School board addresses variety of issues

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors met on Tuesday to discuss several issues, including a possible rental fee for facilities, approve collective bargaining agreements and contracts, and listen to reports from administration.

After interest was expressed in a zumba class for teachers and community members, the board discussed whether to set a rental fee for for-profit organizations. More research is needed on the subject.

Directors approved supplemental contracts for the 2018-2019 school year, which includes coaching staff, the traffic safety educator, after school LAP support, and more. They approved the hire of two employees, one in custodial and a new bus driver. They also accepted resignations from Lindsey Avalon as an assistant varsity girls basketball coach, and from Tina Merz as a middle school assistant girls basketball coach.

Directors approved an annual Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math agreement with ESD 112. For a fee, ESD provides the district with STEM kits and professional development.

They approved the 2018-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Wahkiakum County Education Association, including salary schedule; the 2018-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement with Wahkiakum Extracurricular Association, including Salary Schedule; and the 2016-2019 Collective Bargaining Agreement with Wahkiakum Education Support personnel Association, including 2018-2019 salary schedule.

Teachers received an 11 percent raise and support staff received a 10 percent raise plus two additional paid holidays.

Principals Stephanie Leitz and Nikki Reese got a raise as well. Both will receive $102,118 with their revised contracts for 2018-2019, according to Superintendent Brent Freeman.

Leitz said that students were preparing for homecoming next week. This Friday there will be a kickoff assembly, followed by daily themes the next week, a competition, and a pep rally, and the big game.

Reese reported that teachers were sharing personal stories with their students and creating relationships, and allowing students to see teachers as real people.

“I think that is as powerful as academics, I think lights turn on for kids that wasn’t there, when they make those connections, and realize that their path wasn’t typical, and how they got where they are today, doing what they love, really is a journey that is individual for every person,” Reese said.

Enrollment is currently at 502 full time students.