Return to in-person learning expected Jan. 15

ODESSA – When the Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met via ZOOM December 16, 2020, Superintendent Dan Read shared the current COVID-19 case numbers for the county, the latest information from the Governor’s office and the updated Dept. of Health metrics on in-person learning. The school later on moved to more in-person instruction than online instruction after having started the school year with a hybrid model that involved mostly online learning with students attending in person only two days per week. He recommended that the school board review the counts on January 4, and if the county is at the moderate level with no signs of significant community spread, the district would return to in-person learning beginning Friday, January 15, while continuing with a 1:30 release daily and small components of weekly online learning. The board agreed with the recommendation and asked Read to proceed with the plan.

Read also reported the enrollment for the month of November as 206.1 full-time equivalent students to those present at the meeting: Board chair Ed Deife; board members Janie Steward, Heather Valverde and Chris Crossley (Carmen Weishaar was absent); Principal Jamie Nelson; Asst. Business manager Staci Claassen; Operations Supervisor Justin Parr and Athletic Director Bruce Todd.

Board reorganization

Superintendent Read called for nominations for board chairman. Ed Deife was nominated and then elected by a roll-call vote. Nominations for vice chairman were opened and Heather Valverde was elected vice chairman. Ed Deife was nominated and then elected as WIAA representative. There were no other nominations.

Chairman Deife appointed board members to serve on the following committees:

Facilities: Ed Deife and Carmen Weishaar

Curriculum: Janie Steward and Carmen Weishaar

Negotiations: Heather Valverde and Chris Crossley

Consent agenda

The board approved the consent agenda, including the minutes of the November 24, 2020 regular board meeting; payroll warrants #613376-613393 and direct deposit warrants #900008016-900008078, for $300,667.03; general fund A/P warrants #613394-613424 for $57,484.11; capital projects Fund A/P warrant #613425, $32,629.47; ASB fund A/P warrants #613426-613430 for $1,535.74; Trust and Agency Fund A/P warrant #613431, $500 and a general fund comp tax wire transfer for $72.83. The board also approved the resignation of Margaret Praetorius as a bus driver as of Aug. 31, 2021.

Superintendent’s report

Principal’s report

Principal Nelson reported about positive activities, events and learning endeavors around the school. Christmas-themed art projects and classroom assignments were happening throughout the classrooms. Fourth-graders made designs for the marble race and wrote Christmas letters to residents in the retirement home. Fifth-graders made ornaments and wrote letters. Sixth-graders learned fractions by baking cookies with junior-high math teacher Larry Weber, and business teacher Terri King taught them about budgeting with gingerbread houses. The seventh- and eighth-graders are learning the game of Cribbage in math with Weber, and eighth-graders are making Cribbage boards with HaLee Walter in the ag shop. Junior-high and high-school students had a week of holiday dress-up days. The Knowledge Bowl team and the FFA and FBLA chapters are meeting regularly. FBLA hosted a Christmas party with lunch and a gift exchange. Music teacher Sam Harder is putting together a video music concert for all grade levels. The para-professionals have been decorating classroom doors with holiday themes.

Board report

Ed Deife shared an email from the school nurse, in which the students and staff were congratulated for their success dealing with restrictions during the COVID pandemic and listing Odessa as one of the very few school districts with uninterrupted student-learning days.

AD report

Bruce Todd reported on WIAA meetings he continues to attend, where options for upcoming sports seasons are discussed. He is exploring video options to stream games for those unable to attend. No coaching applications have been received for the junior high head volleyball and junior high head girls basketball positions.

Facilities report

Justin Parr reported the stadium and school roofing projects are complete. He also shared that the newly purchased school bus is finally in service after some recent factory modifications.

Financial report

Read presented the ASB balance sheet for November, as well as the Financial Activity reports for General Fund for November showing an unassigned fund balance of $1,085,716.68.

Date of next regular meeting

The next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, with a workshop also scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.

Highly Capable Plan 2020-2021

The board approved the district’s Highly Capable Program for 2020-2021 as presented by Superintendent Read.

Invest Ed digital donation

The board approved a motion to accept a $3,000 donation from Invest Ed.

Braune Family Foundation donation

The board approved a motion to accept a $3,000 donation from the Edmund & Darlene Braune Family Foundation.

Executive session

Chairman Deife announced the board would go into a five-minute executive session at 6:41 p.m. as per provisions of RCW 42.30.110.