OSD QuickNews
December 20, 2021
Join us for Community Forums About our Bond Election
Please make plans to join us for any or all of our upcoming community meetings regarding our February 8, 2022 bond election. Each form will have a brief presentation followed by a question and answer session.
Forum Dates/Locations
January 6: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ Wahitis Gym
January 13: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @MMS Commons
January 20: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ OHS Corridor
January 27: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ MMS Commons
February 2: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. @ Wahitis Gym
Bond Facts
Our Board of Directors has voted to place a $51 million capital projects bond on the February 8, 2022 ballot. The bond plan seeks to improve overcrowding conditions at Othello's elementary schools and to create a more modern learning environment at Othello High School.
Bond projects include:
- Replacing the OHS 600 wing with 18 new general education and 3 new science classrooms. The new addition would also connect the 400, 500, and 700 wings to improve traffic flow and campus security.
- Adding a new competition gym with a capacity of 1,500 to allow events that accommodate the entire student population at one time.
- The expansion of McFarland Middle School to accommodate all of our district's 6th grade students, relieving overcrowding issues at each elementary school.
- Construction of a new Food Services central warehouse on a property owned by the district near our Regional Transportation Cooperative building. The new warehouse will have expanded cold and dry storage space, and will help improve operational efficiency in that department. Safety will also be improved by eliminating truck deliveries from Juniper St., adjacent to the OHS campus.
- New gymnasiums at HIA, LUT, and SCO that are equal to the gym at WAH. This creates equity between elementary facilities and improves building functionality.
Click here for more bond information on our Bond 2022 website...
OHS Girls Wrestling Coaching Staff Receives Honors
Congratulations to the OHS girls wrestling coaching staff! Assistant Coaches Lupe Perez and Mark De La Rosa were recently selected as the Washington Girls Wrestling "Assistant Coaching Staff of the Year" by the Scholastic Division of the National Wrestling Coaches Association.
Lupe, Mark and head coach Rafael Ruiz were also chosen by the WSWCA (Washington State Wrestling Coaches Association) board to be the Mat Classic 2020-2021 "Coaching Staff of the Year" for last year's performance!
Thank you, OPD
We want to thank our Othello Police Department partners for their help and presence in our schools on Friday, December 17th. Due to a nationwide trend of social media threats, our high schools and middle school were on modified lockdowns. Othello Police provided an increased security presence throughout the day and we are grateful for their help!
Winter Weather Closure/Delay Decision Making
We took a ride around town last week to discuss how we make our decisions about closing or delaying school due to winter weather. Safety is our top priority. Take a few minutes to learn about how those decisions are made.
December 15, 2021 Meeting
Our Board of Directors held a meeting at noon on December 15, 2021. Topics included:
Legislative Report
Jenn Stevenson reported that she plants to contact potential new legislators depending on whether our area is moved into a new legislative district.
NSBA Conferences Update
Student board representative Elise Garza reported on changes to the National School Board Association Conference plans. Meetings with congressional representatives will occur virtually.
Food Drive
Ken Johnson reported that more than 7,000 food items were collected in our schools for their annual Christmas Baskets food drive!
Student Rep Reports
Elise Garza and Consuelo Lamilla provided reports on activities in our schools including canned food drive competitions. Elise Garza discussed a student representative networking meeting that occurred earlier in the week.
Required Approvals
The board discussed and approved required approval items including past meeting minutes, accounts payable warrants, and personnel orders.
Superintendent Informational Items
Pete Perez shared information about changes to the Valedictorian and Salutatorian selection process. A committee at Othello High School made recommendations to make changes to the policy, which can be read here. The changes will take effect for the class of 2023.
Mr. Perez also the November 2021 financial report with the board.
Executive Session
The board entered into an executive session for approximately 15 minutes to discuss the performance of a public employee. No action was taken following the executive session.
Watch the entire board meeting below
Othello School District
Othello School District provides equal access to all programs and services without discrimination based on sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or use of trained dog, guide or service animal by a person with a disability, and provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. For more information, contact Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator: Executive Director of Human Resources, Sandra Villarreal, (509) 488-2659,
svillarreal@othelloschools.org; and 504 Coordinator: Heidi Wagner, (509) 488-2659,
hwagner@othelloschools.org.
Questions about OSD QuickNews? Contact
Ed Petersen, Director of Public Relations & Communications.
