Freeman takes oath of superintendent

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors heard reports, discussed policies, and approved several items at last Thursday's meeting.

Brent Freeman made it official when he took the superintendent oath of office at the Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors meeting on Thursday night.

Principal Stephanie Leitz reported that ASB officers spent several hours going over their constitution, discussing their roles and leadership style, as well as plans for the coming school year at a recent ASB lock-in.

"They were very engaged and did a good job," Leitz said.

Principal Nikki Reese said she had gone to a conference on teaching reading this summer in Tacoma with several teachers

"It's one of the best conferences I've been to in my life," Reese said. "Every single one of them came back with a fire lit under them on how they are going to teach reading."

"It's strategy based," she continued. "In the past we tried to fill students learning gaps by putting them in ability groups. It doesn't matter the various levels of kids, because you are approaching their needs in terms of strategies they don't have, not their abilities."

She said the program also gives students more of a voice in what they are reading.

"Our staff is very willing to give up summer days," Leitz said. "They are really willing to learn and continue to grow."

Freeman alerted the board to problems with phone service and a renovation of the lunchroom at the high school. Both matters have since been resolved.

Volunteers from the Lowe's store in Longview have spent many hours getting the lunchroom ready for students. The walls and floors were painted, a frame was placed around the mural painted by Brian Fudge in the mid-1980s, and power stations were placed on newly installed counters along one wall. The stations will allow students to charge their devices during the day.

Directors approved an $18,600 ASB budget extension to cover the purchase of new helmets for football, classes, and more.

After the accident involving the golf team last spring, the school district needed to find a new SUV. Calvin Grasseth, the transportation supervisor for the district, found a Ford Excursion with 12,000 miles on it for just under $30,000. Earlier this year, directors authorized $25,000, but they agreed to extend the amount another $5,000 so the district could purchase the SUV.

Breakfast and lunch prices went up $0.25 for students and adults. Breakfast will now cost $1.75 for students and $2.25 for adults. Lunch is $3.00 for kindergarten through fifth grade, and $3.25 for sixth through 12th. It is $4.50 for adults.

Directors also approved an increase for the traffic safety class, or drivers education, which will now cost $330.

The meeting was then closed to the public for an executive session to discuss negotiations and potential litigation.