schools
june18
2015
Vernonia School Board Report
At the June 11, 2015 School Board
Meeting:
years of experience as an instructional
aid.
Miller also announced that
Board Approves Budget – Following Jeana Gump has resigned as instruc-
a Public Hearing, the School Board ap- tional aide to pursue a master’s degree
proved Resolution 1415-07, adopting the and that Coni Hodgson is retiring as an
2015-16 budget, making appropriations, instructional aide at the Mist School.
and imposing and categorizing taxes.
The total adopted budget is $13,220,984. Board Approves Financial Resolu-
tions – The Board approved a revision to
Board Approves Teacher Agreement Resolution 1314-04, making an adjust-
– The Board approved a one-year ment to which line item approximately
agreement with the Vernonia Education $10,000 was placed in the 2014-15 bud-
Association,
setting
expectations get. The Board also approved Resolu-
pertaining to teacher wages, hours, and tion 1415-06, appropriating unantici-
conditions of employment.
pated revenue in the 2014-15 fiscal year.
Superintendent’s Report – Superinten-
dent Aaron Miller told the Board that,
because of changes at other School Dis-
tricts, the State Legislature will make
changes to funding and the Vernonia ap-
plication to become a Charter School is
unlikely to be accepted.
Miller told the Board that the
dust collection system needed for the
completion of the shop facility has ar-
rived and will be installed.
Robert Watts will begin con-
struction on the new softball field, which
is expected to cost $35,000 and is being
funded through the Vernonia Education
Foundation. The field is expected to be
ready for use next spring.
The PTA will be installing the
second phase of the play equipment after
receiving a grant from the manufacturer.
service on the School Board and his ded-
ication to the school and the community.
Kelly Hawker, a service coor-
dinator with Columbia County Devel-
opmental Facilities Program, asked for
information about changes in the spe-
cial education department at the school.
Hawker was told the District is replacing
a staff member who is resigning and will
continue to provide above average ser-
vices for special education students.
Camyrin Eyrrick told the Board
that she and Nicole Larke will head up
the FIRST Robotics FRC program for
the Loggerbots team in the upcoming
school year. Chair Langmaid comment-
ed that the program has been a success-
ful in encouraging students to pursue
studies in the engineering field.
Gail Law asked if it was pos-
sible for the Special Education program
to hire an additional teacher and retain
Eric Urban as the Life Skills instructor.
Urban submitted his resignation at the
end of the school year. Law was told
that the District already has four teach-
ers employed in Special Education, plus
13
a Behavioral Specialist, and have hired a
teacher to replace Urban. Law expressed
“heartbreak” at the loss of Urban and
concern about the difficulty in the transi-
tion for the students.
Principal Reports – With the end of the
school year just complete, the Principal
Reports were fairly brief. Elementary
School Principal Aaron Miller updated
the Board on state testing, Focus School
work, spelling bee winners and the re-
turn of David Spackman from medical
leave. Miller also provided a Discipline
Report that showed most grades achiev-
ing the goal of over 90% of students with
either 0 or 1 major referrals.
Middle and High School Prin-
cipal Nate Underwood reported on
the Class of 2015 graduation ceremo-
ny. The class had five Valedictorians:
Makayla Adams, Dylan Taylor, Summer
Snow, Emilee Easlon, and Jeffrey Good-
man. Summer Snow won the Senior
Cup, Makayla Adams was the recipient
of the Wallace McCrea Award, Winter
Snow received the PEO Community
Board Discusses Smarter Balance
Testing – For the second meeting in a
row Board members expressed frustra-
tion with the new Smarter Balance As-
sessment Testing. Board member Jim
Krahn questioned the amount of time
students spend in the classroom prepar-
ing for the testing. Chair Bill Langmaid
noted that the Federal Department of Ed-
ucation has threatened to remove fund-
ing from the State if they make it easier
continued on page 14
for students to opt out of the
testing. Instructor Juliet Safi-
er said she spends about four
PUBLIC NOTICE
days of class time specifically
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON
preparing students for taking
the test and that students took
)
an average of 13 class periods In the Matter of the Rate Adjustments for
Solid Waste Curbside Collection Services
) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
to complete the testing. Su-
in Unincorporated Columbia County
)
(PUBLICATION)
perintendent Miller said he be-
lieves Common Core teaching 1.
The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Wednesday,
June
24,
2015, at or after 10:00 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room, Room 308, at
makes sense but disagrees on
the
Columbia
County Courthouse, 230 Strand Street, St. Helens, Oregon.
how much time is spent on as-
sessment testing. Krahn sug-
2.
The purpose of this hearing is to consider proposed rate adjustments for curbside
gested that the District begin garbage and recycling services for residents and businesses in rural Columbia County
making their feelings about (i.e., outside city limits), effective July 1, 2015. The Columbia County Solid Waste
the testing process heard to Advisory Committee is recommending that the Board adopt a rate increase for rural
Rainier (6%). This area is serviced by Waste Connections, dba Hudson Garbage Service.
State and Federal legislators.
Board Members Recognized – Board
Chair Bill Langmaid and Board Member
Tim Bamburg were thanked by Superin-
tendent Aaron Miller for their service on
the Board. This was their last meeting;
both chose not to run in the most recent
election. Bamburg has served on the
School Board for eight years; Langmaid
has served for five years.
Hands On Art Donations –
Board Chair Bill Langmaid
Miller Announces New Hires, Res-
announced that Hands On Art
ignations – Superintendent Miller an-
has donated $1,650 to school
nounced two new hires.
activities. The funds were
Thor Ware has been hired as a
raised as part of the annual Jr.
High School math instructor and will
Salmon Auction. Hands On
also become the head football coach.
Art donated $50 to the VHS
Ware comes to the Vernonia School Dis-
softball program for their help
trict from Rainier High School and has
with set up, $100 to the band
seventeen years of experience as a math
program for providing enter-
teacher. He led Rainier to a state title in
tainment, and $1,500 to the
3A football in 2010.
art program for supplies and
Casandra Hilton has been hired
scholarships.
as the new K-12 Special Education Life
Skills instructor. Hilton comes from the Public Comment – Cici Bell
St. Helens School District and has ten thanked Bill Langmaid for his
Residents and businesses in all collection franchise service areas within the County
will be subject to a Transfer State disposal rate CPI pass-thru adjustment calculated as
provided in Section 5.04B of the Columbia County Solid Waste Ordinance. The proposed
rate adjustments also affect drop box services in the aforementioned areas.
3.
This is a public hearing. Interested parties may appear and be heard.
Columbia County does not discriminate on the basis of disability and will provide
reasonable accommodations in accordance with the County’s ADA Policy. To request
accommodations or to review the County’s ADA Policy, please contact the Board of
Commissioners’ Office at 503-397-4322.
4.
The hearing will be held according to the procedures established in the Columbia
County Solid Waste Ordinance.
5.
For additional information regarding the proposed rate adjustments, please
contact Todd Dugdale, LDS Director, at 503-397-7207 or by visiting the County’s website
at www.co.columbia.or.us/lds/.
Dated this 5 th day of June, 2015.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
FOR COLUMBIA COUNTY, OREGON
START RIGHT. START HERE. SM
Summer is
here!
Water Toys • Lawn Chairs
Camping Supplies • BBQs
Batteries • Fishing Supplies
Sporting Goods • Coolers
Family owned & operated for over 45 years
834 Bridge St., Vernonia (503) 429-6364
• Kitchen & Bathroom Remodels • Finish Carpentry
• Ceramic Tile Work • Custom Home Construction
• Additions • Commercial Tenant Improvements
Jim Morrison, Jr.
General Contractor
CCB# 112057
Ph: (503) 429-0154
MorrisonRemodeling@hughes.net
Vernonia, OR 97064
• Licensed • Bonded • Insured
