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.