School returning to activities, but lacks sports coaches

ODESSA – The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the library and via ZOOM on Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 6 p.m., preceded by a workshop at 5:30 p.m. in the district office to review and discuss school board goals for the school year.

Present were board members Ed Deife, Janie Steward, Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley and Carmen Weishaar; Superintendent Dan Read, Principal Jamie Nelson; Assistant Business Manager Staci Claassen, Operations Supervisor Justin Parr and Athletic Director Bruce Todd.

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the September 23, 2020 regular board meeting; payroll warrants #613254-613269 and direct deposit warrants #900007897-900007952, for a total of $297,731.90; general fund A/P warrants #613270-613309 for $56,602.33 and ASB Fund A/P warrants #613310-613315 for $5,643.66; Policy #6225 concerning the Use of Electronic Signature (second reading) and the resignations of Rebecca Kolterman as head cook/nutrition director as of Aug. 31, 2021 and as a substitute bus driver, as well as Keith Kolterman as a substitute bus driver.

Superintendent's Report

Superintendent Read shared the latest positive COVID case numbers from the Lincoln County Health Department, as well as the decision tree index for in-person instruction from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Since the county is currently listed in the "high risk" category, Read recommended continuing with the current hybrid instruction model until numbers subside.

Discussion followed regarding the rescheduling of the parent/teacher conferences to November 23 and 24. The format will include mostly remote meetings with parents via phone or computer, with some in-person conferences also being scheduled.

Read finished with recommendations on how to proceed with out-of-season sports practices and weight room/gym use by outside entities, adding the need for caution in moving forward slowly and safely while monitoring successes and challenges before opening up activities and facility use any further.

Principal's Report

Principal Nelson reported that high school student extra-curricular activities are slowly beginning. The FBLA and FFA members have begun meeting, and a sign-up list for Knowledge Bowl is available in the office. High school football and volleyball out-of-season sports practices started last week with a large turnout. All extra-curricular sports and activities are following the guidelines of the Department of Health, OSPI and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

The National Honor Society has inducted new students with a formal ceremony in the spring of 2020. Congratulations to Kaya Kuchenbuch, Alyssa McKinney, Charleigh Cornett, Daeton Deife, Gage Starkel, Laela Hardung, Grace Nelson, Kaytlyn Shafer and Ashlyn Neilsen. Chapter members will join with the Odessa Food Bank to organize and deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to community families.

Nelson also reported that PreK through 5th-grade students visited a pumpkin patch in the school yard. Pumpkins were supplied by Brett Bair and delivered to Odessa by Joe and Gina Schlomer, along with Joyce McNeil. The 8th graders helped with unloading and creating the pumpkin patch.

Nelson reported teacher conferences will be held right before Thanksgiving break.

AD Report

Bruce Todd reported that out-of-season practice for high school football and volleyball began on October 19 and will end on November 13. High school basketball out-of-season practice will be from November 16 through December 18. Junior-high boys basketball out-of-season practices are currently being scheduled. Due to a lack of coaches, junior-high girls basketball is unable to schedule practices at this time.

Todd reported basketball, volleyball and football schedules will be available soon. Transportation and numbers of spectators allowed at games are issues that need to be discussed. No coaching applications have been received for high school head boys basketball, junio- high head girls basketball or junior-high head volleyball.

Legislative Report

Read shared the 2021 legislative priorities as established by the 59 school districts in the ESD 101 region. Highlights included: No mid-year reductions to funding, no new mandates, providing flexibility with funding and providing equitable technology access.

Facilities Report

Justin Parr reported the final walk-through for the roofing project will take place soon. The stadium roofing repair project will begin this weekend. Parr also reported the community garden fence is progressing. The new bus was picked up for a few repairs.

Financial Report

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for September. He further presented the Financial Activity reports for General Fund for September showing an unassigned fund balance of $1,143,337.96.

Date of Next Regular Meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, with a workshop scheduled at 5:30 p.m. prior to the regular meeting.

CTE Programs District-Wide Plan

Superintendent Read distributed and discussed the key elements of the district's 2020-2021 Career and Technical Education Programs.

Additional Items

The following items were unanimously approved by the board following the recommendations of Superintendent Read:

• The hiring of Kimberly Ryan as the senior class advisor/coordinator for graduation ceremony.

• Extra-curricular stipends for class and activities

• Policy 2410: High school graduation requirements

• Out-of-season practice stipends

• Eighth-graders for high school athletic programs

• Sixth-graders for junior-high athletic programs

• Dalles Deife as temporary volunteer high-school head boys basketball coach