Aberdeen Schools

The elementary boys' basketball season concluded this week with a tournament at Sam Benn Gym in Aberdeen. The Explorers from Robert Gray Elementary School, coached by Sam Schneider, played their way to first place against teams from A.J. West, Central Park, McDermoth and Stevens elementary schools, as well as Hoquiam, Cosmopolis and St. Mary's. The elementary seasons are possible thanks to local levy dollars and other support in the community.

The entire student body and staff at Aberdeen High School turned out in appreciation of Peter Ross this week who will be retiring Feb. 28 after nearly 29 years in the Maintenance & Custodial Department for the district.

"Pete is just one of the most down-to-earth good guys you will ever meet," Principal Aaron Roiko said. "Every day, he exemplifies kindness, courtesy, friendliness and respect -- for everyone. And he is always willing to give a hand at whatever needs to be done."

Mr. Ross began work in the district as a substitute in November of 1995. He was hired full-time by February of 1997. His first full school year was at the Natatorium and Robert Gray Elementary School. He worked at Miller Junior High and A.J. West Elementary schools before transferring to AHS in 2014, where he has been ever since.

The caption in the poster above says, "Pete, We are going to miss you! From all of us at AHS"

Agenda

Director Jessica Jurasin convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at Central Park Elementary School. In attendance were Annica Mizin, Suzy Ritter and President Jennifer Durney (remotely), along with Student Representative Harnoor Jandu, Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom and 22 patrons and staff. Director Jeremy Wright was excused.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

• The minutes from the regular meeting on Feb. 4, 2025;
• January payroll vouchers totaling $4,067,968.69;
• General Fund vouchers totaling $910,356.67; ASB Fund vouchers totaling $15,878.93, and Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $89,798.43, and
• A trip request for Aberdeen High School students and fifth grade students to travel to YMCA Camp Bishop for Outdoor School on May 11-16, 2025.

Comments from the Board

Directors Jessica Jurasin and Suzy Ritter provided an update on the work of the Legislative Advocacy Committee, which met on Feb. 11, and shared the final information sheet of legislative priorities that was developed based on the board’s adopted priorities.

Comments from Student Representative

Student Representative Harnoor Jandu provided a report on various activities and programs taking place at Aberdeen High School.

Presentations

• Sportsmanship Presentation – Pictured above, representatives from the South Sound Football Officiating Association presented sportsmanship scholarships to AHS football players Blane Espinoza and Alex Mendoza during the School Board meeting, while the team sportsmanship award was presented to Coach Todd Bridge who accepted on behalf of the Aberdeen High School football team.

• Seismic School Planning Update – Andrew Twyman and Manuel Saldivar-Aguirre of the ESD 112 Construction Services Group provided an update on the phased work taking place under the Seismic School Safety Planning grant program. The Harbor Learning Center has begun design work on a new school and property site evaluations are under way for a new junior high school and elementary school off Basich Boulevard and a new elementary school out of the inundation zone in South Aberdeen.

• Central Park Annual Report – Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda presented the 2024-2025 annual report and school improvement plan for Central Park Elementary School.

Superintendents’ Reports

Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom provided reports on the following:

• Professional Development – Superintendent Traci Sandstrom reported that the professional development day for staff on Feb. 18 featured Kelvin Oliver from Leaving the Village who provided professional development on accountability and the science of changing behavior.
• Student Focus Groups. Superintendent Sandstrom reported on the work taking place to meet with secondary students in focus groups to hear their thoughts on a variety of topics regarding their instruction and other school experiences.
• Seismic Update. Superintendent Green reported on the site visits that took place with staff from the Harbor Learning Center as plans progress for the new school, as well as a tour of the proposed South Aberdeen site.

Fiscal Status Report

Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for January. With 41.67 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, the district has received 37.92 percent of budgeted revenue and is at 41.21 percent of budgeted expenditures. Under enrollment, the report showed the final count for February was 4.76 average annual FTE above budget. Director Louderback said the budget implications are being watched carefully this year.

Enrollment Update

Director Louderback presented a report on enrollment trends showing a declining enrollment this year that has the district just 4.76 average annual FTE above budget. Current elementary enrollment of 1,208.16 FTE is 79.75 less than 2020-2021 (COVID year). Enrollment of 697.55 at the middle school is 79.80 less than 2020-21. High school enrollment is up 83.95 since 2020-2021. Overall, K-12 enrollment is down 75.60 FTE since 2020-2021. Director Louderback reported she is developing a recommendation to budget for enrollment of 3,020 next year, which is a 1 percent reduction (about 70 fewer students). The board concurred.

Construction Services Group

The board approved a contract with ESD 112 for the Construction Services Group to continue as consultants and construction managers in the Seismic School Safety Grant Program.

WGU Agreement

The board approved an agreement with Western Governors University to allow the placement of student teachers in the district for their clinical experience work.

Special Education RFP

The board approved the list of vendors to provide special education services as needed in 2025-2026 when posted positions go unfilled.

Lakeview Speech Therapy

The board approved an agreement with Lakeview Speech Therapy to place Kerry Hannon Bender in the district as a speech language pathologist (virtual).

Personnel Report

Following an executive session, the board approved the Personnel Report.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

Those who attend regular meetings are welcome to sign up at the meeting to provide public comment on agenda items. Written public comment for the record can also be submitted up to noon the day of the meeting by writing to schoolboard@asd5.org. Comments or concerns not on the agenda can be brought to the attention of the district by contacting the Superintendent's Office or by contacting individual board members.

The 2024-2025 school calendar included two weather makeup days, if needed. After closures earlier this month due to snow and freezing, those days will now be school days -- Friday, March 21 and Friday, May 23. In addition, the March 21 day will be a a two-hour early release day to make up for the loss of a collaboration day on Feb. 5.

The calendar pictured above has been adjusted to reflect the new schedule.

THIS NEWS ITEM HAS BEEN CORRECTED AS OF FEB. 22 TO REFLECT THE CORRECT DATE FOR THE NEW CLT EARLY RELEASE DAY

Make sure you get the alerts should inclement weather trigger an emergency closure or delay.

Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom endeavor to make all weather decisions before 6 a.m. on school days. FlashAlert is the most reliable method for ASD5 emergency news. It's free and anyone can subscribe.

Sign up to receive FlashAlert. If you already have an account, doublecheck that it's still active.

In addition to FlashAlert, the district will post news on its website and social media, and send out robocalls to families. If you do not receive a notification, check with your student'(s) school to make sure your phone numbers are correctly on file.

• Co-Superintendent Lynn Green, lgreen@asd5.org
  Co-Superintendent Traci Sandstrom, tsandstrom@asd5.org

• Business Office, Elyssa Louderback, elouderback@asd5.org
• Human Resources, Christi Clinkingbeard, cclinkingbeard@asd5.org
• Special Education, Rick Bates, rbates@asd5.org
  
• Career & Technical Education, Lynn Green, lgreen@asd5.org
• Teaching, Learning & Technology, Traci Sandstrom, tsandstrom@asd5.org
• Food Services, Jaime Matisons, jmatisons@asd5.org

A.J. West Elementary School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2130 / Principal Nani Villarreal

Central Park Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8:15 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2170 / Principal Ruth Erwin-Svoboda

McDermoth Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2120 / Principal Mindi Hammill

Robert Gray Elementary School

• Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2140 / Principal Daniel Olson

Stevens Elementary School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2150 / Principal Tosha Love

Harbor Learning Center

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2180 / Principal Lisa Griebel

Hopkins Preschool

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• (360) 538-2190 / Principal Darby Carroll

Miller Junior High School

• Office Hours: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• (360) 538-2100 / Principal John Meers

Aberdeen High School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• (360) 538-2040 General / Principal Aaron Roiko
• (360) 538-2060 Attendance Line

Columbia Wellness, a behavioral health agency serving Grays Harbor and Cowlitz counties, has launched a Youth and Family Mobile Crisis Team on Grays Harbor. A PowerPoint presentation explaining Columbia Wellness and how you can access services in a crisis is posted on the ASD5 website. Visit the Columbia Wellness site here.

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The Aberdeen School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Christi Clinkingbeard, Title IX Coordinator and Civil rights Compliance Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2222; cclinkingbeard@asd5.org; Dr. Richard Bates, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; rbates@asd5.org.