Washington’s School Board received an update on the facility project at Washington Primary. Mike Holtcamp of Hagerman Construction told the Board that the design phase of the project was nearly complete. Holtcamp said that soil borings, drainage plans, and site surveys are underway. A public work session will be held at the Primary School cafeteria on September 25, when the Board will consider the next steps in the process.
The Board also heard Primary Principal Kristin Murphy report on the first days of school for Washington’s youngest students. Murphy said the staggers started at the time the primary had been very successful. She reported that traffic backup had been greatly reduced and there were fewer bus problems. Murphy said the young students also eased into the school routine better than in the past.
In personnel matters, the Board approved a leave for Gabby Knepp and approved resignations from Sherry Aubrey as an elementary library assistant and Tanner Terry as a 7th-grade football coach. The Board also approved hiring Andrea Mozingo as a part-time arrival and dismissal aide, Ashley Santos and Iris Bautista-Barco as elementary aides, Shannon Collison as a junior high aide, Dave Harmon as a before-school strength and conditioning instructor, Bev Hartz as a sub at the Primary, and Jeremy Palencia as a bus attendant. The Board also filled 109 ECA positions. Superintendent Kevin Frank praised Washington’s staff members for providing Washington’s students with a wide range of activities in addition to classroom requirements.
In other business, the Board approved changes in school policy to conform with the latest mandates from the state legislature. One of the state-mandated changes codified a long-standing practice of the Washington schools in requiring signed parental permission before students can be in classes on human sexuality. The Board noted that this has been a requirement in the Washington schools for many years.
The School Board will meet in regular session at the Central Office to vote on the proposed budget at 7 pm on September 25. The Board will then move to the Primary School cafeteria for a facilities project public work session. The Board hopes for a large community presence at the work session.
