Superintendent talks about state of Shelton schools

A rising graduation rate is amongst the strengths of the Shelton School District, while the disproportionate discipline of Native American students is a weakness. Keeping the schools open during the pandemic, and approaching a month without a classroom closure, is an ongoing accomplishment.

Those are among the findings in a report Superintendent Wyatt Jessee presented Tuesday to the Shelton School Board. The report was designed to look at the last five years in the district, and set goals.

The district increased the graduation rate from 75.1% in 2018-19 to 84.9% in the 2019-20 school year. The district said the graduation rates from 2021 are not available.

In his report, the superintendent wrote that the district’s strengths include the longevity of the district staff, community commitment and support of the district, development of college and career pathways, capital development and facilities maintenance, labor relations, and a positive, collaborative environment.

The weaknesses include academic outcomes across grade levels; disproportionate discipline for students who have Individualized Education Programs and/or identify as Native American; written procedures across district functions; the district capacity to meet a growing student population; and the core academic materials, tools and plans to address the needs of students.

The district identified opportunities as the creation of a new strategic plan, utilization of school improvement plans, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund dollars for a district-wide plan to address learning loss, the development od a district-wide plan for English Learner services, redefining the continuum of Special Education services, and strengthening relationships with families.

The district lists threats and risks as getting the strategic plan done on time and implementing it for 2022-23, the hiring timeline and related outreach efforts, maintaining a disciplined focus on a few student performance goals, assessments and a data management system, the coordination of professional development opportunities, the culture of rigor and high expectations, and budget procedures that support district-wide initiatives.

School enrollment is 439 students at Bordeaux Elementary, 430 at Evergreen Elementary, 486 at Mountain View Elementary, 550 at Olympic Middle School, 589 at Oakland Bay Junior High, 1,475 at Shelton High School, 95 at Cedar High School, 176 at CHOICE High School, and 85 at the Early Learning Center.

The district states that its vision is based on four goals:

To improve overall academic achievement for all students

To increase school quality and student success indicators

To ensure every staff member is a 21st-century educator

To promote equity in all aspects of the district.