Washington’s School Board met Thursday and heard a report on kindergarten pre-registration numbers, passed resolutions that moved ahead the facilities upgrade project, and accepted the retirement letters of three long-time elementary teachers.
Superintendent Kevin Frank reported that 142 students pre-registered for next year’s kindergarten class. Frank said this is the lowest number in the past three years. Frank said the schools will continue to monitor the situation, but as of this time, only eleven students have registered for kindergarten at Veale. Frank did say that they expect an additional 30 kindergarten students to register before the first day of school in August.
In regular business, the board held a required public hearing on the proposed school renovation project. The Washington Schools are looking at a $26 million project to add and upgrade facilities at the primary, intermediate, upper elementary, and junior high schools. The board then approved six state-required resolutions setting up a building corporation for the construction project.
In the personnel portion of the meeting, the board accepted retirement letters for three veteran elementary teachers: Mary Padgett, Janet Stuckey, and Cathy Winkler. Superintendent Frank said the three retirees “have contributed tremendous service to the Washington Community Schools.” In other action, the board accepted the resignations of Susan Wildridge as a library assistant, Angel Meade as assistant junior high girl track coach, and Colin Gongwer and Amy Batton as summer remediation teachers. The board also approved the appointments of Megan Riney and Laura Allison for summer remediation and Lisa Emmick, Emily Davis, and Andrew Ramsey to high-ability summer camp. Solomon Davis was approved as assistant junior high girls track coach.
The board also gave approval for the girls basketball team to take a one-day trip to Six Flags in St. Louis.
Prior to the business meeting, the board recognizes four staff members of the month. Stacey Johnston of Washington Primary, Alejandra Cruz of Washington Elementary, Matt Cissel of the corporation food service, and Matt Riney, computer science and robotics teacher at the high school. Habig Injury Law provided each of the honorees with a Yeti tumbler and a $50 Amazon gift card. The board will hold a special meeting next Tuesday at 8 pm.
