At the November 12 regular board meeting:

Legislative Priorities – Superintendent Snell revisited our updated legislative priorities with the school board.

1. Continue progress towards fully funding special education. Ensuring students served through special services have full access to their basic education. Currently, we continue to require the use of our local enrichment levy. Possible solution: Increase funding for each special education student; Lower the threshold needed to attain safety net funding.
2. Sustain Regionalization. Regionalization factors for some districts begin declining in 2020-21, 1% per year. It is unclear why this is the case, and it creates a challenge given the cost per employee will continue to rise each year. Possible solution: Do not phase out funding using “regionalization” existing factors over time.
3. Update Staff Allocation Formulas. The staffing allocations in the Prototypical School Funding need updating. Not only are schools staffed beyond the allocations in essential areas such as mental health and safety, but also the cost of each staffing unit exceeds the funding received. Possible solution: Phase in updated ratios to reflect the market rate for positions; Follow recommendations of OSPI prototypical workgroup.
4. Monitor the impact of the new School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). As the new employee benefits system is implemented, assess the additional costs for school districts and the impact on enrichment levies. Possible solution: Fully fund the cost of employee health benefits for all eligible employees, or adjust eligibility criteria.

Local Levy Rate – The Board discussed their upcoming decision related to certifying our local levy rate; we anticipate a decision at the next board meeting. Background: The State raised the local levy authority from $1.50 to $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in the 2019 legislative session. Voters approved a local levy in 2017 at a projected $3.06 per thousand. The school board must set the rate for 2020 and 2021, and that rate may not exceed $2.50 per $1,000.

Would you like to see more? Agendas, supporting documents, and minutes are always posted here.

If you believe that ALL people should be supported, valued, and included, join us on Wed., Nov. 20, 6-8 PM, for a special screening of #IntelligentLives at the Camas High School Theatre!

This new documentary by disability rights filmmaker Dan Habib is shattering stereotypes about what it means to be “intelligent” and #openingdoors to more inclusive education & employment.

In addition to featuring the stories of three pioneering young adults, the film is graced with the personal perspective of Academy award-winning actor Chris Cooper. See the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7qEJFpMWNk

** Register at http://bit.ly/CSDlives **

This is a free, open-captioned event sponsored by Camas School District and recommended for ages 8+.

Last Saturday, the CHS Boys Cross Country team won the 4A state championship and the CHS Girls Cross Country team placed second. It is the first boys cross country state title in CHS history. We are extremely proud of these outstanding student-athletes!

Amanda Jackson, a Spanish teacher at Hayes Freedom High School and Liberty Middle School, recently invited Shelley Houle's Helen Baller 5th graders to her HFHS Spanish class to learn about Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Her students presented the history and cultural traditions of this Mexican holiday. They also created a Day of the Dead altar and explained the significance of each item. Houle shares, "Helen Baller students definitely benefit from having a high school practically in their backyard!"

After a 48-13 win over Olympia November 3, the Camas Papermakers Football team now advances to their next playoff match against Eastmont High School (East Wenatchee) this Sat., Nov. 16, 2 p.m., at Doc Harris Stadium. Take note: prices and procedures differ from regular-season games, and no passes are accepted. For details, please visit www.camas.wednet.edu. The game will be live-streamed on www.nfhsnetwork.com.

Donations for our annual Camas-Washougal community food drive are now being accepted at all elementary schools, Skyridge Middle School, Liberty Middle School, and Camas High School through December 6. While a component of this project is a friendly rivalry between Camas High School and Washougal High School – who will each load up their bounty into a school bus and weigh them on December 7 – the true reward is in helping others: Donations of nonperishable food, personal care items, and money will support local families in need during the holidays and beyond. The program is presented by CW Connect Community Outreach, and proceeds benefit the CAROL Program, organized by the Camas-Washougal Fire Department; Children’s Home Society of Washington; and The American Legion, supplying food baskets to residents of Skamania County.

As shared by the Downtown Camas Association, if you haven't driven down 5th Ave, you need to! CHS’s Hailee Parman painted the mural on the side of the Wintzer Acupuncture building for her senior project.

Discovery High School’s freshman class has officially sealed up its time capsule filled with artifacts representing their experiences, including self-portraits, essays, and poems. The question "What makes us a unique member of our community?" guided their capsule choices and tied the activity to their English and Human Geography classes. The capsule will be tucked away in the building – which recently received an award from the American Institute of Architects – and reopened in 2023 before graduation.

Email: communications@camas.wednet.edu
Website: camas.wednet.edu
Location: 841 Northeast 22nd Avenue, Camas, WA, USA
Phone: 360-335-3000
Facebook: facebook.com/CamasSchools
Twitter: @CamasSchools