schools
june20
2019
13
School Board Report
explaining the changes in the contract to HS welding (part-time), Claire Young- $2,050 – for the Sports Initiative to fund
the Board and audience. “I can’t thank berg – VES kindergarten, Jordan Fink the clay target team, statistics record-
you all enough for helping us make that – VES 1 st grade, Kiara Single – VES 1 st ing, and decorations for the girl’s locker
At Home School Program to Begin in
happen. This does not in any way make grade, Dancia Sammons – VES 4 th or 5 th room.
Fall – Superintendent Aaron Miller told
our teachers’s salaries whole – I would grade, Lisa Spiesschaert – MS Special • Vernonia Cares Food Bank, $1,500 –
the Board he has had a great response
not even say that it makes us competi- Education.
for emergency groceries for low income
to the new At Home School Program.
tive. But we are making progress, and
families in need.
Miller said the District needed at least 15
Project Based Learning Class Awards
we need to continue to do that to honor
• Vernonia High School Art Department,
students to register for the program for
Grants – Anika Suppes and Lanaya
them and everyone else here for the hard
$600 – for the purchase of screen print-
it to be financially successful – to date
Clapshaw from Vernonia High School’s
work that they do for our kids.”
ing equipment.
at least 45 students have expressed in-
Project Based Learning class presented
“I’ve been through several of
• Friends of Vernonia Public Library,
terest, and the majority of those students
$5,000 in grants to local organizations.
these in different roles,” added Board
$450 – to add chairs to the reading area
(at least 30) are new students to the Dis-
The grant funding comes
member Steve Whiteman, who was part
to make it more inviting.
trict. Instructor for the program, Debbie
through the Oregon Community Foun-
of the negotiating committee. “I didn’t
• Vernonia Elementary School, $400 –
Taylor, has been holding regular meet-
dation as part of their Community 101
see a lot of ‘us versus them’ in this – I
to Ms. Blacker’s class for a field trip that
ings with parents as the District develops
program.
saw all Vernonia. I’ve been
would not normally be avail-
the program and curriculum. “I’m very
in these where somebody
able to those students.
excited about what Ms. Taylor is work-
has to win, and I didn’t see
ing on and how she is connecting with
Project Based Learning
that here.”
parents,” said Miller. Miller expressed
Survey Results Presented
hope to grow the program even more Board Approves Election
– Jim Krahn, instructor for
once it is established.
Results – The Board voted
the Project Based Learning
to accept the May 21, 2019
Class, presented the results
Board Hears Update on Bond/Class-
election abstract with the
of a student survey that his
room Addition – Superintendent Aaron
results for Board positions.
class created in the fall. The
Miller updated the Board on the revised
The Board accepted the
survey was completed by
plan for the construction of a classroom
election of current members
175 students in grades 8-12
addition that was to be funded with bond
Greg Kintz for Position 2
and focused on questions
revenue approved by voters in 2017.
and Steve Whiteman for Po-
about college; drug, alcohol,
Original plans called for a two-story,
sition 3. They also accepted
and e-cigarette use; bully-
four-classroom addition, but rising costs
the results of write-in votes
ing; self esteem and body
Anika Suppes and Lanaya Clapshaw presenting a check from the
have required the District to adjust that
that saw current member
image; and school atmo-
Project Based Learning Community 101 class to Stacey Adams
plan. Miller informed the Board that he
of
the
Vernonia
Education
Foundation.
Brittanie Roberts receive the
sphere. Krahn pointed out
will hold a Bond Update review for the
most votes for both Position
some concerning responses,
general community on July 11 at 5:15
6 and Position 7, which had no candi-
The Project Based Learning especially in the self esteem section of
pm in the Schools Library prior to the
dates filed. Roberts will have to accept classes are taught by Jim Krahn and of- the survey, where 46.3% of students
next regular School Board meeting. (See
one position and then the Board can fers students the opportunity to learn by responded that they had had suicidal
full story on front page.)
appoint someone to fill whichever seat investigating real world issues and find- thoughts, and 16% of students said they
Board Approves 2019-20 Budget – Roberts does not accept.
ing solutions through the development had attempted suicide.
After holding a public hearing at which
of group projects.
Miller’s Decision Upheld – After re-
Principal Reports – Elementary Vice
there was no comment from the audi-
This year’s grant award recipi-
cessing and entering into Executive Ses-
Principal Michelle Eagleson told the
ence, the Board approved Resolution
ents were:
sion under ORS192.660 (2)(b) to hear a
Board that VES students and families
1819-09, adopting the 2019-2020 bud-
• Vernonia Education Foundation,
complaint against Superintendent Aaron
continued on page 14
get. The budget totals $13.67 million.
Miller from a parent after Miller denied
Board Approves Teachers Contract a request to allow a student to transfer to
– The Board approved a new Collective another school district, the Board voted
Bargaining Agreement contract with 3-1 to uphold Miller’s decision. Because
the Vernonia Education Association for there were only four Board members
teachers. The new contract includes cost present for the meeting and the vote
of living increases of 3% in the first year was not unanimous, there was no ma-
and 4% in the second year of the contract jority, and the Superintendent’s decision
across all categories and steps, and also stands.
includes increases in the extra duties
Front Row: Kacelyn Brennan (1 st ),
Board Approves Resignations, Retire-
salary schedule that includes coaches,
Aubrie Morrison (2 nd ), Kyleigh Rau
ments, and New Hires – The Board
activities directors, class advisors, mu-
(1 st ), Briannie Narvaez-Jimenez (K),
accepted the retirements of Val DeWitt,
sic supervisors, and mentor positions.
Emma La Belle (K)
Nga Frederiksen, and Linda Hobart, and
“Since I have been Superintendent we
Back Row: Sylar Navarro (5 th ),
accepted the resignations of Katherine
have not had any money, and our teach-
Molly Stahlnecker (4 th ), Naomi
Brown, Paula Dorry, Cassandra Hyl-
ers have been extremely cooperative and
Pelster (3 rd ), Brooklyn Clark (4 th )
ton, Doran Lower, and Deb Stahlnecker.
understanding of that situation to help
The Board accepted the hiring of new
us get to a place where we are financial-
Grade 6
instructors, including: Rachel Brown –
ly stable,” said Superintendent Miller in
Zayden is known as a very kind, caring, and com-
MS Social Studies, Kirk Ebberts – MS/
passionate person, who goes out of her way to help
others with a smile on her face. She is hard working
in school, stays on task, and has a positive attitude.
Her teachers say she isn’t afraid to ask questions or
for help when she needs it. Zayden says her
favorite subject in school is art. She likes to do art at
home and also likes to work with plants.
At the June 13, 2019 School Board
Meeting:
Vernonia Students of the Month
May 2019
Elementary School
Zayden Rose
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622 Bridge Street Vernonia, OR 97064
phone (503) 429-0880 -- fax (503) 429-0881
Lanaya Clapshaw
Grade 9
Lanaya was the freshman class president and was
just re-elected for next year. She says her favorite
class this past year was global studies with Mr. Lower.
She was part of the Project Based Learning class.
She was the kicker on the football team, and also
part of the new trap shooting team. She is planning
to start earning dual credits by attending PCC classes
next year, and plans to work toward a career as an
anesthesiologist in the military. In her spare time she
is working at Black Iron Grill, and she likes to do
crafts and make handmade cards.
Sponsored by Vernonia’s Voice
