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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 20, 2002)
TWO -Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner. Oregon Wednesday, February 20. 2002 The Official Newspaper of the City of Heppner and the County of Morrow H eppner G A Z E T T E -T IM E S U S P S. 240-420 Morrow County’s Home-Owned Weekly Newspaper Published weekly and entered as periodical matter at the Post Office at Heppner. Oregon under the Act o f March 3, 1874 Periodical postage paid at Heppner. Oregon Office at ¡47 W Willow Street relep h on e(S 4l) 676-9228 Fax (M l >676-9211. F-mail gnu heppner net or gt u rapidsers e net Web site www heppner net Postmaster send address changes to the Heppner Gazette-Times. P O Box 337, Heppner. Oregon 47836. Subscriptions: $22 in Morrow County; $16 senior rate (in Morrow County oniy; 62 years or older); $29 else where David S y k e s ...................................................................................................................... Publisher April H ilton-Sykes................................................................................................................ Editor News deadline is Monday at S p m For Advertising advertising deadline is Tuesday at noon Cost for a display ad is $4 50 per column inch Cost for classified ad is 4 0 * per word Cost for Card of Thanks is $5 up to 100 words Cost for a classified display ad is $5 10 per column inch For Public/Legal Notices public/legal notices deadline is Monday at 5 p m Dates for publication must be specified Affidavits must be required at the time of submission Affidavits require three weeks tc process after last date of publication (a sooner return date must be specified if required) On the HEPPSER WEBSITE: k ’ h ’H'. heppner. net • Start or C hange a Subscription • Place a C lassified A d • Submit a N e w s Story • V iew Real Estate for Sale • City Council & Planning Minutes • Local Businesses • County Park • Willow Creek Park Reservations • Free Digital Postcards • Senior Housing • and more! Letters to the Editor Editor's note: Letters to the Editor must be signed. The Gazette-Times will not publish unsigned letters. Please include your address and phone number on all letters for use by the G-T office. The G-T reserves the right to edit. The C-T is not responsible for accuracy o f statements made in letters. (Any letters expressing thanks will be placed in the classifieds under “Card of Thanks" at a cost o f $5.) Waiting for an apology To the Editor: 1 was raised in the old school. My daddy taught me to tell the truth, respect others and, if 1 couldn't say something good about some one else. I was to keep my mouth shut. My dad said, “Son, sweep your own back porch, not the porch o f someone else.” Terry Mewhinney: I consider you as a friend. It’s hard to find words to express the hurt I felt after reading your thoughtless, judgmental and cruel letter of cru cifixion about a little lady you don’t even know. I'll be the first one to tell the world you are really a great guy, Terry. You must have blinked your eyes and made a few remarks without thinking how they would sound. 1 only wish you would have kept your thoughts to yourself. I talked to several peo ple about the victim of your let ter. Every one of them told me the little lady is a super wonderful teenager with a big heart of gold. In plain common decency, Terry, I am asking you for a sincere, thoughtful letter of apology. 1 feel sure that you are man enough to admit you made a hasty mistake. I am looking forward to your re sponse in a letter to the editor. I am sorry for not being able to let this lay; however, in this world there are rights and there are wrongs, and I still believe in the rights. Thank you, my friend. Ter ry. I am waiting. (s) Mel Piper Heppner Saddened by seduction of power To the Editor: I am deeply saddened to watch as persons, whom I con sider my friends and neighbors, fall prey to the seduction of pow er. In the recent past, certain members o f the then sitting school board set a pattern of events into motion. Because of the maturing of this pattern, two good men must now assume the roll of imposter. Burke O ’Brien and Larry Mills could be excellent school board members. Though they are trying to make the best of a bad situation, any action that they par ticipate in, while sitting in the chair of school board member, may be challenged on legal grounds, and most certainly on moral grounds as neither have been elected by the citizens of the county. It is known, that at the time of his election, Keith Lewis, as well as each member of the sit ting Morrow County school board, the Morrow County elections au thorities and, of most importance, the Morrow County voters, be lieved that all was proper. Mr. Lewis was elected by a majority of the voters. Mr. Lewis was removed from his elected position by a majority o f the school board. When the sitting President of The United States was placed on trial by the Senate of The United Arts & Crafts club to meet Morrow County Creative Arts and Crafts club will hold a meeting on Thursday, Feb. 28, at 1 p.m. at GD’s Restaurant ban quet room in Heppner. Workshops for 2002 will be on the agenda with oils and wa- tercolors the main topics of dis cussion. Some samples of Betty Crosswhite's art will be on dis play A nyone w anting to take paintings classes is asked to at tend. Those unable to attend the meeting are asked to contact a club member and let them know what classes you would be inter ested in. Betty Mills may be con tacted for oil painting at 676-5546; and Sharon Hamson for water- colors. 9 8 9 -8 4 % . States, the Senate refused to re move the sitting president, even though the sitting President had been impeached by the House of Representatives, was under in dictment for obstruction of justice, had been caught, on camera, mak ing false statements and grossly misusing the power of his office. What was the reason that the Senate gave for not removing the sitting President from office? “The President was elected by a majority of the voters.” Why would the school board choose not to follow the example set by the United States Senate? Why would they remove a mem ber of their own board, while find ing no fault in his honor? Why would the school board then ignore a chance to right a wrong, by appointing Mr. Lewis, the elected Mr. Lewis, to his right fully elected seat? Has any ques tioned his good reputation? Are the mem rs o f the school board so drunk with pow er that they think that they can choose whomever that they want and that the voters be damned? Has this school board done anything that demonstrates to the citizens of Morrow County that it has the collective wisdom to be in control o f the education of our precious children? (s) F. Green White Heppner Seeders’ meeting Feb. 25 N utrient m anagem ent adjustments for direct seeding in Morrow County will be the main discussion for the upcoming direct seeding meeting planned Monday, February 25, at 9 a m. at the H eppner Forest Service Conference Room. Don Wysocki will present information on his direct seeding nutrient trials on the Haguewood place south of Heppner. Wysocki and Larry Lutcher started nutrient trials last year using differing rates of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur. Lutcher will also present information on managing nutrients from his experiences. Loren Unruh will present information on programs to help direct seeders get started. For further information, contact Unruh at 676-5021 or Lutcher at 676-9642. teachers, administrators to be cut at Heppner schools experience. Thirty-seven students completed the Certificate of Initial Mastery before the end of the 12lh grade. The average SAT scores for seniors graduating during the 2000-2001 year are as follows: Verbal-478 HHS, 526 state. 506 nation; Math-484 HHS, 526 state, 511 nation. Nineteen students or 63.3 percent were tested, compared to 51.8 percent statewide. lone School received an exceptional rating overall. The school received a strong rating in student performance with 71 percent o f students in grades three, five, eight and 10 meeting standards in reading, compared to 70 percent in comparison schools and 69 percent statewide; 75 percent in writing, compared to 70 percent in comparison schools and statewide; 75 percent in math multiple choice, compared to 70 percent in comparison schools and 62 percent statewide; and 85 percent in math problem solving, com pared to 60 percent in com parison schools and 64 percent statewide. The school received an exceptional rating in attendance with 95.6 o f the students attending school daily, com pared to 91.3 percent statew ide, and no students dropping out. lone received an exceptional rating in school characteristics with 93.8 percent of students participating in state testing, com pared to 96.4 statewide. The school improved in math and reading and attendance and the dropout rate. An average o f 149 students attended the school with no ESL students listed. T hirty-eight percent of the teaching staff had a master’s degree or higher and the teaching staff had an average of 17 years experience. Twenty- three students completed the CIM before the end of their senior year. The average SAT scores for seniors graduating during the 2000-2001 year are as follows: Verbal-488 IHS, 526 state, 506 nation; Math-484 IHS, 526 state, 511 nation. Fifteen students or 68.2 percent were tested, com pared to 51.8 percent statewide. Sam B o ard m an Elementary School received a strong rating overall. The school received a strong rating in student performance with 70 percent of the students in grades three and five meeting state standards in reading, com pared to 70 in com parison schools and 80 percent statewide; 56 percent in writing, compared to 50 percent in comparison schools and 64 percent statewide; 60 percent in math multiple choice, compared to 62 percent in comparison schools and 74 percent statewide; and 57 percent in math problem solving, compared to 69 percent in comparison schools and 76 percent statewide. The school received a satisfactory rating in student behavior with 93.5 percent o f students attending school daily, compared to 93.8 percent statewide. SBE received an exceptional rating in school characteristics with 92.7 percent participating in state testing, compared to 96.1 statewide. The school improved in math and reading and stayed about the same in attendance. The school had an average o f405 students with 56.3 percent enrolled in ESL programs. Fourteen percent of the teaching staff had a master's degree or higher and they had an average of 12 years experience. A .C. H oughton Elementary School received a satisfactory rating overall. The school received a satisfactory rating in student performance with 72 percent of the students in grades three and five meeting state standards in reading, com pared to 73 percent in com parison schools and 80 percent statewide; 28 percent meeting standards in writing, com pared to 55 percent in com parison schools and 64 percent statewide; 62 percent in math multiple choice, compared to 66 percent in com parison schools and 74 percent statewide; and 67 percent in math problem solving, compared to 72 percent in comparison schools and 76 percent statewide. The school received a strong rating in student behavior with 94.1 percent of students attending school daily. com pared to 93.8 percent statew ide. ACH received an exceptional rating in school characteristics with 94.1 percent of the students participating in state testing, compared to 96.1 statew ide. The school improved in math and reading and attendance. The school had an average of 355 students with 34.4 percent enrolled in ESL programs. Tw enty-one percent o f the teachers had a master’s degree or higher and they had an average of 13 years experience. C o lu m b ia M iddle School received an overall satisfactory rating. The school received a satisfactory rating in student performance with 42 percent of the students in grade eight meeting state standards in reading, compared to 45 percent in comparison schools and 62 percent statewide; 46 percent in writing, compared to 54 percent in comparison schools and 68 percent statewide; 29 percent in math multiple choice, compared to 35 percent in com parison schools and 56 percent statewide; 27 percent in math problem solving, compared to 47 percent in comparison schools and 58 percent state wide. The school received a low rating in student behavior with 91.7 percent of the students attending school daily, compared to 93.8 statewide. CMS received an exceptional rating in school characteristics, with 91.2 percent participating in state testing, compared to 95.8 percent statewide. The school improved in math and reading and attendance. The school had an average of 350 students with 35 percent enrolled in ESL programs. Thirty-two percent of the teaching staff had a m aster’s degree or higher and they had an average of 11 years of experience. Riverside High School received an overall strong rating. The school received a satisfactory rating in student performance with 58 percent of the students in grade 10 meeting state standards in reading, com pared to 38 percent of students in comparison schools and 53 percent statewide; 68 percent in writing compared to 68 percent in comparison schools and 79 percent statewide; 25 percent in math multiple choice, com pared to 25 percent in com parison schools and 42 percent statewide; 47 percent in math problem solving, compared to 48 percent in com parison schools and 57 percent statewide. The school received an exceptional rating in student behavior with 92.6 of the students attending school daily, compared to 91.3 percent statew ide. Eighteen students (four percent) dropped out of school that year. RHS received an exceptional rating in school characteristics with 91.7 o f the students participating in state testing, compared to 97.4 statewide. The school improved in math and reading and attendance and dropout rate. The school had an average o f428 students with 32.2 percent enrolled in ESL programs. T hirty-eight percent o f the teachers had a master’s degree or higher and the staff had an average of 16 years experience. The average SAT scores for RHS seniors graduating during the 2000-2001 school year are as follows: Verbal-503 RHS, 526 state, 506 nation; Math-520 RHS. 526 state, 511 nation. Thirty-four students or 37.4 percent were tested, compared to 51.8 percent statewide. M orrow C o u n ty School D istrict-S tu d en t performance: Reading: grade three-80 percent meet state standards, 85 statewide; grade five-68 percent, 77 statewide; grade eight-53 percent, 62 statewide; grade 10-59 percent, 53 statew ide; M athem atics multiple choice: grade three-66 percent, 75 statewide, grade five- 66 percent, 73 statewide, grade eight-42 percent, 56 statewide, grade 10-39 percent, 42 statewide: Writing: grade five-49 percent, 64 statew ide, grade eight-55 percent. 68 statewide, grade 10-72 percent, 79 statewide; Mathematics problem solving: grade fivc-63 percent. 76 statewide, grade cight-43 percent, 58 statewide, grade 10-57 percent both district and state. A ccording to state statistics, 34 percent of Hispanic students in the district meet state standards in mathematics multiple choice, compared to 37 percent of Hispanic students statewide and 65 percent of white students in the district and statewide. In reading, 50 percent of Hispanic students in the district met state standards, com pared to 46 percent o f Hispanic students statewide, 74 percent of white students in the district and 72 percent o f w hite students statewide. MCSD superintendents had an average o f 26 years experience, compared to 25 years statewide; district administrators had an average o f 22 years experience, compared to 21 years statewide; teaching staff had an average of 14 years experience both in the district and statewide. The district spent more per student, at $4,027.66, than the statewide average of $3,425.89, but spent slightly less on classroom support at $906.58 than the state average of $1,082.69. Building support for the district was $1,156.64, compared to the state average o f $1,001.63. Central support was $355.14 in the district, compared to $282.33 for the state. The ESD support given to M orrow County was approxim ately $129.53 per student, dramatically less than the state average o f $350.59 per student. The d istrict has a comparable percentage of special education students, with 12.2 percent in the district, versus 13.1 statewide. MCSD has over triple the percentage o f students enrolled in ESL programs, with 28.2 percent in the district, com pared to 8.1 percent statewide. In other business at the Feb. 11 meeting the board; -accepted the recommendation from the lone Advisory Committee for design #4 for the school layout for the bond construction and remodel. -denied a paid leave request from Jessica Oleman. Board Chair Julie Weikel said that if the request were approved, the board would then be required to evaluate the value o f each subsequent request in comparison to Oleman's situation. -approved 2002/03 Education Service D istrict resolution services. -approved the first reading o f the Consolidated District Improvement Plan as a first reading with action for approval at the March meeting. -approved a contract for alternative education services with Union-Baker ESD for 2002/ 03 through 2004/05. -approved the first reading o f 2002/03 calendar options. Option A would have a pre-Labor Day start (August 26), one-plus week at Christmas, with the last day of school May 30; Option B would have a post- Labor Day start (September 2), one-plus week at Christmas, with the last day o f school June 6; Option C would have a post- Labor Day start, two weeks at Christmas, with the last day of school June 11. Board member John Rietmann said he didn’t support the first two plans in that they called for a full five-day week for the last week of school. He suggested that a five-day week be planned for October or November to provide for the required num ber o f student attendance days. -approved the first reading of 2001/02 probationary teachers for the 2002/03 year. South Morrow County teachers include: Heppner Elementary- Wendy Appleton, music, second year, Pam Dowdy, fifth-sixth, second year, Mary Ann Elguezabal. reading, contract. Sue Gibbs, fifth-sixth grade, third year. Lindsay Harle, special education, third year. Molly Rill, second-third grade, contract; Heppner High School-Appleton, Lucas Casady, math, second year, John Flaherty, seventh-eighth social studies, contract. Lea Mathicu. language arts, contract, Jason Palmer, science, second. Tom Shear, art. contract. Kathleen Spinks, special ed. second; lone Schools-Ryan Rudolf, sev en th -12"’ social continued from page one studies, contract, Shear, art, contract. -denied a variance request from Beth Jeffries to transfer her son from lone Elem entary to H eppner Elementary. Jeffries said that her son has been victimized by bullies and maintains that his classroom is “out of control.” The board suggested she first meet with the classroom teacher, then the principal and then the superintendent, if the issues are not resolved. Jeffries said she had exhausted the options and said that she may have to resort to home schooling. -approved resignation or retirement for: Karen Cooley, early retirem ent from CMS special education teaching position, effective Dec. 21; John Moyer, resigning from Maintenance II position; Alissa Daltoso, RHS assistant tennis coach. -approved interim agreement for Karen Cooley, to continue employment as CMS special ed teacher from Dec. 21, 2002, through June 2003. -approved m aternity/ child care leave for A lissa Daltoso, from RHS language arts teacher from Feb. 25 through the end of the school year. -approved attendance variances for students to remain resident students in the Hermiston School district until the end of the year. They will enroll at SBE in Ì the fall. -learned that three finalists have been selected for the superintendent position and that each candidate will visit the district Feb. 19-21. -heard the follow ing announcem ents-next board meeting, March 11, lone High School, 7:30 p.m. ESD offers students closer look at careers Wednesday, February 20, eighth graders from Umatilla and Morrow counties gathered at the Pendleton Convention Center for the annual Career Showcase. Fifty businesses from the Pacific N orthw est offered interactive booths to over 1250 students throughout the day, offering “hands-on” activities that demonstrated skills, training, and the application o f academ ic knowledge needed for success. Students also participated in “ Individual Student C areer Interest Inventories and Assessments” that will help them in developing their unique education polan, which is part of the new Oregon school legislation. This is the sixth year the U m atilla-M orrow ESD has sponsored this event that has continued to evolve as area schools have started implementing CIM (Certificate of Initial M astery) and CAM (C ertificate o f A dvanced Mastery) requirements. “ This is the first opportunity for most eighth grade students to investigate diverse career options by talking with professionals, and taking part in hands on activities from various careers. Career Showcase pulls together the im portance o f academ ic achievem ent and em ployability skills such as attitude, responsibility, and ethical behavior,” said Sharon Holes, U m atilla-M orrow ESD instructional services coordinator. Career Showcase 2002 “Pathways to Your Future” was held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. For more information contact Sharon Holes at the Umatilla-Morrow ESD, 541-966- 3160. l 4 I Births Melissa Rose S truthers-a daughter. Melissa Rose, was bom to Joe and Sarah Struthers of Clovis, New Mexico, on January 2, 2002, at Clovis. The baby weighed 7 lbs. 12 oz. and was 20” long. She joins sisters, Aubry and Rebecca, and brothers, Bradley and David, at home. Grandparents are Edna and the late Maynard Struthers of Hermiston and Carl and Geri Martin o f Heppner. Great-grandmother is Lottie Mar tin of Rogue River. I
