RepoRt to the Community fRom youR publiC SChoolS

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Growing leaders: it’s About Strong education | 4

planting the Seeds: nurturing our youngest learners | 6

investing now for a Return to longview | 8

L NGVIEWLEARN & LIVE IN

2012–2013

Longview School District Mission Statement:

~ Expenditures ~The major General Fund Programs are defined below: Teaching Activities: $39,288,576Classroom, extra-curricular activities and payments to other school districts (for example students attending special education programs operated by another district or esd)

Teaching Support: $5,644,657Library, Guidance and Counseling, Pupil Management & safety, Health/Related services, instructional Professional development

Other Support Services: $12,674,657Maintenance/Custodial/Grounds, Building security, Utilities, insurance, Technology, Print shop, Warehouse, Food services, Motor Pool, Pupil Transportation, Public Activities

Principals, School Offices: $4,146,047Principals and clerical staff salaries and benefits, in addition to supplies, materials, contractual and equipment

Central Administration: $4,125,794Central Administration Offices and supervision of instruction, Food services, Maintenance & Operations and Transportation

TOTAL EXPENDITURES: $65,879,731

~ Revenues ~The Longview school district receives its revenue to operate schools from the following sources:

Levy: $14,952,464Collection of maintenance and operations levies approved by the voters, as well as other “in lieu of” tax collections

Local Non-Tax (Misc): $948,087Locally generated revenues not resulting from tax assessments. An example would be food service sales, e-rate reimbursement for phone bills, other reimbursements, facility rental fees, classroom fees, investment earnings

Apportionment: $33,272,797Funding allocated by the state based upon enrollment and the work experience of the certified teaching staff

State Grants: $9,118,671special purpose state revenues, such as special education, Learning Assistance Program, Highly Capable, Transitional Bilingual, Food services, Pupil Transportation, etc.

Federal Grants: $6,346,283special purpose federal revenues, such as special education, Title i, Title ii, Food services, etc.

Other School Districts: $60,000Reimbursements from other districts for use of services such as food service sales and print shop sales

TOTAL REVENUE: $64,698,302

~ Message from the Superintendent ~

TeachingActivities59.64%

OtherSupport19.24%

TeachingSupport

8.57%

PrincipalsO�ce6.29%

CentralAdmin6.26%

Apportionment$33,272,797

Levy$14,952,464

State Grants$9,118,671

Fed Grants$6,346,283

Other Dists$60,000

LocalNon-Tax$948,087

The mission of the Longview School District is to ensure that every student learns the skills,

attitudes, and knowledge to become a responsible citizen in a rapidly

changing society.

dear Longview Citizens:The Longview school district is pleased to present this

Report to the Community to you.Because we are all invested in the future of our

community, it’s important to keep all of our partners abreast of accomplishments and engaged in helping students achieve world-class skills.

We’ve titled our report “Learn and Live in Longview” because our beautiful city is indeed a great place to learn and grow and the perfect place to live and raise our families. We know quality education is the key to quality life.

This report offers a simple snapshot of our efforts to provide a well-rounded, exemplary education to the 6,000+ students we serve. You will see on its pages how knowledgeable, dedicated staff and outstanding programs help our students excel. You will also see our focus on continual improvement as we embrace our mission to help every Longview student be “Ready to Learn and Ready for Life.”

We proudly emphasize:

• Planting the seeds to nurture our youngest learners so they are well prepared for their life-long educational journey.

• Growing leaders who have the knowledge and skills to thrive in an ever-changing and demanding global economy.

• investing now in programs and partnerships that will ensure an excellent return on our investment and contribute to the current and future vitality of the Longview community.

We deeply appreciate your support of education and your continued confidence in our schools. By working together, we are certain to tackle any challenges head on, while we provide high quality programs designed to best prepare our students to succeed in their future endeavors— and return to Longview to lead, work and raise their families.

sincerely,suzanne Cusicksuperintendent

TeachingActivities59.64%

OtherSupport19.24%

TeachingSupport

8.57%

PrincipalsO�ce6.29%

CentralAdmin6.26%

Apportionment$33,272,797

Levy$14,952,464

State Grants$9,118,671

Fed Grants$6,346,283

Other Dists$60,000

LocalNon-Tax$948,087

iscal esponsibility2 0 1 2 - 1 3 R E V E N U E S A N D E X P E N D I T U R E S

The fiscal year for school districts in the state begins september 1 and ends August 31. The following represents the budget prior to the year-end closing of the books.

• The AVid program (Advancement via individual determination) is a college readiness system designed to increase school-wide learning and performance.

• Our district graduation rate has increased by more than 10 percent since 2005, with 81.5% of students graduating last spring.

• Our efforts in science are paying off. Longview students surpassed the state average on the end of Course exam in Biology in 2012.

• Our world language offerings now include Mandarin, acknowledging the growing role that China plays in the world economy.

• Our dropout rate has decreased by 8.5% since 2002, down to an all-time low of 3.7%, lower than the state average of 4.4%. The reduction is a result of programs that help target alternative learners and programs designed to meet individual learning needs.

• students can earn college credits while gaining advanced computer skills to be successful in college and in the workplace through the Microsoft iT Academy, a cooperative project of the Office of superintendent of Public instruction and Microsoft. students earn certification in the latest Microsoft software training and participate in hundreds of web-based learning opportunities.

Preparing for Career Success A growing number of students choose from a rich selection of Career and Technical Education programs, including: • Principles of Technology• Computer Assisted Machining• Computer Assisted drafting• Construction Technology• Construction Trades• Photo i, ii, iii, iV, V• Marketing i• Advanced Marketing• Applied Math• Computers• Accounting• Yearbook• Personal Finance• Personal Choices• Community and Personal Health• Human Anatomy• entrepreneurship• Woods• Health• Teen Cuisine• independent Living• Technical Theatre• Microsoft iT Academy

• Our growing list of sTeM (science, Technology, engineering and Math) Programs includes a successful Robotics team and community partnerships to support growth in sTeM courses.

• Advanced Placement (AP) courses enable students to excel in english, Math, science, World Languages and History. AP classes include: » AP Biology » AP Literature » AP Language and Composition » AP Us History » AP Government » AP Calculus » AP statistics » U of W French 103 » CWU Math

Ready for Life Our College and Career Ready Programs help prepare students for the next step in their lives, whether it’s attending a two- or four-year college or university, trade school, military or entering the workforce.

rowing eadersI T ’ S A B O U T S T R O N G E D U C A T I O N

~ Our Challenges & Opportunities ~ We continue to implement programs designed

to help reduce behavior issues and help students focus on learning. Efforts through our Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) have led to fewer behavior referrals. This will continue to be a focus for us in the coming years.

learn and live in longview | 54 | longview school district

Sustaining Long-term Success• Longview early education Partners (LeeP) has

partnered with public and private preschools and child care centers across the district, providing coaching, education and materials to child care providers. With everyone using the same teaching methods and materials, children are given the same opportunities and skills that are aligned with the kindergarten classroom, no matter where they received their pre-K education.

• We can increase the number of children meeting foundational skills needed for educational success if we are all aligned in our teaching strategies, goals and how we measure success. emphasis is also put on aligning first through third grade curriculums in order to sustain the benefits of full-day kindergarten.

Did you know?The 1995 study by Hard & Risley shows:

20,000Listening vocabulary words of incoming

kindergartners from middle-income homes

3,000Listening vocabulary words of incoming kindergartners from low-income homes

lanting the eedsN U R T U R I N G O U R Y O U N G E S T L E A R N E R S

• On december 10th, 2012, the school Board approved full-day kindergarten classes across all elementary schools in the district.

• Two schools, st. Helens and Kessler, received funding from the state to pilot full-day kindergarten classes for the last five years. Benchmark scores in alliteration, letter recognition

and picture naming (vocabulary) in these classes has risen from 38th to the upper 90th percentile.

• The Board’s decision is part of a national movement backed by strong research from Harvard, as well as local WA state research from the school districts in Bremerton and Walla Walla, who have had the longest running full-day kindergarten programs in the state.

• Critical to the success of full-day kindergarten is a high-quality preschool experience with multiple opportunities to practice sounds and letters.

Ready to LearnThe Longview School District has enhanced educational programs by extending kindergarten and aligning child care providers and teachers from preschool through second grade. The goal is to give children the tools required to help them succeed in school and life.

~ Our Challenges & Opportunities ~ The District is working towards closing the

achievement gap with our economically-challenged students. Aligning pre-K through third grade curriculums and implementing full-day kindergarten classes will help to reach this goal.

“High-quality education aligned from preschool

through third grade enables kids to be solidly prepared

for the rest of their academic career, helping them succeed

and stay in school.”

6 | longview school district learn and live in longview | 7

Longview Students Continue to Grow, Learn and Excel• Longview high school students received $1.4

million in scholarships and awards in 2012.

• Parents and community members volunteer 33,000 hours in our schools annually.

• Last year began implementation of a sTeM internship program with several local organizations and businesses, including the Humane society, City Water Bureau, Oregon Primate Rescue Center, City of Longview Utilities, and a local Toyota dealership.

• According to statistics from the College Board, 26.3% of Longview students indicate they will pursue a sTeM career, compared with 25.1% nationally. 91.7% of those said they plan to attend a 4-year institution and 35.6% of those will be first generation college graduates.

• internships offer alternative ways for students to earn credits and become college and career ready.

nvesting owPARTNERING FOR A RETURN TO LONGVIEW

Student Volunteers Help to Build the Community Longview students volunteered 6,444 hours in 2011-12 contributing to many community organizations and causes:• Humane society• Walk & Knock• United Way• Retirement & nursing

Homes• neighborhood cleanup• Calvary Community

Church• northlake elementary• ethnic support council• Community House• Cowlitz Youth Baseball• Goodwill• st. Johns Medical Center• Longview Public Library• Mission Trip/Yakima• st. Rose Vacation Bible

school• Relay for Life• Cowlitz Youth soccer• CAsA Auction• Olympic Carnival• Lose the Training Wheels• Cispus Columbia Heights

• Rotary• Ronald Mcdonald

Foundation• Longview Boat Regatta• Life Works Project Hope• MMHs swim• Cowlitz County Historical

Museum• CVG Carnival• special Olympics• World Vision-FisH• Oregon Food Bank• Longview Teen Council• stella Harvest Festival• sWWMeA Orchestra• RiF• Junior service League• st. Vincent dePaul• Mayfield Youth Camp• salvation Army• Knights of Columbus• YMCA Winter Camp• earth day• dsHs santa helper

Did you know?A new partnership with Weyerhaeuser through Project Lead the Way, is helping to prepare Longview students to be successful in a global economy. The program provides a national engineering curriculum for middle and high school students.

~ Our Challenges & Opportunities ~ The Foundation will focus on helping students

and staff become aware of the grants and opportunities available through the Foundation.

• LPs awarded $15,000 to district’s elementary schools, including:

» $5,000 to Olympic elementary to promote literacy, » $5,000 to Kessler elementary to increase mathematics competency, and

» $5,000 to st. Helens elementary for its summer reading program.

• Local service clubs including Rotary, Lions, and Kiwanis are eager to help wherever a need exists.

• Teachers, students and other LPs employees are encouraged to apply for grants. Potential grant programs may include:

» Programs that encourage healthy lifestyles » nutrition education » Programs that connect with world cultures » innovative curriculum and learning » Facility improvements that engage students » Civics education and engagement » support for visual and performing arts » Technology, math and science

Together We Aspire and AchieveAcademic and extra-curricular opportunities for Longview students are strengthened by strong partnerships with Lower

Columbia College, Weyerhaeuser, the export Grain Terminal (eGT), Longview Fibre, the Wollenberg Foundation and southwest Washington Community Foundation, to name a few.

To further bolster offerings and enrich learning for students of all ages, the newly-formed Longview Public schools Foundation provides additional resources. The LPs Foundation provides support through volunteerism, grants, donations and special programs. Though still in its infancy, the Longview Public schools Foundation has already made great contributions to education in Longview.

“Our district graduation rate has increased by more

than 10% since 2005, with 81.5% of students graduating last spring.”

8 | longview school district learn and live in longview | 9

• staff use time during a one-hour late start every Wednesday for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), a concept that has proven to greatly assist students in meeting learning targets. Teachers use the time to study individualized student data, talk to other teachers and create a plan to assist each student with learning goals.

• A new partnership with Kelso school district encourages ongoing professional

development among peers in engineering and math on

standards recognized and developed

by national business and

industry leaders.

~ Our Challenges & Opportunities ~We know that growth takes time, attention and

great care. As we work hard every day to make improvements, we recognize the many challenges that also must be addressed:

» increasing class sizes

» increasing poverty rate. Currently 56.8% of students qualify for free and reduced meals

» steadily declining student enrollment

» need to update science and technology labs

» Facilities issues and maintenance needs remain a challenge. Our district has 1.1 million square feet of roofs.

» Keeping pace with rapid development of technology and the way we prepare students for the future

» Keeping up with ever-increasing demands on public schools, including cyber bullying

» ensuring that all children enter school ready to learn

» identifying and providing early intervention and support

» Looking for ways to partner with the community to find additional preschool opportunities

T O I M P A C T S T U D E N T A C H I E V E M E N T

Helping Teachers Hone their Skills to Enhance Student Education

~ District Profile ~

Grade readinG math writinG science

3rd Grade 58.2 56.1

4th Grade 64.3 42 49.9

5th Grade 65.3 57.3 61.5

6th Grade 66.1 42.5

7th Grade 64.1 53.2 73.8

8th Grade 61.8 46.5 61

10th Grade 77.2 86

end-of-course assessment 7th-10th Grades

Math Year 1 64.5

Math Year 2 78.3

Biology 64.7

End-of-Course Exam Resultsstudents in grades 7-12 take math and biology end-of-course (eOC) exams. eOCs allow students to be tested on the knowledge and skills they’ve gained from a specific course, rather than on a comprehensive test like the High school Proficiency exam (HsPe) that assesses overall knowledge.

Did you know?A recent post-secondary planning program revealed: • 26.3% of Longview students plan to pursue

a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) career versus 25.1% nationally.

• 35.6% will be the first in their family to attend college.

• 91.7% plan to attend a four-year institution.

2011-12 Student Achievement DataThese are the Longview school district MsP/HsPe Results.

20-Year Facility Planningsuccess of any school district depends on the district’s

adaptability to changing educational standards, while remaining mindful of economic realities. declining enrollment and aging buildings are two indicators that are prompting the district to prepare for its future. Based on declining enrollment trends, the district has approximately 33% in excess space. Without a plan, the district would continue to pay to maintain this extra space, and would need to pay for improvements or replacement in the future.

The Facilities Planning Committee, consisting of community and staff volunteers, assisted the district in drafting a 20-year plan for the Board to consider. Plans are based on enrollment trends, projections and financial implications, district comparisons, building information and budget data. An independent assessment of the district’s buildings, a series of community involvement sessions, and over 200 student surveys of school facilities was completed in 2012.

To learn more about this process, visit us online at: http://www.longview.k12.wa.us/buildingstudy.html

Student Demographicsenrollment* 6,847

gender*

Male 51.1%

Female 48.9%

ethnicity*

American Indian/Alaskan Native 1.4%

Asian/Pacific Islander 2.4%

Black .9%

Hispanic 18.1%

White 69.3%

Other 7.8%

additional information

On-Time Graduation Rate (clAss OF 2012) 81.5%

*BAsed ON OcTOBeR 2011 HeAd cOuNT

learn and live in longview | 1110 | longview school district

2715 Lilac street, Longview, WA 98632360.575.7000 | www.longview.k12.wa.us

Postal Customer

LONGVIEW

Ready to learn.

Ready for life.

together we aspire and achieve.

nonPRoFIT oRGAnIzATIon

ECRWSSu.S. PoSTAGE

PaidLonGVIEW, WA 98632

PERMIT no. 44