Next up: Grades 7-8 on March 1.

President Sandra Bielski convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 16, 2021, via webinar following guidance for conducting remote meetings in compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act. Directors present were Bill Dyer, Jessica Jurasin and Suzy Ritter, along with Student Representative Brooke Solan, Superintendent Alicia Henderson and 26 patrons and staff watching remotely. Director Jennifer Durney 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 meeting on February 2, 2021;
• January payroll vouchers totaling $2,844,667.27;
• General Fund vouchers totaling $553,378.26, and
• ASB Fund vouchers totaling $9,341.01.

Comments from Board members

Director Jessica Jurasin commented that she is looking forward to attending the WSSDA Legislative Conference on Sunday, which is being conducted remotely.

Director Suzy Ritter commented that she enjoyed watching sporting events on the new NFHS network.

Comments from Student Representative

Student Representative Brooke Solan provided an update. She also commented on watching sports via NFHS network and said students are ecstatic to be playing and supporting sports. She said students have continued to hold social zooms, the yearbook staff is reaching out to students, and students are awaiting spring trimester and the beginning of the hybrid plan.

Superintendent’s Report

Distance and In-Person Update: Superintendent Henderson provided an update on school operations. She discussed how “snow days” are different in the distance and hybrid learning models because students were able to access school from home and she praised the Food Service staff for ensuring that students had food for the missed days and for the weekend. She also discussed the Professional Development day for teachers, which was building-based and noted that hybrid instruction begins for Grades 4-6 on Feb. 18, which will mean grades PreK-6 have an in-person option for instruction.

Summer Options: Superintendent Henderson announced that the district is planning for a robust summer program and is hopeful students will take advantage of opportunities to continue learning. There will be a focus on closing gaps at grade levels, she said, as well as reconnecting students with "the world of school." High school students will have opportunities to complete required course work so they can stay on track for graduation.

Covid 19 Response: Superintendent Henderson provided an update on the pandemic response. She noted that the case rates are going down, with the rate currently at 176 per 100,000 over a two-week period, which keeps the district on track for implementing the hybrid model for all grade levels. She noted that sports are moving forward with adjusted seasons thanks to the work of the athletic director and coaches, and that there is considerable demand in the region to use Stewart Field.

Legislature: Superintendent Henderson noted that the Legislature is about a third of the way through its session and schools are keeping an eye on bills that will help mitigate the impacts of reduced enrollment and the impact on school budgets due to the pandemic.

Mid-Year Retreat: Superintendent Henderson and the board discussed a mid-year retreat for discussion about planning for 2021-2022, preferably to be scheduled on a Saturday in March.

Teaching and Learning

Grays Harbor Academy: CTE Director Lynn Green, who is also principal for Grays Harbor Academy, provided an overview of the school.

Financial Services

Fiscal Status Report: Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for January. She reported the ending fund balance was

• $4,007,650.77in the General Fund;
• $324,912.63 in the Capital Projects Fund;
• $793,367.73 in the Debt Service Fund;
• $276,896.29 in the ASB Fund, and
• $334,760.62 in the Transportation Vehicle Fund.

With 41.67 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, the district is at 38.06 percent of revenue and 35.72 percent of expenditures.

Under enrollment, Director Louderback reported that the annual average enrollment of 3,113.68 FTE for February is 115.32 less than budgeted.

Superintendent Henderson announced that Maintenance & Operations Manager Mike Pauley will provide a facilities report at the next meeting that will include how buildings are being adapted to meet COVID 19 safety protocols.

Personnel Report

Following an executive session, the board approved the personnel matters.

The next meeting of the School Board is scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, via webinar. You can find agenda materials and a link to join the meeting on the asd5 website prior to the meeting. Materials are often posted as early as Friday before the meeting.

Written public comment is accepted until 3:30 p.m. the day of the meeting. Public comment should be submitted to schoolboard@asd5.org. Comments are shared with the board and become part of the online meeting record.

Parents are reminded that when students bring lunch to school from home, under the safe school metrics, all items must be brown bag style (disposable) -- no lunch boxes, plastic storage or thermoses. Thank you!