Waitsburg School Board Update

-School board members were honored as part of School Board Recognition month.

Elementary Principals Report (Dr. Jon Mishra):

-Updated board on the elementary school’s incorporation of depth of knowledge (DOK) in the classroom.

-Grades 3-5 chose students-of-the-month, which were posted on Facebook.

Secondary Principal’s Report (Stephanie Wooderchak):

-Preston Hall and high school students will begin MAP testing

-Students in both buildings will be talking about soft lockdowns, hard lockdowns, fire and safety procedures.

-Second semester begins Jan. 29.

-WHS and Preston Hall will hold their first perfect attendance celebration in February.

Athletic Director Update (Stephanie Wooderchak):

-Winter sports are underway but struggling with turnout.

-Spring schedules are being set.

-Waitsburg will host Every 15 Minutes in April and will plan to hold prom close to that date.

-The boys’ varsity will play a makeup games, for games missed during winter break, with Prescott on Jan. 17 and with Colton on Jan. 24. Because Waitsburg was at fault for the missed games, Waitsburg will travel to Colton, instead of it being at home.

Transportation/Maintenance/Facilities (Colter Mohney):

-An unforeseen expense with a generator that did not meet code, cost the district $15,000 to replace two switches.

-Kitchen renovation plans are being finalized.

-All athletic field surveys and documents but one are in and the building permit has been received.

-Mohney has been working with the city and engineers to prepare several district properties for possible sale. See story on Page 1.

Superintendent’s Report (Dr. Jon Mishra):

-Gave updates on “united front” and shared Walla Walla Union Bulletin article and editorial on Waitsburg’s “No Negativity Zone.”

-The Professional Development Council is reading the book Professional Learning Communities at Work which focuses on committing to a purpose, building a team, weathering challenges, and looking forward.

-Mishra would like to take a team to the PLC’s at Work Institute in Seattle and said federal funds are available for that.

-The 2018 Annual Board Workshop is Jan. 18 in Dayton.

-The WASA Spring Conference for Small Schools is March 18.

Old Business:

-Enrollment is up by one to a headcount of 294 and an FTE of 280.7.

-Board members discussed the community DW combine meeting held Jan. 8. See Story at right.

-Reviewed the School Board/Superintendent working agreement.

New Business:

-The new educational programs and operations (EPO) replacement levy will be on the Feb. 13 ballot. Information will go out to voters when ballots go out in late January.

-The board considered several superintendent evaluation formats.

-Discussed the annual confidentiality agreement review.

-Discussed Highly Capable Program compliance.

-Distributed awards to Marilyn Johnson, Christy House and Russ Knopp for attending the WSSDA conference.

-Discussed naming of the new fieldhouse.

-Unanimously approved inter-local agreement with Premera insurance school pool.

-Discussed sale of surplus real property. See story on Page 1.

-Approved the hire of Garrett Leahy as middle school girls’ basketball assistant coach. Accepted retirement request from band and math teacher Brad Green. Approved leave request for teacher Lynnsey Bailey for the remainder of the 2017-18 school year.