School receives banner, plaque from OSPI

At the March 28 meeting of the Odessa School Board, Dennis Milliken, director of the STEM program at the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) awarded a banner and plaque commemorating the STEM Lighthouse Award made to the Odessa Schools. Superintendent Suellen White described to him how the $20,000 cash award has been used. He congratulated the district on its willingness to share its success with neighboring districts and said this fact was a large part of the award.

Prior to the meeting a workshop was held to discuss new job descriptions and organization of the school district’s Maintenance and Facilities Department. The board approved the new Custodian/Maintenance & Facilities Supervisor and Custodian/Maintenance II job descriptions, along with the organizational structure of the department.

The hiring of Chris Shafer as the softball coach was approved, as were the resignations of Ken Scherr as assistant boys basketball coach and Harrington coaches Kelsie Mann and Libby Hutsell, who ran the junior high volleyball program last fall.

The board also approved amendments to the policies discussed at the previous workshop concerning board organization, the K-2 Read Well curriculum for writing and the FBLA trip to Seattle for the state competition.

Principal Ken Schutz commended Ellen and Craig Holman for their efforts in directing the school musical, the community members who helped out and all the students who have parts in it.

Schutz said that Odessa’s participation in the Teacher/Principal Evaluation Pilot (TPEP) program continues. Odessa teachers involved in the training provide important information about the program to their peers, thus helping to counteract the negative focus of the legislature and the media, he said.

Participating in spring sports this year are 67 student athletes from both schools.

Schutz congratulated the Knowledge Bowl Team for a second place state finish, accomplished without all of its starting members due to the date conflicting with that of the Bi-County prom held at Fairchild Airforce Base. He said about 80% of Odessa students attended the prom this year among the 800 or so who came from all of the Bi-County schools. He said the planning committee will be looking for a new venue for next year.

Preschool

White and board member Karma Henry met with the preschool board concerning the district accepting responsibility for operation of the preschool. A community forum for families with young children will be held April 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the school cafeteria to discuss the possibility.

Technology

White also discussed new technology purchases based on the priorities established in a meeting of the teachers. The business lab computers have been replaced and a new MAC-based video-editing computer has been added and has proved to be very popular. The district received 24 refurbished computers from “Computers 4 Kids,” which have been deployed based on the needs described by the staff.

One new iPad was purchased for each elementary classroom (grades K-4). They are to be tested by the teachers for effectiveness as educational tools and for teacher productivity. Each classroom also has teaching technology tools, mounted projectors and document cameras. Classrooms with Smart Boards were provided with Smart digital document cameras.

Conference

Karma Henry gave mixed reviews of the sessions she attended at the Small Schools Conference. Marcus Horak and Travis Wagner said the best part of the conference was presentations given by Odessa science students. Ed Deife said he learned some things about budgeting that he will share later.

Finances

The financial report showed the district has a $684,310 cash balance at the end of February.

The board approved the purchase of a new bus for $98,276. The district currently has $89,081 in the Transportation Vehicle Fund but should receive over $44,000 in depreciation with the September apportionment before the bus is delivered.

Substitute teachers

The board approved raising the pay for certificated substitute teachers to $110 a day from the current $95. The board also approved the elimination of mileage payments for out-of-district substitute teachers. The board was informed that there were not enough available substitutes to fill the district's needs and approved qualified board members as substitutes. Board member Karma Henry indicated that she would be available to substitute but only if other substitutes were given the first opportunity. She also recused herself from discussion or voting on the substitute pay and the need for more substitutes.

Superintendent

The board approved a three-year contract for Suellen White as Superintendent for 125 days a year at the same pay she is currently receiving.

Mutual aid

The board approved a mutual-aid agreement with OMHC in case of disaster. The district would provide buses and drivers in emergencies and whatever other aide was needed. Common sense will be used in making sure the needs of students are met in the process of providing whatever aid is needed with OMHC.

The board approved a change in policy regarding what employees are paid when they must use their own vehicle for travel. The published government rate will now be used. This rate changes from time to time, and the district will comply with the published rate. Since district vehicles are most often used, having to pay this mileage is a rare occurence.

The board approved the 2012-2013 academic calendar. School will start August 29 and be out June 7.

The next board meeting will be held April 25 in the school library, with a workshop on policy at 6:30 p.m. and the regular meeting starting at 7 p.m.