Aberdeen Schools

Miller Junior High School Principal John Meers and former Miller Principal Jerry Salstrom are teaming up to celebrate the school's centennial. All are invited to a Community Organizational Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at Miller, 100 E. Lindstrom St.

When Miller Junior High School opened on January 28, 1924, at 5th and I Streets it was the first school in the State of Washington designed to serve the “middle” students.

Aberdeen was at the forefront in its desire to build strong schools, says retired Miller Principal Jerry Salstrom. He describes the decision to create a junior high school as an innovative, creative and ground-breaking move. And, he adds, it was driven by a desire to educate and serve the unique physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs of students in the 7th to 9th grade age group.

Community planning meeting

Salstrom, who was principal of Miller Junior High School for 10 years, retiring in 1999, is teaming up with current principal John Meers to plan a celebration of Miller’s centennial.

Salstrom and Meers are hosting a Community Organizational Meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, at the school in South Aberdeen. Volunteers will help with publicity, fundraising, posters and displays, set-up, clean-up, “and whatever else comes up.”

Memories and memorabilia

In addition, they are hoping people will help contribute with information and memorabilia. In particular, they are looking for the following:

• Anything related to the opening of Miller.
• The names and service dates of principals, especially from the early 1950s to the late 1960s.
• Any items referring to special events of activities.
• Items about the opening of the current building in 1979.
• Anything else that might be of interest.

Anyone with information to share is encouraged to contact Jerry Salstrom at jsalstrom@asd5.org or (360) 580-5142.

All of Aberdeen's schools conducted earthquake and tsunami drills this week as part of the Great Shakeout. The Shakeout occurs annually on the third Thursday in October, but our schools participated a day early due to parent conferences.

President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Jessica Jurasin, Annica Mizin, Suzy Ritter and Jeremy Wright, along with Superintendent Jeffrey Thake and 38 patrons and staff.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

1. The minutes from the regular meeting on October 3, 2023,
2. September payroll vouchers totaling $4,238,756.09, and
3. General Fund vouchers totaling $1,052,674.18, ASB Fund vouchers totaling $13,596.98, Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $111,714.29 and Private Purpose Trust Fund vouchers totaling $2,500.00.

Comments from the Board

Director Jessica Jurasin noted that those looking for dinner after the meeting might want to consider Westside Pizza because the band was hosting a fundraiser there.

Comments from the Public

The Board heard public comment from the following:

• Cindy Miller, a teacher at A.J. West Elementary School, spoke about class size challenges,
• Jack Nelson, a student at A.J. West Elementary School, spoke about his large 5th Grade class,
• Carla White, a teacher at Robert Gray Elementary School, spoke about special education and behavior challenges,
• Kerry Tadique, a teacher at Robert Gray Elementary School, spoke about staffing and the challenges of managing student behaviors and safety,
• Cathleen Wilder, AEA president, spoke in support of the teachers sharing their stories about staffing and student behavior,
• Rachel Johnson, a teacher at A.J. West Elementary School, spoke about the challenges of special education with staffing levels,
• Jerry Salstrom, retired principal, provided an update on plans for a centennial celebration at Miller Junior High School and announced a community organizational meeting for 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2,
• Ashley Kohlmeier, a teacher at Aberdeen High School and Foodball advisor, shared the upcoming schedule and discussed the various events.

Old Business

Policy 2410 Graduation Requirements

An update to Policy 2410 governing graduation requirements was approved.

Policy 3241 Student Discipline

An update to Policy 3241 governing student discipline was approved.

Superintendent’s Report

Budget and Special Levy

Superintendent Thake presented information outlining the budgeting challenges faced by districts under the state’s funding model, and shared information from the annual legal conference about why so many districts are experiencing financial distress.

Superintendent Thake presented draft calculations and options for the upcoming levy. During discussion, the Board directed that the levy resolution for the Nov. 14 meeting setting the amount of the levy be prepared at a fixed rate currently estimated at $5.8 million for four years with the cost to taxpayers not to exceed $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The levy goes before voters in February.

Financial Services

Fiscal Status Report

The Fiscal Status Report for September was presented by the executive director of business and operations, Elyssa Louderback. She reported an ending fund balance of $1,322,388.61 in the General Fund. With 8.33 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, the District has received 5.87 percent of revenue and is at 8.89 percent of expenditures. Under enrollment, she reported the District is currently trending 61 students above budget.

New Business

Policy 2161 Special Education

Special Education Director Rick Bates presented an update to the procedures in Policy 2161.

Transportation Co-op

The Board approved renewal of the Aberdeen/Hoquiam Transportation Co-operative.

GHC Alternative Route Block Grant

An agreement with Grays Harbor College to manage a block grant in support of classified staff who are enrolled in the Alternative Route teacher education program was approved.

Special Services Placement

An agreement with Soliant Health LLC to place Sheri Proffitt in the District as an occupational therapist was approved.

Personnel Report

Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report.

The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, November 14, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

Those who attend regular meetings are welcome to sign up at the meeting to provide public comment on agenda items. Written public comment for the record can also be submitted up to noon the day of the meeting by writing to schoolboard@asd5.org. Comments or concerns not on the agenda can be brought to the attention of the district by contacting the Superintendent's Office or by contacting individual board members.

There will be an informational meeting for parents and guardians of Miller Junior High School students regarding the sexual health curriculum from 6-7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in the Miller Junior High library.

Parents will have the opportunity to preview the HIV prevention and sexual health instruction materials. After reviewing the materials, parents who wish to have their child excused from the HIV prevention program or sexual health education may sign a release form.

State law provides that a parent or guardian must attend such a meeting before they can have their child or legal ward excused from participation in the HIV prevention program.

• Superintendent Jeffrey Thake, jthake@asd5.org

• Business Office, Elyssa Louderback, elouderback@asd5.org
• Human Resources, Christi Sayres, csayres@asd5.org
• Special Education, Rick Bates, rbates@asd5.org
• Career & Technical Education, Lynn Green, lgreen@asd5.org
• Teaching, Learning & Technology, Traci Sandstrom, tsandstrom@asd5.org
• Food Services, Jaime Matisons, jmatisons@asd5.org

A.J. West Elementary School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2130 / Principal Nani Villarreal

Central Park Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2170 / Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda

McDermoth Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2120 / Principal Mindi Hammill

Robert Gray Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2140 / Principal Sherri Northington

Stevens Elementary School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2150 / Principal Jamie Stotler

Harbor Learning Center

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2180 / Principal Lisa Griebel

Hopkins Preschool

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2190 / Principal Darby Carroll

Miller Junior High School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2100 / Principal John Meers

Aberdeen High School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2040 General / Principal Aaron Roiko
• (360) 538-2060 Attendance Line

The Athletic Department is pleased to introduce online ticket sales through GoFan. You can still buy tickets at the gate. Athletic Director John Crabb said the e-ticket option will be available for all home sporting events. Patrons can buy season tickets or individual tickets.

Access the online ticket site using the QR code at left or by visiting here.

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The Aberdeen School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Christi Sayres, Title IX Coordinator and Civil rights Compliance Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2222; csayres@asd5.org; Dr. Richard Bates, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; rbates@asd5.org.