School board report

The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the high school library at 7 p.m., April 27, 2016, with board chairman Ed Deife; board members Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley and Janie Steward; superintendent Dan Read; principal Jamie Nelson and business manager Juli Weishaar present. Athletic director Bruce Todd, facilities supervisor Justin Parr and Terrie Schmidt-Crosby of The Odessa Record also attended.

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the March 23, 2016 meeting, payroll warrants and direct deposit warrants totaling $234,545.72, general fund A/P warrants totaling $49,297.30, ASB Fund A/P warrants totaling $22,647.97, general fund A/P void warrant for $700 and ASB Fund A/P void/re-issue warrant for $223.83. Also included were the hiring of Leland Smith as a bus driver, and the resignations of the following coaches: LaRee Kuchenbuch (HS asst. girls basketball), Kate Wenzl (JH asst. volleyball, JH head girls basketball and JH asst. track. Policy 6700 on Nutrition and Physical Fitness (second reading) was also approved.

Read reported that April's K-12 enrollment remained constant at 224.4 full-time equivalent students..

The district will once again operate a summer food service program under the direction of Nancy Glines. The district's summer school program will run Monday through Thursday from July 18 to August 11.

Read said he walked district property with town officials and identified portions of some sidewalks that would be replaced under a grant recently awarded to the Town of Odessa. He said the facilities committee will meet to discuss the project and how the district may choose have some sidewalks replaced when town projects begin this summer.

The district is finalizing options for adoption of a new K-8 math curriculum and will bring a recommendation to the next board meeting.

Nelson reported on the fantastic job done by the students who performed in and helped out with the school musical. Jeff Wehr took five students to the State Science Fair in Bremerton, where all placed first or second, and Wehr received the honor of Washington State Science Teacher of the Year. Approximately 100 students and family members attended the Family Fitness Night on April 18, highlighting health and wellness. Nine students were recently inducted into the National Honor Society. Student-led conferences were well attended, and students were prepared for their presentations.

Nelson read a long list of awards earned by students at the FBLA State Conference and congratulated them for being awarded the 2016 Washington State Outstanding Chapter Award. Molly Schafer was elected to the Washington State FBLA office of Executive Vice President, Zoe Clark for being selected Washington State's Who's Who in FBLA, Katie DeWulf for receiving the FBLA Professional Division Scholarship for $2,000 and Terri King for receiving the Outstanding Advisor Award for Washington state.

Nelson concluded by reporting upcoming FFA activities include the annual plant sale during Spring Fling, the Jr. Livestock Show in Spokane in May and State FFA in Pullman.

Athletic Director Bruce Todd said spring sports teams are entering the post-season playoffs. Both the high school boy's baseball and high school girl's tennis teams are in the running for a state academic achievement award. Notifications for open coaching positions will be posted soon.

Read said an eight-member Education Funding Task Force has been formed by legislators to define what basic education encompasses and to seek funding avenues for the future.

Operations supervisor Justin Parr gave kudos to Kevin Schaefer for his hard work in getting the grounds in top condition. He reported transportation scheduling for sports activities and field trips during the spring has been a top priority.

Chris Crossley shared her observations as a chaperone at the state FBLA conference, commending students for their hard work, poise and talent. She praised FBLA advisor Terri King and her speech coaches for their dedication to helping each student reach his or her potential in the various competitions.

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for March, as well as the Financial Activity reports for the General Fund showing revenue at $276,663 and expenditures at $328,274 for an ending balance of $470,941.

The next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. The board scheduled a board workshop at 6:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.

The board approved a workday reduction request to half time from paraprofessional JoEllen Wollman for the next school year.

Read recommended the hiring of Charli Moffet and Kendall Todd as summer school teachers for the district's program being offered Monday through Thursday from July 18 to August 11.

The board provided unanimous approval.

The board also approved the first reading of Policy 3246 on Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Reasonable Force. Read explained that the policy required updates due to legislative action and language that is required surrounding notification of parents and limitations on the use of restraints.

The board also approved Resolution #6-2015-16, allowing the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to control, supervise and regulate activities consistent with the rules and regulations of the WIAA.