School board seeks citizens for committee

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors heard presentations on the science curriculum from teachers and students at the district before tackling a few items in their Tuesday monthly meeting.

The board approved a resolution for a budget extension to purchase a new bus. The district had budgeted $130,000 for the purchase, but the vehicle was going to cost a little more, and they needed the extension to revise the amount to $136,500.

According to Superintendent Bob Garrett, no one in the community had responded to a recent public notice in the paper inviting citizens to join a facility needs committee. The matter was tabled, but school board members were encouraged to invite people they thought might be interested.

The board approved the calendar for the next school year, which is set to begin the day after Labor Day.

Principal Stephanie Leitz reported that over half of the freshman class was on the honor roll for the third quarter during her report. She said that students had raised $5,654.73 for Doernbecher Children's Hospital. They are getting ready for prom later this month, and will soon open a clothing closet in the school.

"The idea is that anybody could use it," Leitz said. "If you didn't have clothes for spirit day, or you need a prom dress, or you want to swap for a new sweater and bring an old one in, it's something that is available for everybody."

Leitz told them that the recent visit from the Seattle Shakespeare Company had been a success.

"The students' stamina has increased over the last couple years as they learn what Shakespeare is about," she said.

Garrett reported that enrollment went up by three this month.

"It's the highest in several years," Garrett said.

He said that he and Brent Freeman, who will take over his duties as superintendent in July, will attend a superintendent conference in Chelan in early May. Garrett, Freeman, Leitz and Principal Nikki Reese will attend another conference in late June.

Garrett expects the four of them will be planning the transition.

Following an executive session, the board made a change to the collective bargaining agreement with the support staff. Employees will now be allowed to keep any compensation they receive for serving as a member of a jury, according to Garrett.

He also reported that a two year contract was approved for Freeman to serve as the district superintendent, beginning July 1, 2018, with a base annual salary of $105,000.

The board agreed to change the date of the June meeting to Thursday, June 21. The May meeting will take place on the regular date, Tuesday, May 22.