Aberdeen Schools

A small ensemble from the Aberdeen student orchestra played the National Anthem to open the meeting of the School Board on Tuesday, Feb. 21, accompanied by ASL student Bella Bruner, shown at left.

Mariachi and the Classics

The orchestra students, under the direction of Erik Peterson, were on hand to share information about their upcoming "Mariachi and the Classics" dinner event on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Students will play classical and mariachi music while patrons enjoy a meal prepared by AHS students in the Culinary Arts Program.

Tickets are $20 and available online (via debit or credit card) and at the door (cash only). Doors open at 5 p.m. with meal service to begin at 6. The food is being donated by Rancho Alegre of Aberdeen. Proceeds will benefit student orchestra activities.

Aberdeen/Hoquiam ASL Night

Bella Bruner and Ayden Giffin, students in Anne Ramsey's American Sign Language class at Aberdeen High School, were in attendance to invite Board members to the annual Aberdeen/Hoquiam ASL Night on Thursday, March 2. This year’s event is Disney-themed and will begin at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium at Aberdeen High School. The event is open to the public and admission is free.

Side Note

The Mr. Irresistible Pageant is scheduled for 7 tonight, Feb. 24, in the Auditorium at Aberdeen High School.

Agenda

President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Directors Jessica Jurasin, Annica Mizin and Suzy Ritter, along with Superintendent Jeffrey Thake and 31 patrons and staff. Director Jeremy Wright was excused.

The meeting began with the playing of the National Anthem by several members of the Aberdeen Student Orchestra and signed by Bella Bruner, an AHS student studying American Sign Language.

Minutes, Bills, Trips & Gifts

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

1. The minutes from the regular meeting on February 7,

2. January payroll totaling $4,067,563.78 and

3. General Fund vouchers totaling $1,225,969.89, Capital Projects Fund vouchers $226,016.49, and ASB Fund vouchers totaling $10,137.54.

Comments from the Board

The Board discussed having a member of the student body serve on the Board, as has been done in the past.

The Board asked the superintendent to explore the pros and cons of offering driver’s education.

President Jennifer Durney commented that the annual ASL Night with Hoquiam is always well done and very worthwhile to attend.

Old Business

The Board adopted or revised three policies related to medications at school:

• Policy 3416 Medication at School – update,
• Policy 3420 Anaphylaxis – new policy, and
• Policy 3423 Medical Marijuana – new.

Superintendent’s Report

Superintendent Jeffrey Thake presented President Jennifer Durney with a certificate of appreciation from the Washington State School Directors’ Association for her five years of service on the Board.

Superintendent Thake discussed his attendance at the American Association of School Administrators National Conference on Education; research the district’s Leadership Team is reviewing to improve student outcomes, especially innovative secondary models that include academic acceleration and allowing students to work at their own pace, equitable resource allocations and creative staffing.

Fiscal Status Report

Executive Director of Business and Operations Shannon Ramsey presented the Fiscal Status Report for January, which included ending fund balances of $7,810 in the General Fund, $681,590 in the Capital Projects Fund, $863,421 in the Debt Service Fund, $318,563 in the ASB Fund and $405,156 in the Transportation Vehicle Fund. She also reported that FTE annual average to date is 3,092.81, slightly above the budgeted FTE of 3,085.

New Business

Academic Calendars

The Board adopted the 180-day calendar for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.

School for the Blind

The Board approved a contract for supplemental services through the Washington State School for the Blind.

Personnel Matters

Following an executive session that included the mid-year evaluation of the superintendent, the Board approved the Personnel Report.

The next regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, at Robert Gray Elementary School, 1516 North B St.

Those who attend 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.

• 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.