SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 2017
Dunes City
happy about having this
from 1A shoved down our throats,
in our city. But we have been
advised by counsel that we
do not have the authority to
say no to the applicants that
have applied at this point.
But I do feel there are many
issues that we do need to
explore.”
Councilor Tom Mallen
agreed and said, “I am not
MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS
District
from 1A
When asked about the
crowd and the unexpected
interest in what normally
would be a routine meeting,
Siuslaw Superintendent Andy
Grzeskowiak said, “There is a
lot of confusion about what
schools could or could not do
with regards to law enforce-
ment and/or immigration offi-
cials in the general public.
That led to my opening state-
ment in hopes to clarify the
legal issues and quell the
rumors that may have been
fueled by incorrect assumption
and speculation.”
Grzeskowiak went on to
explain that many of the issues
raised have to do with either
state or federal level issues, far
beyond the reach of a school
district.
The issue of “Sanctuary”
status, and the ramifications of
a recent U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE)
raid in Florence, had also been
the
subject
of
heated
exchanges at a recent Florence
City Council meeting.
The majority of spectators
were affiliated with two local
social service groups, one
being the Band of Brothers,
and the second was the recent-
ly formed group Florence
ORganizers.
These groups have very dif-
ferent perspectives on the
issue.
The Band of Brothers is a
local group of veterans that
helps fund and organizes
action on volunteer projects at
the School District, and other
nonprofits in town.
The Florence ORganizers
formed after the local
Women’s March and the inau-
guration of President Donald
Trump last January.
The residual feelings of the
latest election cycle were
clearly the underlying motiva-
tor for the interest in the topic
of “sanctuary,” as “Make
America Great Again,” hats
and “Protect our Children”
stickers were prominently dis-
played.
After the introduction of the
district’s Student of the
Month, Jacob Foskett, who led
the Pledge of Allegiance, the
meeting began.
The entire audience stood
together to say the pledge.
Grzeskowiak read from a
Dunes City Mayor
Rebecca Ruede issued
a proclamation declar-
ing May as Health and
Fitness Awareness
month.
lengthy prepared statement
which detailed the legal and
moral responsibilities of the
educators and administrative
staff of the district.
The message to the assem-
blage was clear: there would
be no new policy regarding the
district’s position on the issue
of sanctuary status as the pro-
tocols regarding the issue were
long standing, court tested,
higher in authority and moral
in nature.
Across the room, the sign-in
sheet for the opportunity to
participate in the public dis-
cussion time at the meeting
required two full pages to
accommodate those wanting
to speak.
“It was very interesting to
hear the comments from the
public. People on both sides of
the issue had some strong feel-
ings on the issue, and most
stayed on topic and addressed
the Board of Directors,”
Grzeskowiak said. “A few
veered off track and seemed to
be addressing the persons
holding the opposite view in
the gallery. With that, there
was some back and forth in the
gallery, but it was hard to dis-
cern the exact exchanges up at
legally, and I am pretty dis-
appointed by this whole
thing.”
These sentiments were
echoed by other councilors,
although Ruede emphasized
the need to move forward
positively, working with
neighbors to insure good
communication.
She also encouraged all
involved to try to understand
that state law allows for this
enterprise.
The council then heard
reports from staff, accepted
them, and the meeting was
adjourned.
the front table.”
However, the board had a
full agenda of other items to
consider.
The district’s pending budg-
et for the next fiscal year was
the primary reason for the spe-
cial session that preceded the
evening’s regular meeting.
Two new Budget committee
members, Margie Nemcik-
Cruz and John Stead, were
appointed.
Then, District Business
Manager Kari Blake presented
the proposed budget to the
Budget Committee and the
board. After a brief discussion,
the budget was accepted and
the first part of the meeting
was adjourned.
When asked what message
Grzeskowiak would like the
community to take away from
the meeting, he said, “Current
law and policy will be our
guidelines to ensure a safe
and welcoming environment
for students in our district.
We will continue to reaffirm
those informational pieces for
the public and continue the
training efforts to clarify pol-
icy and operations for staff
that was started back in
February.”
Last Resort Players announces cast for ‘Master Class’
Let Paul show you a new car or truck.
Stop by today!
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
Last Resort Players (LRP) is
proud to announce the cast for
the upcoming production of
“Master Class.”
The show opens June 9 with
additional performances on
June 10, 11, 16, 17 and 18 at
the Florence Event Center’s
flat floor.
The cast is as follows: Annie
Schmidt as Maria Callas;
Sheena Moore as Sharon
Graham; Joanie Schmidt as
Sophie De Palma; Patrick
Rawley as Tony Candolino;
Mary Conley as stage manager
and Jennifer Weier as accom-
panist.
“Master Class” is a 1995
play by American playwright
Terrence McNally, presented as
a fictional master class by
opera singer Maria Callas near
the end of her life, in the 1970s.
Opera diva Callas is holding
a voice master class at the
Juilliard School. Alternately
dismayed and impressed by the
students who parade before her,
she retreats into recollections
about the glories of her own
life and career.
Included in her musings are
her younger years as an ugly
duckling, her fierce hatred of
her rivals, the unforgiving
press that savaged her early
performances, her triumphs at
La Scala, and her affair with
Aristotle Onassis.
It culminates in a monologue
about sacrifice taken in the
name of art.
The play opened on
Broadway in 1995.
“Master Class” will be
directed by Leah Goodwin
with musical direction by
Jennifer Weier Pirates of
Penzance.
The directors will be reunit-
ed with assistant director/stage
manager Mary Conley, who is
also playing the role of the
“stage manager” during the
performances.
For ticket information, con-
tact the Florence Events Center
at 541-997-1994 or visit
www.eventcenter.org.
Introducing
Siuslaw High School Senior
P rincess Chehalis
Sponsored by:
&
Jeff Metzler Plumbing
CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK
www.TheSiuslawNews.com
11 A