School board considers teacher contracts

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board listened to staff and student reports and heard from representatives of the bargaining group for local teachers at their meeting November 16.

Teacher Tim Copp, president of the Naselle-Grays River Education Association (NGREA) which represents the teachers that work in the district, asked the board to schedule a meeting regarding the teachers’ contracts as soon as possible. The board acknowledged their willingness to engage in contract negotiations, but clarified they would like to wait until budgetary decisions in the state legislature have been made as they may have a bearing on contract negotiations. Fellow teacher and NGREA representative Rudy Rudolph responded that many of the items the two parties will discuss are not financial. District Superintendent Rick Pass said that although the items may not be financial in and of themselves, many of them are tied to matters that hinge upon decisions to be made by the legislature. The negotiation team and board representatives decided on a time to meet.

Naselle and Wahkiakum High School youth representatives from the Wahkiakum Community Network spoke to the board about youth marijuana use prevention and their perceptions of use by the student body. The Wahkiakum School Board listened to the presentation at their September meeting, which was recounted in the September 30 issue of The Eagle.

The board discussed seven revised policies recommended for adoption by the Washington State School Board Association and the district’s legal counsel. Pass said one significant change is that now information regarding students classified as sex offenders can only be released by law enforcement agencies rather than the school district.

The school approved purchase of a piece of surplus land from the state Department of Transportation for $3,000, but only if a check with the county appraiser found the property would actually be usable by the school and not classified as wetlands. Pass said he would get more information and the motion was approved contingent on verification. The land would be intended for future construction of baseball and softball fields.

The school is currently in the process of adopting a Pacific County hazard mitigation plan. Approval of the plan is required for the school to obtain disaster relief money if a natural disaster was to occur on the property.

There are currently 86 students at Naselle Youth Camp School, said Principal Lisa Nelson. The school graduated seven students since September. She reported Alan Bennett’s English class entered the Longview Daily News’ Through My Eyes essay contest, which invited 16 to 22 year olds to write about the effects of drug and alcohol addiction on them and their families. Two students received honorable mentions for their essays.

Naselle Schools Principal Karen Wirkkala reported that four assemblies occurred in November including an assembly to honor veterans, a police drug sniffing dog demonstration, an assembly by paramedics presenting photos of trauma caused by risk taking behaviors such as drinking and driving, and a preview performance of the Nutcracker ballet. Several Naselle students performed in the ballet.

Wirkkala reported Naselle High School was awarded School of Distinction honors again this year for being in the top five percent of highest improving schooling in the state and that the eighth grade class will have the opportunity to go on an overnight trip focused on preparing for the difficulties they may face in adjusting to high school.