Discussions held on future use of Naselle Youth Camp

The April 19 meeting of the Naselle/GRV School Board of Directors opened at 6:30 p.m. with the pledge of allegiance. School Superintendent Lisa Nelson and all directors were present. There were three present from the community and one reporter.

In the portion of the agenda that addressed staff and teachers who have submitted their resignation as of August, 2022, the following were approved: Herlet Padilla, Jessica Frame, Diane Bennett, Marina Smith, and Nathan Bruce.

In new business, the board approved resolutions as follows: # 2022-4-19 reduction in force, certificated and classified staffing levels in case it will be needed in response to Naselle Youth Camp closure, and adoption of Pacific County hazard mitigation plan. Directors also approved the transfer of Trust and Agency Fund No. 7 to General Fund (approximately $500,000), and they approved the school calendar for 2022-23 school year. It was also reported that 22 public disclosure requests from the public have been received with a total of more than 60 items.

Principal Justin Laine reported on a robotics competition held in Cathlamet. He reported the underwater robotics team qualified to attend the National Competition at the University of Maryland June 4-6. They will attend that event. Further, those who want to attend both the competition in Maryland as well as the Senior trip to Sun River are working to determine travel arrangements and costs. The Knowledge Bowl team placed eighth in Richland.

Naselle Youth Camp report and discussion: Lisa Nelson reported that there are several state agencies involved in planning for the use of the NYC property, though nothing is concrete at this time.

“We are trying to establish a foothold," she stated. "Regarding the planning process for future use of the camp, nothing has been decided yet. Sample ideas being considered include a vocational training school.

"The school district owns much of the equipment used at the camp, so they may need to be moving that equipment, supplies, etc., or determine how it can be used by whatever happens to the camp.

"One idea is that perhaps it could be used for an expanded vocational program for our own students. There are lots of issues and ideas being discussed.”

Nelson has met with both union groups to discuss impacts, programs, teaching assignments and transfers. She emphasized that the school district wants to be a player at the table.

There will likely be five students at the camp by September of this year. The projected funding for the NYC is projected to be $0 for the 2022-2023 school years. There will be a skeletal staff at the camp for next year, however, it will be necessary to have people in the buildings because, if left empty, they could develop mold.