Aberdeen Schools

Central Park 4th Graders couldn't have asked for better weather on their trip to Westport this week where they visited the Westport Maritime Museum (the historic headquarters building of the U.S. Coast Guard) and the Grays Harbor Lighthouse. There was lots to learn, do and see!

Superintendent Jeffrey Thake has announced the 2023 Employees of the Year for the Aberdeen School District.

"Congratulations to these outstanding members of our staff," he said. "These employees truly demonstrate going above and beyond their calls of duty."

Aberdeen High School

• Rachel Wenzel, English teacher
• Jeri Distler, Special Education para-educator

Harbor Learning Center

• Christopher Howell, Math/Science teacher
• Amy Rasler, Attendance secretary

Miller Junior High School

• Jamie Sutton, Special Education teacher
• Isaura Guzman, Guidance Center secretary

A.J. West Elementary School

• Jessica Nelson, 2nd Grade teacher
• Jeanna Baltazar, para-educator

Central Park Elementary School

• Bailee Green, Kindergarten teacher
• Shilo Todd, para-educator

McDermoth Elementary School

• Theresa Fleming, 2nd Grade teacher
• Shanna Lynch, para-educator

Robert Gray Elementary School

• Julie Niemi, 2nd Grade teacher
• Kim Abel, MTSS assistant

Stevens Elementary School

• Rees Sturm, 2nd Grade teacher
• Josie Micheau, office coordinator

Hopkins Preschool

• Candis Gates, Preschool teacher
• Toni Williams, ECEAP Family Service worker

Principal of the Year:

• John Meers, Miller Junior High School

District staff:

• Wade Bruffet, Technology

Transportation:

• Melody Ancheta, bus driver

Maintenance/Custodial:

• Mike Pauley, Facilities manager

Food Service: ­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­

• Michelle Ryan, Robert Gray Elementary School

The honorees and their families have been invited to the Employees of the Year Celebration on May 24.

AGENDA (pdf)

President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Jessica Jurasin, Suzy Ritter, Annica Mizin and Jeremy Wright, along with Superintendent Jeffrey Thake and 32 patrons and staff.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

1. The minutes from the regular meeting on April 18, 2023;
2. Permission for the AHS Marching Band to travel to Victoria, B.C., to perform and compete in the Victoria Day Parade on May 20-23;
3. Permission for the AHS Yearbook staff to travel to Astoria, Ore., for a year-end celebration on June 1, and
4. Correspondence from the Grays Harbor County Juvenile Court confirming operational plans and the continued need for services for the 2023-2024 school year.

Grays Harbor Strong Coalition

Haley Falley of the Grays Harbor Public Health Department gave a presentation on the Harbor Strong Coalition and its focus on youth.

Aberdeen High School Annual Report

Principal Aaron Roiko, accompanied by staff and students from highlighted programs, presented the annual report for Aberdeen High School.

Comments from the Public

Megan Cox Orosz, a teacher at Aberdeen High School, offered comment in support of MTSS and PBIS staff.

Superintendent’s Report

Teacher Appreciation Week

Superintendent Jeffrey Thake read a proclamation declaring Aberdeen’s support for National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 8-12.

Budget Update

Superintendent Thake provided an update on the 2023-2024 budget and need for reductions. He reported that on Friday, he and HR Director Christi Sayres met individually with 21 members of the teaching staff who are either reassigned or non-renewed for the next school year.

Transportation Vehicle Fund

Superintendent Thake reported that he will be bringing a budget extension request to the next Board meeting in order to complete the purchase of two new buses.

New Business

Nonresident Student Policy

The Board reviewed the first reading of an update to Policy 3141 Nonresident Students.

WIAA Resolution

The Board approved Resolution 2023-02 Delegating Authority to WIAA, which is an annual resolution for the district’s membership in the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.

Bates Interlocal Agreement

The Board approved renewal of the agreement with Bates Technical College for 2023-2024 allowing Aberdeen students to enroll.

School for the Blind

The Board approved an agreement with the Washington State School for the Blind to provide assessment services for a student this spring.

First Aid Agreement

The Board approved renewal of the agreement with Denny Bickar to provide basic CPR and First Aid training for staff in 2023-2024.

Next Meeting

The next regular meeting of the Board is at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

Personnel Matters

Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report and the 2023-2024 Certificated Staffing List.

The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 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.

The Aberdeen chapter of SkillsUSA will be hosting the 15th annual Cowboy BBQ from 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, to help raise funds for two AHS state champions and two advisors to attend and compete in Atlanta, Ga., at the 2023 SkillsUSA National Conference and Skills Championships.

Burns and Ancich to nationals

Keara Burns, a junior, will represent Washington in the Residential & Commercial Appliance Technology category. This is Keara's second trip to the national competition. She is the reigning bronze medalist in this category. Joining her is junior Charlie Ancich, Washington's champion in Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning.

To make a donation or to purchase tickets for the BBQ, please contact Aberdeen High School at 360-538-2040.

Mr. Veloni is a champ, too

Congratulations, also, to their advisor, Mr. Chuck Veloni, who was presented the state's CTE Champions Award for his influential and proactive advocacy of Career and Technical Education.

If you have a student ready for preschool or kindergarten this fall, please register now.

Early registration helps ensure that our schools can be ready for all new students.

• Superintendent Jeffrey Thake, jthake@asd5.org

• Business Office, Shannon Ramsey, shramsey@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: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2130 / Interim Building Leader Nani Villarreal

Central Park Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2170 / Principal Joan Hoehn

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 p.m.
• (360) 538-2140 / Principal Sherri Northington

Stevens Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 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. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2190 / Principal Joan Hoehn

Miller Junior High School

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

Aberdeen High School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2040 General / Principal Aaron Roiko
• (360) 538-2060 Attendance Line

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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.