Waitsburg School Board update

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board met on July 21 for a quick business meeting followed by a budget hearing. All board members were present.

Board members went over the revised DW Wolfpack Athletic Code of Conduct. Dayton and Waitsburg school districts received the code revisions before the meeting. Dr. Carol Clarke brought up some editorial issues with the current code version, but the consensus was that the content was acceptable.

Board member Stephanie Cole gave a brief update on the last DW Combine Committee meeting, which focused on middle school football. She reported that the combine committee discussed whether the team should remain an 8-man field. The committee decided to stay an 8-man field.

Cole said the middle school team would practice in Dayton this year.

During the superintendent’s report, Superintendent Mark Pickel said the school has a tentative agreement with an agency called Stepping Stones, based out of Chicago, Il., pending board approval later, to try and find a SPED teacher. The school district has several teaching and paraprofessional positions open for the 2022-23 school year.

The Walla Walla Regional SWAT team visited the high school on July 19 for training. The school will host a community safety forum on August 22, with more details to be shared later.

Pickel said student representatives would begin attending school board meetings in September.

Superintendent Pickel recognized Linda Henze’s 25th anniversary at the Waitsburg School District. Henze works in the business office at the district and formerly worked at the front desk as an administrative assistant.

Board members received an update regarding a new engine for a district-owned Suburban. Pickel said that the vehicle was at a dealership; however, the dealership is struggling with staffing qualified mechanics. The Suburban should be returned to the district by the beginning of September.

School counselor Rosie Nechodom presented the transitional comprehensive counseling plan, which must be implemented by the beginning of the school year. Nechodom said she would attend the next board meeting to answer questions and work with board members to adopt a plan.

The board discussed various salary schedules before exiting into an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

Upon return from the executive session, the school board adjourned the business meeting. They moved into a public hearing regarding the budget, which was passed.