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

The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors approved the budget for the 2016-2017 year with the general fund expected to expend $6,282,812 at their July meeting on Tuesday.

There was a lot to discuss and a lot of action items, as well as two presentations, and the meeting lasted two hours.

The school board agreed to help the ASB fund for one year by paying for lodging for any team or club that goes to regional or state tournaments. They also approved the purchase of 30 more Chromebooks and a cart which will cost approximately $11,000. They approved the 2016-2017 contracts with ESD 112.

The board adopted goals to increase academic growth and success, improve and maintain public trust, and align the district budget with the strategic plan's goals. They also continued to discuss how they might evaluate the superintendent. Thus far, two board members are recommending a self-evaluation and staff and community surveys.

The new sound system at the high school has been installed. It will be tested sometime this week. The school’s buses passed inspection with “exceptional results” according to a letter from the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. The portables have been demolished at the grade school and the high school.

The board approved the request for a conditional teaching certificate for Joel McEntire, who is expected to join the teachers at the middle school.

Sheriff Mark Howie was in attendance. He spoke to the group about trees at the grade school that were interfering with their radio systems and they would ultimately lose communication on the east end.

“The tower is stationary. It cannot be moved,” Howie said. “We’re going to have to find a way to pay to have the trees topped some how.”

According to Howie, Beau Renfro was looking for a way that the County Emergency Fund could pay for it. He also speculated that another local entity could help.

“The PUD does this around the county,” Howie said, “they could come up with some sort of topping that could be aesthetically pleasing.”

“It sounds like it needs to be done,” Director Sue O’Connor said.

The board agreed to allow Superintendent Bob Garrett to work with the sheriff’s department and the PUD to do what needed to be done.

Howie also spoke about a levy that he said was proposed by citizens and supported by all three county commissioners.

“The state is taking funds every where they can to fulfill the mandate for education funding,” he said. “We are looking for alternative funding. Property taxes are the only way we can go.”

Howie suggested that taxpayers pay $0.39 per $1,000 of property. According to Howie, the levy could fund a seventh deputy for the county and a dedicated nurse at the jail.

The seventh deputy would fill a school resource officer position for several hours at Wahkiakum schools. He would attend some assemblies, games and events.

“The deputy would be building a rapport with students, staff and parents,” Howie said, “as well as provide the school with someone who can prevent crimes.”

He said that the extra hire would enhance the sheriff’s patrol and provide more coverage at night.

“We can’t provide coverage for 24 hours a day, seven days a week with six officers,” Howie said.

Chris Holmes from Health and Human Services shared that HHS hoped to purchase land near the water treatment plant in the near future. The land would be used for more affordable housing and more.

Holmes asked the school board to consider what kind of access they might allow from their farm forest. He also shared that other ideas were being considered to create a safe corridor on SR 4 through Cathlamet, including the possibility of two roundabouts.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for August 23, at 5:30 p.m.