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About The Baker County press. (Baker City, Ore.) 2014-current | View Entire Issue (May 22, 2015)
FRIDAY, MAY 22, 2015 Classifieds / Local THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS — 7 BLM seeks input for Cold Springs horses LEGAL NOTICES Vale, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Vale District has begun the development of a wild horse gather plan for the Cold Springs Herd Management Area (HMA) and is asking the public for their input. The Vale District will prepare an Environmental Assessment that will ana- lyze the return of the wild horse population of the Cold Springs HMA to the Appropriate Management Level (AML). The Cold Springs HMA is made up of nearly 30,000 acres and is about 30 miles south of Juntura, Oregon near Star Moun- tain. The AML for the Cold Springs HMA is a range of 75 to 100 wild horses. The goal of this project is to return the wild horse population to the estab- lished AML and to protect rangeland resources, including essential greater sage-grouse habitat from damage caused by over- population. The Vale District determined the need for this plan due to intensive monitoring over several years involving studies of grazing, range condition, actual use, precipitation, weather and other factors. “Precipitation has been poor and forage has suf- fered as a result,” said Don Gonzalez, Vale District BLM District Manager. “If you combine that with fire damage over the last several years throughout the District, you create a precarious situation for these horses.” Aerial monitoring in July 2014 found that there were 213 wild horses. Assuming a population growth rate of 20 percent, the population is now expected to be in excess of 250 wild horses. By summer of this year, this number of horses will exceed the forage allocated for their use by 40 percent. Damage to forage and plants have been docu- mented in areas of concen- trated wild horse. In 2013 and 2014, field observations also docu- mented low water avail- ability, with large concen- trations of horses observed around severely limited water sources. “We want to see the horses and the rangelands thrive,” said Gonzalez. “We’re hoping that this process will make that possible, and we’re hoping for constructive ideas and comments during the scop- ing period.” Comments are being accepted through May 29, 2015, and information is available at: http://www.blm.gov/or/ districts/vale/plans/plans- details.php?id=3164 5J: Board hears resignations, new hires, awards • BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETS JUST BEFORE GENERAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING BY TODD ARRIOLA Todd@TheBakerCountyPress.com The Baker School District 5J held a budget meeting and a Board of Directors meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2015, in the North Conference Room of the District office, 2090 4th Street. Budget Committee Meeting. Present for the budget meeting, held at 5 p.m., were Andrew Bryan, Board Chair; Kevin Cassidy, Board Vice Chair; Betty Palmer, Interim Super- intendent; Doug Dalton, CFO/Business Manager; Melissa Irvine, Budget Committee Chair; Mike Rudi, Budget Commit- tee Vice Chair; Richard McKim, Board Member; Autumn Swiger-Harrel, Budget Board Member; Rusty Munn, Budget Committee Member; and Elen Dentinger, Acting Secretary. Attendees included Su- perintendent Walt Wegener and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Whit- man District Ranger Jeff Tomac. Irvine called the meet- ing to order, and Dalton discussed the economic forecast, stating that for 2016-2017, $290,000 in additional funding would probably be available to the School District. Wegener mentioned some possible grants and other sources of additional funding that could become available. Bryan asked Dalton about the PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) situation, and Dalton said that it looks negative, with completely unexpected legislation that affects benefits. He said there would be increased costs going forward, while retirees are still owed funds, and the cost to the District could be around $790,000. Munn referenced Palm- er’s Budget Statement at the budget meeting last week, and explained that the four-day week was originally implemented because of funding issues. A resolution regarding the permanent tax rate of $4.6051 per $1,000 of assessed taxable prop- erty within the district was approved, as well as the 2015-2016 School budget. Board Meeting. The Board meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by Bryan, followed shortly by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present were Bryan, Cassidy, Palmer, Dalton, Irvine, McKim, Dentinger, and outgoing Baker High School (BHS) Student Body President Bailey Hill. Around 20 people attended the meeting. There were several presentations made at the beginning of the meeting, the first one from Palmer to Linda and Tim Collins, and Chelsea McLaughan, in recognition of the part- nership of Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort to the School District, with the “Ski For The Health Of It” program. Palmer said that this year, 160 students had enrolled in the program, the highest number so far. Bryan introduced Hill, then asked Baker High School Principal Ben Merrill to say a few words about leadership and Hill’s role and experience at the school. Merrill said that Hill was chosen as Promise of Baker Student of the Month in January, and spoke about his courage, determination and future, and praised not only Hill for his efforts, but also next year’s incoming President, Bryson Smith. Palmer presented Hill with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding efforts, and he thanked the group, then introduced Smith. Keating School Head Teacher Kathi Shaw pre- sented Lacy Churchfield the award for Promise of Baker Student of the Month for May, in recogni- tion of her efforts writing an Ellis Island-themed essay in honor of the 125th anniversary of both Ellis Island and the Daughters of the American Revolu- Todd Arriola / The Baker County Press Kathi Shaw of Keating presents Lacy Churchfield the award for promise student of the month for May. tion (DAR). Churchfield received a 1st place District medal and $50 in March from Joan Smith and Cherlyne Allen of the Lone Pine Tree Chapter of DAR, and she also placed 1st at the State contest this month for the 5th grade level, Shaw said. Beth Bigelow next spoke about Sue Richard, who’s retiring from her position as Haines 5th/6th Grade Teacher. Bigelow talked about first meet- ing Richard, and about their positive experiences and Bigelow’s major ac- complishments, and then Bigelow read a poem in honor of Richard, titled “A Tribute To A Teacher.” Bigelow also read a quote, which said, “Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” Palmer spoke about South Baker School Para Professional Diane Davis, who also is retiring. Palm- er talked about Davis’s career, her performance, and her personal life, and had high praise for Davis, noting her humor, kind- ness, thoughtfulness, and caring attitude. Bryan mentioned others retiring, but not present, in- cluding Jan Bonn, Brook- lyn Music Teacher; Kim Virtue, Baker High School Student Services; and Carolyn Crawford, Baker Middle School Guidance Secretary. The Board next approved the meeting agenda, and the minutes from the April 21, 2015 regular Board meetings. Bryan then mentioned a classified new hire, Bus Driver Linda Rudy. Hill gave a BHS report, including school sports and clubs events and accom- plishments, including the recent Mr. BHS competi- tion, FBLA elections, and for the first time, a country-themed dance to be held next Friday at the Baker County Fairgrounds. The Board discussed the June Board meeting date, and decided on Tuesday, June 23. Julie Gentry was present during the public com- ment segment to discuss her concerns about the 5th/6th grade size class at Haines, and she suggested more staff to address the issue. Palmer responded to Gentry that according to policy, the class size-to- teacher ratio is proper. Action Item 1 was approved by the Board, which includes: Administration Hires are Nanette Lehman, South Baker Principal; Chris Carmiencke, Baker Middle School Principal; and Molly Smith, VP/Math Coach. On the list of Certified Resignations are The- resa Dee, South Baker 4th Grade Teacher; Seth Bingham, Baker High School FFA/Ag Teacher; and Brianna Ellis, South Baker Developmental 4th Grade Teacher. Annetta Evans, Haines 5th/6th Grade Teacher, is listed as a Certified Transfer. Certified New Hires are Amy Younger, South Baker 4th Grade Teacher; Skye Flanagan, South Baker 4th Grade Teacher; Dana Marlia, Haines Pre-K and .5 Special Education Teacher; Thomas Joseph, Baker High School Lan- guage Arts Teacher; Aysha Vidales, .6 English Learner Teacher for the District; Cynthia Stevens, Haines .5 5th/6th Grade Teacher; and Bibiana Giff, Baker High School/BTI Ag Science Instructor/FFA Advisor. Marcy Osborn, Baker Middle School Volleyball Coach, is listed as the Extra-Duty Resignation. Extra-Duty New Hires are Shawn Simpson, Baker High School Head Vol- leyball Coach; Kristen Ruston, Baker High School Girls Soccer Coach; and Brent Gyllenberg, Baker High School Head Boys Basketball Coach. Action Item 2, Resolu- tion 15-09, Oregon State School Fund, was dis- cussed by the Board. Ac- tion Item 2 was approved. Action Item 3 was approved, the Second Reading of Policies: EBCB-Emergency Drills; GBDA-Mother Friendly Workplace; GBM-Staff Complaints; JHCD-Non- prescription Medication; and JHCDA-Prescription Medication, with JFG- Student Searches omitted from the list.
