The Centralia City Schools Board of Education heard a presentation on possible solar projects at Jordan and Schiller schools. Consultants from A.G.E. recommended the board enter a twenty-five-year power purchase agreement with Utopian Power that would lock the district into purchasing the electricity from solar panels installed by Utopian at a fixed rate of 5.22 cents per kilowatt-hour. No action was taken by the board at tonight’s meeting, but superintendent Craig Clark said that assuming the district’s attorney finds no issues with the contract, the deal would likely be a benefit for the district.
“Any time you can look at cutting costs over a long period of time it’s a positive. Obviously, before we as a district jump in, I want to make sure that we go through this contract… and make sure that it’s definitely going to benefit us in the long term. Other than that, I think it would be a win-win. With energy costs going up like they are right now, to lock in at a rate kind of where we’re at (currently) for the next twenty-five years would definitely be a positive for the district.”
A motion to waive registration and book fees was approved. Student registration for kindergarten and first grade will take place on August 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Schiller School. Registration for second through eighth grade also will take place on August 9th from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Centralia Junior High School.
In the superintendent’s report, Clark mentioned that the district is in the early stages of developing a new plan to address problematic student behavior, aiming to take a holistic approach and get families active and involved at home.
“It’s really in its infancy. We just had our first meeting, actually, today. We’re trying to think outside the box: How can we impact student behaviors in the classroom, but also support families at home?… We’re looking at a program that will support families and kids in the district that have chronic behavior and try to not necessarily take away consequences, but also offer support…and try to teach those students skills that will help them with coping, as well as controlling those behaviors, so that not only are they making their educational process much better, but also positively impacting others in the classroom, and the teachers as well. “
The board acted on a number of personnel issues.
Resignations:
- Krista Witges, Elementary Music Teacher
- Tessa Reves, Junior High Resource Teacher
- Shelly Guthrie, Schiller School Nurse
- Lucy Phoenix, Schiller Physical Education Teacher
- Brian Husk, Jordan Third Grade Teacher
- Kristy Harper, Schiller Classroom Paraprofessional
New Hires:
- Kim McVey, Junior High Special Education
- Tanisha Bernard, Schiller School Kindergarten Teacher
- Cimilla Bauer, Schiller School Early Childhood Teacher
- Samantha White, Junior High Cross Categorical
Letters of Intent to Retire:
- Tamara McClelland
- Cinnamon Blanchard
The board also recognized recently retired teacher Mike Middleton, who was unable to attend the retirement honors at the June board meeting. The board expressed gratitude for Middleton’s twenty-nine years of work in the district. Middleton, though retired, will continue working as a substitute teacher.
The next Centralia City Schools board meeting is scheduled for August 9.
This story has been corrected to indicate both registrations are being held on August 9th.
