Bridgeport School District #75
P.O. Box 1060 , Bridgeport , WA 98813
Vol. XVI Gene Schmidt

Issue 3 April 2007 Superintendent

Our Community School

Our community school continues to gain enrollment. District administrators predict that next year's student enrollment will top 700. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction projects that our enrollment will top 800 by 2012. Classroom space in our community school is filling up fast. Classes that once numbered in the 30s, now have 50, 60 or more students in each grade.

The ballot that is before the voters creates a 21,000 square foot addition to the current high school for use by grades 6-8. In addition, the ballot enables the district to remodel the current vocational shop, which would create much needed space for metal and woods classes. By connecting the new addition to the high school, classroom space for music programs and computer labs can be shared.

There are additional benefits to connecting the schools. For example, students benefit from increased learning time. Currently, students walk back and forth between schools. In the new school students will travel short distances to class and spend less time between classrooms.

An improved environment will help students focus on learning rather than room temperatures. The current middle school lacks central heating and air condition. Classrooms are often hot, stuffy or cold depending on the weather. The middle school lacks modern amenities in the bathrooms and locker rooms.

The addition of new classroom space frees up the old space for other purposes. When the new building is completed, the current middle school will be used for school district offices, an alternative school, a preschool, and an adult education center.

This is our community school. We have the opportunity to provide a high quality complex for our children. Show your support for our community school by mailing in your ballot.

Community Pride
For the next Generation:

The present Bridgeport Middle School (formally the grade school then high school) has been an invaluable educational institution since 1950 that has given thousands of students the opportunity for an education and priceless memories of their school days.

It is a credit to the Bridgeport School District stewardship and ingenuity that a half century plus old facility has served as well and as long as it has. But resourcefulness only goes so far and coupled with a growing student population the building can only last as the middle school for so long. It is time to invest in our future by reorganizing and expanding our facility.

We now need to look forward to the next generation of students that will be educated in this school system. Let's give them the same opportunity as the thousands before them have enjoyed. The education of our children is a shared responsibility of all community members. The need to support our schools does not end when our children graduate. It has always been a community effort to build, operate, and maintain our schools. Just as those who went before us paid to support schools and assist us in our education, we need to continue to do the same for those who follow us.

There are two givens we frequently hear: Our communities are judged first by the quality of their public school system, and that quality is greatly dependent on the willing contribution from local taxpayers. Both these facts are enough to prompt a vote regarding the Bridgeport School Bond.

I ask all community members to educate or inform themselves on the facts about the bond. I want your decision made regarding the bond to be based on FACT and not emotional feelings, rumors or misunderstandings. Factual information about the bond is readily available throughout the community. If any individual or group would like someone to present to them information about the bond, I would gladly arrange that for you.

Mail-in ballots have been mailed out. Please consider how you'll vote very carefully. In a very real sense, the future of thousands of children depends on the outcome of this election. It is time to move into the 21 st Century.

The Bridgeport School District is presenting a prudent, reasonable and practical proposal. Invest in the future of our students and community with PRIDE . Sincerely, Dan Dahl

Bond Facts ~ Link to Further Bond Information

•  Election Date is April 24, 2007

•  Voters will received ballots about April 6, 2007

•  The total amount of the Bond Issue is $3,128,530

•  The cost to taxpayers will be $3.63 per thousand. This is an increase of $1.05.

•  The proposed bond will be paid over the next 20 years

•  Architects determined the existing middle school has served its useful life.

•  Building a new middle school lessens the disruption to the learning sequence of students during construction.

•  Passing the bond will result in the allocation of more that $5 million in state matching funds

•  The bond was developed by a committee of staff and community members and reflects community input on school construction needs

Important Projects Include

• The bond will provide much needed education space at the middle school and high school levels.
• The bond will add 21,000 square feet to the high school for use by the middle school.
• The existing shop will be completely modernized.
• Existing middle school gym and locker rooms will be updated and modernized.
• Existing middle school will be converted into an alternative school, district office, pre-school and adult education center.
• The bond will include technology upgrades at the new middle school.

Current Needs

• To replace aging infrastructure, including Plumbing, HVAC, Electrical and Technology.
• To meet program needs such as vocational/agriculture, drama, music, physical education, and athletic scheduling.
• To improve security, operating efficiency, and student access to core spaces
• To address Fire and Building Code issues and American with Disabilities Act.

State Match

The State of Washington will provide a projected 64% match of the entire project. The graph below shows that local dollars make up 36% of the cost.

Property Tax Exemption

If you are a senior citizen or disabled, Washington has two programs that may help you pay your property taxes and/or special assessments. Your household income and your age or disability determines your eligibility for both programs.

Eligibility Requirements

You must be at least 61 years old on December 31 or the application year, or unable to work because of a disability, or a veteran with a 100 percent service connected disability.

Your annual household disposable income may not exceed $35,000. Household income includes disposable income of you, your spouse and any co-tenants. A co-tenant is a person who lives in your home and has an ownership interest in your home

Why now?

It will save the District from paying higher construction costs in the future and take advantage of current low interest rates.

It will prevent the transfer of money from instructional functions to cover capital costs such as electrical and mechanical improvements.

It will take advantage of the state matching funds.

Why not remodel the middle school?

Architectural studies in the 1990's and 2004 came to the same conclusion. It would cost as much or more to remodel the middle school building than it would cost to build a new one. Architects determined that the present building had exceeded its life as an educational structure. By building new, student learning would not be interrupted by the construction project. Although the middle school was old, the building could be used for other purposes, so a decision was made to not tear it down.

Summer School 2007

Summer is approaching and plans are in the works for another round of summer school!

Summer school 2007 will start June 25, and go through July 26. It will be Monday-Thursday from 8:00-11:30 . Classes are cancelled on July 4 th (Wednesday), but will be made up on that Friday (July 6).

Bridgeport Elementary school will most likely have about eight teachers for this program. Teachers will soon begin recommending students for summer enrichment and review of basic skills in reading and math. If you are interested in your child attending summer school, please contact the elementary office at 686-2201.

There will be no Century 21 classes this summer.

Summer school is a time for students to finish learning academic skills at their grade level. It is a time to keep their brain fresh for the next school year! It is an organized activity with positive results.

We look forward to a great summer.

“Muffins for Moms” & “Donuts for Dads”

Bridgeport Elementary is going to host the “Muffins for Moms” & “Donuts for Dads” events in May.

On May 10 th , the elementary will serve juice, coffee and muffins to moms who bring their children to school that morning. Go into the main entrance of the elementary school at 7:30 a.m. with your child for a muffin!

On May 17 th the elementary will serve juice, coffee and donuts to dads who bring their children to school on that morning. See you there!

Bridgeport FFA
Link FFA Page

Bridgeport FFA has had an exciting year, competing in numerous events and attending regional gatherings. Last fall and this spring the FFA Agricultural Mechanics team attended competitions across our FFA district. The team has placed at each contest that they have attended, and will be making a trip to the State Contest held at Walla Walla Community College on April 25 th . Team members include: Qristian S., Elder H., Fabian R., Jose Antonio B., Andres V., and Miguel B. At this contest members will demonstrate various skills including; welding, electrical knowledge, engine maintenance, and machinery repair.

This year Bridgeport had twelve members compete in leadership Career Development Events. Jayde E., Elder H., and Fabian R., competed in the Job Interview event. They had to complete a resume, cover letter, provide letters of recommendation, fill out an application, participate in an interview and finally write a follow-up letter. Elder ended up placing in the top five in our FFA District in this event.

Maria A. and Miguel B. prepared and gave a public speech. The members wrote a six to eight minute speech and then presented it in front of a panel of judges. Both members competed at the sub-District level in Omak on March 29 th . Maria ended up placing second, qualifying for District competition, and Miguel placed fifth. Maria competed at District on April 12 th and placed fourth.

Qristian S., Jayde E., Jose Antonio B., Liz T., Yaquelin R., and Juan L. competed in the Parliamentary Procedure contest at the sub-District level. In this event members demonstrate how to run a business meeting using parliamentary law. They did not end up moving on to the district competition, but will be ready to hit it again next year.

Finally, we had one member compete in the FFA Creed Speaking event. In this event students memorize the five-paragraph FFA Creed and present it to judges. Danyelle C. placed first at both sub-District and District and will be representing the Bridgeport FFA at the State FFA Convention in Pullman May 9 th - 12 th .

Other teams attending State FFA are the Farm Business Management Team and Livestock Judging Team. Members on these two teams have not been set as of yet, but each team will consist of five people.

We hope to have an exciting and successful State Convention where all of the students can go and show off the knowledge they have learned in FFA and Agriculture Education.

Other up-coming events include a Baby Animal Fair scheduled for May 4 th at the shop. Elementary student will be invited over to look at and pet baby farm animals. Community members are welcome to stop by and take a look too. Also, the Bridgeport Days BBQ is coming up June 1 st . There will be a few changes to the menu so look forward to that.