Board honored during meeting for recent award

NASELLE – The members of the Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board and the people attending the monthly board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 16, in the Naselle Middle School Commons took a brief time-out during the meeting to celebrate the board’s selection as one of the three school boards chosen as School Board of the Year by the Washington State School Directors Association. That award was announced last week at the annual State School Directors Conference.

District Superintendent Gerald Schmidtke explained some of the criteria of the board’s selection as the top board in school districts with a student enrollment of less than a 1,000 students. Schmidtke explained that the prestigious award recognizes school boards that have demonstrated outstanding efforts and accomplishments in promoting student achievement. Award recipients submitted essays describing what the school board has done to improve student achievement. Essays were judged on several criteria, including the board’s vision and leadership, efforts to work as a team with the district administration, clearly described lessons that will benefit other school boards, and a thoughtful implementation plan.

Members of the board, Chairman Deanna Gjovik, Bill Coop, Gilbert Haataia, Steve Sultemeier and Arne Wirkkala, in responding to the award, offered varying views of the award. However, all mentioned the teamwork among community members, staff, administration and students in showing progress in the district’s schools.

In other action, the board: recognized Deborah Denny for being chosen “Volleyball Coach of the Year” for the Pacific league; approved the Consent Agenda; read a letter from Lyle Patterson thanking the board for naming the gym in his honor; approved the purchasing of a new van at the state bid price; and approved the School Improvement Plan.

In reports to the board: Mr. Williams reported on the National Middle School Conference; Marina Senft, foreign exchange student, spoke about herself, family, country and experiences here; the facility committee postponed action on a new gym floor until there is further information on the air quality issue; Mrs. Wirkkala reported the middle school students sold approximately $12,000 in magazines and that the district held a Veterans Day Assembly where approximately 40 veterans attended.

Superintendent Schmidtke gave the business report. He also stated Rich Prill from Washington State University tested the building today for air quality problems. He discovered very little and nothing as a problem. He did not suggest the district remove the duct work nor seal it. The district should do further research to isolate the problem. This may include medical feedback from a physician and further testing. He also reminded the board the December meeting has been changed to Dec. 13.

It was announced that: parent/teacher conferences would begin (last) Wednesday; Thanksgiving break will be this week, Thursday and Friday; and there are 26 girls and 26 boys turning out for basketball.