School board considersrefinancing

In the first meeting of the new year, members of the Wahkiakum School Board heard a presentation from Seattle NW Securities about a bond refinance. In 2000, community members approved a bond that would remodel the grade school.

The board is considering refunding the 2000 bond because of the considerable interest rate decline. “Refunding bonds is done for the sole purpose of saving taxpayers money” said Superintendent Bob Garrett.

If rates stayed the same as they were last week, he said, the refund could provide more than $75,000 in savings to district taxpayers, after all costs are paid. The process can be a lengthy one because of the legalities, but the wheels have been set into motion, he said.

The board approved a revised calendar to replace the days missed by inclement weather in December and January. Students will attend classes on March 5 and a half day on March 6, but only if a sports team attends State.

If there is no team attending state competition, March 6 will be a whole school day. The other make-up day is scheduled for March 20, which was originally designated as a teacher in-service day.

Wahkiakum High School Principal Loren Davis reported the sophomore GEAR-UP students attended Lower Columbia College January 21. They received a school tour, ate lunch at the college and heard a presentation led by Washington State Student Leadership Director Joe Fenbert.

They also were able to sit through college classes of their choice for about 30 minutes. “The whole idea of that,” Davis said, “was to let them see what a college classroom actually is like to help them overcome some of those hurdles they might have; or some pre-conceived notions it may be too hard.”

Davis said Counselor Nancy Renner organized college week this year and did a great job of lining up recruiters to give presentations to the students. “It was a pretty fun week for the kids.” One recruiter from Clatsop College spent all morning with several students playing college trivia and talking about college readiness. It reinforced the message of the importance of a post-high school education, he said.

On April 6, author and motivational speaker Jason Dorsey will be present at an assembly. Funded by GEAR-UP Northwest, Davis said it won’t cost their GEAR-UP grant anything. Wahkiakum High School is very fortunate to have him. “He is incredibly energetic and I’m sure our students will be impacted by his message.”

January students of the month are: Freshman James Turner, Sophomore Sarah Phillips, Junior Halie Boyce, Senior Stian Vik and the Lion’s Club/KLOG Senior is Shelby Deaton.

Julius A. Wendt Elementary/John C. Thomas Middle School Principal Theresa Libby said the National Assessment of Education Progress will be out in early March to test the eighth grade students in math.

The test will take about 90 minutes and the data is used in “The Nation’s Report Card,” which provides student achievement information to parents, educators and citizens. All results are confidential.

Despite the bad weather, the Fill the Bus drive Mrs. Merz’s Journalism class sponsored was very successful, Libby reported.. The students collected a total of 1500 toys and over 700 pounds of food for the Wahkiakum Food Bank. “It was amazing!” she said.

The Pacific Science Center will be at the school on February 2 with their Rock and Roll Van. Students will attend a morning assembly and have classroom lessons. Exhibits will be on display in the library all day.

Depending on the year, the visit is paid for with Associated Student Body or Parent Teacher Organization funding. The activity has proven to be a hit with both students and staff.

Garrett said the new Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn is already making plans to replace the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL).

In a statement, Dorn’s office said the test will be replaced with two new tests; one for elementary students in grades 3-8 and a high school proficiency exam. The new assessment system will be called the Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP).

Garrett recognized the board for School Board Appreciation month with calendars and certificates thanking them for their service.

The next meeting of the Wahkiakum School Board is scheduled for February 23 at 7 p.m