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16A Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 24, 2015 Polk County Education SCHOOL NOTES Hanes Distinguished Educator DALLAS — Carmel Hanes, a school psychologist for the Dal- las School District, was named May Distinguished Educator in a presentation earlier this month. Yvette Allen and Diana Christensen, Hanes’ colleagues at Whitworth Elementary School, nominated her for the honor. “She has probably helped improve the lives of students in this district more than anyone with her wise advice, useful train- ings, and compassionate, empathetic view of our students,” Allen and Christensen said about Hanes. Hanes Another colleague added: “She made me a better teacher.” The Distinguished Educator Program recognizes “excellence in teaching and learning” in Dallas School District schools. IHS Class of 1950 award funds INDEPENDENCE — The Class of 1950, the final graduating class from Independence High School, contributed money to the Monmouth-Independence Community Foundation, which awarded its first scholarship on June 3. The $1,000 gift was pre- sented to Central High graduate Daisy Chavez during the sen- ior awards ceremony. She was selected from 14 applicants who responded to the essay topic: “How does Central High School, its student body, faculty and its programs serve to bring the communities of Monmouth and Independence together? What more could be done?” Chavez will attend either Western Oregon University or Chemeketa Community College. The Class of 1950 will cele- brate its 65th anniversary on Aug. 21 with a luncheon at Farrol’s Restaurant in Rickreall. JOLENE GUZMAN/Itemizer-Observer Western Oregon President Mark Weiss congratulates Sen. Peter Courtney at a naming ceremony on June 13. Weiss retires Tuesday from the university’s presidency, when Rex Fuller, from Eastern Washington University, will step into the job. Weiss worked at WOU for 10 years and helped set the university up for independent governance. Weiss bids WOU adieu By Emily Mentzer The Itemizer-Observer MONMOUTH — Mark Weiss failed at retirement the first time, but is hopeful that this time around, he’s ready. “To quote a Bob Dylan song, ‘We were so much older then; I’m younger than that now,’” he said. “I think I’m ready. Our kids are grown, and I’m ready to enjoy some of the fruits of retirement.” Weiss will retire at the end of June as Western Ore- gon University’s president. July 1, Rex Fuller will take over the helm with a new board of trustees as WOU moves to self-governance and the Oregon University System dissolves. “I feel happy that I leave Western Oregon University in what I consider an excel- lent situation with a brand new board of directors that’s focused on Western and her students, all aligned with the mission of Western and who we serve in terms of Oregonians,” he said. “I’m delighted at that.” Weiss doesn’t leave with- out mixed emotions. “I was going to retire a year or so ago,” he said. “This job has been fantastic — it hasn’t been a job, it’s been a fantastic experience for me both in meeting fac- ulty and staff, and particu- larly in seeing how our stu- dents develop over their time here at Western.” Although he and his wife, Meg, have no plans to move from Independence, they do have some vacations planned, including an an- nual trip to the Rogue River on Gold Beach. “We go there routinely and I fish in the bay or in the ocean, pretty much as much as I can,” Weiss, an avid fisherman, said. “I real- ly enjoy the outdoors and the water.” Weiss has worked at Western for 10 years, having started as the vice president of finance and administra- tion. “I always call it the road least followed to be a uni- versity president,” Weiss said. “Most (presidents) come from academia. I did not. I spent my career in the business world working for a multinational electronics firm in the energy busi- ness.” He was appointed inter- im president of Western when John Minahan retired in 2011, and asked to stay on as the president full time in 2012. See WEISS 15A Class of 2015 earns scholarships DALLAS — Dallas High School’s senior class was awarded a total of $199,536 in scholarships during the 2014-15 school year. Scholarships from local organizations totaled $38,236 and were announced at senior awards night on May 27. Seniors earned a total of $161,300 in other scholarships, in- cluding college, university, athletic, and merit-based scholar- ships. Dallas approves staff contracts DALLAS — Dallas School District’s board approved contract updates with both its employee unions at its meeting on June 15. The Dallas Education Association (teachers) contract update mostly consisted of minor changes in language to provisions regarding extra duty pay; grievance procedures; layoff and re- call procedures; and teaching hours and prep time for kinder- garten teachers, who will be teaching full days starting in the fall. Updates to the Dallas Chapter No. 34 Oregon School Em- ployees Association (classified employees) contract included changes to “vacancies and openings” and “discipline and dis- missal” provisions. Call us. The Itemizer-Observer can help you expand your market share, and make your business more profitable. Call Heidi, Rachel or Karen at 503-623-2373. ADVERTISING THAT WORKS.