School board begins levy work

The Wahkiakum School District's maintenance and operation levy needs to pass this November--that's the word from school district Superintendent Bob Garrett.

Members of the board of directors heard from Garrett and Principals Loren Davis and Theresa Libby.

Garrett told all present the girl’s sports program was crowded and 32 girls had turned out for volleyball this year.

"You know you can't get 32 girls into a tournament very well," he said.

The middle school will be short two coaches, Garrett said, adding that he felt guilty because of the school's new "pay to play" rule will require each girl pay $30.

"I do feel badly," said Garrett, "because they are not getting a lot of playing time."

Middle school Principal Libby agreed and indicated that since the volleyball and basketball programs were so crowded she thought it was hurting everyone.

"I think it tends to start hurting the program because the less experienced players aren't getting as much court time and neither are the top athletes," she said.

Libby told the board the new school year had gotten off to a great start and she had split the sixth grade.

"The students did real well," she said, "the students changing classes walked around like deer in the headlights when we switched their schedules."

She also said the curriculum and back to school night was a big success with a great turnout.

“The support of parents is outstanding and students are getting comfortable with new routines and responsibilities,” she said.

High school Principal Davis reported that student involvement in sports and after school extracurricular activities is at 51 percent.

"We are just about where we were last year," he said.

Davis said he believes school involvement in extracurricular school activities is a key factor to student success and staying away from “not so positive” influences

"That's why I like to track student involvement in school sports and after school activities," he said.

Homecoming will be the week of October 19.

Davis also reported the "GEAR UP" program continues to have a positive effect on students thinking about college. GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is in its third year of helping students prepare for college.

"The GEAR UP program for student success has many activities planned for fall," he said.

Garrett's report focused on the school's coming budget shortfall and said the current maintenance and operation levy expires in 2010. This November's levy is a continuation of the one voted on in 2006, and Garrett said the district's current ability to tax for the upcoming levy is down from 2006.

In 2006 the levy's cost to the taxpayer was $2.51 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The district's current levy proposal sits at $2.25 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Garrett said the totals for this year's levy can't exceed $1,008,000, and at $2.25 per $1,000, the levy would generate approximately $837,000 in the first year.

"The 2006 levy passed by just six votes," Garrett said, "and if voters do not approve the replacement levy, I cannot fathom what our programs would look like."

The next school board meeting is scheduled for October 22 at 7 p.m.