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About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (April 21, 2021)
Wednesday,April21,2021 Columbia Gorge News www.columbiagorgenews.com 9 HRCSD board talks contract negotiations, return to in-person instruction Trisha Walker ■ By Columbia Gorge News hearing from the Hood River County Health Department. Those with questions should Hood River County School call the health department. He noted that some of Board members and admin- istrators celebrated the return the families on the contact tracing log list haven’t been of all students to in-person classes at their April 14 board answering the health depart- meeting, held at May Street ment’s phone calls. “Answer Elementary as well as broad- your phones — they need help doing those screenings,” cast live via Google Meet. he said. Because some staff “It’s been a seriously long are using their cell phones, haul,” said Superintendent Rich Polkinghorn. “A million “health department” won’t necessarily come up on caller and one plans have been ID, he noted. made and a million plans While there has been an changed. We finally have all of our students back into the uptick in cases, he noted that the county is below the classroom, and it’s a great threshold of 60 cases per feeling. But it’s not all good week that would send Hood news.” He said a fifth student had River County back into a higher risk level; Hood River tested positive and encour- aged the community at large County is currently at Lower Risk. to be cautious to ensure HRVHS Student Envoy students can remain in class- rooms. He also said students Dora Plascencia-Macias, a ages 16-17 will be eligible for senior, updated the board on the first days of classes, say- vaccination beginning April 19, and clinics will be held at ing, “I think you can tell peo- the Hood River Valley High ple are excited to see people School Health Center in late walking around the halls,” but April and early May. that students are wondering Polkinghorn said, for if they’ll be able to finish the every positive case, individ- year on site. “We’re excited to be back but with a little bit ual schools are notified, as of fear,” she said. Plascencia- well as those in the infected person’s cohort, who are then Macias also reported student government looking into advised to quarantine until holding a belated spirit week, “The bargaining team looks including the annual air gui- forward to resolving the remaining issues." tar, in a COVID-safe way. In a follow up email, Calkins said the remaining Contract negotiations articles include “cost of living adjustments and health Polkinghorn reported the insurance; workload, which district negotiations team, comprised of district person- includes increased prepara- nel and two board members, tion time and fewer meet- entered into mediated bar- ings; and safety, including language that helps ensure gaining in March. In media- the safety of students as well tion, five of the outstanding articles have been agreed on, as our members. The district with six articles and appendi- has expressed interest in ces outstanding. Polkinghorn extending the school year. We want to be sure that we don’t then reviewed the budget have just more days but also process — revenues and ex- penditures — and the board’s better days, and have given them a proposal that includes goal of an 8 percent Ending Fund Balance each year, with an increase in contract days.” Polkinghorn said in a unspent funds used to offset follow up email that HREA the next year’s expenses. Kelvin Calkins, Hood River submitted a proposal to Education Association presi- the district on April 6, and dent, spoke during the public the district is reviewing the proposal and preparing a comment period — as did a counter proposal. number of HRCSD staff — The next negotiation medi- and said members continue to be concerned over the ation session is scheduled for district’s reluctance to settle April 21. the contract. He said members are WS student request to perplexed why the board is play HR lacrosse denied amassing budget funds while “ignoring employees. The board heard a public " ... We believe the district complaint brought forth has the resources to fund by a student from White our proposals," he said. Salmon wishing to overturn a decision that prohibits them to play lacrosse on the HRVHS team. Director of Human Resources Catherine Dalbey said the issue was complicated by the lack of precedent for students cross- ing state lines to participate in an activity. HRVHS is governed by the Oregon School Activities Association, and students who attend Columbia High in White Salmon are therefore not covered. Transfer policy, including non-residency, covers students who wish to transfer to the district from within the state — but not for crossing state lines. Dalbey reached out to Oregon High School Lacrosse Association and additionally looked into a cooperative sponsor- ship application, meaning Columbia High and HRVHS would enter into a two-year agreement to combine teams while Columbia began its own program, but there were no cross-state precedents there either. Ultimately, she recom- mended that the families wishing to play in Hood River pursue existing pathways to transfer into the district. “We do have tuitions spots available,” she said; spots are automatically granted to those who live in the county. The board unanimously voted to uphold the denial. “I feel for this athlete who wants to play this sport and is not able to play,” said Board Member Brandi Sheppard. “It’s a tough spot for everybody.” Dalbey agreed. “It has personal impacts on the complainant and family … We want all kids healthy and happy and to participate in everything and anything they want. But we need to be sure we’re operating within our policy, statewide policy and the law.” Upcoming meetings The board will hold a spring work session on April 28; the next public board meeting is scheduled for May 12 at the Nathaniel Coe Administration Center, 1011 Eugene, Hood River, begin- ning at 6:30 p.m. To attend the meeting on- line — as well as recordings of previous meetings — visit www.hoodriver.k12.or.us/ boardmeetings. Celebrating 40 Years The Mid-Columbia BOB SMITH, PC Broker, Licensed OR/WA 541-980-7770 Office 541-296-1045 x 503 EMAIL bobs@copperwest.com Mobile MARKETPLACE 314 Lincoln St, The Dalles www.copperwest.com Bustos & Hernandez Construction New Homes Remodel Kitchens & Bath Free Estimates OR Lic.# 175617 / Bonded 0- Insured 412 Washington St., The Dalles, OR 97058 541-370-2655 Phone 541-980-1030 Cell 541-298-6741 FAX mkilkenny@platinummortgagenw.com platinummortgagenw.com 541-298-7015 Life insurance from a real-life person. Vickie L. 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