2003-2004 Annual Report Union Public Schools Graphics Have Been Removed for This Web Version
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2003-2004 Annual Report Union Public Schools Graphics have been removed for this web version Introduction Union Public Schools is a rapidly growing suburban, K-12 district in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 28-square-mile area that comprises Union is unique in that it does not encompass a township, but rather incorporates within its boundaries much of southeast Tulsa and the northwest portion of nearby Broken Arrow. The school system acts as a unifying organization within the community, providing activities for its families and a sense of pride, support and identity for its patrons. When Union was founded in 1919, it combined four small, rural communities and had only four students in its graduating class. A two-story brick building housed all of its classes, K-12. In the 1980s, Tulsa’s residential and commercial building began booming toward the southeast, and Union’s student population grew along with it. Today the district serves more than 13,800 students in its eleven elementary sites, the Sixth/Seventh Grade Center, the Eighth Grade Center, the Intermediate High School, the Alternative School and Union High School. All have State Department of Education and North Central Association accreditation. Thanks to a supportive community, the district has been able to fund computers, local- and wide-area networking and other instructional technology to enhance reading, language, math, science, music and writing skills. Every school has media specialists, nurses and counselors. Programs for gifted students and students with special needs are also offered at every grade level, as are music, art and physical education. Elementary school students and their parents have the option of following Union’s Continuous Learning Calendar (CLC or year-round program) or the Traditional Learning Calendar (TLC or 9-month school year). Another option at the elementary level is the Primary Multiage Classroom for grades 1 and 2. Children in the Multiage program stay with one teacher for more than a year and progress as quickly as their development allows, but those needing more time to master skills can do so without being “held back.” Union’s comprehensive secondary curriculum provides both college-bound and non- college-bound students a wide range of offerings. Among them are Advanced Placement (AP) courses in all core academic areas and Concurrent Enrollment, which enables students to earn college credit while fulfilling high school coursework requirements. Students interested in careers or courses in vocational areas are transported to the appropriate Tulsa Technology Center campus for the curriculum they desire. Community education, the district’s central enrollment center and Union Alternative School are located in the district’s Extended Education Building, 5656 S. 129th E. Avenue. The alternative education program helps students stay in school or return to school, giving them a chance to get back on track to graduate. Other features of the district include the Extended Day Program (before-and-after-school care for Union students in grades K-5), a host of parent organizations and the Union Schools Education Foundation which funds innovative teaching projects to reward and reinforce excellence. Our Mission It is our Mission to provide our community of learners with educational opportunities to acquire and develop the best possible academic, vocational, recreational, social and participatory skills, enabling them to become valued, contributing members of a changing global society. Our Goals • Academic excellence for all students • Preparation of students for positive citizenship • A positive educational environment in which students, parents, community and staff assume responsibility for their role in the learning process • District excellence for all employees • Expanded opportunities for learning • Increased use of technology • Enhanced Union pride • Support base to include patrons, partnerships and community resources • Long-term plan to accommodate growth Message from the Superintendent Dear Patrons, It is our pleasure to review the 2003-04 school year with our stakeholders through this Annual Report. This report card of our progress as a district holds us accountable to our patrons and recounts both our triumphs and challenges. The depressive economy of our state continued to negatively impact school funding during 2003-04 necessitating continual tight fiscal management. With the loss of over 100 staff positions in spite of additional student growth, this was a year of higher class sizes and more responsibilities for our staff. However, student programs and opportunities were prioritized and maintained at a high level. The Union Multipurpose Activity Center opened in November with a ceremony that included 3,000 students and then a full house for basketball. Thanks to a major contribution to the Union Schools Education Foundation, the arena was named for philanthropist and entrepreneur John Q. Hammons. Though the building was used for trade shows and other events, it also proved a great venue to watch our Redskin Basketball team on their path to the 6A State Championship. In a partnership with SouthCrest Hospital, the wellness center at the UMAC opened for all staff and patrons in January. This unique facility’s mission to promote wellness and healthy living makes Union Public Schools a leader in innovative ways to contribute to the community. Union patrons continued to support the annual bond issue in February leading to a new elementary school and all-day kindergarten programs throughout the district in 2006. Construction on the Fine Arts wing at the High School and planning for additions and renovations at the 8th Grade Center also maintained a positive focus throughout the year. Union students set a school record for National Merit Scholars in 2003-04. Student academic performance has continued to be a priority of the district as we have tried to tie instructional decisions to student test data. Curriculum specialists, expanding programs for English Language Learners, and focused professional development have provided resources to educators making them more productive in the classroom. The NCLB federal initiative has given Union the opportunity to boast that all of our teachers are Highly Qualified by state and federal standards. Though this publication cannot do justice to the variety of accomplishments of Union students and staff, I hope that you will read it to expand your awareness of the complexities of our district. We have a tremendous pride in our community of learners and thank you for your involvement and continued support. Cathy Burden, Ph.D., Superintendent Facilities/Operational Statistics Union’s well-equipped facilities were used by district and community organizations for everything from practices, games, rehearsals, performances, meetings, job fairs, craft shows, before-and-after-school care, classes, competitions and parent-sponsored fund- raising events. In order to keep our facilities looking their best, we have a custodial staff of 111 who each cover 30,000 square feet on a daily basis, 12 grounds staff members who tend to 480 acres of school property, and five warehouse workers who deliver and receive 6,500 cases of goods each month. Our facility coordinator schedules over 2,000 activities each month. Maintenance Services In addition to keeping our facilities looking their best, we have 13 maintenance technicians keeping everything in working order. During the 2003-2004 school year, they processed 5,029 work orders. The following projects were completed during the 2003-2004 school year: • Carpet replacement at seven sites • Asphalt and paving • Refinish of gym floor at the Intermediate High • Cross Country/Track locker room renovation • Drama room remodeled at the Intermediate High • Photo Lab remodel at the High School • New frames and windows at the 6/7 Grade Center pool • Roof replacement at Andersen Elementary and the • Intermediate High • New freezer for Food Services at the warehouse • New air compressor at the High School • Media shades at Moore • Fire alarm upgrade at the Intermediate High • Cooling towers at Andersen and McAuliffe • Security camera upgrade at Boevers • TV installations at the UMAC Food Services Our Food Services department consists of 100 employees who served 9,000 lunches every day during 2003-2004. In addition, they implemented the “Breakfast in a Bag” program at one of our elementary sites, serving breakfast to each student every morning. Transportation Our Transportation department’s 61 drivers transported 5,500 students on a daily basis. We have 1,500 bus stops in the district, with 92 buses running 58 routes, driving 4,200 miles per day. Construction Services The Union Multipurpose Activity Center and SouthCrest Wellness and Sports Medicine Center opened in January 2004. Construction continued on the Fine Arts wing at the High School with the opening scheduled for December 2004. Future projects include new construction at the 8th Grade Center that will add 29,100 square feet and remodel construction that will include 22,242 square feet. This will add 11 classrooms, a new media center and administrative office area. Forty acres of land have been purchased to build Elementary #12. It will have 72,298 square feet to house 600 students. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2005. Student Statistics Growth has been a constant factor throughout Union’s history. As Oklahoma’s ninth largest district, Union served 13,819 students in the 2003-2004 school year. Of those, 6,642 were elementary age and 7,177 were in our secondary schools; 50.7 percent were male and 49.3 percent were female. In terms of ethnic origin, 10.7 percent were Native American, 10.9 percent were Hispanic, 10.8 percent were African-American, 5.4 percent were Asian and 62.2 percent were Caucasian. 9.5% or 1,453 of our students were enrolled in special education. Throughout the district, approximately 1,802 students were bilingual in 2003-2004, compared to 206 in 1995. The total bilingual count included 60 different languages. More than 31.3% of our students reported that they live with just one of their biological parents.