Wahluke School Board talks money

MATTAWA — A public hearing was held during a meeting of the Wahluke School District Board of Directors on Tuesday, July 16. The meeting was rescheduled from its normal date of July 9.

The public hearing was held to discuss capital projects fund and the district’s general fund. $2 million was carried over from the last school year.

“We need the capacity to spend it,” said Tracy Plouse, director of finance and operations for the Wahluke School District. “We just missed that carry-over money. We didn’t get the grants all figured out until the end of March. If we can’t use it, we lose it.”

The board approved the re-allocation of the funds. The board approved the Dual Language Immersion Program Master Plan as well. Bethany Martinez, Migrant Coordinator and Bilingual Program TOSA, told the board that 41 parents came to an informational night regarding the new Dual Language Immersion Program that the Wahluke School District is starting this fall. Out of that evening, 40 students have committed to the program. The program is starting with kindergartners this year. As the class gets older, more grades will be added.

Wahluke Superintendent Robert Eckert asked to board to review the district’s dress code, cell phone and closed campus policies. Traditionally, letters have gone home to parents outlining the dress code. Cell phone use is not permitted at school.

“We’ve been lax the last few years on enforcing them,” said Eckert. “If we are going to keep them, we need to enforce them from day one.”

Eckert also said that a few of the district staff members had met with an architect to outline future plans for the district. The district’s bond will be completed in December 2019. The district is hoping to pass a capital levy that would help with maintenance to several of the district buildings, such as new roofing and a new HVAC system. The district plans to put the levy on the ballot in November.

The board voted to add a second student representative to the board. Emma Anderson will join Karen Arellano-Cruz on the board. This was Arellano-Cruz’ first meeting since being added to the board in June.

In addition to the regularly scheduled meetings, special board meetings will be held on July 23 and Aug. 26. Both meetings will be at 7 p.m.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com