School board hires new WHS principal

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors called itself to order last Wednesday to deal with a short agenda.

The board approved agenda items and then called for public comment and suggestions about improvements for the next school year. No public comment was presented.

The board moved on to its consent agenda and approved the school’s supplemental contracts. It also accepted the resignation of the girl’s eighth grade physical education teacher, Mary Moonen. School Superintendent Bob Garrett was placed as trustee on the account of the Michael Gisler Memorial Scholarship Fund.

In new business, the school board approved $1,217,833 salary package for teachers during the 2010-11 school year. The budget includes 31 teachers in Wahkiakum County. Salaries are based on years of experience. Garrett said salaries are down from last year.

The board recertified Theresa Libby as principal of Wendt Elementary and Thomas Middle schools and approved a salary in the amount of $84,927.00.

In her report to the board Libby said it was still unclear if the district will have one or two seventh grade classes this year. She said summer school was filling up. “All the kids that need to have signed up,” said Libby.

She also reported that the school is also changing its internet access policy.

“We would like let the parent sign an ‘opt-out,’” said Libby, “if the parent doesn’t want their kid to access the internet at school.”

All the policy changes, including those affecting cell phone use, will be included in the school’s newsletter to parents for the coming new class season.

High School Principal Loren Davis reported Marc Miemeyer is the new summer school instructor.

The school will also be offering a High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE) class prior to the August 12 test given by the state. The HSPE measures the proficiency of students in high school. It serves as the state’s exit exam for math and English. Davis said students will take the test twice in high school to ready them for college.

District Superintendent Bob Garrett said the school’s budget is on track for the year.

“I don’t see anything of concern and we should be fine for the year with all of our funds,” said Garrett.

Garrett also said the school interviewed two candidates for the high school principal’s position to replace Davis, who has resigned to take a job in the Tacoma area. Garrett said the board would move into executive session to discuss administrative salaries and suggestions for the new principal.

After an executive session, the board unanimously approved the 2010-2011 collective bargaining agreement between Wahkiakum school district and the Wahkiakum Educational Support Personnel Association.

Tony Boyce moved, Michelle Budd seconded, to approve the 2010-2011 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Wahkiakum School District and the Wahkiakum County Extracurricular Association. The decision was unanimous.

Lee Tischer moved, seconded by Boyce, to approve the 2010-2011 certificated contract for Dan Casler as the Wahkiakum High School Principal in the amount of $75,000. The decision was unanimous.

Boyce moved, seconded by Budd, to approve the 2010-2011 certificated contract for Theresa Libby as the Wahkiakum K-8 Principal in the amount of $84,927. The decision was unanimous.

Boyce moved, seconded by Tischer, to approve the 2010-2011 certificated contract for Garrett as the Wahkiakum School District Superintendent in the amount of $79,491. The decision was unanimous.