School board facing admin, staffing changes

The Record

Odessa – The Board of Directors of Odessa School District #105 met in the high school library and via ZOOM on Wednesday, Jan. 26, preceded by a workshop held in the district office right before the regular meeting. Present were board chair Ed Deife; board members Janie Steward, Heather Valverde, Chris Crossley and Carmen Weishaar; Superintendent Dan Read, Principal Jamie Nelson, Operations Supervisor Justin Parr; Athletic Director Bruce Todd; Assistant Business Manager Staci Claassen and visitor Andy Carlsen.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included the minutes of the Dec. 16, 2021 regular board meeting; payroll warrants #614254-614272 and direct deposit warrants #900008803-900008862 for $311,519.80; general fund A/P warrants #614273-614316 for $56,089.56 and ASB fund A/P warrants #614317-614329 for $5,159.13. Also approved were the resignations of Sam Harder as the K-12 music/band teacher, JH head football coach and JH asst. baseball coach; Dennis Hubbard as a bus driver effective Aug. 31, 2022 and Jon Hayashi as the JH head track & field coach.

Superintendent’s report

Read said the district’s enrollment is 211.92 full-time equivalent students. Current COVID count is seven students. Regarding the short legislative session which ends in March, the primary responsibility of this session will be to update the state’s two-year budget and address any unfinished business from last year’s session. Several bills have been presented including potential fixes to the prototypical funding model and possible enhancements for funding nursing, counseling and social-emotional learning positions.

Principal’s report

Nelson reported that guidance counselor Kimberly Ryan and the elementary teachers hosted a family night on Jan. 13 that included learning games, hot chocolate and popcorn. Approximately 150 students, family members and staff attended. The high school cheerleaders volunteered their time to help out during the evening.

The Knowledge Bowl team has been doing well with in-person competitions being held this year. An all-school academic assembly is scheduled for Feb. 11, and Kindness Week with be held Feb. 14-18 in the elementary school. Honor Band students will perform Mar. 28 at the Fox Theatre in Spokane.

AD report

Todd reported that district basketball competitions will begin Feb. 8 -9 at locations to be determined. The seven boys on the junior-high basketball team have played three games so far. Baseball and track schedules will be out soon. He also said amendments to districting are underway, going from four districts down to two. Changes to academic probation periods will be made for consistency during fall and winter sports.

Facilities report

Parr reported he is continuing to work with Control Solutions Northwest to resolve issues with the new heating control system. Final payment will be made when issues are resolved.

He also said the city will put in a water meter for the community garden.

Policy 2195 – Academic Acceleration (1st reading)

Superintendent Read suggested changes to the wording of Policy 2195 – Academic Acceleration before approval. No action was taken.

Procedure 2195 – Academic Acceleration (1st reading)

Read suggested changes to the wording of Procedure 2195 – Academic Acceleration before approval. No action was taken.

Ballfield restroom/concessions

Superintendent Read shared information about the possible construction of a restroom/concessions stand near the baseball/softball fields and the possibility of sharing costs for the project by the Booster Club, Lions Club and school district.

Bus purchase

Justin Parr presented a quote from RWC to purchase a new medium-sized route bus paid for in September with money in the transportation vehicle fund.

Board recognition

Read presented certificates of appreciation to board members in honor of School Board Recognition Month. He thanked them for their service to the district and to the community.

Special meeting and regular meeting

The board scheduled a special board meeting to discuss qualifications and a timeline for hiring a new superintendent on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

The next regular board meeting will be held Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 6 p.m. in the high school library, with a workshop scheduled at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting.