Renton School District to host budget meeting Thursday night at Hazen
January 27, 2011
NEW — 11 a.m. Jan. 27, 2011
Officials from the Renton School District will host a meeting from 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 27 at Hazen High School, 1101 Hoquiam Ave N.E., Renton, to gather input regarding budget priorities.
In December, lawmakers cut $850,000 from the district’s 2010-2011 budget. Also, Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed 2011-2013 budget calls for more extensive cuts during the next two school years.
Hazelwood Elementary could bring in more students next year
January 7, 2011
Hazelwood Elementary School’s attendance area could get larger next year.
The Renton School Board voted at its Dec. 8 meeting to alter the district’s elementary school boundaries in the 2011-2012 school year, if the district decides to open Honey Dew Elementary School, 800 Union Ave. N.E. in Renton.
District could consider changing Renton Academy to a middle school
January 7, 2011
The Renton School Board will convene a committee in the 2011-2012 school year to examine the building needs in the Renton School District, district spokesman Randy Matheson said.
The committee will recommend items that could be brought forward in a possible bond measure in 2012.
The district’s three middle schools are at capacity and do not have room to expand. Thus, the committee may examine building a middle school on the property that hosts Renton Academy — a kindergarten through 12th-grade, special-education school at 6928 116th Ave. S.E. in Newcastle.
The building previously hosted Hazelwood Elementary School until it moved to its new building one block south in 2005.
Matheson said the committee may consider the proposal because the site is the only district-owned property big enough to house a new middle school.
“Right now, it’s sort of a passing thought on our part,” Matheson said.
A new middle school would need to be recommended by the committee, approved by the school board and then approved by voters. If voters were to approve it, the school would undergo a two- to four-year planning phase before any construction begins, Matheson said.
If a middle school were to be built on the site, district officials would be responsible for determining how to continue offering services provided by Renton Academy.
Issaquah, Renton teachers earn National Board Certification
January 7, 2011
Eleven Newcastle-area teachers — seven from the Issaquah School District and four from the Renton School District — earned National Board Certification in December. The NBC certification process is the only one that compares a teacher’s skills and knowledge to a national set of standards, according to the Issaquah School District’s website.
To attain certification, teachers must submit a portfolio including lesson plans, student work samples and a videotape of a lecture. Teachers must also submit a document detailing work outside the classroom with colleagues and community members, and discuss how such work affects student learning, according to the Issaquah and Renton school districts’ websites. Finally, the teachers must complete numerous exercises demonstrating subject-area mastery.
November snow brings early test for city maintenance crew
December 2, 2010
As snow and ice blanketed Newcastle just before Thanksgiving, city maintenance workers took to the streets in the city’s three trucks fitted with snowplows, clearing roads around the clock in accordance with the city’s snow priorities map.
However, before snow began falling, maintenance workers had already laid de-icer on the city’s major roadways.
“We were very prepared for what happened,” said Steve Roberge, interim public works director. “The way the event occurred caught everybody off guard.”
Public hearing about expanding Hazelwood Elementary attendance area is Wednesday
November 30, 2010
UPDATED — 3:35 p.m. Dec. 1, 2010
The Renton School District will host a public hearing at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at Kohlwes Education Center, 300 S.W. Seventh St., Renton, regarding recommended boundary changes for its elementary schools.
The change would expand Hazelwood Elementary School’s attendance area and could bring as many as 40 new students to the school.
The district plans to open Honey Dew Elementary School, 800 Union Ave. N.E. in Renton, for kindergarten through fifth-grade students, and the boundary changes would be made to accommodate the school opening. The district reopened Honey Dew Elementary this year for kindergarteners.
Schools closed Wednesday
November 24, 2010
NEW — 7 a.m. Nov. 23, 2010
Issaquah and Renton schools are closed today due to snow and ice.
City Hall closed due to snow, but special council meeting still on
November 23, 2010
NEW — 11:20 a.m. Nov. 23, 2010
City Hall is closed today due to snow, but the City Council will still hold its special meeting at 6 p.m. tonight to make amendments to the 2011 budget and possibly adjust the property tax levy rate. The meeting will be in the Council Chambers, 13020 Newcastle Way.
City Manager Rob Wyman said city maintenance workers continuously roamed Newcastle’s streets overnight, using the city’s three trucks armed with snowplows. One trucks broke down during the night, and it is now being repaired.
Roads are being cleared in accordance with the city’s priority map, which you can see here. Wyman said priority one and many two routes are in fair condition, but priority three and four routes have not have mostly not been plowed and are still very slick.
Renton, Issaquah school districts get energy grants
October 4, 2010
Renton and Issaquah school districts construction dollars will now go up $2.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively.
In late August, administrators in both districts applied to receive a piece of $100 million the state Legislature set aside for school construction projects.
We want your first day of school photos!
September 10, 2010
NEW — 4:30 p.m. Sept. 10, 2010
Newcastle News would love to run your first day of school photos in the newspaper or on its website. E-mail them to newcas@isspress.com.
