By Austin Williams
The Centralia City School Board discussed several committee reports at its meeting Tuesday night, along with a curriculum report that shows all buildings in the district receiving a “commendable” designation for the first time since 2018.
A commendable designation means that no subgroups of students in a school scored in the bottom 5% in state testing. Because of this, no new school improvement cycles were initiated, CJHS has exited improvement status, and will exit its “comprehensive” designation next year, so long as it receives no new designation.
Assistant Superintendent Christina Becker praised this achievement for the district.
“I’m very proud of the accomplishments. We have had schools that had areas that needed improvement and we’ve been able to earn that designation this year. That’s pretty great.”
Committees met to create talking points for an upcoming board retreat where 5- and 10-year district goals will be created. The personnel committee reported discussing ways to retain and recruit teachers, such as attracting student teachers, working with universities and creating partnerships, and finding funding to help employees pay off student loans. The technology committee focused on security, discussing the student management system and aligning it with the high school’s system. The building/ground committee looked at possible future projects such as new parking lots, outdoor athletic facilities, weapon detectors, and cycles for roof, electric, plumbing, and safety systems. The curriculum report discussed the upcoming expiration of curriculum contracts and placed an emphasis on math and finding support for students throughout the district.
The school board appointed Blake Griffin, who had previously served on the board, to fill a vacant seat.
Griffin’s appointment was unanimously approved, he was sworn in, and he participated in the remainder of the meeting.
The board approved the purchase of a 22-passenger bus from Centralia High School, and the purchase of building signs for Schiller, Jordan, Central, and Centralia Junior High.
New hires:
- Kailynn McMillan as 7 th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
- Stacey Garner as CJHS Cook
- Leslie Wall as CJHS Chorus Director
Resignations and Retirements:
- Resignation of Cortini Yarbrough as 7th Grade Girls Basketball Coach
- Intent to Retire letter from Paula Helm at the end of the 2027-28 school year.
