Aberdeen Schools
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Aberdeen School District No. 5 -- October 4, 2019
AHS Jazz Band
Miller 6th Grade Update
On Friday, the construction crew poured the sidewalks. The picture above shows the path students will take as they exit the main building and walk toward the 6th Grade Building.
Business before the Board on October 1:
Agenda for October 1 meeting (pdf)
President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. Directors present were Jennifer Durney, Bill Dyer, Erin Farrer and Jeff Nelson, along with student representative Molly Scroggs, Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 23 patrons and staff.
The meeting began with the Flag salute.
Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts
The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:
- The minutes of the meeting on September 17, 2019.
Comments from Board members
Director Bill Dyer discussed the sad loss of Karen Meikle and how much he appreciated the support he saw among teachers and administrators as they supported each other and their students when it became known she had died.
President Sandra Bielski thanked Dr. Dyer for his presence in the district that day and the role he played in supporting students and staff as the news was shared. She noted that the community lost another enormously influential music educator in recent weeks. Gene Stensager of Central Park, a retired Aberdeen music teacher, the college’s first music director and founder of the Grays Harbor Civic Choir, died September 2 at the age of 96.
Comments from Student Representative
Molly Scroggs gave the student representative’s report. She noted the high school is celebrating Homecoming this week and that Outdoor School takes place next week at Camp Bishop.
Superintendent's Report
Service for Karen Meikle: Superintendent Henderson shared information from Karen Meikle's family that a celebration of her life will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 12, in the Auditorium at Aberdeen High School.
Budget Advisory Committee: Superintendent Henderson shared information about the work of the Budget Advisory Committee, which reconvened last Wednesday, September 25. The next meeting is at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. The public is welcome to attend.
Bond and Levy Update: Superintendent Henderson provided an update on planning for a bond measure to build a new Stevens Elementary School and planning for the local enrichment levy. Both measures will be on the February 18 ballot. She noted that she has been meeting with local lawmakers to inquire about state matching funds.
She noted that J.M. Weatherwax High School was constructed at a cost of $59.4 million with a state match of about $20.4 million. The new Stevens School is estimated to cost $54 million and the projected state match is about $5 million. Of interest to discuss with lawmakers and state officials, she said, is the steep decline in state support for school construction. The School Board agreed President Bielski should join Superintendent Henderson in a letter to the state requesting additional support for schools.
Miller Modular for 6th Grade: Superintendent Henderson announced that classes in the new building for 6th Grade at Miller Junior High School will open on Monday, October 14.
Legislative Update: Superintendent Henderson discussed the positive response she has been getting from lawmakers in discussions about funding inequities for rural schools. She also discussed the work of the GrayPac Superintendents group, which has been meeting to discuss legislative actions that could benefit areas with low property values.
Missoula Children’s Theater: Superintendent Henderson announced that students in all five elementary schools have the chance to participate in productions of the Missoula Children’s Theater this spring thanks to a grant from the Grays Harbor Community Foundation.
Contract Update: Superintendent Henderson and Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback reported on the information that was shared with AEA President Michelle Reed after the September 17 meeting regarding the question that was asked about the contract for school psychologists. Director Louderback reported that the terms of the contract are for up to $100,000 because it is hoped that the psychologists will be able to work more than one day a week in the coming months. In addition, the budgeted amount will be paid by timesheet, meaning that the consultants will submit invoices for hours worked in order to receive payment. Superintendent Henderson expressed gratitude that both psychologists have come out of retirement in order to help the district deliver needed services to students.
Teaching and Learning Report
Traci Sandstrom, director of the Teaching, Learning and Technology Department, provided the Teaching and Learning Report for October. She presented a contract with NatureBridge to offer the outdoor science program in Olympic National Park again this year in the Highly Capable Program.
Restorative Practices
The Board approved a contract with National Educators for Restorative Practices to provide training in the district for staff. Restorative practices in schools is required under the new state discipline rules. Restorative practice aims to focus on problem solving and the coaching of correct behavior rather than punishment and exclusion from classrooms.
Athletic Director’s Report
Athletic Director Aaron Roiko presented his fall report. There are currently 383 students in grades 6-12 taking part in athletics, which includes football, soccer, volleyball, tennis, swimming, cross country, golf and cheer at AHS and football, soccer and cross country at Miller Junior High School. He also reported on the success of a new study table model, Cats Connection, that includes Honor Society students teaming up with fellow athletes in the library.
Yearbook Contract
The Board approved a contract with the Walsworth company to work with AHS Quinault staff on the 2019-2020 yearbook.
Business Week
The Board approved a contract with the Foundation for Private Enterprise Education to bring Business Week to the high school.
Hello Foundation
The Board approved a contract with the Hello Foundation to place Kelsey Baggs in the district as a speech/language pathologist.
Behavioral Health
The Board approved renewal of the agreement with BHR (Behavioral Health Resources) to provide mental health therapy to students who qualify through Medicaid.
Title I Services
The Board approved a contract with the Hoquiam School District for Aberdeen staff to provide Title I services to students at St. Mary’s School.
Special Education Contracts
The Board approved contracts with Soliant Health of Georgia and Therapia Staffing of Florida to place special education professionals in the district as needed to work with students.
Personnel Matters
The board approved the Personnel Report.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting is set for Tuesday, October 15, 2019, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.
Vaccination deadline is October 10
Last spring, a letter was sent home to parents notifying them of this new law with compliance expected with the start of the 2019-2020 school year. A letter went home this week with students whose records indicate they are not vaccinated setting October 10 as the deadline for compliance. Anyone with questions should call the District Office at (360) 538-2018.
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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/
Elementary Girls' Intramurals begin Monday, October 7
Student athletes working on culture of success
Don Marbut, AHS alum and former WSU baseball coach, is leading four sessions with AHS athletes this fall. The first session, “Why We Play,” took place on September 25. Additional sessions planned are “Team Challenges” on October 23, “Six Levels of Commitment” on November 27 and “Leadership Qualities” on December 11.