Votes at a glance: Prosser board approves track timing, out-of-state travel, new course, chiller work and irrigation consulting

The Prosser School District Board of Directors approved a slate of action items at its March meeting, including event timing contracts, out-of-state travel for student presenters, a new high-school course, capital-levy-funded building work and irrigation consulting.

Summary of approved items

- CWAC track timing (consultant service agreement): The board approved a consulting agreement to hire Tri-Cities Thunder to provide timing services for two track meets (the Rotary Invite on April 19 and a league meet May 8). The district will pay $1,000 for the larger invite and $600 for the league meet; the league will cover the districts host cost for regionals. Motion moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Out-of-state travel: The board approved out-of-state travel for staff and three students to attend the National Conference for Migrant Education. District staff said the team had been selected to present two workshops, including a student presentation on planetarium work; a demo planetarium will be provided by the vendor for the presentation. Motion moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

- New high-school course: Prosser High Schools proposed Basic Computer Skills course was approved. The career and technical education program will sponsor the course; initial offerings will depend on student interest and staffing. The course is budgeted with a typical section size (up to 28 seats) and can be expanded if enrollment warrants. Approved by voice vote.

- Housel Bridal School chiller replacement (installation labor): The board approved $86,000 in capital-levy funds to pay labor to install a chiller purchased previously for Housel Bridal School. Board discussion clarified the contract covers installation and indicated the old unit had already been removed; the agreement includes a one-year warranty for contractor workmanship after substantial completion. Motion moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Lake City Consulting (irrigation control): The board approved a consulting agreement with the original irrigation-control system developer to train staff and reprogram controllers at the highschool athletic complex (football, track, baseball, softball, tennis) so irrigation zones and run schedules operate more uniformly. The vendor will deliver training and video documentation. Motion moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

- Vouchers and payroll; consent items: The board approved vouchers and payroll, and consent items 1 through 3 including personnel updates. Consent approval included recognition that two teachers on the retirement list have more than 40 years of service.

Votes and procedure notes: Most action items were approved by voice vote after motion and second; several items had a named mover or seconder in the record but roll-call tallies were not enumerated for all motions in the transcript. The WIAA resolution (Resolution 03-25) – a separate, contentious item also on the agenda – was approved by roll-call vote (see separate article).

What the board instructed staff to do: For several approved items staff were asked to follow up with vendors (e.g., verify disposal of old chiller), to prepare implementation procedures (e.g., irrigation programming, track timing logistics), and to return with any required reports to the board as projects proceed.

Ending: The actions clear the way for district athletic events this spring, student presentations at a national conference, a new elective at the high school, and capital work to support building systems and athletic-field irrigation.