Board awards 3 bids, discusses counselor cut

The Wahkiakum School Board of Directors met June 18 to discuss demolition bids and the high school remodel/modernization project.

Three construction companies submitted bids for the demolition of the old gym, removal of a portable classroom building, and construction of a new parking lot.

Board member Tina Schubert commented the bids were all across the board.

After a brief deliberation, Schubert moved, seconded by board member Tony Boyce, that contracts would be awarded to Three Kings Environmental for demolition of the old gym, Burns Construction for the parking lot, and Keystone Contracting for removal of the old portable.

Superintendent Bob Garrett described what changes would be made when the high school building is remodeled.

Cathlamet resident Garland Budd suggested to the board that they recruit community members and local contractors to discuss and research remodel options.

In a recent meeting, Mayor Dick Swart asked the board to consider changing an easement on the property the town recently purchased from the school. The road in question is approximately 500 feet NE of the existing easement.

The board agreed to the change.

“I’d like to thank the board on behalf of the town for helping us out,” Mayor Pro-Tem William E. Talbott said.

In other business, the board accepted the resignations of Assistant High School Football Coach Kevin Patching and Assistant High School Track Coach Brittanie Riley.

Cathlamet resident Scott Bingham expressed his concern to the board over the recent non-renewal of contract for counselor Sam Kresge. He said he believes that counseling is a difficult position that requires the ability to hold attention and respect, especially with high school students.

“I believe Sam Kresge was one of those individuals who could do that,” Bingham said.

Garrett responded that funding for the position is ending and that the district's other counselor, Nancy Renner, has seniority.

The year after Kresge was hired as high school counselor, Garrett explained, a grant was written with Educational Service District 112 to acquire an elementary counselor. That grant provided funds for three years with no district match required. Through that process, the Renner was hired. Last year, Renner and Kresge switched assignments.

Now the funding is ending, and the district will retain Renner because of her years of teaching seniority in the state of Washington.

Several years ago, Garrett added, there was a court case regarding the seniority of certificated employees in the state of Washington pertaining to both teachers and counselors. “The state decision was that experience in the state of Washington outweighed experience in other states,” he said.

Wahkiakum Principal Loren Davis announced Students of the Month for May. The KLOG/Lions Club Senior was Chris Diaz.

Davis said he was proud of the recent graduates.

“As a group, they hauled in about $215,000 of scholarships, and all have plans for next year, he said.”

Results from the recent Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) will be sent out with report cards.

“The initial numbers look good,” Davis said.

Julius A. Wendt Elementary/John C. Thomas Middle School Principal Theresa Libby reported that “Mad About Money” was a success. Students and teachers alike thought it was a great assembly.

Promotion ceremonies for kindergarten and eighth grade students were held on June 11. Kendall Johns was class speaker for the eighth grade and Andrew Weiler welcomed the class of 2012 to high school. Libby expressed her thanks to all who helped out with the festivities.

Next year's Sounder tutors were chosen. Libby said because of the popularity of the program, the amount of students was limited to 10. Because they had so many qualified individuals, a couple alternates were picked in case someone changes their mind, she said.

The next school board meeting will be July 23.