The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Naselle-Grays River Valley School District Board of Directors met for its monthly meeting on April 19.

Several personnel moves were approved. These included the retirement of teacher Barbara Swanson at the end of the school year. Mrs. Swanson has been with the district since 1981. Superintendent Nelson reflected on the work of Mrs. Swanson with elementary and youth camp students, along with the numerous exceptional plays she directed. The board also approved the hire of Rebekah Wirkkala as head volleyball coach, Quinn Donlon as the K-12 principal and the resignation of teacher Rita Souther.

Several items of business received approval: the purchases of hot water heaters for the kitchen and locker rooms, not to exceed (NTE) $12,350, the purchase of 25 replacement laptops with Rural Education Grant Funds NTE $29,500 and technology upgrades NTE $23,400.

The master calendar for the 2016-17 school year and a resolution in support of the Pacific County Hazard Mitigation Plan were also approved. The board approved overnight travel for spring sports and an 8th grade trip to the Cispus Learning Center.

Members of the senior class were present to discuss their proposal for an overnight trip to Lake Chelan with money they had raised over the last four years of their high school. The board approved the trip.

Of major significance was the mention of the District’s notification from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction that it had been selected to receive a grant award in the amount of $197,600 to construct a covered play area for indoor recess and other activities involving physical fitness. The grant money was recently appropriated by the Legislature in an effort to increase students’ physical fitness levels. With concerns over concurrent shared gym space between elementary recess and high school PE classes on rainy days, the District had much cause for celebration.

Superintendent Nelson provided overviews of the interview and hiring process for the K-12 principal and the impending interviews for the Naselle Youth Camp principal position. She also updated the board on the Mandarin immersion grants and the process for acquiring teachers for next school year.