the Board of Education goals seek to reduce the number of
students in each class to 20 in kindergarten, 22 in grades 1 and 2,
and 25 in grades 3-5. The middle school additions may also enable the
District to reduce class sizes in the secondary schools as well.
*When WCSD population was at its highest, several grade levels were on
split sessions.
*In the past there was often no dedicated space for art and music
programs. Art was provided on carts and music was taught on the
stage.
*Over the last 20 years New York State has increased the number and
types of courses students must take at the junior high and high school
levels. The number of credits required to graduate has grown
significantly in the last five years.
*Years ago schools did not have even one computer classroom. Today,
students enjoy access to computer classrooms which help prepare them
to live and work in a technology age.