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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (March 16, 2017)
schools march16 2017 11 Schools Update: Graduation Rate Increase the Vernonia School District increased by the greatest percentage, reporting an In February, the South County 84.8 percent graduation rate in 2015-16, Spotlight featured an article on gradu- up from 69.8 percent in 2014-15, and ation rates using data recently released 64 percent in 2013-14,” stated the Spot- by the Oregon Department of Education light. (ODE). The statewide graduation rate Cohort Graduation Rate for four-year graduates came in at 73.82 A cohort graduation rate follows the stu- percent. Four of the fi ve high schools dents who are fi rst-time high school stu- in Columbia County saw improvement, dents in a particular year and determines with Vernonia increasing by the great- the percentage that graduate within a est percentage! “Graduation rates in given time frame, such as four years. An By Nate Underwood extended rate, allowing one additional year for completions, is also tracked and reported as the 5-year Cohort Gradua- tion Rates. Dropout Rates in Oregon High Schools Dropout data is collected in the Annual Cumulative Average Daily Membership (ADM) Data Collection each year at the end of the school year, which identifi es students’ enrollment dates and status as of the last day of enrollment for the year. Congratulations to all students, staff, and community. This increase can be attributed to supportive parents, dedicated and hardworking staff, and conscientious students. We still have a long way to go and are always looking for ways to improve. Continued focus on Advancement Via Individual Deter- mination (AVID), college and career readiness, CTE programs, and dropout prevention will no doubt help more stu- dents graduate prepared to reach their goals! School Board Report Board Approved Employee Donation of Personal Leave – The Board approved a request from the Verno- Board Approves Snow Make-up Day – The Board nia Education Association (VEA) that would allow the approved a request from Superintendent Aaron Miller transfer of up to three personal days from one employ- to extend the school year by one additional day to make ee to another. These transfers are on a voluntary basis up for the cancelation due to snow on Monday, March and would be done to assist an employee that may need 6. The last day of school will now be Wednesday, June to take a temporary medical leave and does not have 14. enough sick time accumulated to cover the total leave. Board Approves Administrative Contract – The Employees receive three personal days each year and Board recessed into Executive Session under ORS any unused days are paid to the employee at the end of 192.660 (2) (I) “to review and evaluate the perfor- the year, so there is no change in fi nancial impact to the mance of...any public offi cer, employee or staff mem- District with this approval. ber...” and also under ORS 192.660 (2) (b) “to hear Superintendent Report – Superintendent Aaron complaints or charges brought against a public offi cer, Miller told the Board that Columbia County Superin- employee, staff member or agent...” tendents were successful in accessing a grant through After returning to Open Session the Board ap- CareOregon to implement Trauma-Informed Care and proved Resolution 1617-06, extending the administra- Averse Childhood Experiences programing and teach- tive contract for Nate Underwood. The Board took no ing methods. further action. Miller told the Board the District has accepted Board Approves Budget Calendar – The Board ap- a grant for $11,748 from the Nike School Innovation proved the Budget Calendar as presented for the 2017- fund that will allow the school to continue imple- 18 FY. Budget Committee meetings are scheduled for menting Advancement Via Individual Determination May 2 and May 11 with a public hearing and adop- (AVID). tion of the budget scheduled for June 8. There are still Miller told the Board he is working on a Youth several opening on the Budget Committee for anyone Transitions Program (YTP) grant application. The interested in serving. grant would pay some of the salary for the program supervisor and provide training and transportation for Two Appointed to Budget Committee – The Board students in the program. approved the appointment of Christina Loope and Miller told the Board a proposal has been sub- James Loope to the Budget Committee. mitted for year two of the Oregon Formative Assess- Board Accepts Employee Resignation – The Board ment for Students and Teachers (OFAST) grant to give accepted the resignation of David Suhrbur, who has teachers and administrators more training to embed been teaching middle and high school science, effec- these learning strategies into everyday lessons. tive June 30, 2017. Miller told the Board the District has applied for, and expects to receive, a grant through the North- Board Approves Instructional Calendar for 2017-18 School Year – The Board approved the proposed in- west Regional Education Service District (NWRESD) structional calendar for the upcoming school year. Ac- to fund a 10 day Kindercamp in August for all incom- cording to Principal Nate Underwood, who presented ing kindergarten students. Miller said the program was it, the calendar is very similar to the past year. There a pilot last year and was a huge success. Miller told the Board that the District’s Bond are a total of 157 Student Contact Days. The fi rst day Measure has a title, Measure 5-265. He told the Board of school is Wednesday, September 6 and the last day that the funds to pay for the construction debt are in the of school is scheduled for June 8. High School Gradu- ation would be held on June 2 and 8 th grade promotion budget for the next fi scal year, but if the Bond passes it on June 5. There are four snow make-up days built into would make available approximately $238,000 in the the calendar. Christmas Break will run from Friday, District’s General Fund that could be spent to hire ad- December 22 to Monday January 8. Spring Break is ditional staff or add student contact days next year. He said if the Bond does not pass there would need to be March 26 through March 30. At the March 9, 2017 School Board Meeting: O noohmn O `hmshmf 503-429-7101 Shl Onoohmn 19025 Vnncr Qn`c Udqmnmh`, NQ 97064 Khbdmrdc Anmcdc Hmrtqdc BBL#90548 Grey Dawn Gallery 879 Bridge St. (503) 429-2787 Photography - Bronze Jewelry - Glasswork Pottery - Custom Framing www.greydawngallery.com Featuring the finest in northwest art Visit US today for all your financial needs! Josh, Juli, Nola, Teresa, Josh, Teresa, Joy, Margy and Lisa 905 Street 905 Bridge Bridge Street (503) 429-6271 major cuts to the operations budget the following year. Miller told the Board that Marci Murry has been added to the staff and will take on duties in the Opportunity Room and provide point of service sup- port for the Mealtime tracking service. Murry has been a longtime sub in the District. Public Comment – Sue Whitton, who is organizing graduation night activities for the senior class, asked if the high school was planning to hold the SKID pro- gram this year. SKID (Stop Kids from Impaired Driv- ing) is a traffi c safety and underage drinking preven- tion program. Whitton was told by Principal Nate Un- derwood, that staff is concerned about the amount of school missed this year due to weather and the need to complete mandatory testing, but will be meeting with members of the Vernonia Fire Department to discuss logistics and the possibility of hosting the event. Building Reports – Vernonia Elementary School Prin- cipal Aaron Miller told the Board that teachers at VES, Mist and VMS have been working on the Oregon For- mative Assessment Grant for Students and Teachers (OFAST) and that a grant application has been submit- ted to continue the work next year. Miller told the Board the K-2 team has success- fully implemented Golden Award assemblies which recognize individual students of the month as well as classrooms that follow rules. VMS and VHS Principal Nate Underwood provided the Board with a detailed written report on activities in the schools. Underwood noted that March 5-10 is “Classifi ed Employees Week” and recognized these many valuable employees for their dedication and commitment to students. Underwood discussed the increase in gradua- tion rates at VHS, which saw the largest increase in the county. (See article on this page.) Student Reports – Brook Naron from the leadership class updated the Board on activities around the high school and discussed the end of winter sports and the start of spring sports, robotics competitions, and the AVID program. MacKenzie Fassold, Noah Rylans, and Bran- don Johnson told the Board about a Career Day they attended and discussed the value to students. They all encouraged the Board to continue funding these types of programs. reach thousands of potential customers advertise here! email us: ads@vernoniasvoice.com call us: 503.367.0098 usbank.com Member FDIC Creatures LLC Pets, Feeds, Supplies, Tack, U-Wash Facility, Childrens Toys, Gifts, Novelies & More... 503-429-PETS (7387) 998 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064 Mon-Fri 10:00am-6:00pm Sat 10:00am-5:00pm Sun 12:00pm-4:00pm Creatures@frontier.com Facebook: Creatures-pet-shop Goddess Glass Designs Julie Krengielski (971) 226-6378 Beautiful things for this world goddessglassdesign@yahoo.com
