Aberdeen Schools

The Aberdeen School District is teaming up with the Harbor Strong Coalition and Beyond Survival to host a family night at Miller Junior High School focused on keeping students safe online and promoting good digital citizenship.

“Keeping Kids Safe in a Digital World” begins at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24, at the school.

“Our goal is for this to be an informative and practical time to help parents and guardians learn about the latest research regarding the use of social media and technology,” said Traci Sandstrom, co-superintendent and the district’s director of teaching and learning.

She added that the meeting is not intended to scare parents about online risks – although the risks are real and will be explored -- but it is also intended to share and discuss realistic strategies that parents can apply at home.

“We want to empower parents so they feel confident in helping their children build safe and responsible habits when using the internet and accessing social media,” she said.

Superintendent Sandstrom noted that one of the pillars in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate is the development of students who are strong critical thinkers. This includes modeling good digital citizenship and teaching students how to:

• Communicate kindly and respectfully online,
• Think critically about what they see and share,
• Protect their digital reputation,
• Recognize misinformation, and
• Stand up safely against online negativity.

“We are very grateful to our partners at the Health Department and Beyond Survival for helping us bring this information to our families,” Superintendent Sandstrom said.

Vice President Suzy Ritter convened the regular meeting of the Aberdeen School District Board of Directors at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Miller Junior High School. In attendance were Directors Mardi Emard-Colburn, Jeanne Marll and Annica Mizin, along with Student Representatives Kassandra Kumarasinghe and Leticia Alvarenga, Superintendents Lynn Green and Traci Sandstrom and 21 patrons and staff. President Jennifer Durney was excused but was able to join remotely at 5:40 p.m.

The meeting began with the flag salute.

Consent Agenda

The Board approved the Consent Agenda, which included:

• Minutes from the regular meeting on February 3, 2026;
• Payroll vouchers for January totaling $4,281,872.48;
• General Fund vouchers totaling $866,843.61, ASB Fund vouchers totaling $47,885.09 and Capital Projects Fund vouchers totaling $475,507.55;
• Overnight and Out-of-State Trip Requests for
• The boys and girls wrestling teams at Aberdeen High School to travel to Lakewood to participate in the state tournament on Feb. 19-21, and
• The boys swim team at Aberdeen High School to travel to Federal Way to participate in the state tournament on Feb. 19-21;
• Donations to support Aberdeen Rotary Business Week at Aberdeen High School of more than $14,000.00 from
• Weyerhaeuser, $937.50,
• Peak Credit Union, $1,200.00,
• Greater Grays Harbor/Timberland Bank, $2,500.00,
• Ingram, Zelasko & Goodwin, $1,000.00,
• Sierra Pacific Foundation, $1,000.00,
• Aberdeen Rotary, $7,500.00, and
• Harbor Pacific Bottling, product donations, and
• A gift of plywood for use in the construction program at Aberdeen High School valued at $6,996.20 from Hoquiam Plywood.

Student Representatives

Student Representatives Kassandra Kumarasinghe and Leticia Alvarenga provided updates on activities and events at the Harbor Learning Center and Aberdeen High School.

Comments from the Public

Jerry Salstrom, retired district administrator, shared information about the time capsule at Miller Junior High School and the students’ efforts to document and celebrate the school’s history.

Miller Annual Report

Principal John Meers and Assistant Principal Kasey Robbins presented the annual report and school improvement plan for Miller Junior High School.

Old Business

Policy 5011 Sexual Harassment of Staff Prohibited

An update and second reading for Policy 5011 was adopted.

Policy 5010 Discrimination-Free Workplace

An update to Policy 5010 regarding a discrimination-free workplace was extended for further consideration.

Superintendent Reports

• Professional Development Day – Superintendent Sandstrom provided an overview of the various staff trainings that took place in the district earlier in the day.
• Seismic Safe Schools and Capital Projects – The superintendents were joined by Manuel Saldivar-Aguirre of the ESD 112 Construction Services Group who provided an update on the Seismic Safe Schools Program. The Board approved the following:
• The educational specifications report from TCF Architecture for new elementary schools in Aberdeen, including detailed specifications for the new elementary school in South Aberdeen.
• A revision in the amount of $22,500 to the contract with Haley & Aldrich to conduct additional geotechnical analysis at the site for the new Harbor Learning Center.
• CTE Program Update – Superintendent Green shared information about recent events in support of the Career and Technical Education Program, including how the staff and students were able to showcase CTE offerings by hosting an after-hours event for Greater Grays Harbor Inc.
• Legislative Update – Superintendent Sandstrom provided an update on education-related bills and proposals that are currently under consideration in the Legislature.
• Portrait of a Graduate – The superintendents provided an update on the work taking place to implement the mission, vision, values and goals embedded in the Portrait of a Graduate.

Financial Services

Fiscal Status Report

Executive Director of Business and Operations Elyssa Louderback presented the Fiscal Status Report for January. With 42 percent of the fiscal year elapsed, the district has received 38 percent of expected revenue and incurred 41 percent of budgeted expenses. Under enrollment, she reported the district is trending 3.72 FTE above budget after the February count.

New Business

Printer Purchases

The Board approved the purchase of 82 printers to replace outdated equipment.

Next Meeting

Vice President Ritter announced that the next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School. A board workshop is planned for 9 a.m. Saturday, March 7.

Personnel Report

Following an executive session, the Board approved the Personnel Report and an assignment exception for Matthew Boyes, a special education teacher.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

The next regular meeting of the School Board is at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3 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.

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

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

• 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

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