The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG -- With January's designation as School Board Appreciation Month in the state of Washington, Waitsburg board members were honored at the Jan. 14 school board meeting. Elementary students sent handmade cards, flowers and photos and representatives of the high school National Honor Society served the board punch and cookies. High school ASB members presented each member with a card of thanks from the high school. FFA members had honored board members in December with handmade Christmas wreaths.

Superintendent Carol Clarke presented certificates of appreciation to each member and Chairman Ross Hamann received a special certificate marking his tenth year on the board. Clarke recalled that her very first act after being sworn in as Waitsburg superintendent in 2004 was to swear in Hamann as a school board member.

Other board members include Vice Chairman Randy Pearson who has served 17 years, Christy House who has served three years, Marilyn Johnson who has served five years and Greg Zuger who has served the board for 24 years, since 1991.

Clarke shared an amusing anecdote from kindergarten teacher Pam Nolan-Beasley who had talked with her students about the board and its duties. While checking for understanding, Beasley asked the students what they could tell her about the board. One student raised their hand and said, "They're dead." Beasley thought the confusion must be due to the fact that Martin Luther King Jr. and the other honorees they've learned about have all been deceased. She quickly corrected the misconception.

Board Agenda Items

Elementary Principal Report: Clarke shared that the 4th/5th grade ski program begins in February and that they received a "fantabulous" price from Ski Bluewood of $122 per student to participate in the four-week program. Students will host the concession meal at the Jan. 24 home basketball game to raise funds for the program and Clarke noted that local businesses have offered to make donations to help students who can't afford the cost as well.

Secondary Principal Report: WWCC chorus director Julie Jones invited 16 Waitsburg students to attend a percussion master workshop at the college. Waitsburg's knowledge bowl team has advanced to regional competition. Two seniors essays, by Hannah Grant and Emma Philbrook, were selected by the Elks Foundation to move on to the national level. "It is unusual to have even one essay advance to the national level, but two from one high school is something to brag about," said Principal Wooderchak. The high school will host the two-day Every 15 Minutes program on March 12 and 13. Prom will be March 28.

Athletic Director Report: Waitsburg will host league tournament games on Feb. 7 and Feb. 9.

Transportation Director Report: A new HVAC unit has been installed in a room in Preston Hall. A new freezer door was to be installed on the kitchen freezer Jan. 17. The new phone system is installed and functioning and bugs are being worked out.

Superintendent Report: Enrollment remained steady at 292.2. The Waitsburg Alumni Assoc. and the Waitsburg Historical Society have donated a BOSE sound system to thank the district for their support of the annual alumni banquet and the Fall Festival.

New Business: The board approved revisions to several policies in order to meet state mandated anti-discrimination guidelines. Approved updates to certificated staff contracts as set forth in the recently approved collective bargaining agreement.

A superintendent's review took place during executive session.