schools
june15
2017
17
School Board Report
At the June 8, 2017 Vernonia School
Board Meeting:
Board Discusses Bond Expenditure
Priorities, Schedules Public Meet-
ings – The Board discussed a list of 13
bond expenditure project priorities pro-
vided by Superintendent Aaron Miller.
The Board scheduled two public meet-
ings for June 22 and 24 where they will
take input from District patrons and also
look for community expertise on aspects
of the bond projects. (See full story on
front page.)
ceiving 207 write-in votes; Del Allen re-
ceived 129 write-in votes for Position 4
under several different names.
District Honors School Board Mem-
bers at Final Meeting – The District
honored two long time members of the
School Board who both chose to not run
for re-election and were participating in
their final meeting. Cari Levenseller has
served on the Board for 17 years and Er-
nie Smith has served for ten years. Both
Levenseller and Smith had family mem-
bers in the audience and were presented
with a plaque and a gift by District Su-
perintendent Aaron Miller.
New Hires Announced – Su-
perintendent Aaron Miller an-
nounced to the Board several
new hires for the District for
open positions for next school
year. Kendra Berryman has
been hired as the new 2 nd
grade teacher. Berryman has
two years teaching experi-
ence in a private, early educa-
tion program. Justin Benassi
has been hired as the new 3 rd
Ernie Smith (left) and Cari Levenseller (right)
grade teacher and has eight
were joined by Superintendent Aaron Miller at
years experience working at
their final School Board meeting.
a charter school in Woodburn,
Board Approves Sale of Bonds – The OR. Kelli Corey has been hired as the
Board voted to approve Resolution new High School science teacher and has
1617-07, authorizing the issuance, sale been teaching in a middle school in Vir-
and delivery of $6.8 million in bonds, ginia for four years. Debbie Stahlnecker,
approved by voters in the May 2017 who has worked in the District for ten
election. Sale of the bonds is scheduled years as the Title I specialist, has been
to take place on July 12.
hired as the Middle School special edu-
cation instructor. Miller also announced
Board Adopts 2017-18 Budget –
Following a Public hearing, during
which there was no public comment
or testimony, the Board voted to ap-
prove Resolution 1617-09 , adopting
the 2017-18 budget.
Vernonia
Veterinary Clinic
Small and Large Animals
Board Approves Superintendent
Contract – The Board approved a
new three year contract for Super-
intendent Aaron Miller, who will
also continue to serve as Elementary
School Principal as part of his duties.
Board Accepts Election Results –
The Board voted to accept the Co-
lumbia County Election Abstract
which showed Susan Wagner elected
to Position 1, Melissa Zavales elect-
ed to Position 5, and Brett Costley
elected to Position 6. Stacey Pelster
won election to Position 4 after re-
that Stacy Adams, who is already an em-
ployee in the District, has been hired to
fill the open Elementary School secre-
tary position.
Board Approves Calendar Adjust-
ment – Based on a recommendation by
Superintendent Aaron Miller, the Board
approved an adjustment to the school
calendar. The District has added Febru-
ary 16 and April 27, 2018 as student con-
tact days and August 28, 2017 as a staff
professional development day. Miller
noted that the passage of the school bond
allows the District to use money that was
earmarked for debt payment, and that
adding instructional days is a priority for
him.
Board Approves New Auditing Con-
tract – The Board approved a three year
contract with Pauly, Rogers, and Co.,
P.C. to provide auditing services for the
District. The District had been notified
that the previous firm was no longer
available to provide these services.
Superintendent Report – Superinten-
dent Aaron Miller reported that the Dis-
trict received its annual monitoring visit
for The Old Mill Marsh, the wetlands the
District is currently required to maintain
as part of mitigation for the new campus
site construction. Miller said the District
is in their last year of a five year obli-
gation with the Corps of Engineers, and
reported that the area that holds water is
meeting criteria, but the area surround-
ing the low areas needs more snowberry
planted and cultivation of natural lupine
plants, which will take place this fall and
allow the District to meet final project
requirements.
Building Report – Middle School/
High School Principal Nate Underwood
reported that Project Based Learning
Class will have two classes next year,
one for freshmen and sophomores and
one for juniors and seniors. Underwood
also reported that the AVID interviews
have been completed with 8th grade stu-
dents for selection for the program for
next year. He told the Board the school
received a two year grant to continue
funding the Youth Transition Program,
under the direction of Beth Kintz.
Elementary School Principal
Aaron Miller reported that 180 parents
and students took part in the first VES
Family STEAM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts, Math) Night, which
included tower building, geometric pat-
tern work, boat making, catapulting,
and basic robotics. Miller also reported
that Edna Vasquez performed Mexican
folk songs as part of the Artist in Resi-
dence program, which is funded by the
Run for the Arts fundraiser events.
Board Declines Support for No Smok-
ing in Parks – The Board took no action
on a request from fellow Board member
Brittanie Roberts to offer official support
for a smoking ban in city parks that Rob-
erts intends to propose to the Vernonia
City Council. The Board had differing
views on the issues and declined to take
a position.
Vernonia Students of the Month
May 2017
Blake Rutledge
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Grade 4
Blake was selected for his academic achievement
after vastly improving his reading scores this year.
He is known as a great friend who is kind, patient,
and a good listener. Blake says his favorite
subject is science and he participated in the after
school robotics club. He hopes to play soccer
this fall and he enjoys making videos for You Tube
with his friends.
Emily Mendelsohn
Grade 8
Emily is known for trying her best, participating
in class and encouraging other students to do
their best. She is also respectful to her teach-
ers. Emily played alto sax in the band and sings
in the school choir. She enjoys drawing, writing,
and role playing in her spare time.
Haley Linsay
Grade 11
Haley is a very active and involved student. She
says her favorite class is Leadership and she sings
in the choir. She is a member of the National
Honor Society and was the Junior Class President.
She will be part of the cheer squad next year. In
her spare time she plays piano and guitar.
Sponsored by Senator Betsy Johnson