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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (March 15, 2007)
Page 12 The INDEPENDENT, March 15, 2007 47J Board splits on question of changing name of middle school At the March 8 Vernonia School District 47J board meet- ing, Superintendent Ken Cox told the board that the yearly academic progress tests may have to be completed using pa- per and pencil, as the online state testing system has been shut down due to ongoing prob- lems. This was confirmed by the State of Oregon on Mon- day, March 12. This means that students who have not already tested will get only one try (the online system allowed for re- takes to improve scores) at the tests. On the issue of a name change for Vernonia Middle School, the agenda listed a proposed motion of “I move that we install recognition plaques in lieu of making a name change.” When this item came up for discussion, board member Ernie Smith made a motion to “change the name of the school to Arthur M. Parrow Middle School.” Kim Wallace seconded the motion, saying “I thought we should vote on the issue that was originally on the agenda.” Smith and Wallace then voted for the name change, with Angie Rhodes, Carrie Levenseller and Randy Hansen opposing the motion (Tammy Jennings was absent and Chairman Tim Titus votes only when needed to break ties). The board then agreed to look into memorial plaques in- stead of a name change. Cici Bell, representing the Washington Grade School (and Mist School) Site Council, re- ported that the council is back up and running and has been working on mission statements and goals. Bell told the board that the council has identified two projects – a science night and field trips to the Vernonia Public Library. In other business, the board; • approved a Snow Day Make-up Schedule that will make-up three and a half to four of the nine days lost to snow. Cox assured the board that enough class days were held to satisfy all state require- ments. • approved a contract with Betty Krause as a Library Con- sultant to bring the district into state compliance by the end of the next school year by having a librarian. The next board meeting will be held April 12, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the District Office. Dairy Women looking for princesses Columbia County chapter of the Oregon Dairy Women’s As- sociation is now accepting ap- plications for candidates for County Dairy Princess Ambas- sador. The successful candi- date will represent Columbia County in the State Dairy Princess contest, travel around the county and state to promote good nutrition through dairy and raise awareness about the dairy industry. To enter, a girl must be at least sixteen, a high school jun- ior, and not over 23 years of age as of June 1st. Candidates must also be residents of Ore- gon at least 12 months prior to the contest; be single, never married or had a child; and if Mariolino’s not living at home, must not have or currently be co-habitat- ing. Candidates must also qual- ify in one of these areas: (a) have lived or worked on a dairy farm or facility at some time during her life; (b) be the daughter of any- one currently employed full- time on an operating dairy farm; (c) anyone presently em- ployed full-time as an owner or employee of a milk processing plant or milk distributor, (d) or any person employed in a dairy-related industry; (e) A member of 4-H or FFA who has a dairy project, includ- ing raising a heifer to milk pro- duction. Reuben Burger w/Fries & Medium Pop $5.25 Special for Saint Patrick's Day Only! 721 Madison Ave.,Vernonia • 503-429-5018 Midway Veterinary Clinic Senior Discounts Open in Vernonia Wednesdays and Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Call for appointments 503-429-1612 805 Bridge Street Vernonia Small and Large Animals Qualified candidates should call Diane Larson at 503-397- 0418 by Friday, April 13. Currently scholarship dona- tions are also being sought for outgoing Dairy Princess Am- bassador, Ashley Elkins. Any- one wishing to contribute may contact Diane. Columbia County Dairy Women conduct fundraising activities through the sale of shakes, sundaes, ice cream, floats, and of course milk! Funds raised go, in part, toward higher education scholarships for both young women and men pursuing careers in or out of the dairy industry. Eat free pizza at meeting on meth Did you know meth abuse has outpaced both heroin and cocaine? In adults and teen- agers? Did you know it is estimated that for every pound of meth produced there is a yield of up to five pounds of toxic waste? Have you heard your chil- dren, or friends’ children, or students in school using terms like “ice, chalk, tweak, black beauties, chicken feed, shabu, stove top fast, or yellow bam?” These are street terms for methamphetamine. Did you know that most adult users are white, in their 20s or 30s, have a high school education or better and are employed full-or part-time. Use of meth crosses all demo- graphics. A free meth presentation by the Vernonia Community Drug- Free Coalition will be held at the Vernonia High School gym- nasium on Tuesday, March 20, at 7:00 p.m. The Lions Club is donating a pizza dinner, sup- plied by Mariolino’s, which will be available at 6:30 p.m. For more information, con- tact Ken Cox, at 503-429- 5891.