may21 2015 VERNONIA’S volume9 issue10 reflecting the spirit of our community www.vernoniasvoice.com Former Governor Helps School Celebrate LEED Platinum, Green Globes Designation Former Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski was one of several special guests in attendance on Sat- urday, May 9 when the Vernonia Schools unveiled recognition for its energy-efficient design that ties to the community’s natural resource heritage and future. The school has received Leadership in Energy and Environ- mental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, as well as three out of four globes for the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes program. Kulongoski joined State Senator Betsy Johnson and Colum- bia County Commissioner Tony Hyde as guest speakers at the event, which was held in the Hall of Cham- pions in the main lobby of the school building. Also in attendance was for- mer Vernonia School District Super- intendent Ken Cox. The Vernonia School is the only K-12 school campus in the United States to receive the coveted LEED Platinum designation. Kulongoski was gracious to- wards the Vernonia community and its citizens in his comments during the ceremony. “This school is the best of who we are, as a people, as Oregonians, you as a community, and together as a state,” said the former Governor. “What you did for me was you taught me and you gave me hope. The process works because citizens like you become in- volved and want to bring a change. You have given me much more than I have given you.” As governor, Kulongos- ki played a significant role in the construction of the new Vernonia Schools campus and the recovery of the community, helping make resources available through an Ex- ecutive Order and by convening the Oregon Solutions team that was in- strumental in getting the school con- inside 10 vernonia overture 10 medley’s custom printing 11 vhs spring sports 12 school board report structed. “I want to say thank you to all of you, because I now have hope that no matter what the problems are in this state, or in this country, or in this world, when people like you come together, we’re going to find a solution,” said Kulongoski. “We’re future is bright.” “We’ve reached another milestone in achieving the tremen- dous vision for this town,” said State Senator Betsy Johnson. “I am so proud to celebrate today with the residents of Vernonia and the amaz- ing support from Oregonians from Left to right: former Vernonia School Superintendent Ken Cox, County Commissioner Tony Hyde, State Senator Betsy Johnson, former Governor Ted Kulongoski, School Board Chair Bill Langmaid, Vernonia School Superintendent Aaron Miller, and Vernonia Mayor Randy Parrow. going to make life better and we’re going to win in the end.” In 2009, residents commit- ted to a vision for education in Ver- nonia that would tie to the area’s rich natural resource-based history and connect to a sustainable future. The community’s vision included design- ing an integrated building that could serve as a model for rural sustain- ability and itself a “living laborato- ry” that connects to surrounding na- ture to teach students about science and technology. “After the 2007 flood, the people of Vernonia seized a moment in time to turn a challenging circum- stance into an opportunity to shape a stronger future,” said Vernonia School District Superintendent Aar- on Miller. “As a community, we’re proud of our heritage and connection to the environment, and these nation- al recognitions signal that Vernonia’s free far and wide who came together to help make this happen.” Points for the LEED and Green Globes certifications were earned for utilizing renewable en- ergy resources, re-using and recy- cling building materials, improving the efficiency and performance of the building to reduce environmental impact, improving sustainable prac- tices within the building, and many other efforts. The building was sited to provide for optimal solar orientation and natural ventilation, allowing for significant day lighting and reduced energy use. The site has been engi- neered with constructed wetlands and bio-swales which treat, store and send all storm water for release into the nearby Nehalem River. Sustainability features in the building include radiant in-floor continued on page 7 Pebble Creek Road Closure The Columbia County Road Department has announced they will begin a bridge replacement project on Pebble Creek Road over Coon Creek on June 1, 2015. The location of the project is .4 miles south of Highway 47 (Mist Drive). Pebble Creek Road will be closed at the Coon Creek Bridge from June 15 through September 30 for replacement of the bridge structure. A detour will route traffic to McDonald Road. Election Results Vernonia Passes One Fire Measure; Columbia County Rejects Fee Increase Unofficial results from the May 19, 2015 Special Election indicate that Vernonia voters have approved Measure 5-245 but denied Mea- sure 5-246. Both measures were submitted by the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District. Preliminary results show Vernonia vot- ers approving Measure 5-245, a ten year bond for the purchase of a new fire engine, by a 52%- 48% margin. Voters rejected Measure 5-246, a five year levy to fund a Training Captain for the district, by a 58%-42% margin. Columbia County voters rejected Mea- sure 5-243 which would have increased the Natu- ral Resources Depletion Fee from 15 cents to 50 cents and used the increase to fund the Colum- bia County Rider public transportation system and help maintain county roads. Voters appear to have rejected this measure by a 52% to 48% margin. In local election races Greg Kintz defeat- ed a challenge from Thomas Jones of Birkenfeld for a spot on the Vernonia School Board. Katie Cook and Brittanie Roberts, who both ran unop- posed, were also elected to the Vernonia School Board. Joel Glass and Terry Lindauer both re- tained their positions on the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Board after running unop- posed for their positions. Kathy Denkla was re-elected to the Co- lumbia 9-1-1 Board after she ran unopposed. Larry Boxman, Joan Jones and Barbara Smith all ran unopposed and were re-elected to the Mist-Birkenfeld Fire District Board. School Board Holds Eventful Meeting The Vernonia School Board had a busy evening on May 14, conducting business con- cerning the 2015-16 Budget, changes to school staff, and the proposed Charter School, as well as holding several discussions that included Smarter Balanced testing and recurring vandalism in the boy’s locker room and boy’s restrooms. The evening began with a meeting of the newly formed Vernonia Charter School Board prior to the regular School Board meeting, which approved an agreement document for governance of the Charter School which was also later ap- proved by the regular School Board. The regular School Board meeting included a Budget Com- mittee meeting where the proposed budget was approved. During the regular meeting the School Board approved numerous staff changes and ac- cepted several resignations and also approved an instructional calendar for the 2015-16 school year which no longer includes early release Fridays for students. The Board discussed reports of vandal- ism and several members expressed serious con- cerns about this ongoing trend in damages that have been occurring. Several Board members also expressed displeasure with mandated Smart- er Balanced testing procedures that are interfering with regular classroom time for students. For more details about these issues see the full School Board Report on page 13.