schools
2016
Schools Update
By Aaron Miller
Here are some of the happenings in the Vernonia School
District (VSD):
Bond Information Update
The VSD is continuing its work to provide sav-
ings to local tax payers through an Advanced Refund
on the General Obligation Bonds that have financed a
portion of the new school building.
An Advanced Refund is somewhat similar to
refinancing a house. Because interest rates are current-
ly lower than those in place when the Bond was ap-
proved by voters in 2010, the Bond can be refinanced,
or “refunded in advance” to take advantage of today’s
lower rates.
If realized, the savings are passed on to taxpay-
ers with a lower tax rate. Actual savings are not deter-
mined until the actual day the Advanced Refund of the
Bond is sold. It is possible that rates will not be favor-
able at the time of the sale, in which case the Advanced
Refund will be canceled and the savings will not be
realized.
The VSD will hold an informational meeting
School Board Report
At the School Board Meeting on May
12, 2016:
Budget Committee Meeting – Upon
convening the meeting, the School Board
immediately recessed to a Budget Com-
mittee Meeting. The Budget Committee
discussed changes in the 2016-17 budget
but declined to recommend an approved
budget to the School Board and sched-
uled another meeting for Thursday, May
19. (See full story on page 3)
Board Hears Proposal to Sponsor Or-
egon Virtual Education – The Board
heard a presentation by Paul Peterson
from the Northwest Regional Education
Service District about a proposal to be-
come the statewide sponsor for Oregon
Virtual Education Charter School, a state
online learning program. The Board
scheduled a Public Hearing for Thurs-
day, May 19 to consider the proposal.
(See full story starting on page 3)
may19
on Thursday, June 2 at 6:00 pm in the Vernonia Schools
Library regarding the Advanced Refund, as well as
a potential new Bond to raise funds to eliminate the
school’s long term debt.
The format of the meeting will begin with in-
formation from the District regarding potential bond
options, and why a bond is being considered at this
time.
The second portion of the meeting will provide
patrons an opportunity to ask questions of, or provide
direct input and opinions to, the District.
Strategic Planning Update
Preliminary data from the District’s Strategic
Planning process has been compiled, and is now be-
ing reviewed by the School Board and Teachers. The
information that was provided by parents, community
members, school staff and the School Board will be
used to develop 3-4 overriding goals for the District to
accomplish in the next 3-5 years.
Following this internal review a draft plan will
be developed and shared with parents, staff and the
community for further input, prior to the plan being of-
ficially adopted by the Board.
Board Rejects Appeal for Inclusion in
Graduation - The Board recessed into
Executive Session to hear an appeal by
Hyrum Schirmeister of decisions made
by school administrators. According to
the complaint form filed by Schirmeis-
ter, both High School Principal Nate
Underwood and Superintendent Aaron
Miller had denied a request to allow Me-
gan Schirmeister, Hyrum’s daughter, to
participate in the Vernonia High School
Class of 2016 graduation ceremony,
based on District Policy IKFB. The
Schirmeister family was appealing that
decision to the School Board.
In separate emails the Schir-
meister family told Vernonia’s Voice that
Megan withdrew from Vernonia High
School (VHS) starting in her junior year
to stay at home and take care of Hyrum
who has health issues; Megan has not re-
turned to VHS. Megan will be receiving
a diploma from Oregon Virtual Academy
but has continued to participate in VHS
13
Developing strong curriculum, effective in-
structional practices and good working relationships
between parents and the school are some of the over-
riding themes coming out of this initial review.
Lock Out Follow Up
On Friday, May 6 the Vernonia School Dis-
trict held school in “Lock Out” due to a potential threat
of harm, as depicted in a picture that was turned in to
school staff. In addition local police were on campus
throughout the school day.
The threat of harm did not occur, the situa-
tion has been addressed both internally and with law
enforcement, and there appears to be no further threat
at this time. All aspects of this incident have been ad-
dressed as per district policy and state law.
During a Lock Out students and staff follow
their regular school day routines, but ALL exit doors
are locked, with no students, staff, parents or other pa-
trons leaving or entering the building.
If you have any questions about the informa-
tion in this article, or other questions regarding the Ver-
nonia School District, please contact Superintendent
Aaron Miller at 503-429-5891.
student body activities; she was part of
the Cheer Squad and has supported the
community and wanted to walk in the
graduation ceremony with the kids she
has grown up with.
After considering the appeal
and upon returning to Open Session, a
motion was made to uphold the adminis-
tration’s decision to deny the request to
allow Meagan to participate in gradua-
tion. The vote was tied 3-3, with Board
members Susan Wagner, Greg Kintz,
and Brett Costley voting to uphold the
administration decision and Cari Lev-
enseller, Brittanie Roberts, and Katie
Cook voting against the motion; Board
member Ernie Smith abstained from
voting. With the tie, the decision by the
administration stands.
Board Approves Loan Forbearance
Agreements - The Board approved two
Forbearance Agreements that would de-
lay for two years the payments on two
“Cool School Loans.” Loan #L00864
was entered into on June 15, 2012 and
is for $2 million. Loan #L00881 was
entered into on June 21, 2013 and is for
$1,237,342. By delaying the payments
the District will not have to make annual
payments of over $190,000 for the next
continued on page 16
Vernonia Students of the Month
April 2016
Hayden Rau
Grade 2
Hayden is known as a bright and exceptional
student who takes a leadership role in the class-
room and is willing to help other students and her
teachers. Hayden says she enjoys writing in
school. She plays softball and does junior cheer-
leading.
Dakota Willard
Grade 8
Dakota is a hardworking student who goes the extra
mile. Her teachers describe her as humorous,
pleasant, kind and respectful. Dakota says art is her
favorite subject. She plays clarinet in the band, runs
track, is part of the leadership class for middle
school, and hopes to do cheerleading next year.
She helps with Vacation Bible School in the
summer. In her free time she says she likes to read.
Mike Timm
Grade 11
Mike has given up his break each day to work in
the student store this school year and his supervi-
sor says he has shown tremendous growth. He is
extremely reliable and a hard worker. Mike says
his favorite subject is art and he especially enjoys
sculpture. In his spare time Mike says he enjoys
playing video games.
Sponsored by Vernonia’s Voice
