schools
Vernonia School Board Report
At the February 13, 2014 School
Board Meeting:
Superintendent Cox Resigning-Board
Chair Bill Langmaid told the Board
that Superintendent Ken Cox’s current
contract expires on June 30, 2014 and
that Cox has informed him that he is
not interested in renewing the contract.
The School Board voted to accepted
Cox’s resignation. The School Board
approved opening an internal search for
a replacement starting February 17 th and
ending February 24 th. The Board approved
a Qualities and Qualifications Draft
for the Replacement Superintendent.
As part of the replacement process the
School Board is requesting community
input on the qualities and qualifications
they would like in a Superintendent.
Community members are asked to send
their input by February 20th to Barb Carr
at the District office at: bcarr@vernonia.
k12.or.us. Input will also be taken at a
School Town Hall meeting scheduled
for February 25 th at 7:00 PM at the
School Commons. School Board Chair
Bill Langmaid, on behalf of the Board,
thanked Cox for his service.
Board
Discusses
Attendance
Reporting-A member of the audience
asked about a response from the
District concerning the recent article
in the Oregonian that was critical of
the attendance at the Vernonia School
District. Dr. Ken Cox stated that data
that was reported needs to be verified.
It was also noted that the District has
changed its policy, which was just
instituted this year, so they now contact
parents after a student has missed 4
days, 8 days and 12 days; the original
policy called for contact at 5, 10 and
15 days. Elementary School Principal
Aaron Miller reported that the number
of students at the Elementary level who
have reached the 4-day contact this year
is 51; 8-day contacts are 17 and 12-day
contacts are 4. Miller also provided
a report he had compiled concerning
attendance at the kindergarten and first
grade levels. From September through
January attendance was at 92%; last year
at the same time it was at 84%. Chronic
absenteeism (missing 10% or more of
school days) has dropped from 49% to
27%. Miller said he will have similar
reports for grades 2-5 at the next monthly
meeting. “Even though we have made
some revisions to our plans for tracking
and logistics of attendance, changes and
revisions will be ongoing,” said Miller.
“We are continuing to look at how we
are recording and reporting and tracking
the data.” Miller addressed the value of
having staff contact parents of students
who are absent. “We do get in touch
with parents who say ‘They
had a doctors appointment-I
have a note.’ And we tell
them we understand, but we
still take the opportunity to
communicate the importance
of students being in school
and ask if there is a way we
can help.”
Board Moves Forward
With Sports Fields-The
Board voted to authorize the
Superintendent to spend up
to $12,600 for design and
engineering for sports fields
at the new school campus.
february20
2014
saved the School District thousands
of dollars) and also repainted the goal
posts. The Board presented Steward
with a certificate of thanks.
Board Approves Teacher Contract
Extensions-The
Board
entered
into Executive Session under
ORS192.660(2)(i) “To review and
evaluate the performance of the chief
executive officer or any other public
officer, employee or staff member...”
Upon returning to open session the
Board voted to adopt Resolution
1314-02, renewing all current teacher
contracts for the 2014-2015 and 2015-
2016 school years.
Board Recognizes Eagle Scout-
The Board heard a presentation from
Bridger Steward about his Eagle Scout
Project which was recently accepted
by the Boy Scouts of America.
Steward told the Board that, for his
project, he organized a work party
which installed flow through vents at
the current football stadium (which
Board Reviews Readiness Assessment-
Aaron Miller presented the Board
with a report that shows statistics
for Kindergarten Readiness which
Gated Driveway,
Pond, No Flooding
$135,000 OBO
Owner carry contract
503-319-6990
Board Set Limits for Interdistrict
Transfers-The Board voted to set
the limits for Interdistrict Transfers,
a requirement of HB 3681, to fifteen
students.
Board Approves Numerous Policy
Updates-The Board voted to approve
twenty-one policy updates.
Vernonia School District
Volunteer of the Month
January 2014
Allison McLeod
January’s Volunteer of the Month
is Allison McLeod. Allison volun-
teers in Mrs. Eagleson’s K/1
blended class almost every day of
the week. She helps with whatever
tasks or needs the teacher may
have. You can also find Allison
helping out with school field trips,
Run For The Arts, Field Day, and
wherever else help is needed. In
addition to volunteering at our
school, Allison is also our local
Booster Club President. She puts
in countless hours for the club,
which in turn, allows our youth to
participate in sports at a young age. The club also provides scholarships
to those kids that need financial assistance to participate in sports. Not
only do our students, teachers and district benefit greatly from Allison’s
volunteer time, but our community benefits as well. If you see Allison
around, be sure to tell her thank you for all of her hard work and commit-
ment to our youth! Thank You, Allsion!!
VERNONIA
10 Buildable
Acres
For Sale
Bordering Vernonia
City Limits
City Sewer & Water Available
tracks students who are just beginning
schooling in the Vernonia system. The
report shows that Vernonia kindergarten
students meet the state average in Self
Regulation, Interpersonal Skills and
Numbers & Operations but were below
average in Letter Names and Letter
Sounds.
Miller suggested that the
School District work with local pre-
school programs to coordinate efforts.
Board Approves Budget Calendar-
The School Board voted to approve the
2014-15 Budget Calendar which calls
for the Budget Committee to meet on
May 8 and 22 and for the Board to hold
a Public Hearing and Adopt a budget on
June 12.
Bridger Steward received a certificate of thanks from
School Board Chair Bill Langmaid.
Board Considers Green
Globes Certification-Superintendent
Ken Cox shared a proposal for the
Board’s consideration for the District to
apply for certification for Green Globes,
a green building design verification
process favored by the timber industry.
Cox told the Board that the cost of
the application is approximately
$13,500 and that he has had offers
for assistance with those fees. Cox
told the Board he thinks the School
District would receive donations
if they have this certification. Cox
informed the Board that the District is
still expecting LEEDS Certification.
The Board made no decision.
13
BE PREPARED FOR WINTER
• chains • antifreeze • winter tires mounted & balanced
• wipers • generators • kerosene • flashlights • boots
• batteries • lamp oil • gas cans • candles • propane
Family owned & operated
for over 40 years
834 Bridge St., Vernonia
(503) 429-6364
E
C
I
V
SER PAIR
& RE
Warranty on all parts and labor
Now offering
2 and 4 wheel
alignments
58605 NEHALEM HWY. S.
Next to Storage, Too
503/429/7972
