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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 21, 2009)
The INDEPENDENT, May 21, 2009 School Board splits on site plan vote Banks school board busi- ness meeting May 11 was only 23 minutes long, including pre- sentations by elementary stu- dents. Heather Ferrigan’s first grade students performed two songs with choreography as a debut performance of their Tal- ent Show act. Sixth grade teacher Shannon Dotson told the board that she had as- signed the topic “Which alter- native energy source is best for Banks?” After studying a wide variety of sources, students Courtney Ragsdale and Kinsly Rowan wrote convincing es- says which Dotson read to the board, about the future use of methane from local cows. Dot- son told the board that these two students convinced her to change her mind (she previ- ously favored geothermal), the assignment goal. Additionally, sixth grader Oteka Todd read a moving poem she wrote about “The Place That I Remember”. Prior to the business meet- ing, the four members of the board present (Angi Duyck was unable to attend) revisited two items previously approved by the board: the school calendar and the decision to hold off spending money to complete a facility site plan. The workshop concluded with an executive session to discuss key person- nel. Will Moore brought up the subject of the site plan, saying that he knew of three exam- ples, including the softball as- sociation, that have money and volunteers ready to begin con- struction. The board has re- quested that these privately funded facilities be included in the facility site plan, but has postponed completion of the plan. Moore said that, because the money to finish the plan could come from the Buxton fund, there was no reason not to spend it, as it has no effect on the school operating budget. A rather heated discussion en- sued, with chairman Duann Lundsten saying he “can’t fire a teacher and build a shed at the same time” and Morris replying that “not every single thing [needs to be] tied to the gloom and doom of the district.” Board members were split, with Lund- sten and Nordholm supporting the decision to postpone the plan, while Morris and Kathy Edison favor spending $7500 to finish the drawings. The top- ic will be placed on the agenda for the next board meeting. Every decade or so, Labor Day falls on September 7th. Schools in Oregon have tradi- tionally started after Labor Day. Since the state began mandat- ing the number of required in- structional hours, beginning af- ter Labor Day extends the school year well into the middle of June. Nordholm asked the board look at that decision again, in response to public in- quiries he received, though he was unable to attend the April meeting. Other board members and administrative staff present confirmed that all had conver- Kustom rd Klutte a Y WAI Inc. r Just the finest in collision repair sations with students and par- ents about the problems for families and the beginning of fall sports season when school starts after Labor Day. Nordholm asked the admin- istrative team to explain what had tipped their recommenda- tion in favor of an earlier start. High school principal Jim Fos- ter said that ending the school year on June 18 (starting after Labor Day) would make it diffi- cult for year-end reports, and that it could conflict with teach- ers’ ability to begin summer term continuing education classes. Shelley Mitchell, stu- dent services director, said that the early start calendar had two more full five-day weeks than the late start calendar. Since the calendar adoption in April, close-by districts have adopted a calendar beginning after La- bor Day. Foster said that end- ing in mid-June conflicted with FFA state competition and oth- er possible state or national level competitions. Board con- sensus was that beginning the school year after Labor Day was in the best interest of stu- dents, and agreed to change the calendar to the later start. The board revised the budg- et calendar, with the budget committee’s first meeting on May 28. The board may also call a special meeting for the public hearing on the 2009- 2010 budget. Questions about these public meetings may be Mark Hamm 503-324-7317 or 503-319-5228 330A S Main St.,Banks CCB#164221 directed to the district office at 503-324-8591. Council reviews Depot St. parking From page 12 A second reading was held regarding an amendment to the city’s ordinance identifying and regulating dangerous dogs. Hough told council that, as part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Ore- gon Department of Transporta- tion (ODOT) has set aside five million dollars for a Small Cities Economic Stimulus Program. Council earlier this year identi- fied the repaving of Oak Way as a high priority transportation project. Council approved a grant application for the ODOT program. The Transportation Develop- ment Tax (TDT) is in place and scheduled to begin on July 1, 2009. In order to participate in the collection and use of the TDT, the city council must adopt a resolution authorizing the administration of the tax. Using a template drafted by Washington County, Council adopted the necessary resolu- tion. In response to recently re- stored No Parking signs on the south side of Depot Street, Pastor Brian Shimer of Banks Community United Church has requested that the parking re- strictions be rescinded. After conferring with the Banks Fire District about applicable fire codes regarding street width, the city found that four parking spaces could be created if par- allel parking is permitted on the wide end of the south side of Depot Street, but that the nar- row part should remain a no parking area on the south side and the curb should be painted yellow. Council confirmed the parking restrictions on Deport Street, but authorized parking on the south wide portion of the street. Council discussed three Charter amendments. A deci- sion regarding annexation pro- cedures was tabled for next month’s meeting; allowing the mayor to vote was declined 4-2; and changing the mayoral term from four years to two years was adopted unanimously. The next City Council meet- ing will be held June 9 at 7:30 p.m. in City Hall. S TRASSEL ’ S A UTO R EPAIR & H YDRAULIC H OSES 2-4-6 S PIRAL W IRE S UCTION H OSES A DAPTORS - 3/16” TO 2” A MERICAN & M ETRIC F ITTINGS B ULK O IL P RODUCTS 276 S UNSET , B ANKS 503-324-9808 Ye Olde Dingheiser Pub & Restaurant N OW S ERVING ! Custom Hand Crafted Yard Ornaments, Fences & Decks Page 13 No Custom Work Jim’s Famous Bar-B-Que 11a.m - 6 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays CHERRY PRODUCTS Auto Body & Paint 1875 E. Baseline Cornelius 503-359- 5993 660 So. Main, Banks • 503-324-2171 VISA - MC - ATM Access BEER • WINE • FOOD KEGS & ICE TO GO Lunch Dinner and Cocktails Served Daily 11:00 am – Closing CLOSED MONDAYS 47100 NW Sunset Hwy. Manning • 324-4848