Board busy in low key session

The Wahkiakum School Board met January 24 in a quieter meeting than past months.

Wrestling Coach John Hannah was present to ask the board for assistance in the cost of refurbishing the wrestling mats. The board agreed to pay a portion of the cost of the reconditioning.

Seniors Brandi Seaberg and Michael Weiler presented plans for the senior trip. Seniors have decided they would like to go to Kahneeta Resort in Oregon on June 10. They would depart Cathlamet at 5:30 a.m. and leave the resort at 9 p.m.

Superintendent Bob Garrett said that the district traditionally provides a school bus for the senior trip. Board Chair Lee Tischer joked that if the students needed a chaperone he would be happy to volunteer. Weiler laughed and said that many have already volunteered to do so.

Julius A. Wendt Elementary/John C. Thomas Middle School Principal Theresa Libby told the board that her school needs a new copier as theirs is about seven years old. Garrett said that copiers usually last about seven to eight years . The board voted to allow shopping to begin for a new copier.

Garrett told the board that the time has come to shop for a new utility vehicle. The current vehicle used to transport breakfast and lunch programs needs to be replaced because of the high mileage. The board approved the purchase of a 2002 Ford Taurus.

Longtime resident Larry O’Neal recently contacted Garrett to express his concern regarding the parking situation at the baseball fields.

This year, Garrett said, the new fields will be used, and even though there is a walking path that will be convenient for a wheelchair, it may be difficult for some spectators to get to the stands, he said.

After a few ideas for disabled spectator transport were discussed, the board decided it was best to table the discussion to a future meeting.

Wahkiakum High School Principal Loren Davis reported that the Rachel’s Challenge program was a success. He said that both the high school and the middle school have started a “Friends of Rachel” club.

“The goal of FOR,” he said, "is to do good things in the school and community.” He told the board that the clubs have written letters of kindness to targeted people in the school.

“They also want to begin a new student welcome committee and do other things for the community,” he said.

The prom committee, Davis said, has selected “The Loft” in Astoria for their dance. The board approved.

Libby agreed with Davis about the success of Rachel’s Challenge and said her student body wants to have a lunch time activity in which students will be given a color as they enter the cafeteria and must sit at a table with that color.

“This activity stems from Rachel’s Challenge and reaching out to others that you may not normally interact with,” she said.

The next school board meeting was scheduled for February 19.