Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
REARDAN—A brief discussion surrounding the district’s plans for comprehensive sexual education and approval of several action items were among the notable moments of the school board’s Jan. 27 meeting.
Superintendent Eric Sobotta told the board that a stakeholder group of roughly 15 parents and a number of staff will help with developing the district’s sexual education strategy, in accordance with the recently voter-approved Referendum 90 that requires Washington public schools to provide comprehensive sexual health education to all students.
Students can be excused by their parents from the requirement if parents wish to opt their children out.
Sobotta also informed the board that there is no required curriculum the district must follow, but there are required standards.
“There are different opportunities for parents to engage, or not,” Sobotta said. “We also want to look into an idea in doing this as a homework assignment, and also have some evening sessions if parents want to attend as well. We’ll make sure we over-communicate on this.”
The education must begin by next school year.
The board also approved 13 action items:
A) A position title change from emergency response technicial to security and emergency response technician.
B) Winners of sealed bids on surplus items.
C) Jill Singleton as options teacher in a non-continuing position.
D) Tyler Smedley as high school English long-term substitute (2020-2021 School Year).
E) Shawna Vincent as 6th Grade transitions, journal long-term substitute (2020-2021 School Year; Possibly Into 2021-2022 School Year).
F) The following policies: Policy 2402 - English Language Arts Matery Based Credit; Policy 2403 - Math Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2404 - Science Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2405 - Social Studies Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2406 - The Arts Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2407 - Health and Physical Education Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2408 - Integrated Environmental and Sustainability Education Mastery Based Credit; Policy 2409 - World Language Mastery Based Credit
G) A policy adding a student representative to the board.
H) A policy regarding excused and unexcused absences.
I) Policy 6512 regarding infection control program.
J) A one-time $800 stipend to employees in security positions.
K) An interlocal agreement between the district and Newport School District Food Service.
L) An HVAC Replacement Project not to exceed $120,000.
Sobotta’s superintendent’s report included the news that 6th graders returned to the classroom four days a week on Jan. 25. 7th and 8th graders will be making their return Monday, Feb. 8.
The board also approved the consent agenda, which included the resignations of facilities director Guy Cannova (effective Feb. 28), high school tennis coach Marty DeWalt, middle school head girl’s volleyball and basketball coach Kristy Koch and middle school head track and assistant girl’s volleyball and basketball coach Becky Anderson.
The board will next convene for a workshop Feb. 10.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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