schools
Vernonia School Board Report
At the March 12, 2015 Vernonia School Board
Meeting:
Board Extends Contract – The Board approved
Resolution 1415-05, extending an Administrative
Contract.
Building Reports - Both Elementary Principal Aaron
Miller and High School/Middle School Principal
Nate Underwood thanked Classified Employees,
which includes Instructional Assistants, Secretaries,
Custodians, and Food Service Workers, for their
dedication, hard work and essential service and noted
they had been recognized during Classified Employee
Week. Miller also reported that PTA family Week
was a big success with good attendance at several
events. Underwood recognized members of the Girls
Basketball Team who, in addition to taking 4 th place at
the State Tournament, were also named 3 rd in OSAA
Academic All State. Underwood explained that all
team member’s GPA are averaged for the competition.
The Vernonia Boys Basketball team was named 8 th.
march19
2015
the ending number from last year.
Miller reported he is working to present a
balanced budget to the Board and Budget Committee
at their first meeting on April 30. Miller said he is still
waiting for the state to decide the level of funding.
Miller told the Board they will receive a draft
of the school year calendar next month, which will
offer options for both a four day and five day week.
Miller told the Board final work is being done
on Spencer Park fields and that the new shop facility is
almost complete.
13
which would oversee the single building. She explained
that previously there were separate Site Council’s for
each of the three school buildings. Stahlnecker said
the Council is looking for parent members. The Board
later approved establishing a single Site Council.
Board Appoints Roberts to Budget Committee - The
Board appointed Brittanie Roberts to a three year term
on the Budget Committee. The Budget Committee is
still seeking three more members.
Board Accepts Resignation - The Board accepted
the resignation of 4 th grade teacher Robyn Richmond.
Richmond had taken a one year leave of absence for
the birth of her son. Richmond said she would like
to continue to work as an Instructional Coach for the
District. School Board Chair Bill Langmaid thanked
her for her service.
Charter School Update - Superintendent Miller
provided the Board with an update on the progress
being made by the Charter School Steering Committee.
Miller told the Board the Steering Committee is
moving forward with two proposals: A District Charter
Proposal and a School Charter Proposal. Under the
District Charter Proposal the Mist School would be Board Hears Second Reading of Policies - The Board
eliminated. Miller presented an updated timeline and heard the second reading of eleven policy updates.
informed the Board that two Public Hearings have been
Public Comment - Jeana Gump asked that the
scheduled for March 30 and March 31.
members of the Cheerleading Squad be recognized
Superintendent Report - Superintendent Aaron
Site Council Report - Teacher Deb Stahlnecker told and encouraged by the school, by other coaches and
Miller reported that enrollment has dropped throughout
the Board that the District is reviving a Site Council athletes, and by the community as athletes.
the school year and is now at 561, but is still ahead of
Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon to Sponsor Teachers
The
Professional
Land
Surveyors of Oregon (PLSO), a non-
profit trade association, is partnering
with the National Council of Examiners
for Engineering (NCEES) as well as
twelve other western state land surveying
associations to sponsor teachers for
the Teaching with Spatial Technology
(TwiST) program.
Held at Clark College in
Vancouver, June 22-26, TwiST is
designed to teach K-12 educators how
to use Geographic Information Systems
(GIS) and Global Positioning Systems
(GPS) in the classroom to create
meaningful and challenging lesson plans
for students. It is a week-long workshop
designed to make teachers proficient in
the many aspects of spatial technology.
The course is a mixture of classroom
study and field exercises while learning
to use GIS software, a GPS receiver and
other related materials.
Teachers will learn about
applications that classroom activities
can accomplish around their school
and community. Ranging from
resource management to environmental
assessment, cartography and more, the
activities may be taught at various levels
of grade appropriate complexity.
“Land Surveyors often use
Vernonia Police Department Super Citizen
Cheyenne Farr-Smith
VPD Super Citizen recipient for the month of March is
Cheyenne Farr-Smith a sophomore at Vernonia HwSw Cheyenne
received the VSC award for creating safe and positive youth
programs/groups both at school and in the regular communityw
When asked why she started these youth organizations she
said, "Because it’s fun!" Her next endeavor is to start an
anti-bullying group or campaignw
Through her drive and selfless
actions Cheyenne has shown that
she is going above and beyond to
better herself and her
community, and we at
the Vernonia Police
Department would like
to say, "Thank You,
Cheyennew"
START RIGHT. START HERE. SM
Donʻt wait for the sun!
Get your MOWERS tuned up now!
Oil Change • Sharpen Blades
Filters • Cables • Pull Ropes
We pick up & deliver!
Family owned & operated for over 45 years
834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364
cutting edge technology in our profession
and we want to encourage kids to
be exposed to the profession early,”
explains John Thatcher, PLSO Chair
and state representative for the Western
Federation of Professional Surveyors.
“The surveying profession has a lot of
future growth. Many workers will be
retiring soon and we will need to fill our
workforce. This is a way for us to plant
the seed for future generations and that
starts with our teachers.”
Oregon teachers are encouraged
to log on to http://www.plso.org/twist
for an application to attend. PLSO will
reimburse travel costs and pay the $600
tuition cost up front, which includes
all course teaching materials, ESRI
GIS Software, Garmin GPS receiver,
PC cable for downloading data, a 2GB
thumb drive, hand compass, and other
training materials.
The
Professional
Land
Surveyors of Oregon represents more
than 500 land surveyors and associated
suppliers. It serves the land surveying
industry in Oregon through professional
education and outreach, holding
paramount the interests of the public. To
learn more visit www.plso.org.
Vernonia School District
Volunteer of the Month
February 2015
Katie Poetter
Vernonia School District’s “Volunteer of the
Month” for February, is Katie Poetter.
Katie is a long time Vernonia resident
and graduate of VHS. Katie and her
husband have two children and reside in the
Vernonia Community.
In addition to her family commitments,
Katie has an endless list of groups, commit-
tees and organizations she is involved with.
Katie is a “behind the scenes” volunteer.
She is constantly participating in numerous
activities and groups but rarely takes center
stage and doesn’t get the acknowledgment
she is so deserving of. Her community
involvement includes the local PEO, Vernonia Parks Committee and the
Christmas in Vernonia Committee. Katie is also an active member of her
Church, teaches Sunday school classes and helps with the Youth Group.
Echoing Evergreen Day Camp is one of Katie’s biggest volunteer
projects that she is very passionate about. Kids look forward to this fun
filled week at camp... which wouldn’t happen without the hard work and
countless hours from Katie.
The Vernonia Booster’s is a club in which Katie holds several
positions. Not only is she the Booster Board Secretary, she is also the
Youth Softball President.
At Vernonia High School, Katie has organized many fundraisers
for the VHS softball team, coordinated several potlucks for the VHS girls
basketball and volleyball teams and facilitates the “Zack Rumbolz Memo-
rial Scholarship” Taco Feed Fundraiser.
Katie is a thoughtful, generous, passionate and devoted volunteer.
“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depths of the
commitment to make a difference in the lives of others” ~DeAnn Hollis
