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By Ralph Schaeffer

Getting struggling students to progress a major goal

     The Hazelwood School District Monday night presented a proposed balanced budget for the 2017-18 school year that detailed not only budget specifics, but plans to get struggling students on the path to success.

The budget hearing kicked off with a reading intervention update. District officials said that, under the Achieve3000 program, they expect students falling behind in reading to grow “one and a half years per grade level.” The district also hopes that the new program will help decrease the amount of students in Tier 3 ( students reading two grade levels or below what they should).

“The program may help for some…but others may need a more intensive program,” said school board member Karlton Thornton.

“My concern is…is this going to work?” asked board member Mark Behlmann, adding that if it’s more funding sought, he’s assuming this is figured into the budget. “I don’t want to hear it was the kids or teachers (as to why the program would not work)…I want to see our kids progress.”

Others were concerned about the program’s reliance on technology. The administration noted that the Achieve3000 program would be online, with computer feedback providing benchmarks and growth goals based on student performance.

“I don’t want feedback from a computer,” commented board member Brenda Youngblood.  

Balanced Budget Presented

(The following information was provided by the school district public information office)

Steve Chodes, chief financial officer for the Hazelwood School District, proposed a balanced budget for 2017-18 school year during the public hearing.

“I am thrilled that we have a balanced budget,” said Supt. Nettie Collins-Hart, “I would like to thank the more than 100 community members, staff, and administrators who served on nine budget sub-committees earlier this year. The work of reviewing our comprehensive budget line-by-line was time consuming and tedious, but well-worth the effort. The unintended consequence is that more community members have a better understanding of the budget process.”

From December 2016 through March 2017, members of the community volunteered to participate on various sub-committees to review areas of the school district’s budget. During two public meetings, each sub-committee proposed recommendations for reducing the budget. After the sub-committees’ work was compiled, it was carefully examined by the District’s CFO and considered throughout the budget process.

A copy of the proposed budget is posted on the District’s website: www.goo.gl/Vsvlln.

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