Staff set for 2014-2015 school year

At its April 23 meeting, the Odessa School Board approved contracts for the 2014-2015 academic year for all certificated teachers currently employed. It also approved the hiring of a new Kindergarten teacher recommended by the hiring committee, Jill Larson. Larson currently teaches in Wilson Creek but applied for the open Odessa position in order to join the faculty where her husband, Odessa third-grade teacher Tim Larson, also teaches. The Larsons also have their home in Odessa. The Kindergarten job became available when current teacher Maria Schuh opted to teach fifth-grade science (following the retirement of current teacher Sam Read), plus offer art classes for most grades.

The board also approved the hiring committee’s recommendation to hire Jeff Nelson as a physical education (PE) teacher and possible coach. Nelson currently teaches at LaCrosse/Washtucna. He will take over the PE classes of Sam Read, as well as some of the classes currently taught by Bruce Todd who, as reported earlier, takes over next year as athletic director. Todd will also continue to teach PE, just not as many classes as he currently does.

The only remaining program needing an instructor is the foreign-language class. With Jackie Allington’s retirement, the district is looking for someone to take over the Spanish instruction begun by Allington or to offer another language instead, although that would create a hardship for students who have already completed a year of Spanish instruction.

The board also provided Classified Employment Assurances for continued employment to all current classified employees for 2014-2015.

The board approved the revision of Policy #4215: Use of Tobacco & Nicotine Products, to add e-cigarettes and vapor devices to the policy prohibiting tobacco and nicotine products.

PEP report

Superintendent Suellen White reported on plans for using the $20,000 from the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant for health, nutrition and physical fitness instruction and/or activities. The School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) decided approximately $5,000 will be reserved for a Nutrition and Fitness Summer School Camp planned to be held during three four-day weeks in midsummer if it can be scheduled around other community summer activities. The SHAC also recommends reserving $3,500 to prepare two separate areas for school gardens, one on the hill next to the gym at the high school entrance and the other just outside the cafeteria.

The superintendent recommended adding $1,500 to Bev Scherr’s contract for the data collection, recording, reporting and local grant management activities required by the program. All other funds were to be reserved for purchasing exercise equipment proposed under the grant and recommended by Bruce Todd. The equipment would be put in two outdoor locations – on the concrete outside the band room and at the athletic fields – with the cost divided up between two different years of the grant. White showed the board examples of the types of equipment planned, including a sit-up bench, pull-up and dip bars and push-up bars. The SHAC also discussed the possibility of extending the period the town pool is open through the second week in September to provide swimming as a PE activity. The funding would come out of next year’s allocation.

Principal’s report

Principal Ken Schutz reported on the many activities going on at school. He told the board he wants to make a presentation on evaluations so board members can understand the whole-year nature of the new system.

He recommended and the board approved overnight travel for FFA students to the Spokane Jr. Livestock Show next week and the FFA State Convention.

He reported that 20 of the 34 local students who attended the state FBLA conference qualified to go to the National Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tenn. this summer. The advanced science research class will be sending two students to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles.

He said all members of the senior class are on track to graduate, having passed required state tests. This year for the first time some students have had to submit a Collection of Evidence in place of passing the state exams. Some students have difficulty in testing situations but have the skills and knowledge necessary to graduate. This process provides a means for demonstrating those skills and knowledge.

Schutz thanked the local fire district for sponsoring a fire safety assembly for students in pre-school through fourth grade.

Student leaders accompanied Schutz to a regional meeting where they heard from the principal of Columbine High School in Colorado who was also the principal there at the time of the tragic school shooting. He told students that it was important for them to report things about other students having difficulties that might lead to drastic behavior. Students from the region then brainstormed ways to improve the school culture for safety. An evening assembly was held for students and their families, targeted mainly to those in middle school.

The “Book-It” theater group presented the “Phantom Toll Booth,” receiving great reviews. There was also a recent Laser Science Assembly for K-12 students.

Schutz ended his report by reminding everyone he served as the principal at the Darrington School District for eight years before coming to Odessa and knew many of those lost in the Oso mudslide. He traveled to Darrington over spring break and volunteered in the community. He said Odessa students are preparing a banner of support to send to Darrington High School.

Facilities

Justin Parr, Facilities Director, said that this is the time of year when he spends much of his time fertilizing, weed spraying and preparing athletic fields for play.

Other

White said the school has an opportunity to comment on proposed new federal regulations from USDA about School Health Policies. She noted, however, that the increased regulations do not include funding to help provide the activities or to provide the record-keeping necessary for reporting.

The financial report for the end of March showed enrollment at the same level it has been at all year. There was $549,686 in the cash reserve fund.

The date of next regular meeting will be May 28, with a workshop 6:30 p.m. and the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. in the high school library.

The Building Facility Steering Committee met twice in the previous month to screen and hear presentations by architectural companies to help with planning what to do about the Ag Science building. The committee is not ready to make a recommendation but will meet again April 30 to hear more from the two companies being considered.