Local News

More math to be added on for Highline students

By Eric Mathison

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Highline students will be taught "more math, more often" district officials told school board members on April 16.

With students learning advanced math concepts in earlier grades, by high school graduation they could end up having received an additional two years of instruction, according to Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson.

Jackson and curriculum design director Angus Mairs outlined the district's math plan for the next 18 months.

The plan includes building a comprehensive algebra strategy for seventh through ninth grade as well as redoing Algebra and Geometry end-course exams.

While students graduating in the class of 2014 may escape taking the math portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), they will have to pass state end-of-course math tests, Jackson added.

Board president Julie Burr Spani told Jackson, "The board is very supportive of improving math. Let us know how we can help."

The board also raised lunch prices by 25 cents in school cafeterias beginning in September. Milk will cost a dime more.

The new prices will be, elementary school, $2.25; middle and high school, $2.50; adult without milk, $3 and 8-ounce milk carton, $ .50. There will be no change in the reduced lunch fee.

Nutrition Services officials said the increases are necessary because of rising prices for food, milk, salaries, benefits, supplies and fuel.

A public hearing was also held on the proposed sale of the old Boulevard Park school. The site is located at 12833 20th Ave. S. in SeaTac.

Buildings on the site were demolished after a Fourth of July weekend fire in 2006.

Facilities director Andrea Johnson said demolition of the buildings made the site more marketable.

The area is zoned for business parks.

The district has received one proposal for the site, but wills accept other offers, according to Johnson.