Aberdeen Schools

From here on out, the students in Janet Dayton's CTE Science class at Miller Junior High School will watch waves roll in at the beach from a new perspective. Mrs. Dayton’s students have been studying waves, and part of the unit has included designing their own surfboards. Shape is important as it relates to the water, they've learned, and fin placement alone is practically a whole other science.

As it happens, Jason Doré, an English teacher at Aberdeen High School, is an avid surfer and he recently visited the class for some show and tell. Mr. Doré talked about fitness and the surfboard designs he uses, and why.

Mr. Doré also told students they live near one of the best places for surfing on the West Coast -- the South Beach at Westport near the Jetty.

Next, the students will select several winning surfboard designs, which will then be printed using the 3-D printer in Hailey Pfeifer's STEM lab. There may even be a T-Shirt contest using the students' surfboard designs in Ashley Emmett’s Business Entrepreneurship class.

“We are happy to share a little bit of the fun things happening here at Miller Junior High,” Mrs. Dayton said.

For a little more fun, visit NOAA's "What are Waves" page, where wave science is explained in a one-minute video.

The 16th annual SkillsUSA Cowboy BBQ and Auction took place this week in support of the three state students our District is sending to the national championships in Atlanta, Ga., June 22-29.

Pictured above, from left, Ian Giffin, a seventh-grader at Miller Junior High School, Keara Burns, a senior at AHS, and Hunter Gulke, a junior at AHS.

Burns is a three-time state champion and national finalist in Residential, Commercial and Appliance Technology (RCAT). Gulke medaled at the state championship this spring in Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC).

SkillsUSA advisors are Chuck Veloni and Travis Wheeler. In addition to the students bringing home numerous medals this spring, Mr. Wheeler, the automotive instructor at AHS, is this year's recipient of the CTE Champions Award for his influential and proactive advocacy of Career and Technical Education.

President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. In attendance were Jessica Jurasin (remotely), Annica Mizin, Suzy Ritter and Jeremy Wright, along with student representatives Harnoor Jandu and Mikyla Gunter, Superintendent designees Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom, and 31 patrons and staff.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

1. The minutes from the regular meeting on April 16, 2024,
2. April payroll vouchers totaling $4,100,188.72,
3. General Fund vouchers totaling $829,387.34,
4. ASB Fund vouchers totaling $48,274.29,
5. Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $6,103.50,
6. An overnight trip request for the AHS Marching Band to travel to the Victoria Day Parade in B.C. to perform and compete on May 18-21,
7. An overnight trip request for the SkillsUSA state championship team at AHS to travel to Atlanta, Ga., for the national conference and competition on June 22-29,
8. Accepted gifts to the District from
   * The Grays Harbor Community Foundation, which has provided a distribution of $62,000 from the Marian J. Weatherwax Fund in support of district programs and
   * Donations totaling $10,750 from Timberland Bank, Bank of the Pacific, Greater Grays Harbor, Ingram, Zelasko & Goodwin, Sierra Pacific Foundation, Aberdeen Rotary and Harbor Pacific Bottling to the CTE Program at Aberdeen High School for Business Week, and
9. Received correspondence from Grays Harbor County providing the required notice to the District that it is not planning reductions at the Grays Harbor Juvenile Detention Center that would impact the 2024-2025 education needs.

Comments from the Board

Following discussion led by Director Jessica Jurasin, the Board agreed to form a Legislative Committee of various stakeholders to discuss funding needs and shortfalls with the goal of improving the District’s outreach to lawmakers and other education decision makers.

Director Annica Mizin reported that she heard many positive comments about the Rotary Log Pavilion as the venue for the Aberdeen High School prom.

Director Suzy Ritter reported that she was a pleasure to participate in Senior Boards, adding that she was impressed by the students’ preparedness and their presentations.

Comments from Student Representatives

Student Representative Mikyala Gunter shared information about the prom at the Harbor Learning Center and reported that the ASB elections are under way and that the school’s annual Day of Service is planned for May 23.

Harnoor Jandu reported that spring sports at Aberdeen High School are wrapping up, that the Prom was successful and that Senior Boards took place last week.

Comments from the Public

The Board heard comment from the public regarding the certificated reductions in force that have taken place, especially related to the music and P.E. programs, and the failure of the Legislature to fully fund basic education.

• Callie White, co-chair of the levy campaign
• Cathleen Wilder and Carrie Erwin, co-presidents of the Aberdeen Education Association
• Sarah Teveliet Channel, co-chair of the levy campaign

Presentations

Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda presented the annual report and school improvement plan for Central Park Elementary School.

Superintendent’s Report

2024-2025 Budget Planning Update

Superintendent Designee Lynn Green discussed the budget reductions that have taken place to date, noted that the district is awaiting additional financial information before implementing classified staffing reductions and that work is ongoing to bring a draft budget to the Board in June.

Graduation Update

Superintendent Designee Lynn Green discussed Board attendance at commencement at the Harbor Learning Center at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6, and at Stewart Field for Aberdeen High School at 7 p.m. Friday, June 7.

Portrait of a Graduate

Superintendent Designee Traci Sandstrom discussed the committee of community members, educators and students that is being formed to align the mission, vision, values and goals statements into a vision of the various paths to graduation in Aberdeen. She noted there is room for up to two Board members to take part in the work.

Financial Services

Fiscal Status Report

Elyssa Louderback, interim executive director of business and operations, presented the Fiscal Status Report for April. With 66.67 percent of the year elapsed, the district has received $42.8 million in revenue to date, which is 68.48 percent of expected revenues, and incurred 67.54 percent of budgeted expenditures. Under enrollment, she reported the average annual FTE of 3,126.65 is 56.65 percent above budget.

Robert Gray Playground

The Board approved a contract with Buell Recreation of Portland, Ore., for the new playground at Robert Gray Elementary School, based on a bid of $195,259.74. She noted the project is fully funded with a grant from the state.

Garley Park Contract Extension

The Board approved a two-year extension to the contract with the City of Aberdeen allowing it to operate Garley Park on district-owned property.

New Business

Summer Maritime Program

The Board approved an agreement with the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport to partner with the district in a maritime science class this summer.

Psychologist Contract

The Board approved an addendum to the contract with Care Options for Kids for Vita Solis-Romano to work in the district as a school psychologist.

Collections Agreement

The Board approved an agreement authorizing the District to contract with Dynamic Collectors when necessary to pursue funds owed to the district.

Surplus Library Materials

The Board declared a list of materials no longer needed in the library at Stevens Elementary School as surplus.

Next Meeting

President Durney announced that the next regular meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. The meeting scheduled for May 21 is canceled.

Personnel Report

Following an executive session, the Board approved the following:

• Personnel Report
• 2024-2025 Certificated Staffing List
• 2024-2027 Aberdeen Association of School Principals (AASP) Agreement
• 2024-2025 AEA Salary Schedule
• 2024-2025 Co-Curricular Stipends
• 2024-2025 AASP Salary Schedule
• 2024-2025 Maintenance & Operations Salary Schedule
• 2024-2025 Food & Transportation Salary Schedule

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 4, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

Curious about a previous meeting? You can find the meeting archive here.

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 camp will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 5-8 and is open to all high school students entering grades 9-12.

Camp activities will explore engineering and medical science on the campus of W.F. West High School in Chehalis.

Thanks to the Grays Harbor Community Foundation, there is no fee for Grays Harbor students because the Foundation is paying the registration fee. Transportation is available and lunch is provided. Don't wait. Sign up today! You can follow the QR code above or visit the Summer Stem Camp website.

• Superintendent Jeffrey Thake, jthake@asd5.org

• Business Office, Elyssa Louderback, elouderback@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: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2130 / Principal Nani Villarreal

Central Park Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2170 / Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda

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. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2140 / Interim Principal Janet Hubbard

Stevens Elementary School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 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. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2190 / Principal Darby Carroll

Miller Junior High School

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

Aberdeen High School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 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.