Washougal, WA — New and returning Washougal School District (WSD) School Board members were sworn in to service at the December 10, 2019 board meeting after winning in the general election on November 5. Superintendent Dr. Mary Templeton administered the oath of office.
Jim Cooper was elected as the newest member to the WSD Board to represent District 1. Cooper brings a background as a college professor, higher education administrator, scientist, and business owner to the school board.
Board President Cory Chase (District 4) and member Angela Hancock (District 2) were re-elected in the November general election, and will serve four-year terms that expire in 2023.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074236/CFE52FAA-2FFA-449D-ACDC-6BA3D706CA22.jpeg5421280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-11 14:00:132019-12-11 14:02:13Washougal School District Board Members Sworn in to Service
Lily Atelier, located in Historic Downtown Camas, is having a daylong Holiday Open House this Thursday, December 12, ending with a special Jewelry Trunk Sale with Caryn Michelle.
The Holiday Open House begins at 10 am, when the store opens, and continues all day, while Michelle’s Trunk Show runs from 4-8 pm inside the iconic women’s boutique.
“We will have treats and special pricing,” says Marilyn Reed, owner of Lily Atelier. “We think you’ll really like Caryn Michelle’s Trunk Sale. There will be 10 percent off all of her jewelry on Thursday night.”
The Holiday Open House also offers the following:
Three $100 gift certificates raffled off during the day. Customers simply put names in the bucket.
Buy any item and get the second like item at 40 percent off.
50 percent off candles with every purchase of $100 or more.
Lily Atelier continues to receive new products on a regular basis. Be sure to visit their Facebook and Instagram sites to learn more.
About Caryn
Los Angeles-based Caryn Karotkin is a multifaceted artist, whose career in beauty and fashion spans more than 25 years. As a wife, mother, designer, entrepreneur, and athlete, she is equal parts feminine and fierce. Inspired by nature and the beauty of her surroundings, Caryn’s style embodies an effortless California chic, which translates brilliantly into her highly sought after jewelry.
Working with diamonds, semi-precious stones, and metals, Caryn puts a vintage spin on modern themes, resulting in an aesthetic that is delicate yet daring. Her statement pieces lend themselves toward collecting, as bracelets, rings, and necklaces, stack, layer and mix together beautifully.
Camas High School is inviting the public to participate in a public send-off Saturday at 9:30 am as the Papermaker Football team leaves town to head to Saturday’s State Championship game at Mt. Tahoma High School.
The team will travel via two chartered buses and will be escorted by first responder vehicles as it departs the high school at 9:30 am and travels through Downtown Camas on 4th Avenue.
CHS Athletic Director, Rory Oster, confirmed the plans, and encourages as many local residents and fans to line 4th Avenue. The hope is to have people lining the streets at Lutz Hardware and fill both sides of the street down past Natalia’s Cafe, Arktana, Nico Bella Salon, Papermaker Pride, Camas Gallery, Caffe Piccolo, Lizzabeth A, Camas Hotel, Liberty Theatre, Lily Atelier, and as far down the street as possible towards the mill.
Cheer Squad Coach, Brandy Reed encourages fans to bring posters, banners, etc. to show their support.
The Camas Football team (13-0) faces Bothell at 4 pm Saturday for the State Championship. Camas previously won the State title in 2016, which was also an undefeated season.
At its regular meeting on Tuesday, November 26, the Washougal School District (WSD) Board of Directors approved two levies — a replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EPO) and a replacement Technology Levy to be placed on the February 11, 2020 ballot.
The levies would replace the current levies, which are set to expire December 31, 2020.
The Educational Programs and Operations Levy funds services and operations not funded by state or federal funding. These services include: health and safety; instructional support; athletics, musical after school activities, coding club (and other enrichment activities); student learning and staffing; security personnel; and operations and maintenance.
Levy dollars cover innovation projects, such as a Strings (orchestra) program. They could also cover a dual language immersion program.
The proposed Educational Programs and Operations Levy rates are projected to remain flat over the next three years (2021, 2022, and 2023) at $2.14 per $1,000 of assessed value (is projected on assessed value growth). They levy is projected to collect $7,392,656 in the first year of collection, $7,984,068 in 2022, and $8,622,793 in 2023.
“What was right for our district was also right for Camas School District,” said Dr. Mary Templeton, Superintendent of Washougal School District. “The Levy provides the funding that allows our district to invest in students, gives us capacity to innovate, and ensures we keep programs that let us nurture and challenge all students so that students rise every day. We are just trying to restore the pre-McCleary dollars that voters agreed to.
“We think the $2.14 allows us to grow and stay fiscally responsible. We think this investment that the local dollar makes in that is critical. This all lines up with our vision statement. We value the dollars that we get greatly, and we don’t want to collect one more dollar that we need knowing we must be responsible and efficient.”
Technology Levy dollars pay for the district’s 1:1 initiative, up-to-date computers and devices, classroom instructional technology, professional development and coaching, technology infrastructure and staffing, and curriculum and software.
“We’ve been very successful with the use of technology,” Templeton said. “We’ve see great student achievement with how we’re using tech in the classroom. We are, of course, hoping voters will support these efforts in the district. We do appreciate the opportunity to let the voters know this investment will support our children to be prepared for college. What you need to know as you graduate into the world has change significantly in the last 10-15 years.”
The proposed Technology Levy rates are projected to decline over the three years of the levy, with the rate per $1,000 of assessed value at $0.25 in 2021, $0.24 in 2022, and $0.22 in 2023. The Technology levy is projected to collect $845,000 in the first year of collection, $870,000 in 2022, and $898,000 in 2023.
As part of a Camas High School DECA marketing and fundraising program, several teams of students designed coffee labels and continue to sell coffee through Thursday, December 5.
The coffee bags cost $10 per bag and are roasted locally from BJ’s Coffee Roasters in Vancouver, WA
There are two offerings:
Primo Blend (Ground/Whole Bean) — One of their most popular blends. Smooth, mild and crisp for an excellent morning coffee. Medium Roast.
Espresso Blend (Whole Bean) — Their espresso blend consists of four very distinct origins. Together these coffees produce an espresso that is rich in flavor, with full body and luscious crema. Medium Roast.
Please make checks payable to Camas High School. Students must collect money and turn it in for full order fulfillment. There is an option to pay with the CHS online system, but your order must be paid no later than Thursday, December 5th. Click this link: https://wa-camas-lite.intouchreceipting.com/decacoffee/
Your order will be ready for delivery (by students) or pick up at CHS Lunch Box by Friday, December 13th.
Some of the coffee labels CHS students created.
“Camas DECA is donating 60 percent of their profits ($3 per bag) to the C.A.R.O.L. program that is coordinated with the Camas Fire Department,” said Camas DECA adviser, Suzie Downs. “The program provides food and gifts to families in Camas and Washougal who are struggling to make ends meet. The other $2 profit will go to Camas DECA to help offset competition travel costs.”
The Camas DECA coffee project is part of the Marketing 1/Intro to Business curriculum to teach students about product branding and entrepreneurship. Each class is marketing and selling their own unique brand label to compete with the other three participating classes. This project helps students understand what it takes to brand a product, take it to market, sell it. They also have to deal with competition, as there are three other businesses selling coffee to their target market — you!
Holiday Circle: Reflect & ReInvent is coming to Camas on Monday December 16 from 6-8 pm at Salud Wine Bar, and is an invitation for women to reinvent themselves, says event organizer, Christie Ribary, who founded 100 Women Who Care Clark County.
“Don’t let another year ago by without being the woman you want to be, feeling empowered to actually become her, and having the plan to reinvent your life to achieve it,” says Ribary.
The Holiday Circle costs $60 and includes a glass of wine, 40-page full journal workbook, two-hour live event guided by Ribary, a one-hour live video conference on Dec 30th at 6 pm PST, and six email journal prompts from Christie focused on the themes of mindfulness, alignment and reinvention.
“If you are ending this year frustrated because you lost sight of your dreams in the ‘busyness’ of life, or your self care was non-existent, if the demands of family or friends came entirely before yours, or if overall things are ‘good’ but you want incredible in 2020, or if you feel plain stuck then you need to join us,” says Ribary. “If you daily reality aka your ‘status quo’ doesn’t align for you anymore than we want you to join our circle of disrupters — women who are intentionally planning to make big and little changes in their lives for 2020 so that they can live bigger, better, and more joyfully.”
“In our time together you review your life in 2019 and start planning, dreaming, and scheming for 2020,” she says. “You will be taking your life out of autopilot and REDESIGNING it exactly like you dream for it to be next year.”
Ribary insists the evening will have no judgment, and will simply be a room of supportive, caring and like-minded women who want to make positive changes in their lives.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074346/7B0BBE21-F6C7-4493-9A95-C25569736A27.jpeg6191233Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-02 16:05:162019-12-02 16:05:24Holiday Circle: Reflect & ReInvent Coming to Salud on December 16
Washougal WA — Congratulations to the Cape Horn-Skye Science Olympiad team who competed on November 16 at the SW Region A Tournament at Clark College in Vancouver. The team of 18 fifth grade students earned 1st place in Rockets, 2nd place in Weather, 3rd in Benthic Bugs and 4th in Electricity.
The group met once a week for two months under the leadership of CH-S teachers Darcy Hickey and Hana Gustely.
“My favorite part about this year has been bringing in community members such as water resource educators, a pilot, an electrician, and a retired science teacher to talk with the kids about their field of expertise,” said Gustely. “We had a lot of hands-on time as well as a field study along the nature trails near our school.”
Gustely is proud of how confident and supportive the students were during the event.
“They not only learned a lot of science, but practiced perseverance, problem solving and teamwork,” she said. “After this experience, some students may choose to participate in our school’s after-school STEM club, and then they will have another opportunity to participate in Science Olympiad at Washougal High School.”
“I see science as a gateway subject,” explained Penny Andrews, CH-S principal. “Science helps to students to be curious, innovative, engaged and active in hands on work. We hope students will take lessons they have learned in the study of science to their math and reading work. It is a win-win for everybody.”
Science Olympiad is an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving the quality of science education, creating a passion for learning science and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers. These goals are accomplished through classroom activities, research, professional development workshops and the encouragement of intramural, district, regional, state, national and international tournaments.
The Camas School Board voted unanimously Monday night to approve Levy Rate Resolution 1902, which restores the 2017 voter-approved levy, and brings an additional $4.05 million in district revenue through 2021.
The levy calls for $2.15 per $1,000 of assessed property value, and becomes effective January 2020. The 2018 McCleary legislation cut the Camas School District levy authority in half, which contributed to budget deficits and staff reductions. In 2019, the Washington State Legislature authorized school districts to levy up to $2.50. The current levy is $1.50.
“If we stayed at $1.50 there would be no added revenue,” said School Board member, Connie Hennessey. “At $2.15, it brings in an additional $4.05 million, which puts us at the amount voters approved before McCleary.”
School Board member Tracey Malone said “We have to be good stewards of the taxpayer money” while School Board member Erika Cox felt “very comfortable with $2.15.”
“We had authority by the state to go to $2.50 but we felt $2.15 honors what the taxpayers approved in 2017,” said CSD Communications Director, Doreen McKercher.
The board also voted unanimously to increase contingency funds for The Heights Learning Center Seismic Upgrade Project, as well as approve final acceptance of Energy Services Agreement for district-wide projects.
WSSDA Conference
The board spent November 21-24 at the Washington State School Director’s Association (WSSDA) Annual Conference. Superintendent Jeff Snell addressed topics learned at the conference, which include the following:
Budget process
Communication with community
Social emotional learning
Changes in law/requirements/procedures
Best practices related to inclusion, highly capable, pathways to graduation
Hot topics around the state
The resolution was unanimously passed by the Camas School Board.
Legislative Priorities
Snell also identified CSD’s legislative priorities:
Continue progress towards fully funding special education: Ensuring students served through special services have full access to their basic education, continues to require the use of CSD’s local enrichment levy. Possible solutions are 1) increase the multiplier for each special education student; and 2) lower the threshold required to attain safety net funding.
Sustain regionalization: Regionalization factors for some districts begin declining in 2020-21, 1% per year. It is unclear why this is the case, and this is challenging CSD give the cost per employee will continue to rise annually. Possible solution: Do not phase out funding using “regionalization” existing factors over time.
Update staff allocation formulas: The staffing allocations in the Prototypical School funding need updating. Not only are schools staffed beyond the allocations in important areas such as mental health and safety, the cost of each staffing unit exceeds the funding received. This is particularly evident in funding school administrators. Possible solutions: Begin phasing in updated ratios to achieve more realistic state-funding staffing levels and increase funding levels to better reflect market rate for positions; and follow recommendations of OPSI prototypical workgroup.
Monitor the impact of School Employees Benefit Board (SEBB): As the new employee benefits system is implemented, assess the additional costs for school districts and the impact of enrichment levies. Possible solutions: Fully fund the cost of employee health benefits for all eligible employees; and, if unable to fully fund employer costs, adjust eligibility to reduce costs and align revenues and expenditures for SEBB.
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Monthly Budget Report
Jasen McEathron, Director of Business Services, presented his monthly budget report. In the August 2019 Budget Status, preliminary vs. final, the numbers are:
General Fund: Minor accrual adjustments
Revenues: August revenues increased about $118,000.
Expenditures: August expenditures increased $317,000.
September 2019 status:
Capital Projects Fund — LGO Bond revenues of $5.27 million were received to reimburse the fund used to purchase the Underwriters Laboratory property.
Debt service — normal
October 2019 budget status:
General Fund: Local tax revenues of $3.62 million.
ASB Fund: Normal activity
Transportation vehicle fund — normal activity
Enrollment:
Head count: 7,407
Basic enrollment continues at about 2.2 percent.
Running Start is up 10 percent this year.
CTE numbers are holding strong as well with over 7 percent growth in 9-12.
The CSD School Board meeting is held twice a month.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/07074420/4B5C927B-E790-4B39-B6B6-D4728658DDDF.jpeg4731280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-11-25 23:04:542019-11-25 23:08:34Camas School Board Passes Resolution to Restore 2017 Voter-Approved Levy
Outgoing Camas Mayor, Shannon Turk, presided over her final City Council meeting Monday night — a busy evening in which council members voted on several ordinances and resolutions.
Earlier in the day, at the Council public workshop, Downtown Camas Association Executive Director, Carrie Schulstad, publicly thanked Turk and Council Member Deanna Rusch for their years of public service, and presented them with mugs full of candy.
“Thank for you what you did for Camas,” said Schulstad.
Several firefighters publicly thanked Turk and Rusch, who were both defeated in the November 5 election. Camas School Board member, Erika Cox, also expressed her gratitude toward Turk, who has served Camas for years: 7 as city councilor, and 1 as Mayor.
Cox said the following: “Your passion for educating our neighbors on processes, and your encouragement for involvement was evidenced by your volunteering in our schools, your mentorship of Camas High School youth, the club CYAC for civic-minded students, your years as a council member, and your service about volunteering for an appointment as mayor in the middle of a resignation, during your service to Camas in a myriad of ways I’ve mentioned you’ve inspired young leaders, you’ve encouraged your neighbors to be involved, and you’ve given hours upon hours representing our city …”
Rusch also expressed gratitude.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve you the last two years,” said Rusch. “It’s probably been one of the best things I’ve done in my life so thank you for the opportunity. The results of the election are disappointing but I will not love Camas any less … it’s really easy for these things to tear us apart, but I’m hoping that these things bring us together …”
From left: Council member Deanna Rusch, Port of CW Commissioner John Spencer, and DCA Vice President Randy Curtis.
Lake/Everett Roundabout
At workshop, Camas city staff provided an update on the Lake/Everett Road roundabout, which continues to progress. They also showed a video of the finalized landscaping selection, which uses native and hearty ornamental species (including the Camas lily) for easy maintenance. It was noted that the city will repurpose a lot of the cut trees into benches.
Brady Road Project
The Brady Road project is progressing well, thanks to good weather. However, staff has run into soil underneath the road that is softer than expected, requiring excavation and replacement of a stronger base. Costs right now are $250,000 on this phase of the project. Cost overruns on this project are budgeted, said the city, which expected the project to cost $6.2 million, but it was bid at $5.6 million.
New Staff Positions
Council members approved, as part of the 2020 budget re-adoption, the addition of three new city staff positions: Communications Manager, Economic Development Manager, and School Resource Office for Camas High School.
Council member Bonnie Carter emphasized how citizens want better communication so she is very supportive of the new Communications Manager position.
Camas resident Margaret Tweet objected to the creation of an Economic Development Manager.
In the public comments, resident Margaret Tweet objected to the creation of the Economic Development Manager position.
“The city is not running these businesses or operating these businesses,” said Tweet. “There are things the city can do to help a business to help attract a company. Sometimes economic development work is non-sensical. I remember Paul Dennis and the former mayor taking credit for Sharp. It’s important to understand these economic development groups take credit for things they don’t do. The marketing aspect isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. We need to see an audit report of CWEDA (or Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association).”
To which Mayor Turk replied: “The audit is ongoing, and we can see there are things need to be changed. In the past year, the CWEDA board put into place the requirement of agenda, minutes, and audits. We set up a treasurer and there is public review of payouts being made. There were a lot of growing pains, and we are working to correct them. The audit report will be made public.”
After receiving final assessed values from the Clark County assessors office, Council members voted to approve the next levy, which will be $3.11 per $1,000 of assessed value. By law, the property tax levy cannot exceed one percent annually.
Camas Library Bond
Council also voted to make a final payment on the 20-year Camas Library bond, which is $610,000, or about 12 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
Hagensen/Webberly Annexation
The Hagensen/Webberly Annexation was presented by Robert Maul, and calls for annexing property just north of Camas High School into city limits. The council voted 4-3 to reject the annexation at this time. Here’s how the vote was split:
Carter: Yes
Burton: No
Smith: No
Anderson: No
Hogan: No
Rusch: Yes
Chaney: Yes
Block Grant to Rehabilitate 12th Avenue
Council voted to apply for a community development block grant of $250,000 to make extensive repairs to 12thAvenue.
Emergency Rescue Fund 2020
Council voted to support a levy to raise $21,000 for the Emergency Rescue Fund.
Crown Park Improvements
Council votes to amending the city of Camas 2019-2020 budget ordinance to include improvements to Crown Park, which includes new bathrooms.
Parks and Recreation Meetings Location Change
Council voted to move the location of Parks and Rec meetings from Lacamas Lodge to City Hall so the proceedings can be recorded.
At the close of the meeting, Turk expressed a heartfelt statement about public service. Please click the link to watch this short video: https://youtu.be/1s6ROYInCug
Mayor-Elect Barry McDonnell will be sworn into office on December 2.
Washougal, WA — Washougal Police were out in force the morning of November 13 at the Washougal High School parking lot to catch students. Catch them doing good, that is! Students who were found wearing seat belts were rewarded with a $5 gift card from Dutch Bros Coffee. This was a part of the Target Zero Safe Driving Task Force “Click it Bro” program in partnership with Unite! Washougal.
“It feels good to be out here to reward good behavior,” said Washougal School District Resource Officer and WHS Alumni, Kelly Anderson. “It is great to be working with Target Zero on this and reinforce the importance of seat belt use.”
The Target Zero program believes our culture should motivate people to aspire to become safe drivers, in the same way, smoke-free environments are now valued.
“We need our culture to embrace, celebrate, and promote the responsibility each of us has to be a safe road user,” said Hillary Torres, Region 6 Target Zero Manager. “When we reach this place, being a safe driver will not only be important for our own self-esteem and sense of belonging, but it will also be the foundation to ensure the safety of our family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.”
Through a grant from State Farm, Target Zero provided one hundred $5 Dutch Bros certificates for high school drivers “caught doing the right thing” by wearing their seat belts at five area high schools throughout Clark County. Dutch Bros matched this with an additional $500 of gift certificates. These certificates are being given out by School Resource Officers at each location.
“Unite! Washougal is excited to be leading on the organization of this project,” said Margaret McCarthy, Unite! Drug Free Community Program Coordinator. “This is also an excellent way of promoting positive relationships between law enforcement and our youth.”
Torres and McCarthy attended statewide prevention training and through discussions, discovered opportunities to work together and are planning to bring several future programs to Washougal.
“A group of WHS ASB students called PEP Unite! are the leaders of this project,” said Megan Kanzler, Unite! Drug Free Community, Youth Engagement Coordinator, Washougal Youth to Youth Advisor and WHS Interact Advisor. “They are a leadership workgroup that is focused on positively engaging people in their community. A part of their work was to collect data on student seatbelt use at the high school before today and then follow up to see if the program helped to change behavior.”
On September 26, PEP Unite! members volunteered to stuff envelopes with the Dutch Brothers certificates and appreciation awards to be distributed by SROs at WHS and other schools. Washougal Mayor and Rotary member, Molly Coston, also volunteered to help.
“Steps like Target Zero are moving us in the right direction around safe driving to make our community a better place to live,” Coston said. “I appreciate the idea of saying thank you for positive behavior.”
“It’s all about community,” said Brianna Gonser, WHS Interact President. “It is about being positive and about being safe. All the Target Zero partners have the same mindset and values, which is cool. It is great to notice the positive. The positive does exist and is worth celebrating.”
WHS juniors Olivia Dinnel and Brianna Ruth were stopped on their way into the parking lot as a part of the program.
“At first I wondered what the officers were doing and did not know what to expect,” said Ruth. “I think it is really cool that they are giving rewards for wearing seat belts. I think it will work to encourage other students to wear them.”
“We need to collectively make safe driving not just normal, but admirable,” said Torres. “Together we can improve safe driving beliefs and behaviors until we reduce the risk of death and serious injury to zero — because every life counts.”
Target Zero is a call to action. It shakes the roots of the belief that “accidents happen” and that the loss of life and health are acceptable outcomes of driving. Other initiatives they support include signaling, not speeding, and avoiding driving while distracted.
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