Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 6, 2003)
Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, November 6, 2003__________________________________________________________________ ___ __________________________ Financial considerations dominate school board meeting at Mist The Vernonia School board heard many comments from the, as usual, large crowd of Mist Grade School parents and community members who at tended the October 23 board meeting in Mist. Carolyn White praised classroom aide Rena Titus and teacher Joanie Jones, telling the board they go above and beyond what was necessary and that she wanted to thank them in a public forum for their work. Shaney Fitzger ald told the board that having the school in the community was particularly beneficial for younger children. In response to a question from Joe Ander son, Superintendent Mike Fun- derburg told the audience that the budget process would be gin again in January and that every program, including Mist School, would be considered, particularly if it is necessary to dramatically reduce the budget for next year (which is likely if the legislative tax package is overturned by voters in Febru ary). Anderson told the board that the school was a tremen dous asset to the community and that this kind of small com munity America is “what the Pledge [of Allegiance] is all about.” Hambfet leaving district Vice-chair Darrell Hamblet presided in the absence of chair Jim Krahn, who was un able to attend. With director Tim Titus also absent and a va cancy on the board because of Leslie O ’Leary’s resignation, the board barely met the four- member quorum requirement. In addition to Hamblet, the di rectors in attendance were Cari Levenseller, Randy Hansen and Ed Buckner. Hamblet an nounced that the November meeting would probably be his last, also, because he is mov ing out of district. Two applica tions had been received for O ’Leary’s position (Marion Johnston and Alice Traverso); they will be considered at the November meeting. Applica tions may be obtained at the district office and, at this time, The Toy Box G ifts for B irthdays , H olidays AND S pecial O ccasions 503-429-7208 Open 10-6 Mon. - Sat. 736 Bridge St, Vernonia there is no deadline. MGS teacher Joanie Jones told the board that she loves her new job, though, by under taking the multi-age K-5 class room, she felt like she was just graduating from college to en ter the classroom for the first time. Jones told the board that her biggest fear was teaching beginning readers, since she had been working with fourth and fifth graders. Ann Kingsley, principal at MGS, that reading was a difficult and important task and that Jones was doing a great job. Jones introduced four of her first grade students, Avery Anderson, Logan Titus, Reed Jones and C.J. Hieron- imus, who each read to the board from a poster about themselves, which they had written. All of these first graders knew complicated words in cluding favorite, dessert, and Chinese. Jones told the board that she “couldn’t do it without” her volunteers, about six peo ple in the classroom every day. VHS student report Eric Schmidlin, high school student board representative, reported that Homecoming was a big success. He said that atti tude had declined a little prior to Homecoming, but built back up with no more cussing in the halls. He also said that a few athletes were given study ta bles after progress reports but that they are working to correct their academic deficiencies. Veteran’s Day Holiday The board approved a calen dar change to recognize Veter an’s Day on Tuesday, Novem ber 11. For several years the holiday has been celebrated on a Monday and, like several dis tricts, Vernonia set the holiday on Monday. School will be in session as usual Monday, No vember 10th, and closed the following day for Veteran’s Day Holiday. z ed at the direction of student needs to start meeting again to Dawn Plews, district finance groups, not by the district. The provide direction about future clerk, reported a smooth audit budget does not contain a line projects. The roof of the high for last year. She also said that item for donations to specific school is “shot,” he reported, the district had also called in a schools. Money from donations and the gym roof definitely food services auditor - a spe is transferred to the general needs replacement. The com cialist in food service opera fund by board action at the end mittee will meet this month. tions - to review that program. of the fiscal year. In an inter NCLB Funderburg presented the The food service committee view, Plews said after the meet ing that the spreadsheets track board with a two-page synopsis (Plews, Funderburg and Krahn) will consider the auditor’s re ing donations had been for of the No Child Left Behind pro port and develop recommenda warded to MGS. She also said ficiency standards and how tions for food service supervi the district had received $1000 they work. He also prepared a from the Mist-Birkenfeld Rural list of the NCLB Annual Yearly sor Gretchen Lindauer. According to Plews, some of Fire District for textbooks, and Progress (AYP) subgroups and the property tax distribution that that the money was used to off a flowchart showing actions the school receives from the set the cost of textbooks for that must be taken by districts or schools after two consecu county may be withheld be MGS. Throughout the meeting tive years of failure to meet cause of several large appeals, particularly that of Boise-Cas speakers told the board that AYP goals. Funderburg also in cade. Columbia County Asses they were 100 percent behind troduced the board to a set of sor Tom Linhares is proposing Mist school. In response to sev belief statements developed by that the county withhold eral comments questioning his the administrative team, that $500,000 [from taxing districts knowledge of individual dona would be used to apply the in the county] of the 2003-2004 tions, including a question from NCLB in Vernonia, if the board property tax collections and Tom Jones about last year’s approves. The statements say hold it in a reserve account. Partners in Education awards, that the district supports the District revenue is reviewed an Funderburg said that if Jones philosophy that “no child should nually by the state and adjust had specific criticisms, he be left behind,” that all students ments are made based on all needed to address those is can learn, that authentic as factors in the school funding sues directly with him. Both sessment and data analysis formula to ensure that each dis Plews and Funderburg said can measure school improve trict receives the amount deter that they do not have knowl ment and achievement, and mined by the formula. However, edge of every single donation that adequate yearly progress the adjustment payments are ready at all times. Donations to should be measured with crite not made until the following fis the district are an ongoing ria established within the cal year, so any funds the district process that is closely tracked school environment. The belief would lose because of a change throughout the year by all statement says that the school, in local property tax revenue, members of the administrative staff and students are not “fail would not be received until the team, according to Plews. ures” and that improvements Maintenance 2004-2005 school year. will occur by continuing to im Gordon Heironimus asked Maintenance supervisor plement the district vision, guid about donations by the Mist John Lewis told the board that ing principles and building community for support of the the maintenance committee codes. Mist school. Plews explained that all donations are tracked on a spreadsheet. After several comments about a “line item” ...............The tìest Little ALrscry Around for donations to Mist, Funder burg explained that donations go into a separate donation ac count and money received for a specific purpose, is used for that purpose. Funds donated to the student body are kept in the Antiques • Noble Fir Wreaths student body fund and expend Financial Report FARMWOMAN'S NURSERY CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! Christmas in the Country Bazaar is almost here R ock C réer S tudio x P hotography for R ll Occnsions C R U TODAY: 503-830-8260 503-429-4961 902 Bridge Street • Vernonia In the Bridge Street Mall Shabby Chic • Jewelry • Collectables Garden Art • Handmade Wood Items and Much More Nov. 21, 22, and 23 10 a.m, - 5 p.m. Santa Claus Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. pictures and face painting available Excellence in Customer Service 12891 KEASEY ROAD «VERNONIA 7 MILES WEST OF VERNO NIA - WATCH FOR SIGNS PHONE 503-429-8200 • WINTER HOURS THURS TO SAT 10 - 2
