School board hears phone system issues

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors listened to reports and approved several items on Tuesday evening at their September meeting.

Techonology Director Paul Ireland spoke at length about the phone problems plaguing the elementary and middle schools and Superintendent Bob Garrett asked the board for a consensus, to agree to allow a call for bids for improvements.

“Waiting till it fails completely is probably not a wise move,” Ireland said.

The board agreed, and gave him authorization to move forward.

Matt Noren of Pacific Sports Spa, spoke to the board about offering baseline testing for athletes as another tool to check them when they may have suffered a concussion. His company is willing to do the initial testing, but there were questions about how far athletes would have to travel to visit licensed medical professionals who could read the baseline test and injury post-test.

The matter was tabled until someone could investigate whether there were providers who would consider using the technology nearby.

The board accepted resignations from the middle school girls basketball coach, Ryan Garrett, and the middle school track coach, Carrie Badger. They also approved the hire of classified employee Wendy Vasion. They approved supplemental contracts for coaches, advisors, and more.

Lisa Frink, a teacher at the elementary school, recently completed more training and moved from a BA+15 credits to a BA+30 credits. She was in attendance and the board congratulated her before approving a revised certificated contract for her for the 2017-2018 school year.

Principals Stephanie Leitz and Nikki Reese went over student assessment scores for last year. To see how Wahkiakum students fared, go to the OSPI website, http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?schoolId=264&reportLevel=District.

Administrative Director Brent Freeman reported that the mules designed by art students earlier this year would be installed near the school access road with some help from the Longview Lowe’s next Tuesday. Employees from Lowe’s also plan to take a look around campus to see if there are some other projects they might like to tackle, Freeman said. He noted that drills were practiced at each school, and went well. An emergency response plan has been updated and is currently being reviewed.

Garrett reported that there were currently 36 more students enrolled at the school district than he expected.