Wendt will offer full day kindergarten

The Wahkiakum School District board of directors convened on Tuesday night to discuss the budget and other issues.

Due to technical difficulties, budget consideration was moved to Monday, July 29 at 5:30 p.m. at the High school library.

Superintendent Bob Garrett was delighted to inform the board that the district would be moving to full day kindergarten in the fall.

“This is awesome for students,” he said, “it was the best news out of the recent legislative session.”

Parents can still opt to do a half day for their child, but they would be responsible for transportation. There are 19 students currently enrolled, but Garrett believes the number may go up to 22, enough for one section, not enough for two.

Garrett informed the board that all buses passed the Washington State Patrol annual inspection. Interviews for the open teaching positions will take place next week.

Director Tim Hanigan suggested doing a mailing regarding the school board vacancy to all the registered voters in the district with the current opening. Garrett will move forward on that project.

Principals Stephanie Leitz and Theresa Libby have been working to update the school handbook. One topic under discussion could be found in General Regulations. It states that “athletes and activity participants will always conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that will not harm or taint the reputation of the school, the group or teammates.” Leitz and Libby would like to add verbiage about social media.

Nothing was resolved.

In the past, students involved in activities were required to Pay to Participate before the activity.

New policy moves that payment forward a day, requiring them to pay “no later than one day prior to the first game/event in which the athlete is eligible.”

A new social studies textbook was approved by the board. They will purchase 35 textbooks, online subscriptions for six years and a teacher’s edition. This will cost $7,200.

During the executive session, the contracts for Principals Leitz and Libby were discussed and the board later approved them unanimously for the 2013-2014 year.

Libby will receive $84,927 and Leitz, $77,000.

The board also approved the 2013-2014 teacher salary schedule and contracts for returning teachers and counselors.

The board also agreed to move all future meetings to 5:30 p.m.