Increase in levies adopted

The board of directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the high school library Wednesday, November 28, 2018 at 6 p.m., preceded by a workshop in the district office at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing the budget and discussing athletic programs.

Present were Ed Deife, Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley, Janie Steward, Carmen Weishaar, superintendent Dan Read, principal Jamie Nelson and business manager Juli Weishaar. Also present were Amy Schaefer, Justin Parr, Bruce Todd and Terrie Schmidt-Crosby.

There was no staff or public input.

The board approved the consent agenda which included the minutes of the October 24, 2018 regular meeting; the bills and payroll warrants for November for a total of $291,047.77; general fund A/P warrants for $51,792.24; a Capital Projects Fund A/P warrant for $6,212.16; ASB Fund A/P warrants for $12,639.60 and a Transportation Vehicle Fund A/P warrant for $110,491.04.

Superintendent’s report

Superintendent Read reported a K-12 November enrollment of 242.6 full-time equivalent students.

He updated the board on a request to possibly house FFA animals on school property, reminding them that he had previously contacted seven different schools that provide FFA programs and only two of them have a space for animals on school property. Neither of those districts had neighboring houses where issues could arise. Read told the board that the district had no current plans to purchase additional property despite the rumors circulating that the district was already looking into purchasing property for such purposes. The upcoming roof replacement is a priority and where funds are to be directed first. Others asked about leasing property for such use and insuring it through the school. Read indicated that this may be an option depending on cost and location, but he has not been approached by any landowners willing to provide such space.

Read passed out a handout from the Washington State School Directors Association conference that he and chairman Deife recently attended. It outlined the legislative priorities of numerous educational stakeholders from the state. Three common areas of concern are ensuring student health and safety, equitable funding for all school districts throughout the state, and funding for public school facilities.

Read finished his report by saying he had received notification that the food service audit was finished. He encouraged board members to thank head cook Becky Kolterman and elementary secretary Linnie Largent for their hard work in making sure the audit outcome was successful.

Principal’s report

Principal Nelson reported a P-12 headcount enrollment of 258 students.

Nelson reported on the Veteran’s Day assembly, the new National Honor Society inductees and various FBLA and FFA activities. Upcoming activities include student performances at the community Christmas Fest, K-5 Doughnuts for Dudes on December 5 and the annual school Christmas concerts on December 6 starting at 6 p.m.

Nelson reported that a new school-wide program, 5 Radical Minutes, has been implemented in classrooms three times per week. The program encourages conversation between all students, improves listening skills, increases eye contact and creates connections between students. Feedback from staff is that the students are participating and having good conversations.

Athletic Director report

Athletic director Bruce Todd said basketball practice has started for both high school boys and girls. Early season games have been rescheduled due to the extended football season.

The junior high girls are midway through their basketball season. The varsity team is currently undefeated and 17 girls are participating in the program.

Todd received a request from Harrington’s athletic director for two high school girls to come participate in Odessa’s basketball program due to lack of sufficient interest among Harrington girls and the possibility that the neighboring school will not be able to field a girls basketball game. Todd had discussions with administrators, coaches, Odessa high school girls participating in basketball and had also sent information to board members for discussion purposes.

Todd concluded his report by announcing that two Washington Interscholastic Activities Association amendments are up for approval regarding school classification changes. The first amendment proposes that the 1B cutoff be set at 104 students in grades 9-11 and the second amendment includes socio-economic factors.

Facilities report

Justin Parr reported that work on the dugouts will resume next spring when the finishing work will be done. Parr received notification that the new reader board shell has shipped. Grading and gravel on the new parking lot has been completed. Justin has contacted Avista Utilities regarding options for securing additional lighting of the property.

Parr had the new bus onsite for board members to check out. He reported that Dennis Hubbard had completed his bus driver training and would begin as a route and activity driver for the district on Monday.

Read added that he had received word that the Odessa district was not successful in obtaining a grant for the roof repair.

Financial report

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for October. He further presented the Financial Activity reports for the General Fund for October showing an unassigned fund balance of $777,709.

Next regular meeting

Due to the holidays, the next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at 6 p.m. in the high school library. The board scheduled a workshop at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.

Resolution #1-2018-19

Educational Programs and Operation Levy

The board approved Resolution #1-2018-2019:

“Whereas, the funds available for Odessa School District #105-157-166J, through presently scheduled programs, are insufficient to meet the needs of the district, and - - - - - Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved - - - that a special levy be held in the aforesaid district on the 12th day of February, 2019, - - - - - - - Which shall be submitted to the electors of said district for their approval or rejection in the form of the following ballot title: “Shall a replacement excess levy of $398,328 be collected in the year 2020, requiring approximately $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - - to be placed in the General Fund and used for Educational Programs and Operation’ - - - - - The aforesaid resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the aforesaid district on the 28th day of November, 2018 –”

Resolution #2-2018-19

Capital Levy for School

Improvements

The board also approved Resolution #2-2018-19:

“Whereas, the funds available for Odessa School District #105-157-166J through presently scheduled programs are insufficient to meet the needs of the district, and - - - - Now, therefore, be it hereby resolved - - - that a special levy be held in the aforesaid district on the 12th day of February, 2019, - - - - - - - Which shall be submitted to the electors of said district for their approval or rejection in the form of the following ballot title: ’be authorized to levy a one-year replacement tax levy be collected in the year 2020, the sum of $150,000, requiring approximately $0.56 per $1,000 of assessed valuation - - - to be placed in the Capital Projects Fund to be used to support the modernization of school facilities - - - of Odessa School District #105, Lincoln County, joint with #157, Adams County and #166J Grant County?” - - The aforesaid resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the aforesaid district on the 28th day of November, 2018 –“

Resolution #3-2018-19 Certification of 2019 Excess Property Taxes

“A RESOLUTION of the Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105-157-166J, Lincoln County, Washington, certifying to the Board of County Commissioners of Lincoln County, Washington and the Superintendent of Educational Service District 101, the amount of excess property taxes to be levied in year 2018 and collected in year 2019 for the District’s General Fund and Capital Projects Fund; and providing for related matters. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Odessa SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 105-157-166J, LINCOLN COUNTY, WASHINGTON, as follows:---Findings and Determinations. The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Odessa School District #105-157-166J, Lincoln County, Washington (the “District”) takes note of the following facts and makes the following findings and determinations: (a) By Resolution No. 2017-2018-05, the Board adopted a budget for Fiscal Year 2018-19 (the “2018-19 Budget”) that included certified General Fund replacement educational programs and operation excess property taxes in the amount of $362,716 to be levied in 2018 and collected in 2019. The Board has determined that the amount of the District’s General Fund replacement educational programs and operation excess tax levy previously certified in the 2018-19 Budget of $362,716 should now be increased to $386,000. (b) The 2018-19 Budget included certified Capital Projects Fund excess property taxes in the amount of $110,000 to be levied in 2018 and collected in 2019.--- The aforesaid resolution was adopted at a regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the aforesaid district on the 28th day of November, 2018 –”

Odessa Athletic Booster Club & Braune Family Foundation Donations

The board voted to accept a $2,000 donation from the Odessa Athletic Booster Club for the new reader board sign and a $3,000 donation from the Edmund & Darlene Braune Family Foundation.

Gym Use Fee Increase

January 1, 2019

The board voted to increase the gym/weight room use fee from $25 to $50 effective January 1, 2019.

Harrington Athletic

Participation Request

Chairman Deife called for motion regarding the Harrington athletic participation request. The request died due to a lack of motion for action from the floor.

When asked for comment on this issue, board member Carmen Weishaar responded, “New information that Harrington would be able to field a JV high school girls basketball team that would include the two players looking to play in Odessa caused a lack of motion.”