President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Jessica Jurasin, Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright, along with Superintendent Jeffrey Thake and 25 patrons and staff. Director Suzy Ritter was excused.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

• The minutes from the regular meeting on May 9, 2023;
• Payroll vouchers for April totaling $4,228,358.75;
• General Fund vouchers totaling $1,465,455.51;
• ASB Fund vouchers totaling $18,378.51, and an
• Overnight/out-of-state trip request for SkillsUSA at Aberdeen High School to travel to the national conference in Atlanta, Ga., on June 17-24, 2023.

Comments from the Board

Director Jurasin reported on the AHS Marching Band’s trip to Victoria, B.C., where they took part in the Victoria Day Parade. She said the students represented the district well and their performance was extremely well received. Directors commented on the enjoyable the social media posts showing the band’s sharp appearance and great performance.

Harbor Jr./Sr. High ASB

Following a presentation from junior CeCe Wood and 7th grader Dominik Wood, the Board approved a new constitution restarting an Associated Student Body at the Harbor Learning Center. Skyla Bittner, a parent of students at the school and a Harbor High alumna, also spoke in support of reinstating the ASB.

Transportation Vehicle Fund

The Board approved Resolution 2023-03 increasing the Transportation Vehicle Fund by $190,000 in order to accept delivery of two buses this fiscal year.

Policy 3141 Nonresident Students

The Board approved an update to Policy 3141 Nonresident Students.

Superintendent’s Report

Budget Update

Superintendent Thake provided an update on budget preparations and the reduced education plan for the 2023-2024 school year. He reported that the reduction-in-force letters were delivered to classified staff on Friday, that budget reductions of not more than $3.5 million will be achieved for 2023-2024, and that careful monitoring of enrollment and revenue will continue to take place in planning for subsequent years.

Superintendent Thake reported that the audit for 2022-2023 has been completed with the auditors praising the district for its strong fiscal checks and balances. A finding in Special Education will result in changes to how the district recruits and contracts with special education and mental health professionals.

Personnel Matters

Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report after amending it to add the resignation of Shannon Ramsey as executive director of business and operations.

The Board approved the revised 2023-2024 Certificated Staffing list; the reduced 2023-2024 Classified Staffing list and the 2023-2024 Building Administration Staffing list.

The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

Those who attend regular meetings are welcome to sign up at the meeting to provide public comment on agenda items. Written public comment for the record can also be submitted up to noon the day of the meeting by writing to schoolboard@asd5.org. Comments or concerns not on the agenda can be brought to the attention of the district by contacting the Superintendent's Office or by contacting individual board members.

Doug Smith, left, president of the Test of Time Car Club and Lynn Csernotta, right, of Honda of Grays Harbor, present Travis Wheeler, our high school automotive instructor, with checks totaling $4,154.00 as a donation to the automotive program following a fundraising car show at the dealership over the weekend. The Moore Wright Group and Furniture-to-Go were also supporters.

The auto students helped with set-up and clean-up, and toured the Honda of Grays Harbor Repair Shop. The automotive students also got to select a vehicle for an award and present the trophy to the owner.

In the photos below, Mr. Travis and the auto students enjoy breakfast at Duffy's, take part in the judging and pose with the owner of their winning vehicle.

Students at the Harbor Learning Center took part in a Day of Service on Friday where they signed up and fanned out to perform volunteer service at their school and in the community. More than a dozen service projects were identified by staff and then students self-assigned how they wanted to participate -- everything from painting over graffiti on a property owner's garage across from the school to making chew toys for PAWS and refurbishing school furniture.

The volunteer efforts were followed by a school-wide barbecue. "This is the first time we have tried this," Principal Lisa Griebel said, explaining that volunteering is good for your mind and body, and school-wide volunteering builds a positive school culture.

"Our Day of Service went off without a hitch," Principal Griebel added. "We ended the day tired, but feeling a sense of accomplishment. We are already starting to plan next year's day!"

In the photo above, Aberdeen honorees are, front row, from left, Hadley Ritter, Taleah Ibrahim, Makenna Parris and Allison Mareth.

Back row:Jacob Allison, Kyle Miller, Colby Mendoza, Brodyn Osina, Kahlomo Cunningham and Garett Hunt.

During a field trip to the South Beach this past week, students in Terri Ann Whalen and Theresa Fleming's classes at McDermoth Elementary School presented the U.S. Coast Guard Grays Harbor with a thank-you "card" for their service. Guardsmen Lewandowski and Lutz took time out of their day to give students a tour of where they work, sleep, eat, and train. The students even got to go on the Coast Guard vessels.

In science, the second-graders have been learning about the “Work of Water,” and why there is sand at the beach. So .. they went to the beach, and you can see them in the photo below.

The visit to the Coast Guard station and the beach "was a wonderfully memorable experience for all," Ms. Whalen said.

If you have a student ready for preschool or kindergarten this fall, please register now.

Early registration helps ensure that our schools can be ready for all new students.

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2130 / Interim Building Leader Nani Villarreal

Central Park Elementary School

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• (360) 538-2170 / Principal Joan Hoehn

McDermoth Elementary School

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• (360) 538-2120 / Principal Mindi Hammill

Robert Gray Elementary School

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• (360) 538-2140 / Principal Sherri Northington

Stevens Elementary School

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• (360) 538-2150 / Principal Jamie Stotler

Harbor Learning Center

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• (360) 538-2180 / Principal Lisa Griebel

Hopkins Preschool

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• (360) 538-2190 / Principal Joan Hoehn

Miller Junior High School

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• (360) 538-2100 / Principal John Meers

Aberdeen High School

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