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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 2, 2017)
8 schools march2 2017 School Board Report At the February 16, 2017 School Board Meeting: Meeting Rescheduled Due to Weath- er Cancellation – The regular School Board meeting, scheduled for February 9, was rescheduled to February 16 after school closed early on the 9 th due to con- cerns about fl ooding and road closures following heavy rains. School Adds Two More Days to Cal- endar – The Board approved the recom- mendation from Superintendent Aaron Miller to add two more school days to the end of the calendar to make up for days lost to inclement weather. To make up for days lost on February 3 and 6, the school year will be extended and classes will now be held on Monday and Tues- day, June 12 and 13. Board Extends Licensed Employee Contracts – The Board recessed into Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2)(i) “to review and evaluate the perfor- mance of... employee or staff member...” Upon returning to Open Session, the Board approved Resolution 1617-06 and extended licensed employee contracts. Board Passes Bond Resolution – The Board passed Resolution 1617-04 submitting the wording for the District’s School Bond for Campus Completion, Facilities and Refi nancing. If passed the $6.8 million bond would receive $2.35 million in state matching funds. According to language in the Ordinance the bond and grant funds would be used to refi nance existing debt from the original construction of the school campus and is also expected to fund: • a welding/metals shop building • playground equipment • four new classrooms, including one for art • repair and improvements at Mist School including roof, gutters, siding, gym fl oor, classrooms and mechanical repairs • security/surveillance systems • solar panels • improved technology • enhanced lighting • football fi eld, track and irrigation • cross country/fi tness/nature trail • other site improvements, furniture and equipment The bond would mature in 30 years and carries an estimated tax rate of $0.20 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and restores the tax rate to the es- timates for the campus bond approved in 2010. Budget Calendar – Finance Offi cer Marie Knight introduced the Budget Calendar for 2017-18 to the Board. The Budget Committee is scheduled to meet on May 2 and May 11. There are cur- rently fi ve openings on the Budget Com- mittee. Anyone interested in serving, or who has any questions, should contact Barb Carr at the District Offi ce at (503) 429-5891 or bcarr@vernonia.k12.or.us. Bighorn Logging since 1981 Contract Logging 503-324-2422 Free Estimates Timber Purchases Timber Management Oregon Professional Logger certified since 1996 Marie Krahn Massage Therapy Auto injury recovery/medical billing Board Hears Audit Presentation – Larry Grant reviewed the 2015-16 Financial Audit for the year ending June 30, 2016. Grant told the Board that according to the audit report the District’s fi nancial statements were presented accurately. In addition, the report noted that there were no disagreements which were not able to be resolved that would have been signifi cant to the fi nancial statements. Board Approves NWRESD Service Plan – The Board was presented with the Northwest Regional Education Ser- vice District’s (NWRESD) annual Lo- cal Service Plan. The NWRESD pro- vides services to local school districts that include programs for special needs students, technology support, school improvement services, and administra- tive support services. The NWRESD serves school districts in Clatsop, Co- lumbia, Tillamook and Washington Counties. Funds are allocated to School Districts based on enrollment. While the NWRESD’s budget for 2017-18 projects an overall increase of $430,000 dollars to their Core Services Budget, the Ver- nonia School District will see their allo- cation reduced by $12,658, due to a lack of growth in enrollment. The Board ap- proved the plan by passing Resolution 1617-05. Board Approves Out of State Travel - The Board approved Out of State Travel for the 8 th grade Close Up Trip to Wash- ington, D.C. for April 16-20, and for the High School Senior Trip to Disneyland on April 21-24. According to Principal Nate Underwood, both groups do their own fundraising and the only expense to the District is the cost for a substitute for one teacher during those trips. Board Approves Transfer Limits – The Board approved Transfer Limits for the 2017-18 school year of 15 students, as recommended by Superintendent Aar- on Miller. Building Reports – Middle and High School Principal Nate Underwood told the Board that VHS’s fi rst year partici- Vernonia’s Voice is published on the 1st and 3rd Thursday. Look for our next issue out March 16. Black Bear Coffee Company & Roastery Fresh Roasted Coffe, espresso, baked goods NEW LOCATION 825 Bridge Street • 503-429-0214 • Accepting: Medical Benefits Cards • Medical Massage Cupping • Swedish Massage • Reiki • Deep Tissue • Reflexology • doTerra Aroma Touch • Trigger Point Therapy • Myofacial Release 503-429-5180 Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Full Menu Open Every Day at 6:00 am Bear Creek Pub & Sports Lounge Burgers & Fries 9 Beers on Tap Growlers To Go lic#5495 mariekrahn@frontier.com 831 Bridge Street • 503-429-0214 pating in the AVID program has been positive. AVID works to prepare stu- dents for college through use of daily planners, note taking strategies, and aca- demic planning. Underwood reported that the District will be able to continue the program next year after receiving a grant from Nike. Underwood told the Board the leadership class and project based learn- ing class are teaming up to host an anti- bullying program called Breaking Down the Walls. Underwood told the Board VMS students are working on a new mandatory 8 th Grade Project, similar to the VHS Senior Project. Students will be researching and presenting reports on U.S. Presidents. Vernonia Elementary Principal Aaron Miller told the Board that VES, Mist and VMS teachers are participating in learning strategy development through the Oregon Formative Assessment for Students and Teachers (OFAST). Miller reported that implementation is going well in terms of progress and said he hopes grant funding will be available next year to continue the program. Miller reported that VES re- ceived a $250 grant through the Rural Network for Small Schools and will use the grant to shore up its non-fi ction read- ing libraries to provide teachers with re- sources to integrate science, reading, art, and writing into a study unit on local for- est biomes. Superintendent’s Report – Superin- tendent Aaron Miller told the Board that enrollment is holding steady at 533 stu- dents as of January 27. Miller reported that the District has posted a part-time position for an In- structional Assistant which is a cost cut- ting measure in relation to the retirement of a front offi ce staff member. Student Reports – Odessa Roberts, representing the High School leadership class updated the Board on VHS winter sports and sports awards, and told the Board about several upcoming events at the school, including a Blood Drive on March 7, Senior Class President Payton Wolf’s Presidential Challenge during the week of March 6 called “One Dollar for Life” which will ask the Vernonia com- munity to each donate $1 which will go towards building a school in Nicaragua, and Donkey Basketball which has not yet been scheduled. TREE SALE RAIN OR SHINE Saturday 21 species (approx. 10,000 seedlings in inventory) including March 11 ‘Elite’ Douglas fir, western red cedar, noble fir, Fraser fir, 8:30 AM- giant dogwood, 1:30 PM Kwazan cherry, Pacific Pride passionate (Lawrence Oil) hydrangea, Hwy 30, St. Helens and 14 others. Some bag COLUMBIA COUNTY quantities. SMALL Prices from $1.50 WOODLANDS Arrive early. ASSOCIATION Questions: (503) 556-8800 or (503) 397-5997 Proceeds support best manage- ment forestry practices in Columbia County.
