Superintendent Webb “Re-ups” with 3-Year Contract

— by Margie Doyle —

Orcas Elementary Students present a banner of appreciation to the Orcas Island School District Board

At the board meeting on Jan. 25, the school board unanimously approved a three-year contract for Eric Webb as the Superintendent effective July 1, 2018. The contract provides for an annual salary of $132,266,  a 2% increase.

Orcas Island School Board Orcas island Elementary School Students, part of the Student Council, presented a “Thank You” banner  to the Orcas School Board in observance of School Board appreciation month. The banner was signed by all the kids in the elementary school. The board also received Viking mufflers, Rolaids,  and restaurant tokens, distributed by Middle/High School Principal Kyle Freeman.

Superintendent Webb said in a written statement, “School Board Recognition Month [is] a perfect opportunity for our school and community to honor past and present school board members for their dedication to our children and school district. Providing our community’s children with a solid education is a priceless investment! Our school board members invest countless hours developing policy and making tough decisions on complex educational and social issues.

“Thank you for your dedication and service to this district!”

Middle School teachers Phil Carter, Social Studies and Kelly Carpenter, language arts, gave a brief presentation of the collaboration between their classes.

Elementary School Principal Lorena Stankevich and teacher Glenda Smith presented a Parent/Family Engagement Policy for the school-wide Title I program which provides federal funds to support kids struggling with reading and math. Stankevich noted that these funds must be used and allocated based on the school improvement plan.

The policy has been made with the cooperation of the school Improvement team created in Winter 2017. This team, to develop a plan for what school teachers should be focusing on for the 17-18 school year is composed of two teachers, two parents, school social worker, Special Education teacher, para educator, reading specialist and principal. The Parent/Family engagement policy went out to parents for feedback, and parents were encouraged to make suggestions.

“We’re now reviewing components, it’s a continuous improvement cycle,” said Stankevich. She said that goals have been set to monitor math learning at 10% growth this year, and 15% for “students with intensive needs.”  A second goal is behavioral, to address defiance and lack of respect. The Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) approach is being taken “to establish a positive behavioral school culture where all students in our school achieve social, emotional, and academic success.”

This year the Second Step program, as taught by Alexandria Romera with funds granted by Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF), has the35d through 5th grade students working on skills for learning, such as empathy, and how to calm down.

Superintendent Webb announced in his written report that a Budget Advisory Committee meetings (BAC) has been formed and held two meetings. “This committee will serve as an advisory committee to [the Finance Manager, Keith Whitaker] and to me.

“One goal of this committee is to help identify and determine how positions are funded by Basic Ed /apportionment and identify/prioritize how levy funds are spent. The administrative team has started the same process, which will provide another perspective. The committee members are Tom Baldwin, Carol Sutton, Elyn Andersson, Brian Wright, Greg White, Diane Boerstler, Sara Morgan, and Keith Whittaker.”

Webb went on to explain the district’s efforts to deal with the legislation passed last year affecting state support of Basic Education:  “During the final hours of the third special session of the 2017-2018 Legislative Session, the Washington State Legislature passed EHB 2242 which, at the time of its inception, was touted as the solution to the McCleary lawsuit.

“The reality, for our district, is that EHB 2242 will actually have a profound and negative impact on compensation, staff mix factor, regionalization, “resident” language (for OASIS), our current levy, and special education.”

Webb outlined “a worst-case scenario in the event we are unable to lobby for adjustments and “fixes” to the bill during the current 65th Annual Biennial Session. This scenario is described in the accompanying  article “How the Current State Education Funding May Impact Orcas Island School District.” )  Webb is scheduled to meet with State Superintendent Chris Reykdal in Olympia next week “to discuss the impact of EHB2242 on our district and lobbying for policy and language changes.”

Business Manager Keith Whitaker noted in his report to the board that the OISD fund balance fell by $60,000 during December, which “bodes well for the expected reduction of balance during January and February prior to the beginning of tax receipts in the spring.

“Actual dollars spent are below last year at this time by about $18,000 despite the increase in overall budget of nearly $400,0000.

“The percentage of budget expended barely moved this month, from 79.70% to 80.08%.”

Whitaker announced that he will be having a discussion about the capital projects fund with the district’s investment advisor and a possible conference call with County Treasurer Rhonda Pederson about moving bonds to higher interest-earning investments.

Whitaker said that school enrollment as of January, 2018 was 760 FTE (Full-time equivalent) students.

Several donations were received by the Board on behalf of the District:

• $7,151.27 from OIEF for Farm to Cafeteria program
• $1,590 for OIEF for A-OK Arts grant/classroom instruction
• $4,000 from the Music Advocacy Group for a set of tubular bells
• in-kind donation of a cello, valued at over $500. by Lek Thixton

The approval of a contract for Mahlum Architects and a Project Manager contract were removed from the agenda as the contracts were not yet ready.