Hanigan joins school board; girls soccer envisioned in 2014

It was a busy Monday evening for the Wahkiakum County School Board.

Board members Tina Schubert, Michelle Budd, Lee Tischer, as well as high school Principal Stephanie Leitz and Superintendent Bob Garrett were in attendance, as well as Tim Hanigan, who recently volunteered to step into the vacant position of board member for District 1, formerly held by Tony Boyce.

Hanigan, a local attorney and graduate of Wahkiakum High School, signed the oath of office and was appointed to the school board.

“Having dealt with public boards as an attorney,” said Hanigan, “I understand that it can be difficult to do business without a full board. At this point in time, my plan is to merely fill in until another qualified applicant fills the seat.”

The board accepted resignations from middle school assistant track coach Sharon LaBerge, teacher Tina Landroche, school counselor Tony Harmon and board member for District 3, Mike Quigley. They approved the hiring of Nathan Parsons to the K-8 head custodian position.

A representative for the bargaining unit of the classified employees of the school district put forth a request for binding arbitration in their contract, to protect themselves during the current and future flux of school board members.

Kellyn Hazen, outreach director for Wahkiakum Community Network, presented the results of the Healthy Youth Summit to the board. In April, a survey was given to students in 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th grades all over the state. The survey is given every two years, and first began in Wahkiakum County in 2005, making it possible for WCN to reflect on data over the years.

One of the partners in this project, Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services, implements the data for planning programs.

“We take data from this school district,” said Hazen, “and take it to the middle school and high school and we ask them questions about this data and it gives them an opportunity to respond candidly. We’re not there to judge them. It’s a unique environment for them to get their feedback. It’s nice to be able to get in there to talk to the students.”

Topics in the survey and in the following discussions included alcohol, tobacco and drug use, as well as “bullying, which has been a hot topic in this school district,” said Hazen.

According to the handout, “it is an opportunity to engage youth in discussion about what they think are the most important issues they are facing, and what communities can do to encourage healthy choices.”

Three local students, Shanna Batdorf, Haley Kerstetter, and Mya Kirzy, represented a local group of soccer players that has joined a recreational league based in Vancouver, to request use of school property for practice and games.

They hope to establish proof of interest and eventual recognition of an official Mules girls’ soccer team in the 2014-2015 school year. According to the students, there are currently 24 girls interested in playing soccer.

The rec team will be allowed to use school property this fall and more consideration will be given to location of a soccer field for two home games. The question of adding another sport at the high school will be visited at a later date.

Board member Tina Schubert commended Leitz for good work in her first year as high school principal. “I’ve heard nothing but positive things,” said Schubert, “and I think you’ve been a great addition.”

A notice of the opening in District 3 for a school board member will be posted in today’s paper.