Latinx students increase graduation readiness by 7 percentage points

October 18, 2019, Hillsboro, OR - State report cards for the 2018-19 school year show that more ninth graders are on-track to graduate in the Hillsboro School District than ever before. The District’s average is 92%, up 3 percentage points from the 2017-18 school year and besting the state’s average by 7 percentage points; and the number of Hispanic/Latinx students is 88%, up 7 percentage points from 2017-18. 

Ninth grade on track measures how many students have earned at least one-quarter of their graduation credits (6) in their 9th grade year and is a key indicator for on-time graduation. 

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dayle Spitzer credits many factors for the increase: “We have a sophisticated in-house data system that allows us to track students who may be falling behind, or who are at risk for falling behind, and intervene before that happens. Our administrative team, counselors, and graduation coaches all work together to ensure students have the supports and opportunities they need to be successful.

In addition, we are being more purposeful at the 8th grade level to identify students who may struggle with the transition to high school and are providing them with tools, insights, and experiences to better prepare them.”

Spitzer continues: “This year, one of our strategic plan goals is to maintain a 90%+ on-track rate for all students in tenth grade. There are currently many supports in place for our ninth and twelfth graders, and we need to ensure that our tenth graders are remaining on track so they do not find themselves in a situation where they are behind in credits and needing to make them up as they enter their final two years of high school.”

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Starting salary for bus drivers has increased more than $1 per hour

October 11, 2019, Hillsboro, OR - After engaging in a collaborative bargaining process with the Classified union, the District was able to come to an agreement on increasing the wages of all bus drivers. On Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, union membership voted to ratify and amend the salary schedule to reflect a 3 percent increase in bus driver wages; and on Tuesday, Oct.8, the School Board unanimously voted to approve the increase as well.

The wage increase was sought as a way to attract and retain bus drivers in a very competitive market. The District has been down approximately 20 drivers for the past two school years. These vacant positions provided the resources to support the increase to the salary schedule. 

All drivers currently at Step 1 will be moved to Step 2, and all drivers hired from here forward will be placed at Step 2 to start. Those changes mean that a beginning bus driver will be earning just over $1 more per hour than they were previously: $18.75/hour. 

“I’m very excited,” expressed Carol Hatfield, Executive Director of Transportation. “Not only has it been difficult for us to recruit drivers, but we’ve also lost some after we’ve trained them for higher paying jobs.”

The District has had to limit bus trips this school year due to the driver shortage, and is hopeful those restrictions can be loosened or lifted once additional positions are filled.

Please visit the job listings page of the District website to see the posting for bus drivers, and contact the Transportation department at 503-844-1123 with any questions.

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Community invited to sign a beam that will “top off” new media center addition and be part of Glencoe history in one of the first major renovations at the school in nearly 20 years

September 24, 2019, Hillsboro, OR - Glencoe High School is proud to announce the beam-signing ceremony for its new media center addition on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, at 5:15 p.m.

The signing will be on a beam that will be placed at the top of the addition’s structural framing. While it will be eventually covered as the building is finished, signatories can look up and know they made a literal mark on Glencoe’s history and its future.

All students, staff, community members, media and, especially, Glencoe alumni are welcome and invited to attend the ceremony and sign the beam. The beam will be on display and available to sign during back-to-school night immediately after the ceremony as well as throughout the day on Friday, Sept. 27.

Made possible by the passage of the District’s 2017 Bond, the 23,000 square-foot addition comprises a media center, classrooms, office spaces and secure entry vestibule, part of Glencoe’s total $41 million investment from the bond. 

What:                   Beam-signing ceremony for Glencoe’s new addition

Where:                 Glencoe High School, 2700 NW Glencoe Road, Hillsboro, OR 97124

When:                  Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019, 5:15 p.m.

Agenda:               Brief welcome and comments by Mike Scott, Superintendent

                             Photo/video opportunity with School Board and community members

RSVP:                  Media are asked to RSVP to Chief Communications Officer Beth Graser at aserbe@hsd.k12.or.us">graserbe@hsd.k12.or.us or 503-844-1772.

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