The Centralia City Grade School Board has recognized long-time Administrative Assistant Rita Carpenter on her retirement.
Superintendant Craig Clark said her retirement is bittersweet.
“So, it’s kind of bittersweet that Mrs. Carpenter retired. When I came here, about nine years ago, Rita was one of the biggest helps to me and adjusting to this job. And not only was she competent in her field but she had most of the knowledge of the district from working with past superintendents and developing budgets for the district working through some of the lean years.’
Clark says while he wishes Carpenter was still there sometimes, he understands that it’s that time of life and that season for her to retire and enjoy life. Board President Ron Johnson presented Carpenter a clock in expression of the board’s appreciation.
Clark told the board a pre-bid meeting was held during the past week for construction of the multi-purpose rooms on the north end of Jordan School and north end of Centralia Junior High.
“We’re looking to open the bids on June 28th. And if that all goes well, bids come in where we’re within budget, We’re looking at approving contractors for that job at the July board meeting. And hopefully, would love to see groundbreaking at the end of July to the 1st of August; we have approximately 12 months to get those buildings up and to utilize that money – the SR3 money does need to be expended by September of 2024. So we are in a little time crunch, but talking with architects and contractors, I think we can get that deadline.”
Clark reported that the city schools ended the school year with exactly the same number of students who started the year, 1,057. He notes while it’s nice the enrollment has stabilized, he’d still like to see some growth. He notes a few years back the district had around 1300 students. Clark says there is a positive in the larger size of the kindergarten and first grade classes.
In personnel action the board employed Jill Barger as Special Education Supervisor; Brenna Collins as Speech Pathologist; Bridget Wuebbles as Speech Pathologist; Kelli Linder as Kindergarten Teacher pending license; Courtney McClain as First Grade Teacher pending license; Samantha Kampwerth as Early Childhood Teacher pending license; Samantha White as ESY teacher; Jeremiah Snow as Girl’s Softball Coach; and Erin Del Sasso as Girl’s Assistant Softball Coach.
The board accepted the resignations of Kristina Unverferht, Special Education Supervisor; Tanisha Bernard, Kindergarten Teacher; and Amber West, 8th Grade Girl’s Softball Coach.
The board also dismissed Robert Purkey as bus monitor.
