Aberdeen Schools

The design committee made up of staff from Stevens, A.J. West and McDermoth elementary schools traveled to Yelm, Tumwater and Olympia this week to tour modern school construction projects as part of the Seismic Safe Schools planning process which could see new elementary schools constructed out of the tsunami zone on each side of the Chehalis River.

The elementary design team is made up of principals, teachers and staff from each of the three schools. The tour was organized by TCF Architecture of Tacoma, the firm working with the district through the seismic process, along with the Construction Services Group of ESD 112. They toured Southworth Elementary School in Yelm, which serves 550 students in grades K-5 and reopened in 2022; Peter G. Schmidt Elementary in Tumwater, which opened in 2016 and serves 625 students in K-5; and Littlerock Elementary School in the Tumwater School District, which was a modernization project completed in 2017.

At its Oct. 7 meeting the School Board accepted grant funds totaling more than $8.19 million for next steps in the seismic safety process.

The average age of school buildings in the Aberdeen School District is more than 50 years so there was a lot for the Aberdeen “tourists” to observe.

“The state’s commitment to removing schools from tsunami zones is an amazing opportunity for our community,” Co-Superintendent Traci Sandstrom said.

Superintendent Sandstrom is taking the lead on the eligible elementary projects, while Superintendent Lynn Green is taking the lead on secondary projects, which includes a new Harbor Learning Center to be located on district-owned property across from St. Mary School.

“Every year when we take part in the ‘Great Shakeout’ evacuation drill we are reminded of the potential risks and the need to take part in planning for projects that will not only keep our students and staff as safe as possible,” Superintendent Sandstrom said, “but will save lives should there be a catastrophic event in our lifetimes.”

President Jennifer Durney convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2025, in the multi-purpose room at Stevens Elementary School. In attendance were Directors Mardi Emard-Colburn and Annica Mizin, along with Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom and 18 patrons and staff. Suzy Ritter and Jeremy Wright were excused.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

• Minutes from the regular meeting on Oct. 7, 2025;
• The September payroll vouchers totaling $4,454,593.84;

• General Fund vouchers totaling $1,296,508.09, ASB Fund vouchers totaling $48,085.17, Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $330,885.60, and Private Purpose Trust Fund vouchers totaling $3,250.00;
• A trip request from the WWET Club at Miller Junior High School to travel to Portland, Ore., to visit the Oregon Museum of Industry and Science (OMSI) on Nov. 15, and
• A gift to the district from the Weyerhaeuser Co. in the amount of $2,000 in support of the Cat’s Closet at Aberdeen High School.

Comments from the Board

President Jennifer Durney reviewed the list of legislative priorities developed by the board that have been submitted to the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). She said the board will refine the list and develop an advocacy plan after WSSDA completes its compilation of priorities submitted from around the state.

Student Representatives

President Durney introduced the new student representatives Leticia Alvarenga and Kassandra Kumarasinghe, both juniors at Aberdeen High School.

Stevens Elementary School Presentation

Principal Tosha Love presented the 2025-2026 School Improvement Plan for Stevens Elementary School.

Superintendent Reports

Seismic Safe Schools and Capital Projects – Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom Provided an update on the seismic safe schools projects and other capital projects in the district. They noted staff from three elementary schools are scheduled to tour new schools in other districts on Oct. 23.

Harbor Strong – Superintendent Green provided information and the board discussed at length the information shared at the Harbor Strong Key Leader event that took place Oct. 14, especially the impacts of social media on student mental health. It was agreed the district will actively explore ways to communicate and support best practices to families and students.

Stakeholder Outreach – The superintendents discussed plans for a community survey­­ and the formation of student focus groups at the secondary level as part of the ongoing work to implement the Portrait of a Graduate and the district’s mission, vision, values and goals.

Great Shakeout – The superintendents discussed the district’s successful participation in annual, countywide Great Shakeout drill on Oct. 16. The photos below show students from Robert Gray and A.J. West elementary schools taking part in the drill.

Superintendent Reports (con't)

WSSDA Conferences – The board discussed attendance at the annual WSSDA Conference Nov. 19-22 in Seattle and the Legislative Conference on Jan. 9-10, also in Seattle.

Financial Services

Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for September. With 8.33 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, she reported that the district has received 6.56 percent of expected revenue and incurred 8.67 percent of expenses. Under enrollment, she reported that as of October, the district is trending 22.76 average annual FTE above budget, including Running Start and Open Doors.

New Business

Elma Lanes Agreement

The board approved an agreement for 2025-2026 with Elma Lanes to host the AHS girls’ bowling team. Practice is scheduled to begin Nov. 3.

Personnel Report

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

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The annual report to the School Board from Stevens Elementary School is posted on the ASD5 website and you can find it here.

Keeping our youth safe online is a priority. Check out the resources gathered by the Harbor Strong coalition to help in this effort.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 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 Superintendents' Office or by contacting individual board members.

• 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, Stefanie Lamont, slamont@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. - 4 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: 8:30 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

Miller Junior High School

• Office Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 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.

****************************

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; Stefanie Lamont, Section 504/ADA Coordinator, 216 North G St., Aberdeen, WA 98520; (360) 538-2017; slamont@asd5.org.