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About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (May 19, 2011)
The INDEPENDENT, May 19, 2011 Page 11 Chalk Talk Chalk Talk is a column of information about Vernonia schools. This column was provided by Superintendent Dr. Ken Cox. The new school site, as seen on May 18. Concrete is being laid and the proj- ect is on schedule, but obviously has a long way to go before the doors open. 47J District budget causes staff cuts The Vernonia School District Budget Committee held their first budget meeting of the year, prior to the May 12 regular school board meeting. Three new members were appointed to the budget committee; Brett Costley, Don Schulte, and Evan Stahlnecker were all ap- proved and seated before the budget was presented. The budget message pre- sented an anticipated decrease of more than $100,000 dollars over last year’s income, and a loss of 10 contract days for the next school year, to the same level as 2008-09. Some “signif- icant staffing cuts” are also ex- pected. Those anticipated staffing cuts resulted in a student walk- out protest earlier this week, when students left school to ral- ly at the nearby home of Steve Whiteman, whose position at the high school was originally going to be part-time, but the position was cut in this budget. Additional staff cuts include the loss of middle school Social Studies teacher Ted Aubin, the half time Fundraising Coordina- tor position held by Betsy Miller, and the part-time Athletic Direc- tor position held by Gordon Jar- man. Changes in staffing will occur in the Facilities Manage- ment area, with Maintenance Supervisor Tom Ramsey being replaced by a one-day a week consultant position. Washington Grade School may have physical education four days a week instead of five, while art and band will be taught five periods a week in- stead of six. That will result in larger class sizes. Two part- time secretaries and two part- time instructional assistants will most likely be reassigned. All of these changes are subject to final approval by the school board of directors after the budget committee finishes their deliberations, though the district does not anticipate be- ing able to add these positions back in for this fiscal year. In other business at the reg- ular board meeting, the board: • Approved the 2010-11 cal- endar change making Wednes- day, June 15, the last student school day; • approved a new set of rec- ommendations from the Facili- ties Evaluation Committee, that included a storm line redesign, removal of planned HVAC screens on the roof and design changes to some classrooms to use until the Vernonia Rural Sustainability Center is built; • heard that construction at the new school site is on schedule. The next budget meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on May 26 at the district office, while the next regular board meeting will be held starting at 6:00 p.m. at the district office on June 9. Scholarships for some military families Freedom Alliance is now ac- cepting college scholarship ap- plications from the children of military heroes for the academ- ic year which begins in Sep- tember 2011. Freedom Alliance sponsors this program to honor the service of Americans in our Armed Forces who have been killed or permanently disabled by helping their children achieve a college education. Students are eligible if they are the dependent son or daughter of a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine or Guardsman who has been killed or permanently disabled (100% VA disability rating) as a result of an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently classified as a Prison- er of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). Students must be a high school senior or gradu- ate, or registered as a full time undergraduate and under the age of 26. “We want every eligible stu- dent to have the opportunity to apply and get the assistance they deserve,” said Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgan- non. “These scholarships help the sons and daughters of American heroes with the cost of a college education, but they also serve as a reminder to the student that their parent’s sacri- fice will never be forgotten by a grateful nation.” In 2010, Freedom Alliance awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to college stu- dents who have had a parent sacrifice life or limb for our country. In total, more than $4 million has been awarded over the years by Freedom Alliance, and the organization is current- ly providing scholarships to 225 students at schools throughout the United States. Scholarships may be used at colleges or universities; com- munity colleges; vocational or technical schools. To learn more about the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund and/or to apply please visit http://www.fascholarship. com/ or call 800-475-6620. The application deadline is July 31, 2011. Last day of school is June 15. At last week’s board meeting the board approved the final ad- justment to the school calendar, making the last day of school for students Wednesday June 15th – that is less than a month away. It’s hard to believe, but summer is almost here! In four short weeks our students will be out of school and look- ing for things to do. Fortunately, thanks to some concerned par- ents, volunteers, local civic organizations, and both the Vernonia and St. Helens School Districts, we will be hosting a summer meals program starting June 20th. We will be serving breakfast at 8:30 and then have some scheduled activities from 9:00 to 11, with lunch at 11:30 at the VHS Cafeteria. In order to make the program successful we would like to get an estimate of how many children would be interested in attend- ing. All children, ages 1 through 18 years-old are eligible (and those over 18 who are still enrolled in school). Please take a mo- ment to let us know if you are interested or if you have questions about this wonderful opportunity, by contacting Cathy Meyer at ei- ther 503-522-5311 or 503-429-8033. While the food is being provided by the St. Helens School Dis- trict and the USDA Summer Food Service Program, and the facil- ities provided by the Vernonia School District, the activities and support for the program will be sponsored by many, including the following partners: Pioneer Baptist Fellowship, Vernonia Hands- On-Art, Vernonia Community Theater, Vernonia Prevention Coali- tion, Master Gardeners, Foster Grandparents Program, Hunger Relief Coalition, Community Volunteers, and the Community Ac- tion Team. Our thanks to the many dedicated individuals who worked so hard to make this opportunity for our children a reality. Please call and make sure your children join in the fun and get a good break- fast and lunch all summer long! Creatures PET SUPPLIES PET SUPPLIES We have Cute Cuddly Kittens Looking for Homes (503-429-PETS (7387) www.creaturespetshop.com 736 Bridge St. Vernonia OPEN Mon-Sat 10-6 Vernonia Veterinary Clinic Formerly Midway Veterinary Clinic Monday, Wednesday & Saturday 700 Weed Avenue Vernonia
