The 2021-22 enacted state budget includes language stating that, for the 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years, each school district receiving a foundation aid increase of more than 10% or $10,000,000 a school year must post a plan of how the funds will be used to address student performance and need, including but not limited to:
- Increasing graduation rates and eliminating the achievement gap;
- Reducing class size;
- Providing supports for students who are not meeting, or who are at risk of not meeting, state learning standards in core academic subject areas;
- Addressing student social-emotional health; and
- Providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness.
For the 2021-22 school year, the Watervliet City School District received a foundation aid increase of 10.72%.
Increasing graduation rates and eliminating the achievement gap.
- Summer school programming for all students.
- Increase of college in the high school course offerings.
- Increase of Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities.
- Increase of after school academic offerings.
Reducing class size.
- Long-term substitute teachers to decrease class sizes
Providing supports for students who are not meeting, or who are at risk of not meeting, state learning standards in core academic subject areas.
- Expand foreign language classes to 6th grade students for the ability to complete a foreign language credit in middle school
Addressing student social-emotional health.
- Addition of school social worker
- High impact student assemblies and initiatives
- Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training for staff
- Professional development for staff and students on restorative practices
- Professional development for staff on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Providing adequate resources to English language learners, students with disabilities, and students experiencing homelessness.
- Creation of an 8:1:2 Autism Classroom with related services (speech, OT, and PT)
- Addition of a Special Education teacher
- Addition of an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher
Other areas of student performance and need.
- Updated one to one technology devices for all students and staff.
- Internet connections (Wi-Fi) as needed.