Year end hectic for students, teachers, administrators

The Odessa School Board met May 27 in the high school library.

Three students taking the Advanced Science Research class each presented a brief description of the work they performed this school year. Johnathon Brightwell described his research on finding a cheaper, less environmentally toxic substance for rocket fuel. He is working with a professor at Eastern Washington University on his research. Elizabeth Larson described her research on the relationship of price to UV protection level provided by sunglasses. Her research showed that all the sunglasses she studied provided the same level of protection. Thorsen Wehr described his research on computer storage and operation, explaining the evolution of storage capacity of digital information and how his innovation could greatly increase capacity. His initial investigation has proved promising and he plans to continue his research in college if he can find an academic sponsor.

The board approved:

n Hiring a special education teacher for 2015-2016, Danielle Vesneske, who will also serve as the summer school teacher.

n The stipend for Marianne Iksic following her certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

n The resignations of Justin Ikehara as head junior-high girls volleyball coach, Denise Hoffman as head junior-high girls basketball coach, Rachel Roberts as assistant junior-high girls basketball coach, Tyson Linstrum as the assistant junior-high boys basketball coah and head junior-high baseball coach and Amy Hunt as winter cheer coach.

n Agreements with Odessa Memorial Healthcare Center for the 2015-2016 school year for physical therapy and occupational therapy services.

n Summer camps for junior-high volleyball (June 16-20) in Odessa, high-school volleyball (June 24-26) in Odessa and a joint high-school and junior-high football team camp in Odessa (July 6-8). The camp will include all interested junior- and senior-high players (but not competing against each other; drills and contact will be age- and skill-level appropriate).

Superintendent’s report

Superintendent Suellen White has been working with new superintendent Dan Read on planning for next year. Several teaching positions have not yet been finalized, ag being of the most concern as options are explored to continue agriculture education in the high school. Options include hiring a traditional ag teacher or introducing a program of a general ag class for 8th- and 9th-graders taught by a conditionally certified ag teacher and a combination of work-based learning and classroom agriculture mechanics class. Work-based learning would involve a controlled learning experience for students at business locations within the community, with specific expectations for the learning that will take place. Read, the new superintendent, is certified to oversee such a program.

White recommended hiring Julie Wehr to teach sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade science next year, increasing her teaching load by one class. Jeff Wehr, currently teaching 8th-grade science, would then be available to teach a computer class that would include coding, web design, app development and basic hardware as an elective class.

White said negotiations with teachers and classified staff have gone well, with classified staff completed and only one matter on the teacher proposal to deal with. The board should be able to ratify contracts at the June meeting.

The staff met to evaluate the highly-capable program as required, reviewing the process of recruiting, screening, assessing and providing appropriate programs based on the needs identified. No changes were suggested.

The staff also identified technology needs for next year, with requests for another iPad lab in the elementary school, another Chromebook lab for the high school and additional laptops for teachers and administrators.

Graduation will be Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m. Board chair Ed Deife will be out of town that weekend, so Joe Schlomer will join Heather Valverde in presenting the diplomas.

Principal’s report

Principal Jamie Nelson presented her report in writing as she was attending her daughter’s dance recital that was held at the same time.

Student-led conferences on April 29 were well attended by parents.

So many grandparents came to lunch April 30 that the overflow had to be accommodated in the library and a classroom.

State testing is nearly finished. Bev Scherr handled every aspect of the testing and kept it running smoothly.

The Odessa jr./sr. high band marched in the rainy Lilac Parade, Casey Schlomer representing Odessa as Miss Odessa on the community float.

Seniors last school day is June 5, and June 12 for all others with dismissal at 10:30 a.m.

Upcoming events include a school-wide assembly June 3, the band playing at Silverwood on June 4 and the junior-high students making their annual fishing trip on June 4.

Clubs

Student body officers for next year: Katie DeWulf, president; Chance Messer, vice president; Zoe Clark, secretary; Alexis Burdick, treasurer and Molly Schafer, assistant treasurer. The current ASB Members liked Casey Schlomer’s drive and determination during the elections and nominated her to fill the seat of “officer of publicity.”

FFA news: Three FFA students participated in the Jr. Livestock Show in Spokane, and 13 students attended the state FFA conference held in Pullman April 14-17.

FBLA news: Students are fundraising for their trip to Chicago for the national convention.Sports

The Titan baseball team and golf team members went all the way to the district playoffs before their seasons ended.

One member of the high-school tennis team and 12 members of the track and field team will go on to state competition.

Junior-high baseball and track teams had successful seasons, winding up with a baseball barbeque and a track swim party.

Third- through sixth-graders will travel to St. John May 29 to compete in a multi-district track meet with seven other elementary schools. Each student who wishes can participate in up to three events. Jeff Nelson is organizing the event.

Facilities

Facilities Director Justin Parr and superintendent White presented the facilities committee recommendations and findings from their recent meeting. Parr has been working to get bids from various vendors for the items on the summer wish list. The biggest item is a new integrated phone, intercom and bell system. The existing systems are not integrated, and “bandaids” have been applied to keep them operating. Each is vital to the operation and safety of the students, staff and facility. Bids are at approx. $80,000 for all systems. Parr is working with the two companies who submitted bids to find ways to reduce the price without compromising the final product. The board asked to be kept informed about the negotiations but did not approve the project pending provision of the final numbers.

Other projects on the list include replacing the floor coverings in the junior high and high school science rooms at an estimated cost of approx. $22,000. The board approved the request in light of the fact that the junior-high science room has exposed, cracked vinyl asbestos tile which is permitting ants to come inside through the floor. The material to be used on this project will be evaluated for eventual use in the cafeteria. The board also approved installation of a fume hood in the science room and the building of a ramp to provide handicapped access to the grandstand at the athletic field.

Legislature

White reported that the state house of representatives has passed legislation to remove the end-of-course biology exam as a graduation requirement. The bill now goes to the senate.

White presented the financial report showing a May enrollment count of 211.5 full-time equivalent students, down two from last month. She will recommend using 200 as the planning number in the budget for next year. The ending cash balance for April was $739,629.

The board approved a resolution granting authority to WIAA to control the extracurricular athletic program.

The board approved assurances provided to current classified employees of their continued employment for 2015-2016.

The board made no changes to the current fee schedule, and school meal prices will also remain the same.

The board approved adding the names of Pam Williams and Dan Read to that of Juli Weishaar as authorized representatives of the school able to speak with Bank of America representatives regarding credit card/banking issues. Weishaar said she is looking into another method of accessing credit for immediate purchases for next year but needs to share the authority she has with Bank of America until this change can occur.

Bev Scherr presented a curriculum adoption request from Laura Caler for Shakespear’s Hamlet to be used in her junior and senior English classes. Scherr said the play will be used in both Caler’s advanced-placement and general English classes but will be presented differently in each. Scherr also presented a request for adoption of a library curriculum to be used by librarian Lindsy Starkel. The board approved both requests.

Policies recommended by school nurse Jolene Erickson and School Nurse Corp supervisor from ESD 101 were presented and approved on first reading: service animals in schools, district relationship with law enforcement and other government agencies, staff safety, infection control program and nutrition and physical fitness.

The board approved for Marianne Iksic to be granted a leave of absence for one class period during the next academic year. The psychology class she taught this year will not be offered next year.

The board had a lengthy debate concerning hiring Julie Wehr as a half-time teacher for next year. The debate centered around trying to find a full-time agriculture education teacher who could also teach two periods of science. There are not enough class periods available to hire a full-time ag teacher. The debate also included whether adding an elective in computer science was advisable when filling agriculture science classes can be difficult due to low student enrollment and limited opportunities for electives. Following the debate, the board by a 4-to-1 vote approved the hiring of Julie Wehr as a half-time science teacher, leaving Jeff Wehr with the ability to offer a computer science elective.

The semi-annual athletic co-operative meeting of the Harrington and Odessa school boards will take place June 10 at 7 p.m. in Harrington’s multipurpose room.

The next regular meeting of the Odessa board will be June 24 at 7 p.m. with a board workshop preceding at 6:30 p.m.