Page 14 The INDEPENDENT, February 16, 2006 School Board sets up two committees The Banks School District school board preceded their February 13 meeting with a public work session. The ses- sion included discussing the formation of a facility advisory committee, the elementary school principal search, the crow’s nest building improve- ment and football field mainte- nance. Interested persons are being sought from the community to form a long range planning committee for district facility planning. Information regarding the committee will be published in the News-Times. An advisory committee for the elementary school principal search has been formed and the timeline was discussed. The committee includes board members, classified and certi- fied staff members and par- ents. Applicants for principal will be sought until February 24. Superintendent Marv Ott will narrow the candidates to 10. The committee will select five to be interviewed and then submit the top three to Ott, who will make a final hiring recom- mendation to the board. The board discussed bids for the crow’s nest project at the high school football field, which came in at $10,000 more than the budgeted $25,000. Since that is not feasible for the district, the board is consider- ing narrowing the scope of work to include only the ele- ments that impact student safe- ty. Replacing the existing stairs and handrails could be done for less than $10,000. The condition of the football field, and how to improve it, was also discussed. Will Moore noted that lots of money has been spent on the field in re- cent years and it was still the worst in the league. He and the other members discussed whether the field’s condition is a result of poor maintenance, lack of water in the summer months, or a structural prob- lem. Gene Kelly noted that it takes time for grass to mature and that last year’s season was played on young grass. The board will continue to seek the best solution. The board meeting was con- vened following the public work session and an executive ses- sion. Ott introduced Banks High School junior Kelsii Dana and asked her to talk about her accomplishments outside of school. Dana has been a Girl Scout for 10 years, a 4-H mem- ber for eight years, and a mem- ber of the High School Eques- trian Team for two years. She outlined many of her successes for the board and talked about how these activities have Looking for Organic Vegetables Check out our Selection of Fresh Seasonal Vegies. We have Apples, Oranges, Potatoes (Red, Yellow & Baking), Onions, Squash, Cabbage, Broccoli, Celery, Carrots & Lettuce. And if you don’t see what you want, just ask Big Al. He’ll be glad to get it for you! 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171 ? helped her. Amy Hansen, the district’s insurance agent made her an- nual presentation to the board. She noted that since there are now two viable insurance op- tions for school districts in Ore- gon, insurance costs have de- creased. She expects rates to stay flat for the present time. She commended the district for their willingness to work on loss control and also for the excep- tional recent claims history. New policies and updates of existing policies that were rec- ommended by OSBA and pro- posed last month, were given a second reading and adopted with no discussion. Ott said that the changes were part of a con- tinuing process to update the district’s written policies so they conform with state laws and No Child Left Behind regulations. The board also voted to ex- tend contracts for returning teachers for the next academic year. Elementary school principal Marty Voge displayed the Ex- ceptional School Flag that he had just received. He said that it would be on display in the cafeteria with the flag from last year. He commented that achieving this distinction was especially impressive since the staff continues to deal with such large classes. Banks has the third highest average class size in the state of Oregon. Ott noted that seven more students joined the school last month. S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES 2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE F LANGE H EAD • S UCTION H OSES A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2” B ULK O IL P RODUCTS 276 S UNSET , B ANKS 503-324-9808 Ye Olde Dingheiser Pub & Restaurant VISA - MC - ATM Access COCKTAILS • BEER • WINE FOOD, KEGS & ICE TO GO Lunch & Dinner Served Daily SUNSET LAUNDRY 11:00 am – Closing Wash…$1.00 Dry…25¢ CASH PRIZES!! 180 S. Main St. Banks, Oregon BINGO SUNDAYS 5-8 PM All Lottery Games CLOSED MONDAYS 47100 NW Sunset Hwy. Manning • 324-4848 Top, the beginning of a race on one of three tracks at the Banks Boy Scout Troop 581 pinewood derby on February 4. Above, there was even a pit crew area for emergency repairs. Oak Village Laundromat 4 Jumbo Washers Air-conditioned Easy Access with Ample Parking located next to Jim’s Market at the junction of Hwy 47 & Hwy 6 Main Street, Banks