Superintendent: Enrollment at 577, district to buy out copier leases and repair facilities

Superintendent Jerrad Jeske told the board the district’s enrollment stands at 577 students, “a little over 30 students higher than what was budgeted,” and reported several recent equipment and facilities developments. Jeske said the district sold an older bus for $2,000 and a snowplow for $2,600, and that a newly arrived bus has already helped with recent transportation breakdowns.

Jeske recommended replacing three leased copy machines with district‑owned units, noting the district paid approximately $97,000 over a five‑year lease while purchasing the three machines outright will cost $23,000; the district will maintain a service contract. He also reported a $12,000 replacement of the elementary school hot water heater (the prior unit was 28 years old) and said two failed motors in the old gym’s heating units will be repaired at no cost under the district’s McKinstry service agreement. “Thank you for your continued service and support of our students, staff, and community,” Jeske said during his remarks.

The superintendent also updated the board on staffing and reporting: a Special Education teaching position was posted internally with no in‑house candidates identified, and Jeske said he obtained a verbal confirmation from OSPI that a Dec. 17 weather‑related closure does not need to be made up because it occurred during a statewide emergency and instructional‑hours requirements were met. The report included an acknowledgment of staff covering a custodian leave (Kim Konschuk and Bobby Rogers).