Complaint handling discussed; lawmakers may raise levy cap

The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the high school library on March 27, 2019, preceded by a board workshop held in the superintendent’s office for the purpose of reviewing the budget and staffing.

Present were board chair Ed Deife; board members Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley, Janie Steward and Carmen Weishaar; Superintendent Dan Read; Principal Jamie Nelson; Business Manager Juli Weishaar and Facilities/Transportation Director Justin Parr.

The board approved the consent agenda, including the minutes of the February 26, 2019 regular meeting; payroll warrants #611843-611867 and direct deposit warrants #900006801-900006858 for a total of $287,948.35; General Fund A/P warrants #611868-611922, for $101,841.04; ASB Fund A/P warrants #611923-611937, for $21,309.41; ASB Fund A/P void warrant #611745 for $300; a General Fund comp tax wire transfer for $413.05; ASB Fund comp tax wire transfer for $75.31 and travel to the State FFA conference in Pullman, May 8-12, 2019.

Superintendent’s report

Read reported an enrollment of 247.2 full-time equivalent students for the month of March.

Read distributed a letter addressed to the school board and administration from a patron that focused on dissatisfaction with the behavior of a coach and the administration’s perceived lack of handling of a complaint properly. Read shared with the board that significant time and resources were spent handling the reported issue and the district did exactly what they could do based upon the information that had surfaced and was available.

He also presented another sports-related concern surrounding games and practices that have been scheduled during winter and spring breaks that ultimately take away the ability of families to spend time together or schedule vacations. It was decided that the discussion would continue at the next board meeting when Athletic Director Bruce Todd would be available to share his and various coaches’ perspectives on the matter.

Principal’s report

Nelson reported that the P-12 headcount enrollment is holding steady at 263 students.

She reported that Maddie Scrupps, Natosha Boss, Megan Shafer, Colton Messer, Destiny German and Josie Westmoreland all placed first in their respective fields at the Regional Science Fair in Spokane, with Josie winning the grand prize and a trip to Arizona to compete at the International Science Fair.

Nelson reported that the pep band played all four days at the state basketball tournament in Spokane and a number of students also played in the Honor Band performance at the INB Performing Arts Center in Spokane.

Upcoming activities include Spring Break, State FBLA at Bremerton in April, and Grandparent’s Day on April 25.

Board report

Chairman Deife shared he had recently toured the Ag Shop and was impressed with the projects the students were making and on how well the greenhouse looked. He commended HaLee Walter on the great job she is doing.

AD report

Nelson read Athletic Director Todd’s written report to the board which included the following information:

Spring sports are under way with the first high school baseball game on March 25 and the first high school track meet scheduled for March 29 in Connell.

Junior high track practice began March 25. The final schedules for junior high track and baseball have been completed.

Legislative report

Read reported that the House capital and operational budget has been released and the Senate budget would be released soon. The House budget does include some positive aspects for Odessa Schools, including a proposed increase in special education funding and a possible increase to the $1.50/$1,000 assessed value cap allowed on levy requests. He said it appeared that legislators now understand that the levy cap approved last legislative session was too low and does not allow school districts to provide the same level of programs and educational services as it did prior to the reduced levy cap.

Facilities Report

Facilities Director Justin Parr reported HVAC repairs are being completed in two classrooms and the Ag Shop. The district’s insurance company has accepted a bid for the roof repairs to the damage caused by the windstorm last month and an L&I inspection of the elevator found an issue with the intercom and with the door closure which have been scheduled for repair.

Parr said the final touches are being made to the baseball dugouts. Coach Weber arranged a work day over the weekend to get the field ready for the first baseball game. Work is continuing on the tennis courts, and Parr plans to cut the lines in the asphalt for the runways and pits later this week.

Washington State Patrol bus inspections performed recently went well with only two minor issues needing correction.

Financial report

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for February and the Financial Activity reports for General Fund for February showing an unassigned fund balance of $979,923.

Dual junior high spring sports pilot program

The board approved a one-year pilot program to offer dual junior high track and baseball as presented by the athletic director and discussed at the February board meeting.

Next regular meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held April 24, 2019 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, with a workshop scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.

Personnel changes

The board approved first-grade teacher Amy Hunt’s request for a leave of absence for the 2019-2020 school year.

The board also approved the resignation of Kim Todd from her teaching position at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year.

2018-2019 school calendar

Superintendent Read presented the 2019-2020 school calendar for board approval with the students’ first day being August 28, 2019, and the last day of school being June 10, 2020. Read noted input was received on several calendar options from staff prior to the recommendation of the final calendar proposal.