Aberdeen Schools
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Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- June 21, 2019
Meet the 2019 recipient of the Marie Akerlund Orchestra Award
Congratulations to Trinity McWillis, a junior at Aberdeen High School and winner of the 2019 Marie Akerlund Orchestra Award. The award and scholarship is sponsored by the Akerlund Family and is presented annually to an outstanding musician and leader in the AHS Orchestra. Miss McWillis plays viola.
“This award was set up to honor my mother," Debra Akerlund of Aberdeen said in 2015 when the first award was presented. "She was an accomplished violinist and teacher for many years in Aberdeen. She believed that a well rounded education must include music. Learning one of these instruments is not easy. There is a lot required at a young age -- talent, practice, discipline, dedication, patience, teamwork, listening and responsibility. In other words, all the skills that are common among good citizens and high achievers."
The orchestra program in the Aberdeen School District is under the direction of Karen Meikle.
- Update on the Miller Modular Building Installation
- Summary of June 18 School Board Meeting
- Information on the Summer Weight Training & Conditioning Program
- Upcoming Events
New Timeline for Miller Modular Building for 6th Grade
Driving the piles and laying the foundation for the new 6th Grade building at Miller Junior High School will take longer than originally planned. Occupancy of the new building is now expected in October.
“We have known from the outset that our timeline for occupancy before the first day of school was ambitious,” Superintendent Alicia Henderson announced June 13. “Everyone has been working hard to make it happen, but in the final analysis, the pilings and foundation required more engineering and our contractor will need more time to complete the project.”
A parent meeting was held Monday, June 17, at Miller Junior High to discuss the delay and outline the planning taking place for the opening of school on August 28.
The School Board met in special session Friday, June 21, and approved a change order for the re-engineered foundation and an additional $200,000 for the project.
Any community members or parents with questions are invited to contact Superintendent Henderson at (360) 538-2002 or Miller Principal Lisa Griebel at (360) 538-2102.
Read the original news release announcing the new timeline
Visit the Miller Construction Page on the District web site
This page is under development and will be updated at least once a week.
In addition, a Q&A is being developed that will be posted soon.
Recap of the School Board meeting on June 18
Find the Full Agenda Packet for the June 18 meeting
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney, Bill Dyer and Jeff Nelson, along with Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 64 patrons and staff.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Public Hearing – Budget Extensions
Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented two proposed extensions of the 2018-2019 Budget – a $2,297,577 increase in the General Fund for salaries, benefits and contracted services, and a $100,000 increase in the ASB Fund for additional expenses related to student travel and participation in state and national competitions. There was no public comment and the hearing was closed.
Later in the meeting, the Board adopted Resolutions 2019-09 and 2019-10 authorizing the increased appropriations.
Minutes, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the regular meeting on June 4, 2019;
- May payroll vouchers totaling $3.52 million;
- General Fund vouchers totaling $912,288; ASB Fund vouchers totaling $54,180 and a Private Purpose Trust Fund voucher in the amount of $370.52, and
- Gifts to the District from individuals and businesses totaling $8,778 in support of the SkillsUSA trip to the national conference and competition.
Comments from the Board
- Gifts to the District: President Bielski commented on the generosity of community groups who support student achievement.
- Miller Meeting: Bill Dyer commented on the well-attended meeting at Miller Junior High School and that the District was able to answer many questions for the parents in attendance.
- 2019 Graduation: Sandra Bielski and Jennifer Durney both commented on how much they enjoyed the graduation ceremonies at Harbor High School and Aberdeen High School. They expressed appreciation for the decision to postpone the AHS ceremony due to the threat of unsafe weather and thanked the Maintenance and Custodial staff for ensuring everyone was as safe and dry as possible.
Comments from the Audience
- Carrie Erwin, parent of two students who graduated this year, thanked the District for postponing the ceremony and thanked Maintenance Supervisor Mike Pauley and the entire crew for their work setting up for the ceremony.
Superintendent's Report
Lean Training
In the photos below, administrators and their office staffs work with the state trainers to explore Lean solutions for the Aberdeen School District. District employees will perhaps welcome the news that one of the first multi-building projects is review of the Prior Approval form and process!
In other news from the Superintendent:
Superintendent Contract: Superintendent Henderson read a statement regarding the terms of her contract. Find the full statement below.
Focus Areas: Superintendent Henderson provided a year-end report on the “Big 5” Focus Areas – PBIS (improving behavior), Special Education, Technology, Curriculum and AVID. She noted there’s still work ahead, but commended staff for the significant gains over the past two years. Find the full report below.
Miller Update: Superintendent Henderson expressed appreciation to Miller Principal Lisa Griebel and her staff for their work to develop a plan once the delay in construction for the 6th Grade building was known. She noted the parent meeting was well attended and staff was able to share information known to date and answer many questions. She reported that the District will be posting weekly updates about the project.
Budget Update: Superintendent Henderson reported that there is no new information from the state to share since the last meeting. Budget preparation is ongoing, although costs of the new benefit system (SEBB) will not be available until August.
Technology Purchases
The Board approved the following: $205,000 for student Chromebook devices; $40,000 for student Windows laptops; $40,000 for staff laptops, and $60,000 for printers and supporting systems to standardize printing across the district. Read more below.
Tips Agreement
The Board approved an interlocal agreement with The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS), a free, national buying cooperative, that will be used for the purchase of devices, printers and supplies.
Financial Services
Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for May. With 75 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, revenue is at 75.14 percent of budget and expenditures are at 75.92 percent of budget. Read more below.
Athletic Director’s June Report
Athletic Director Aaron Roiko presented the June report. He discussed a Gatekeeper training for coaches about suicide awareness and prevention; WIAA regulations regarding 6th Grade participation in athletics, Impact neurocognitive testing for student athletes, and the potential for Miller Junior High School students participating in spring golf. Read more below.
Cosmetology Program for 2019-2020
The Board approved a contract with Grays Harbor Beauty College to operate the Cosmetology Program in 2019-2020. It had been expected that the program would end in August, but CTE Director Lynn Green explained the Beauty College was able to find an instructor for the cosmetology and barbering portion of the program, although the manicure portion of the course offerings has been dropped, for now.
Renewal of Medical Assistant Program with Grays Harbor College
The Board approved renewal of the program for students in the medical assistant class at the Twin Harbors Branch of the Skills Center to attend classes at the college. CTE Lynn Green said it’s the only program of its kind in the state where a skills center and college are partnering to graduate students. The students completing the program this spring have all found employment, and the program is fully enrolled for next year.
Surplus Library Books
The Board declared as surplus a list of books that are worn or no longer needed for instruction at Stevens Elementary School.
Stevens Pre-Bond Planning
The Board approved a contract with the Construction Services Group of ESD 112 for pre-bond planning not to exceed $30,000 for a new Stevens Elementary School. The timeline calls for presentation of a bond request to voters in winter/spring 2020. Read more below.
Personnel Report and Salary Schedules
The Board approved the Personnel Report.
The Board approved the following salary schedules for 2019-2020: Association of Aberdeen School Principals, Central Office Administrators, Maintenance and Operations, Food & Transportation, Unaffiliated Employees and the Substitute Salary Schedule.
The Board ratified the previously obligated increases in salary schedules for 2019-2020: Aberdeen Education Association, Public School Employees, Co-Curricular Stipend Schedule, Aberdeen Athletic Activities Association and Superintendent.
The Board approved a one-year extension to the Superintendent’s Contract, which maintains a three-year agreement.
All of the salary schedules can be found online under the Human Resources tab on the District web site.
Next Meeting
The Board changed the July meeting schedule. The next regular meeting is set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. There will also be a work study at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 30, with the location to be determined depending upon the summer building maintenance schedule.
Comments from the Audience
Angela Brandt offered comment regarding the superintendent’s contract.
Tricia Sorensen offered comment regarding the superintendent’s contract, and asked about the superintendent’s evaluation.
Kelly Silveira offered comment on the superintendent’s contract, the meeting June 17 at Miller Junior High School, and Board meeting protocol.
Kim Edwards offered comment regarding an extension to the superintendent’s contract.
Amber Williams offered comment regarding links to the March minutes and the building timeline for the 6th Grade at Miller Junior High School.
Summer Conditioning and Weight Training Program begins June 24
The Aberdeen School District is pleased to announce creation of a Summer Weight Training & Conditioning Program for student athletes interested in preparing for the 2019-2020 sports season. The program begins Monday, June 24, in the weight room at Aberdeen High School and runs through July 31.
The program is open to enrolled students in Grades 7-12, and has been designed to adhere to all school, league and WIAA policies and procedures.
All students in good standing are eligible to take part in programs offered by the Athletic Department. Athletics are funded by the local levy.
Read the article in The Daily World that appeared Saturday, June 22
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday & Friday, July 4-5:
- District Office and Buildings Closed
Tuesday, July 23:
- School Board, 5 p.m., in the Community Room at AHS
Tuesday, July 30:
- School Board. The time and location for this meeting are still to be determined. The meeting may be changed to a budget workshop, and the location depends upon the summer maintenance schedule at AHS.
August 14:
- School Offices open for 2019-2020
August 21-23:
- Miller Back-to-School Days
- AHS Bobcat Days
August 28:
- First Day of School
August 29
- First Day of School for 8th Graders at Miller
Aberdeen School District No. 5
Email: districtnews@asd5.org
Website: www.asd5.org
Location: 216 North G St.
Phone: (360) 538-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AberdeenSchoolDistrict5/