D21 School Board Member to resign at Thursday's meeting; board to announce vacancy
By Tom Peterson
D21 Board Chair Jose Aparicio
The North Wasco County School District Board will be losing a member on Thursday, Jan. 20, when it convenes its regular meeting at 6 p.m.
Board Chair Jose Aparicio said they will announce which board member will be leaving at the meeting.
“We’ll put it out there and let people know that we are looking for folks to apply and fill that position,” he said on Wednesday, Jan. 19.
The Board is expected to accept the resignation and declare a board member zone vacancy.
According to district policy, vacancies are filled through Board appointments.
The appointee must be a legally registered voter and a resident within the district and their respective zone for one year immediately preceding the appointment. The board is required to advertise the position for 20 days to find an eligible resident from that zone.
To read the entire policy for filling the vacancy and future election rules affecting that appointee, click here.
Here is a link to the meeting agenda. This is where the detailed information lives.
To watch the meeting live on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. go to either of these locations:
Computer Money
The Board will consider the purchase and replacement of up to 5,000 Chromebooks at a maximum cost of $500,000. The new computers are needed as they are becoming obsolete and will become unmanageable in regard to ‘appropriate filters’ and network capabilities, according to the staff report. The computers would be paid for through federal dollars coming from the American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. The fund is a one-time appropriation from the U.S. Department of Education. The District will also rely on Partnership funds.
Moving Money
In a supplemental budget hearing, the Board will consider moving $581,480 from the School Bus Depreciation and $25,000 from the Local Grant Fund to the categories of Instruction, Support and Community services.
Superintendent Report
Superintendent reports interim progress on goals to the Board.
First District Professional Learning Time Meeting (Review Fall Data)
Monitor Facilities Direction
Review Board goals
Review/revise policies as needed
Audit Report and Correction
The Board is set to consider the approval of the 2020-2021 audit report and approve an action plan to correct two deficiencies found in the audit.
The Eagle Has Landed
The Board will hold a discussion about giving a stuffed golden aagle from the Wahtonka Campus to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
It is one of two Eagles. The Wahtonka High School original, which is properly registered, is being kept at the D21 Museum. However, there is a second golden eagle on campus that is not currently documented through Federal or State wildlife organizations.
The second eagle has no documented known origins, but records show the eagle was given to the district some time between 1964 and 1968. The requirements of retaining preserved eagles are to use them for educational displays. Since the Wahtonka Campus has limited student usage, the recommendation is to donate the second golden eagle to the local museum where the eagle can be properly cared for and used to educate the community.
Making Policy
The Board will conduct their first reading of revised School District Policies regarding student conduct, harassment, weapons in school and firearms. The board will conduct a second reading of School Board Policies on suspected sexual conduct and reporting requirements, child abuse reporting requirements, freedom of expression and equal educational opportunity.
Board policies receive three readings and typically small changes if needed before being adopted.
Student Representatives to give Reports
The Dalles High School: Sophia Lewis
The Dalles Middle School: Rokiah Notbohm
Chenowith Elementary School: Cesar Alvarez & Hannah Pewitt
Dry Hollow Elementary School: Eleanor Young
Colonel Wright Elementary School: Omar Mercado Chavarria & Cadence LeAnn Scott
