The Anacortes School Board recently adopted the district’s Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and targeted goals for the 2022-23 school year. The AOP and targeted goals are aligned to the district’s strategic plan. 

The goals in the AOP are based on the 4 pillars of the Strategic Plan: Quality Instruction & Curriculum, Partnerships, Social-Emotional Learning, and Stewardship. Equity is considered at the core of all decisions, to ensure that all Anacortes students rise to their fullest potential, embrace the future, and make a difference. 

“The AOP, the targeted goals, and the school improvement plans (SIPs) all form a cohesive package of goals we have set to ensure student achievement, staff development, and care for our facilities,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “We also appreciate the community involvement that has gone into developing our plans.” 

Included in this year’s goals are: 

• Staff collaboration and engagement in continuous improvement processes, including effective Professional Learning Communities (PLCs). (AOP 1.1b) 
• Equitable access for all students to rigorous course offerings, including multiple pathways for success. (AOP 1.3a) 
• Increasing the percentage of families, staff, and students who rate school communications as “effective” and communications specifically about the budget as “effective.”  (AOP 2.2a, 4.4a) 
• Student access to rigorous, relevant, and engaging social-emotional learning (3.1c) 

A complete list of goals can be found in the Annual Operating Plan. Each goal includes annual action items that departments are responsible for. Each individual school improvement plan is also connected to the AOP. The SIPs outline building-based goals for student achievement. 

“As a board, we are proud of the district’s work to provide greater alignment of our goals and the actions steps needed to get there,” said Board President Jennie Beltramini. “We are committed to the success of all our students, and having clear, coherent, and measurable goals will help us ensure the district is doing everything we can to support our students and our staff.” 

Questions? Superintendent Justin Irish, (360) 503-1211 or jirish@asd103.org 

The latest issue of the Anacortes Pride is out now! Check out this issue for stories about: 

• One school's return to Mountain School 
• Creating a positive climate at Anacortes Middle School 
• The district's proactive work for budget planning 
• Your shout outs and more! 

The Pride is the district's quarterly newsletter that is mailed to all Anacortes households. If you would like an extra copy, or have any questions or feedback, please contact the Superintendent's Office: (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org

As you’ve likely noticed, we are dealing with significant air quality impacts from regional wildfires. We carefully monitor air quality and make adjustments to student activities as necessary, including indoor recess and PE. We will announce any changes to upcoming sports and other activities if necessary. 

Air quality is expected to remain or become unhealthy for sensitive groups. The majority of impacts are expected Tuesday and Wednesday, but may extend into Thursday.

Children are at higher risk for health issues due to wildfire smoke since their airways are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults. Children also spend more time outdoors, leading to increased exposure. Please see the resources below to check air quality. 

We follow the Air Quality Guide for School & Child Care Activities from Washington State Department of Health for school activities.

Links to the forecast sites:
Washington Smoke Blog
Interactive Maps (wa.gov)
https://www.airnow.gov/

Questions? District Nurse Emily Wade, ewade@asd103.org or your building principal. 

Superintendent Justin Irish is happy to announce another opportunity for the community to engage with the school district: “Java with Justin.” Dr. Irish will hold several sessions throughout the year, at various times, to have casual conversations with families, staff, students, and community members. 

These listening sessions will provide an opportunity to ask questions, hear district updates, provide feedback, and connect with other community members and district staff. We ask that you pre-register (https://bit.ly/Javawithjustin) so that we have an accurate headcount. Light refreshments will be provided. 

2022-23 Dates: 

• Thursday, October 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m. 
• Wednesday, December 7, 9:30- 10:30 a.m. 
• Monday, February 13, 5:15-6:15 p.m. 
• Thursday, May 11, 5:15-6:15 p.m. 

Please pre-register: https://bit.ly/Javawithjustin 

Each session has 20 slots available. 

All sessions are held at the Whitney Early Childhood Education Center Library: 1200 M Avenue 

Questions? Contact the Superintendent's Office at (360) 503-1211 or tramsay@asd103.org

The district is currently facing a severe bus driver shortage, which may result in possible route cancellations. The district’s transportation department is doing everything possible to avoid canceling routes, but we want families to be prepared in the event of a cancellation. 

If a route is canceled, the district will notify families as early as possible either the day before or early in the morning. If a route is canceled, families will need to arrange their own transportation for their student. 

Families will be notified the following ways: 

• Flash Alert: http://www.flashalert.net/. Families and staff are encouraged to sign up for Flash Alert for the most timely notifications.
• Email 
• Ride 360 App (for instructions on how to access Ride 360, please visit our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/32-Transportation) 
• District website, Facebook page, and Twitter 

The district is actively recruiting bus drivers. Please encourage anyone interested to apply: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/53-Human-Resources. Like many other districts and businesses we are struggling to keep certain positions filled. We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding. 

Questions? Karen Garrison, Transportation Supervisor, (360) 503-1155 or kgarrison@asd103.org 

Twenty members have been appointed to the district’s newly formed Budget Advisory Council (BAC), which will meet throughout the year to provide input on the district’s budget priorities, strategic goals, and overall financial health. 

The Anacortes School District is engaged in a proactive budget planning process to develop its 2023-24 budget and beyond. The district’s current $45 million budget utilizes nearly $2 million in district reserves, due to declining enrollment, increased costs across all departments, and loss of one-time federal COVID funding. The district is working proactively to identify cost savings to balance the district’s budget, and will also have some difficult decisions to make this year. The shortfall currently represents about 6 percent of the district’s budget. 

The BAC members represent staff, school board, students, parents, and community. Appointed members are: 

• Jack Curtis - Parent 
• Matt Cutter - School Board Director
• Kia duNann - Principal Representative  
• Octavia Eslick - Anacortes Education Association Representative 
• Diana Farnsworth - School Board Director 
• Jay Ferrario - Service Employees International Union Representative 
• Camille Flinders - Parent 
• Darene Follett - Parent
• Erin Glick - Anacortes Education Association Representative
• Brady Graham - Student 
• Elliott Johnson - Parent 
• Kelly Kreher - Anacortes Education Association Representative
• Dan Moroney - Parent 
• Danette Riordan - Anacortes Technology and Information Professionals Representative 
• Aimee Rudge - Anacortes Administrative Assistants Association Representative 
• Emily Schuh - Community 
• Matt Stine - Community 
• Rene Vance - Community 
• Carrie Worra - Parent 
• James Yandle - Staff 

“I am excited for the opportunity to engage with our community to help us balance the budget,” said Superintendent Justin Irish. “I appreciate these members in particular for dedicating their time to this important work. The decisions we make will impact all schools and programs, and I appreciate having a diverse range of perspectives.” 

The BAC meetings will also be open to the public to view the process. The BAC meetings will be held in the Anacortes High School library. 

The meeting schedule, and additional information is posted on our website: https://www.asd103.org/District/Department/26-Finance/1063-Untitled.html

“As a parent, I know how crucial the district’s budget is to student success; as a tax-payer, I know how important it is for our district leadership to serve as wise stewards of their funds,” said Jack Curtis, BAC member. “I am eager to learn more and also provide input into the district’s spending decisions so that we are all focused on making the best decisions for our kids, in both the near and long term.” 

Budget Town Halls 

In addition to the Budget Advisory Council meetings, the district will host several town hall forums about the budget throughout the year. These are also open to the public. 

• 12/8/22 - 5:30 - 7 p.m. 
• 2/2/23 - 5:30 -7 p.m. 
• 4/27/23 - 5:30 - 7 p.m. 

These town halls will be held in the Anacortes High School Commons.

Questions? Contact Mike Sullivan, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, (360) 503-1213 or masullivan@asd103.org 

Our hearts are heavy, yet full, as we mourn the life of longtime ASD teacher and coach Tom Swapp who passed away this past Saturday, September 17. Swapp taught 7th grade block classes at Anacortes Middle School for more than 30 years, and continued coaching after retiring from the classroom. A beloved teacher, dad, and grandfather, Swapp is perhaps most known and loved as the AHS Varsity Fastpitch coach, a program he started in the 1980s and has, to this day, seen only Swapp as its head coach.

From 1980 to 1996, the team was actually slowpitch, but successive successful seasons in the early ‘90s prompted the transition to fastpitch, and AHS continues to be a strong contender annually.

Recently, former players wrote letters to their coach, which were read to him by family members. Their words seem a fitting close to this tribute. Our thoughts are with his family.

“Thank you for being one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. I have amazing memories when I reflect back on my high school softball career. You have built a program that is full of tradition, discipline and respect for the game, and something you should be deeply proud of.”

“I hope you realize the wonderful memories you created and how many students’ and players’ lives you helped shape. The powerful influence you had on so many of us is incomprehensible. I want you to know you made an everlasting impact on my life. If everyone had a Mr. Swapp in their life, the world would be a better place. You are truly loved by many.”

Thanks for the memories, Coach.

This year the district will be studying the secondary schedules (i.e., number of periods in the day, etc.). This does not include start and end times.

Why? AMS and AHS share students and staff. We need to study the secondary schedules to create coherence and fiscally responsive decisions resulting in better student experiences.

There will be an Internal Committee comprised of staff and an Advisory Council comprised of families and community members. The Advisory Council and Internal Committee will provide feedback on the district scheduling study to support student-centered decision-making around staffing and budget.

Please submit your interest by September 23, 2022.

• If you are a family or community member interested in participating in the Advisory Council, submit your interest via the Advisory Council Interest Survey.
• If you are a staff member interested in participating in the Internal Committee, submit your interest via the lnternal Secondary Scheduling Committee Interest Survey.

Meetings will be hosted from October through January. Dates will be provided when selection decisions are made by the first week in October.

Questions? Dr. Becky Clifford, Assistant Superintendent, (360) 503-1214 or rclifford@asd103.org

The district’s grounds crew is developing a plan to improve landscaping around Anacortes High School, following some recent changes in how the grounds are managed. 

Community members have raised concerns about the state of the grounds, and the district takes these concerns seriously. Our team is currently working on ways to make improvements to ensure that the landscaping is more manageable to maintain in the future.

A lot of landscaping was added during the construction of the high school and a large portion of it is very labor intensive to maintain. During the first year, the flower beds were maintained by the contractor in accordance with the original contract and warranty. The cost of continuing this contract for grounds maintenance at the high school was prohibitive financially. While we have greatly appreciated the volunteers that have helped do some weeding, we know that volunteers are not a regular or long-term solution.

The two-man grounds crew has not been able to keep up with all of the newly added landscaping in addition to maintaining the other five school grounds. The district has 60 acres of land to maintain. Based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics an acceptable level would be one staff per 20 acres. Unfortunately, due to a tight budget this year and budget reductions next year, we will not be able to add any new employees to this crew. This greatly impacts our ability to maintain our grounds district-wide to an "acceptable level.” 

Our grounds department desires to have grounds our community can be proud of. The grounds crews are developing an action plan to maintain the grounds both in the short and long-term. 

Questions? Mike Sullivan, Executive Director of Finance & Operations (360) 503-1213 or masullivan@asd103.org 

Ride 360 is an app or website that allows families to access their child’s bus route information, including pick up and drop off times, locations, and bus status. 

Parents will need to register with Ride 360. Instructions are posted on our website. Once you are registered, you will find your child by using their Skyward Other ID number (under Student Info) and school name. 

Remember to request transportation for your child first, if you haven’t already done so. This is done through Skyward, selecting the 2022-23 Transportation Request form. 

More information is available on our Transportation website, or by calling (360) 503-1155