School board gets ready for new year

At the August 20 meeting of the Wahkiakum School Board, members discussed plans and contracts.

Transportation Supervisor Calvin Grasseth presented the board with an estimate regarding a school bus purchase. Board member Willie Johnson moved and Board member Tony Boyce seconded the motion to allow the district to purchase a new school bus.

Superintendent Bob Garrett said they had previously advertised for a part-time math teacher locally and within the state of Washington. He said there were four applicants for the position, including recent retiree Sharon Dennis.

After an interview process, Garrett indicated that he and Wahkiakum High School Principal Loren Davis found the best match for the position was Dennis. Boyce moved and Board member Tina Schubert seconded to approve a retire/rehire contract for Dennis. According to Garrett, the contract must be renewed annually.

Davis told the board freshman/new student orientation will be held August 28 at 7 p.m. Teachers reported for work on Tuesday. Tomorrow (Friday) is an all staff workshop with Dr. Dennis D. Embry entitled, “Simple Gifts for School and Community.”

Thanks to the GEAR UP grant, the high school now has a wireless computer lab.

“We purchased 28 new laptops and a wireless printer that can be wheeled into any room,” Davis said. The grant is geared toward the class of 2011, but will benefit the whole school.

Navigation 101 is going to be implemented in this school year. Promoted by the Office of Superintdent, it is an advisory program intended to teach students life skills and help the student to make clear, well thought out choices beyond high school.

Julius A. Wendt Elementary/John C. Thomas Middle School Principal Theresa Libby said there will be a Back to School/Curriculum Night August 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. for middle school students and their parents, and 6-7 p.m. for elementary students and their parents.

The kindergarten was split into two sessions, as there are 32 registered students for this school year. This year, Libby said she made the decision to only have one third grade class, instead of having two; one just third grade and the other a third, fourth grade split.

“Split classes can be trickier to teach,” Libby said. “Back in the days of blended classrooms and thematic units, it was easier, but with as much curriculum driven as we have become, it is a bit harder.”

The change will create one third grade class, two fourth and two fifth grade classes at the school. There will be 25 third graders in this year’s class.

Because of the demolition of the old gym, Garrett reported, the district is lacking a facility for storage. A new area doesn’t need to be as large as the gym was, but something is needed sooner than later.

The next school board meeting is September 17 at 7 p.m.