Submitted by Superintendent Lisa Nelson

On February 19, a special meeting was held at 5 p.m., prior to the regular meeting of the Naselle/Grays River Valley School District Board of Directors. Directors and teachers who work in the music and vocational departments toured the facility’s wing, which was constructed in 1957. The purpose of the meeting was to begin conversations around upgrades and modernization to the facility. Additional workshops are being planned for the future.

At 6:30 p.m., the regular board meeting was called to order.

In personnel matters, the board approved the upcoming retirement of long-time Director of Maintenance and Operations Randy Tienhaara, and acknowledged the resignation of George Garcia as a regular route bus driver. The board conducted an evaluation of Superintendent Lisa Nelson and extended her contract for another year. An unpaid leave request was granted for teacher, Meg Colquhoun, to travel abroad on an educational grant.

Out of area and overnight travel were approved for winter and spring activities as well as the senior class trip to California, should students complete the necessary fundraising criteria.

Three students from Diane Bennett’s class shared their experiences with the board in participating in meetings with state lobbyists during the current legislative session. As part of this program, students choose various bills to support and provide their direct input via face to face video formats. The project will go on throughout the current legislative session and can be found on TVW under Naselle-Grays River Valley School.

Due to higher than anticipated personnel costs, the board approved a resolution to extend the general fund budget for the 2018-19 school year.

In special acknowledgements, Superintendent Nelson recognized and thanked the board for its service over the past year.

Board Member Amy Chadwick provided an update on the many initiatives being discussed in the current legislative session.

Two board policies were examined. The board adopted policy 3141, Non-resident students, after an initial reading last month. A first read of policy 6220 Bid Requirements was also conducted. School calendars for the Youth Camp and the K-12 school were approved.

The board met January 15 in the Middle School Commons.

Before beginning the bulk of its agenda items, the board nominated Chuck Hendrickson to continue as Board Chair and Nick Nikkila to continue as Vice-Chair.

In personnel matters, the Board approved the hire of A.J. Smith, assistant baseball coach.

In other matters, the board approved student out of District travel for a Close-Up sponsored trip to Washington D.C. in March.

The Board conducted a first read of policy 3141, Non-resident students.

Teacher Mrs. Ford and some of her students shared the mini-boat project they have been working on in conjunction with the Columbia River Maritime Museum.

For this project, students constructed boats that were released in Japan and are being tracked by Global Positioning Systems (GPS) as the boats travel across the Pacific Ocean. It is projected that the mini-boats will arrive on the west coast, some time in the next ten months. Students from Naselle-Grays River partnered with the Choshi Second Junior High School in Japan for the project.

Principal Donlon provided an overview for the Board of the recent STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) night that saw over 30 community members and businesses sharing their skills and activities in various STEM fields, careers and professions.

The next school board meeting will be on March 19 in the Middle School Commons, beginning at 6:30 p.m.