8 — THE BAKER COUNTY PRESS
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2017
Local
5J: Parents introduce idea to City-County
return to 5-day school week
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From South Baker,
Lupita Rodriquez was
presented the “Promise
of Baker Student of the
Month.” Baker High
School Student Jake
Bobo was presented the
“Promise of Baker Student
of the Month of Septem-
ber.” Kaci Anderson from
Haines was presented the
“Promise of Baker Student
of the Month.”
Bobo and Kourtney
Lehman were recognized
for their work with FFA.
Bobo was at nationals in
FFA and won first place in
Specialty Animal Produc-
tion. Lehman was a finalist
at FFA nationals in Public
Speaking.
The board also rec-
ognized new staff in the
schools. Brooklyn Elemen-
tary welcomed Tanner
Denne, Kate Johnson, Ami
Livingston, Trace Rich-
ardson, and Daisy Walden.
South Baker welcomed
Lisa Davis, Julie Gentry,
and Zack Kimball. Baker
Technical Institute wel-
comed Amanda Johnson
and Ellen Jacobs. Haines
welcomed Lacey Hirst.
Baker Middle School
welcomed Laura Morley,
Angela Johnson, Bran-
don Young, and Amanda
Grove. Baker High School
welcomed David Laws.
Superintendent Mark
Witty presented board
appreciation stating, “I’ve
been in education for 31
and been an administrator
for 21 and, quite frankly,
I’ve never worked with a
board that has this much
dedication. And that’s the
truth. I’ve worked with a
lot of different boards in
four districts. This board,
I just want the community
to understand and know,
this board is commit-
ted, they work above and
beyond what I’ve seen
other boards even come
close to. They have the
interests of our community,
students, and staff in mind
as a whole. And I strongly
believe that this board’s
leadership, over time, is re-
Samantha O’Conner / The Baker County Press
Jerry Peacock presenting the BTI Promise of Baker Student of the Month to
Kaeli Flanagan.
ally making a difference in
our district. I’m very grate-
ful to have the privilege to
work with them and I can’t
overemphasize how much
time, dedication, integrity,
and thought goes into what
these guys bring to the
table every day.”
Board member Autumn
Harrell has resigned from
the school board as of
January 12, 2017.
Josey Gaslin was ap-
proved and welcomed as
the new member of the
Budget Committee.
The Baker Valley Edu-
cation Foundation update
was presented to the board,
presenting its bylaws. It
was presented to the board
to approve the bylaws or
make amendments to them.
On a handout given to
the board, the purpose of
the nonprofit organization
is;
“The purposes for which
this corporation is formed
are, in general, to promote,
sponsor, facilitate, and sup-
port innovative teaching
and education of children
within the Baker 5J School
District. In furtherance of
these goals, this corpora-
tion may, without limita-
tion of the foregoing, re-
ceive, hold, own, manage,
use, purchase, mortgage,
and dispose of property of
all kinds, real, personal,
and intangible whether
held absolutely or in trust,
or by way of agency or
otherwise, for the benefit
and support of the Baker 5J
School District, its students
in the K-12 programs, and
its patrons.”
Witty began the board
reports, discussing school
closures.
He explained that they
have enough hours built
into their calendar to be
able to lose one more day.
If they lose a second day,
they will have to make that
up.
Witty discussed the
State School Fund Budget.
The fund from Governor
Brown’s office started at
8.015 billion, they have
added 141 million with
that, and he believes that
translates to $400 per stu-
dent and that is post eighth
grade to 12.
In a handout given
out at the meeting, Witty
presented the update on the
Facility Planning. In the
handout, it states;
“Since the November
BSD5J board meeting, the
District has made great
progress on the Long-range
Facility Planning (LRFP)
Process. The District is
in the process of submit-
ting its paperwork to ODE
to access the $25,000
in Technical Assistance
Program LRFP grant funds
for this process and for-
mally brought on board the
Wenaha Group to provide
support to the District’s
effort.”
He then discussed Board
Replacement. The running
for the open board position
will open February 6 to
March 16.
Assistant Superintendent
Betty Palmer discussed
the Science Curriculum
Update and will discuss it
further during their work
session on January 16.
CFO/Business Manager
Doug Dalton discussed
damages caused by the
snow.
Two greenhouses were
damaged, interior dam-
ages to buildings, and roof
leaks.
He moved his financial
report and the rest of his
reports to be discussed
during the February 16
meeting.
During the public com-
ment, parents and commu-
nity members presented a
letter to the board, asking
them to revisit the option
of a five-day school week
with reduced school hours.
The presented concerns,
observations, and questions
regarding why they prefer
a five day school day.
The letter is currently
under discussion.
County Commissioner Nichols said, “One thing I’d like
to see is, we don’t talk about ‘we,’ and ‘them,’ and ‘us,’
and so forth (Harvey agreed). We’re the County; Baker
City’s part of the County, Halfway’s part of the County,
the people out in the County are part of the County, and
everybody uses Baker City, as well. The 911 Center is
run for the County, and is funded by the population...” He
said he’d spoken to Lindsey, and he sees the percentages
of calls received for the year, but it’s difficult to say for
certain what the ratio of shared costs should be, but that
the City should be paying more than 71%. He said that
funds should be set aside in reserve each year for equip-
ment costs, etc.
Warner, Jr. said, “To me, the most important thing is
that we get an agreement, and move on...We want to
make sure that, when it comes to our budget time, we
have fully vetted the budget...It’s very incumbent on both
groups to figure out a very good working relationship,
and we come up with a budget that both entities, Hope,
and both Dispatches can live with...”
County Commissioner Bennett recommended an
alternate makeup of the 911 Board, which would include
a law enforcement representative, the Baker County
Sheriff, in one of the remaining positions, and he said,
“...I came to that, merely because I was checking at the
Center, and 80% of the calls were law enforcement in na-
ture. So, if we’re justifying a rural EMS person—which
goes without question—then, also, law enforcement
should have a voice...” Harvey said he disagreed with
placing the Sheriff in that position, and that the Board
would already have representation from the City and the
County. He said that members of the public within the
County should be allowed to have an opportunity to apply
for the position. Several attendees said that they agree
that the remaining positions should be open to County-
wide applicants.
Harvey said that, historically speaking, a discussion of
this type, which helps to form City and County budgets,
has been held in February, and he wishes to continue that
process. Bennett said that the County prefers a cost share
of 75% from the City, and 25% from the County, and
it was agreed upon, as a conceptual target ratio for the
two entities. Harvey emphasized to the public that ideas
presented during the discussion don’t represent a final
decision yet.
An Economic Development Council (EDC) proposed
agreement, between the City and the County, entities that
act as partners to maintain a sustainable local economy,
was also discussed. Warner, Jr. explained the purpose of
some changes he recommended, and Harvey and Ben-
nett discussed some other items of concern, including
funding weaknesses, project assessments, and language in
the agreement regarding funding. Nichols said he would
work on drafting the proper language, so that both City
Council and the Board could review it at a later date.
Artists needed
The Baker City Farmers Market is seeking artwork for
the 2017 Market Poster. Submissions must be received by
April 14, 2017.
Artwork should depict an aspect of Farmers Market
(such as fresh produce or colorful vendor stalls) that will
translate well into poster form. Prize awarded to selected
artist.
For more information please call Ann Mehaffy,
541.519.0698. Baker City Farmers Market, PO Box 794,
Baker City OR 97814.
Valentine’s Day recipes
Cherries
2 ½ cups pow-
dered sugar
¼ cup softened
butter
1 tablespoon
milk
½ teaspoon
almond extract
2 (8 oz) jars
maraschino cher-
ries with stem on
2 cups (12
Homemade Goodness
oz ) semisweet
chocolate chips
By Eileen Driver
2 tablespoons
shortening
It’s snowing really hard
Combine together in
outside again and making
small bowl, sugar, butter,
some delicious treats for
milk and almond extract.
Valentine’s Day is a great
Knead until mixture is
way to spend the day. It
smooth and pliable. Shape
will be fun and make a
mixture into 1 inch balls
gloomy day happy and
and then flatten each ball
sunny inside. It really is
into a 2-inch circle.
easier than you think to
Wrap each circle around
make your Valentine a rich
a cherry and shape with
and chocolatey treat and it
hands. Place each ball
will mean so much more
stem side up on wax paper
if you make it with your
lined baking sheet. Cover
own two hands and what
loosely and refrigerate 4
else do you have to do on
hours to overnight.
a snowy day, right? These
Melt chocolate and
recipes all use about the
shortening stirring until
same ingredients and you
smooth.Dip the cherries by
can do them all at once
the stem into the chocolate
very easily.
until covered allowing
Chocolate Covered
excess to drip off. Place
on wax paper till set, store
in covered container in re-
frigerator. Chill completely
before serving.
While you are waiting
for the cherry wrap to chill
you can start on these next
treats which will work for
Valentine’s day or St. Pat-
rick’s Day if you can make
them last that long.
Chocolate Covered
Mint Patties
⅓ cup light corn syrup
5 tablespoons softened
butter
1 ½ teaspoons mint
extract
½ teaspoon salt
Green food coloring (2-3
drops then to desired color)
4-5 cups powdered sugar
2 cups semisweet choco-
late chips
2 tablespoons shortening
Combine in medium size
bowl corn syrup, butter,
mint extract, salt and food
coloring, stirring until well
combined.
Stir in powdered sugar 1
cup at a time until mixture
is too stiff to stir. Continue
mixing with your hands
adding more powdered
sugar as needed until
mixture no longer sticks to
your hands.
Roll into 1 inch balls and
place on wax paper lined
baking sheet. Flatten balls
with bottom of cup or palm
of your hand.
Cover with more wax
paper and chill for 60-90
minutes or until firm.
Melt chocolate and short-
ening stirring until smooth.
Dip candies in chocolate
with fork, tap to remove
excess and place back on
wax paper. Let candies
set until firm and store in
airtight containers. Can be
frozen in single layers if
desired.
Of course no candy col-
lection would be complete,
at least in my household,
without a peanut butter
version or 2. This first one
has the added bonus of
having rice krispies inside
for a fun crunch.
Chocolate Covered Pea-
nut Butter Balls
2 cups peanut butter,
creamy or crunchy
1 stick softened butter
(½ cup)
3 ½ to 4 cups powdered
sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups crispy rice cereal
3 cups semi sweet choco-
late chips
3 tablespoons shortening
In a large mixing bowl
combine butter and peanut
butter until well mixed.
Stir in vanilla. Add pow-
dered sugar gradually ½
cup at a time until smooth
and can be easily rolled
into balls. Stir in crispy
rice cereal. Shape into 1
inch balls, place on wax
paper lined baking sheet
and refrigerate for 30
minutes.
Melt chocolate and short-
ening together, stirring
until smooth.
Dip peanut butter balls
into chocolate with fork
or toothpick letting excess
drain off.
Place on wax paper,
sprinkle with chopped pea-
nuts or sprinkles if desired
and let set. Store in airtight
container.
Now that you are tired
of dipping candy but still
have melted chocolate
to use up, you could not
possibly be considering
wasting that chocolate, this
is the best way to use it up
and delicious too. I also
love the name of it.
Tiger Butter
16 1-oz white choco-
late baking squares finely
chopped
¾ cup creamy peanut
butter
2 cups (12 ounces ) semi-
sweet chocolate chips
Combine white chocolate
and peanut butter in a 2
quart microwavable bowl.
Microwave on high 2 ½
minutes or until melted,
stirring twice. Pour into a
wax paper lined, rimmed
10x15 baking sheet,
spreading evenly.
Melt chocolate chips the
same way and pour over
white chocolate.
Swirl with a knife and
chill until firm. Break into
pieces. Store in an airtight
container in the refrigera-
tor.
If you don’t think you
have enough candy for all
your Valentine’s yet head
on down to the Histori-
cal Society Candy Sale at
Howell’s Cafe Saturday
morning February 11th
and get all the homemade
goodness you need without
having to make it any more
yourself.