Aberdeen Schools
Helping you stay informed about our district.
Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- November 19, 2021
See you later, Alligator ...
In a while, Crocodile ...
And thank you, as well, to Dr. Bill Dyer, former ASD5 music teacher and currently Grays Harbor College's music director, who is stepping down after four years on the School Board.
Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright will be sworn in and join the Board at the December 14 meeting.
Community input sought in search for next Superintendent
Dr. Nathan McCann will facilitate a Community Forum at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6. You can attend in-person at the AHS Auditorium or remotely via Zoom. Additional information about the remote option will be posted when it becomes available.
There will also be meetings with principals, teachers, staff and students. The information collected will assist the School Board in developing the job description and recruitment brochure.
Can't attend the forum? McPherson & Jacobson will be collecting input through an online survey Dec. 6-15.
Aberdeen School District Board of Directors
Summary of the Nov. 16 meeting
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, 2021, via webinar following guidance for conducting remote meetings in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Directors present were Bill Dyer, Jennifer Durney, and Suzy Ritter, along with Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 40 patrons and staff watching remotely. Director Jessica Jurasin 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 special meeting on, October 26, 2021, and the regular meeting on November 2, 2021, and
- Payroll vouchers totaling $3,497,449.19;
- General Fund vouchers totaling $706,124.75;
- ASB Fund vouchers totaling $8,095.58;
- Private Purpose Trust Fund vouchers totaling $3,000, an
- Agreement with the Hello Foundation to place Tracy Adams in the District as a speech language pathologist (0.5 FTE) beginning November 2021, and
- An agreement with the Hello Foundation adding 40 additional hours for speech language pathologist Sandra Lucas.
Comments from Board members
Director Bill Dyer shared thoughts about his term in office. He said he has the utmost respect for every member of the board and that President Sandra Bielski, who is also stepping down after 34 years on the board, is a community treasure. He said he hopes the next board is able to work as a team on big picture work to do what is best for our children.
President Sandra Bielski thanked Dr. Dyer for his time on the board, and for his passion and advocacy for the education of all students. She said in her time on the board, she has learned something new at every meeting, especially that the Aberdeen School District can achieve whatever it decides to focus on. When the Board’s focus is on the students, she said, that’s when everything comes together. She expressed gratitude for the many teachers who played a role in her children’s lives as they grew up and added that a highlight of her time on the board was to hand each of her children their diploma.
President Bielski was presented with a vase engraved with the district logo to commemorate her 34 years on the board. Superintendent Henderson commented that Mrs. Bielski is the only remaining board member from when she was hired and that her support and collaboration has been invaluable. She told Dr. Dyer that she always appreciated their conversations because in every discussion he always brought it back to a focus on the children.
Superintendent’s Report
Instructional Program: Superintendent Henderson commended the ongoing work of teachers and support staff during this in-person period of operational challenges and staff shortages. She also thanked the principals for their excellent leadership.
Superintendent Henderson commented that the Veterans Day assembly at Aberdeen High School was excellent.
Superintendent Henderson noted that social media use continues to be a disruption to the learning environment at school and the district is developing strategies.
- She announced that the Aberdeen Police Department will bring a presentation to students on December 2 about the legal ramifications and consequences of certain social media behaviors.
- She also announced that the district will emphasize enforcement of the cell phone policy in schools after the Winter Break. The district is partnering with the Yondr Company and will require students to secure their cell phones during the school day. Yondr makes mobile phone pouches that close with a magnetic lock, similar to those of a retail security tag. Students will keep their pouches with them during the day and the pouch will be unlocked upon dismissal. More information will be shared in December and prior to implementation in January, starting at Miller Junior High School.
Learn more about Yondr
Superintendent Henderson discussed the schedule for bringing on new board members Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright at the December 14 meeting. It was agreed to schedule the meeting for 6 p.m. to ensure a quorum.
Superintendent Henderson and board members discussed attendance at the WSSDA Conference this week. Each director has chosen whether to attend in-person or remotely. Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright, the directors elected Nov. 2, are also registered.
Health & Safety: Superintendent Henderson provided an update on Health & Safety related to COVID-19 requirements and protocols in the district.
Teaching and Learning
Fall Assessment Data: Teaching and Learning Director Traci Sandstrom provided a report on the results of fall assessments.
School Improvement Plans: Following a presentation by Teaching and Learning Director Traci Sandstrom, the Board approved the school improvement plans for 2021-2022.
Financial Services
Fiscal Status Report: Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for October.
Personnel Matters
Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report.
Superintendent Search
The Board transitioned into a workshop and welcomed Dr. Nathan McCann of McPherson & Jacobson, LLC, to the meeting. McPherson & Jacobson is the firm hired by the Board to assist in the search for the next superintendent.
Director-elect Jeremy Wright also was in attendance for the discussion.
The search timeline, development of the recruiting brochure, job description and other elements of the search were discussed in detail. It was agreed that meetings with stakeholders, including community, staff, students and administrators, will take place the week of December 6.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Next meeting of the School Board is Dec. 14
The next regular meeting of the School Board is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, via webinar. The agenda and link to the meeting are posted on the ASD5 website before the meeting.
Please note the time change to a 6 p.m. start.
Also -- two new Board members will be sworn in. Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright will take their oaths of office. Each was elected Nov. 2 to a four-year term.
Health & Safety Info
Chart shows the number of student absences due to a positive COVID case as of Thursday each week. Click on the photo above or here for a breakdown by school.
FAQ: Where can I get tested?
GH Public Health Department, Aberdeen
- Monday-Friday 7:00 am to Noon
- All ages, Pre-registration required
- Results in 48 hours by text or email
- Free, but if you have insurance you will be asked to provide it for billing.
- Support: 1-888-702-9042
- To make an appointment, go to www.curative.com
Rite Aid on Myrtle Street in Hoquiam
- Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Ages 4 and older, Pre-registration required
- Free, but if you have insurance you will be asked to provide it for billing.
- To make the required appointment, visit the Hoquiam Rite Aid web page.
Summit Pacific (Elma) / Curative
- Available 5 days a week 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- All ages, Pre-registration required
- Results in 48 hours by text or email
- Free, but if you have insurance you will be asked to provide it for billing.
- Support: 1-888-702-9042
- www.curative.com
Health Mart Pharmacies (Elma & McCleary)
- All ages, Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Please visit DoINeedaCOVID19Test.com to register and schedule the required appointment.
- 1(800) 635-8611 for those with no internet & printer access
- Free, but if you have insurance you will be asked to provide it for billing purposes.
- Elma (360) 482-2442
- McCleary (360) 495-0700
Staying in touch with Leadership
- Superintendent Alicia Henderson, ahenderson@asd5.org
- Business Office, Elyssa Louderback, elouderback@asd5.org
- Human Resources, Christi Sayres, csayres@asd5.org
- Special Education, Rick Bates, rbates@asd5.org
- Career & Technical Education, Lynn Green, lgreen@asd5.org
- Teaching, Learning & Technology, Traci Sandstrom, tsandstrom@asd5.org
- Food Services, Jaime Matisons, jmatisons@asd5.org
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The Aberdeen School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Christi Sayres, Title IX Coordinator and Civil rights Compliance Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2222; csayres@asd5.org; Dr. Richard Bates, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; rbates@asd5.org.