2007-08 Opening of School Update

Assistant Superintendent of Administration: Timothy Dunn

FACILITES

The summer months were busy across the school system with a number of capital improvement projects. The major projects included the renovation of the kitchen at Conard. The first phase involved the serving area, which will be ready for use when school opens. Two new science labs were created at Conard to accommodate increased enrollment.

Four portable classrooms were installed at Hall High School. These rooms are attached to existing portable classrooms and will be used for earth science instruction.

A major window replacement project was completed at Wolcott School. This project finishes the Wolcott renovation and will improve energy conservation. In addition, the remaining roof at Wolcott was replaced.

The installation of the synthetic athletic fields at Hall and Conard was completed and will be ready for use this fall.

New corridor tile was installed throughout Charter Oak School. This extensive project involved asbestos removal and was completed on schedule.

An extensive air conditioning project at King Philip began this summer and will be completed in November as planned. This project will address the temperature concerns experienced in many sections of the school.

CIP funds were also used to refurbish auditorium seating at Duffy.

In addition to these capital projects listed, over sixty (60) maintenance and building projects were completed. These necessary projects included:

· Improvement of drainage to soccer/lacrosse fields at Hall

· Replacement of the electrical feed for Hall stadium

· Renovation of the Duffy portable

· Installation of 22 Smartboards

· Roof repair at Morley and Aiken Schools

· Expansion of the computer lab at Braeburn School

· Partial roof replacement at Wolcott (The remainder will be replaced next summer.)

· Refinishing of twenty (20) gym floors

· Painting of various classrooms and exteriors

TRANSPORTATION

This school year we will transport approximately 6,006 students on 104 busses on 245 runs. Durham School Services purchased our previous bus carrier, Double AA, in December 2006. Meetings were held this summer with bus transportation representatives to discuss driver recruitment, retention and training. Recent changes in licensing requirements for school bus drivers call for more extensive background checks by the Department of Motor Vehicles. This process has increased the length of time for the license approval process. All bus drivers assigned to our routes have met these requirements and are properly licensed.

RESIDENCY

The Residency Office enrolled over 860 students since the close of school in June. This is an increase of sixty (60) from the same period last year.

TECHNOLOGY

The Information Technology Department completed a number of major projects during the summer months. These projects included:

· PC upgrades at King Philip, Smith, Webster Hill, Bugbee and Hall

· New computers installed in labs at Hall and King Philip

· New server for Student Information System (SASI)

· SASI training for all new administrators

· Software updates at all schools

· Network training for new staff

· New network hardware at Smith, Charter Oak and Webster Hill.

· Computer equipment provided for new and renovated classrooms

· New town-wide backup server installed at Town Hall

Additionally, a new and more powerful district web server was recently installed. This is part of a project to upgrade and enhance the WHPS website. The new site, which is expected to be operational within the first week of school, will be easier to navigate. The site will have special sections for parents, students and staff. It will include more graphics and provide for more flexibility and efficiency. A section will provide more detailed information about the Board of Education.

SECURITY

In an ongoing effort to improve school security, a school greeter program will be implemented in a number of schools. The greeters will be stationed in school lobbies while school is in session to greet and direct visitors having business in the schools. We are pleased with recruitment efforts this summer that have developed a candidate pool including individuals with experience in teaching, law enforcement and security. The greeter program will be primarily at the elementary schools.

As in the past, eighteen (18) security officers are assigned to our secondary schools.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Summer High School

The program was held at Hall High School and enrolled 920 students first semester and 763 students second semester. Total enrollment was up almost 10% over our previous high of two years ago, with sizeable increases in the enrollment of students from our collaborating communities of Hartford and Bloomfield. West Hartford and several immediate surrounding towns provide bus transportation to eligible students.

Students from 29 towns took over 40 different courses taught by a certified faculty of 70 teachers, about half of whom are from West Hartford schools. Sixty-four percent of the students took courses to “get ahead” in their scheduled program, while 29% took courses to remediate low or failing grades. About 7% enrolled in non-credit courses such as SAT Prep and ESOL classes.

The program continues to be the largest regional summer high school program and also the largest Alternate Route to Certification teacher training source in the state.

Summer K-8 Program

The K-8 program was held at Whiting Lane School and Sedgwick Middle School. A total of 406 students were enrolled at Sedgwick in a mix of 22 different academic skill courses and 32 enrichment courses in arts, technology and physical education. Whiting Lane housed the full-morning classes for 26 children from pre-school to first grade. A total of 44 teachers, most all of whom are from West Hartford, provided the instruction at the two facilities.