Wahkiakum Board of Education approves $8M budget

eeting in conjunction with the budget hearing and a meet and greet session for the public with new interim superintendent Ric Palmer on Tuesday, July 23rd.

Palmer shared his background in education and personal journey with the public, which included success he had while serving the Bickleton school district in Klickitat county for seventeen years. Among the four-day week shift and building a new K-12 school, there are similarities between our rural districts. While in Bickleton he faced big decisions and changes. “If it’s right for kids and we can afford to do it, do it.” This was his response to the shifts he led in school organizational structure and building management.

After the meet and greet opportunity, the regular board meeting took place. The consent agenda included the approval of the 2024-2025 budget. Projected revenue to the district is $8,027,187.00 which has $367,222.00 left over from last year’s budget. Since this is a "net zero" budget, projected expenditures are the same as revenue. There are foreseeable changes with insurance costs to the district and declining enrollment that will impact district finances.

First on the agenda was an update on parking lot signage. Due to as many as seven vehicles parking overnight, the school has installed signs indicating tow away zones. Palmer acted on the problem and installed the signs himself to eliminate the liability from people parking overnight on school property.

New exercise equipment has been set up, as well as new mats in the building referred to as “the box.” These were funded by a $198,000 grant from Healthy Kids Healthy Schools to add on to the playground and update the gym. Eight new spin bikes, ellipticals and other stationary equipment are now set up and ready to use for students in the physical education and athletic training programs.

A review of summer projects was provided, which included grounds maintenance, resurfacing the gym floors, and working on the sprinkler systems. An update on the damage from the boiler system breakdown that damaged the gym floor was also given. “[the} damage is not fully repaired, but it’s livable with resurfacing. It isn’t in a key area,” was the report by Palmer to the board. The floor will eventually be redone in the future to solve the problem completely.

Business manager, Sue Ellyson reported that the school is looking into purchasing a point-of-sale (POS) system to make payments more convenient for staff and parents. Paying for student fees, lunches, and game admission are a few key areas where a POS system would be useful. A point of sale system would allow payments to be made by debit card and provide better service to the public. Several schools in the area have started to use similar systems. Ellyson said she is just looking into options now and although the cost to get started is expensive, it would be worth it for the convenience and ease of operation. Board member Bobbie Stefan supports the idea stating, “it is a great idea to bring us up to today’s standards.”

Business manager Ellyson went on to report on the healthy financial position of the district as they reach the end of the budget year. With 90% of the year complete, only 87% of the budget is spent. July expenditures were $260,521.92 in the general fund accounts payable and $428,148.21 in payroll. A substantial portion went to grant payments. The general fund balance sits at $1.37 million.

Superintendent Palmer reported the status of the track lighting installation and steps needed to complete the project. In addition, he is working to sift through grants to supplement revenue between now and 2027 when most additional secured grants will be funded.

High school principal, Stephanie Lietz reported the active schedule keeping the school still buzzing with activity through the summer. Coaches and athletes have been training through the summer attending camps and participating in various scrimmages. In addition, she has worked to solidify class schedules and clean up the program transition. She was happy to report the addition of classes to the school roster this year including an AP Human Geography course, Sociology, CTE Business English, and the movement of Health and Robotics to the CTE program. There will also be an intervention study skills course added to refine academic skills in reading and math. Band and art will be offered for two hours now and finally, weight training geared toward athletics will take place in the last hour of the day.

Leitz also shared that they will be staffing the library with a volunteer to provide optimal learning. Also, through the Gates grant the high school and beyond will be enhanced to explore careers, work-based learning, career planning and CTE opportunities. Lastly, Leitz reported how busy staff have been over the summer attending various training courses, updating credentials, and adding endorsements to enhance their teaching methods.

The meeting concluded with a brief discussion on a partnership between WSU and the school to get grant funding for virtual reality goggles. A few staff members have been in training with virtual reality goggles to provide professional development to the district.