School board approves new hires, new bus, school calendar

At its March 26 meeting, the Odessa School Board approved the hiring of Tommy Galloway as assistant high school baseball coach and Tyson Linstrum as head junior high baseball coach and Lindsy Starkel as the new library paraprofessional to replace a retiring Apryl Wraspir, as well as overnight travel for the state FFA trapshooting team.

The board approved the purchase and installation of carpet in the elementary and junior high hallways and in the preschool classroom.

Transportation

White presented the bus bids obtained by transportation supervisor Keith Kolterman. The board approved purchase of a bus with an International DT 466 engine. The board also chose to purchase a bus with a lift that can also be used as a route bus if only one wheelchair space is needed. The cost of the bus is $101,566.67 plus the cost of the extra seats needed to convert the wheelchair slots to regular seating. The transportation vehicle fund has a balance of $92,000. The board will have to authorize an interfund loan to cover the difference in cost.

Principal’s report

Principal Ken Schutz reported on March activities of students, including the following:

• Knowledge Bowl took eighth place at the state competition.

• Advanced science students Thorsen Wehr, grand champion, and Alexa Boss, first place, in the senior division at the regional competition both earned a trip to Los Angeles for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.

• Honor band and choir performed at Spokane’s INB Performing Arts Center for the Bi-County Music Festival.

• At the Bi-County Academic Contest, Odessa students won the most awards since the district began keeping records.

• Activities under the Physical Education Program (PEP) grant

• Visits from other schools wanting to view successful programs the Odessa District operates

• The musical Robin Hood

• Senior presentations

• 8th-grade Robotics Challenge in Zillah.

Superintendent’s report

Superintendent Suellen White reported that with retirements leading to staff turnover, planning for next year has been a priority in her office. White reported one item needing to be addressed is the 6th grade trip to Camp Wooten.

White reported on her attendance at the Small Schools Conference in Yakima, where a major presentation was made on poverty and how it affects schools. White plans to study the topic with the staff as part of professional development.

Board member Ed Deife also attended the Small Schools Conference and said he felt the lack of breakout sessions diminished the usefulness of the conference. He attended a presentation by the Kettle Falls School District on Robotics as a class substitute for math and science credits.

Board member Travis Wagner inquired if it were possible to teach Home Economics classes. While the administration supports the idea, students don’t have much room in their schedules for electives given the number of graduation requirements imposed by the state. Summer programs to teach students sewing skills was discussed, as was the use of the PEP grant for cooking and nutrition classes.

Facilities report

Head custodian Justin Parr reported that the trees around the school have been trimmed. He is now busy preparing the athletic fields for spring sports. Along with baseball coach Larry Weber, the baseball team and their parents, Parr led a workday on the baseball field. Board members inquired about weed spraying, and Parr explained that weather conditions have to be just right. There is a 48-hour window after application during which fields cannot be used, and it has been difficult to schedule the spray application.

Parr reported there would be no recommendation on the reader board sign at this time.

White said the Ag Advisory Committee had appointed Brad Greenwalt, Landon Lobe and Dusti (Campbell) Kissler to serve on a selection committee to find a consulting firm to help with planning on what to do about the Ag Shop building, which is in poor condition. Travis Wagner and Ed Deife were appointed by the board to also serve on the committee. A call for qualifications for consultants is due this Friday, and the committee will meet April 8 to review the applications.

Financial report

White provided a spreadsheet showing the revenue increase the district will receive next school year based on recent legislative action. The district will receive $33,633 in new funding but will lose approximately $17,000 in transportation funding using the new state formula.

White said the ending cash reserve in the general fund at the end of February was $539,565. Enrollment remained the same as it has all year, except for the addition of one foreign exchange student.

Legislative report

Schutz reported that the major policy initiatives passed by the state legislature requiring 1080 hours of high school instruction and 24 credits for graduation will not affect local students as the district already exceeds those requirements. The legislature also allowed students and staff to take up to two days per year for religious reasons, however staff leave would be without pay. By the year after next, Schutz said, the district will have to offer CTE classes that can be cross-credited for math and science to help meet the new three-credit math and science graduation requirements.

Other

Bev Scherr presented the physical education curriculum, “Focused Fitness,” to be purchased by the Educational Services District (ESD) as part of the PEP Grant. The program is based in Spokane, so professional-development assistance will be easily accessible.

The school calendar for 2014-2015 was adopted by the board with only a few changes from the current calendar. There will be no school on the Friday of Fest, and there will be only one Friday early release at semester’s end for grade preparation.

The board held an executive session to discuss the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate.