From Republic School District superintendent Teena McDonald

     January is School Board Appreciation Month. During the January board meeting, Superintendent McDonald presented Ralph Ellingson, Jamie Parker, David Heinen, Cheri Exner and Richard Eich with plaques thanking them for their service to the district.
     These board members put in untold hours and they are very much appreciated. Other positives shared during the board meeting included sharing the success of the basketball teams at the last games, compliments to the food service program for providing nutritious food and making the kitchen consolidation work like a charm, and thanks to staff for making the recent noon time fire drill work smoothly.
     During audience hearings, the board heard about a land issue from Cliff Calhoun.
     During the legislative report, Ralph reported that the proposed governor’s budget would result in a 5.6 percent reduction in district revenue next year.
     Teena reported that the ADA access doors should be installed early in February and the covered walkway project will be completed in the Spring.
     She shared that Republic School District received the AVID grant for a six year time period. The grant pays for sending teams of teachers to training for the next five years with the goal of helping students in the middle academic range reach their full potential. The training will benefit all students at the same time.
     Teena also shared how one of the strategic planning goals is to set up a foundation for people who want to give trust funds to the school have a way to do that. She told the board about a future donation, of an unknown amount, from the Lang Trust Fund which will go toward the libraries.
     Another important item shared was the legislative funding priorities that Teena and other superintendents will be discussing with legislators at the upcoming legislative conference in Olympia. The big news of the day was the press conference by state superintendent Randy Dorn about the change in assessment systems for the state.
     Randy stated that the WASL will continue this spring as planned. However, by 2010 at least two of the Washington assessments will be administered electronically via computer. He has slated that by 2012 all state assessments will be computer based tests.
     He is calling the new assessment program the “Washington Comprehensive Assessment System.” Dorn wants to delink the high school tests from the Kindergarten through 8th grade tests. He still endorses a high school proficiency exam for students to graduate.
     Superintendent McDonald shared with the board that policy reviews would start with the 1000 series in the near future. She also talked about how the district will be reviewing the Healthy Youth Survey with a team and developing an action plan of ways to help our students choose healthy behaviors.
     Board member David Heinen explained that as a kickoff event, he is working with a program called Teen Challenge “Stay Sharp” to bring to the school district.
     Under the principal’s report, Mr. Anderson shared that Phil Larson, trained math teacher leader, has started a clock hour class with a book study on teaching mathematics.
     Under the strategic plan report, Mike Lust was introduced as the WSU professional certification instructor. Mike is helping Republic and Curlew teachers gain their next level of professional certification through a very rigorous set of classes. The district thanked Mike for providing this program so that teachers don’t have to travel long distances to college programs.
     Under old business, it was reported that coaches, staff, parents, and community members have done an excellent job of cooperatively working together to cut costs for athletic programs. The board directed Teena to write a letter of appreciation to the athletic director and coaches for their monumental undertaking to work cooperatively to reduce costs while maintaining programs.
     Under new business, Teena presented the AYP school report card. Republic School District has made adequate yearly progress in all 32 areas required by the No Child Left Behind act. Because the alternative and parent partner program has less than 30 students, the district is required to have a school improvement plan on file. The board approved the plan.
     Also discussed was the future budget situation. The board set a work session for 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 18, before the regular board meeting, to look at budget prioritizing. By that time, there may be some preliminary answers from the Legislature on revenue reductions.
     Policy 6220 (bid requirements) was revised. The old policy did not meet current state bid laws.
     Finally, under announcements, board member Cheri Exner encouraged the district to send representatives to the WALA conference on alternative education in Vancouver Feb. 26-28.