The Washougal School Board has approved a $28.8 million budget for the 2012-13 school year. It is a $1.5 million increase over the 2011-12 budget. Of that, approximately $800,000 is for a planned gym floor and turf field replacement at Washougal High School. "I feel very positive about this year's budget," said Dawn Tarzian, district superintendent. "It identifies key priorities and sets aside money for those things."
When most people hear the word, 'Nicaragua,' they think of a war-torn, violent place. But members of Gateway Church typically think of their mission teams, which have gone to the country every year since 2003 to help build churches and do outreach projects. This year, the team traveled to Tipitapa, a suburb of Nicaragua's capital city, Managua, to expand the first church they helped construct in 2003. Team members Larry Basham and Mike Lamb were part of the original group, so it was a homecoming of sorts. "It was a great feeling to be back and see the work just expand," Basham said.
The beginning of school means the start of all things new: New school supplies, clothes, teachers and programs. It also means a new grade and perhaps new friends. In the Camas and Washougal school districts, classes will begin Tuesday, Sept. 4. It is the first time in several years both districts have started school on the same day. Other changes include new administrators, construction projects, an iPad pilot program and a teacher mentoring program.
With a focus on wellness and physical activity, two local schools have installed walking paths. Helen Baller and Dorothy Fox elementary school Parent Teacher Association members spent approximately two years fund-raising for the projects. The paved walking track at Helen Baller circles the perimeter of the school and ends at the playground. It is one-quarter mile loop. The track at Dorothy Fox was converted from an existing gravel path to a paved version. It loops around the perimeter of the playground and into the existing play area.
The Washougal School Board is considering paying off a loan early to save money on interest payments. In 2001, the district purchased the 30-acre Kerr Property as a future school site. It is located behind its office at Evergreen Way, and was purchased for $1.85 million through a loan at what was then known as First Independent Bank. Rosann Lassman, business manager, said after doing some research, she realized the loan could be paid off with impact fees. "We have $780,000 left to pay, with $101,000 left in interest," she said. "We would save $91,000 if we paid it by Sept. 1."
Five years ago Kory Huffman and Jamie Forslund met at an American Motocross Association national race in Washougal.Forslund and her friends were chatting with Huffman's friends, who introduced the two. They'd both attended Washougal High School, but graduated in different years and didn't really know each other well.
Skyridge Middle School continues to be an environmental leader, winning a statewide award. The school, along with others, was honored for environmental impact and energy efficiency last month. The recognition was an extension of a national competition, which named finalists from several states as Green Ribbon Schools. State level awards were given in three categories: Environmental impact and energy efficiency, healthy school environments, and environmental and sustainability education.
A former Mount Pleasant School District employee was sentenced in Camas-Washougal Municipal Court Thursday. It brought a conclusion to the drama that has surrounded the small rural school since it first came to light in October that its bus driver had stolen gasoline by using the district credit card for her personal vehicle.
It's been quite a summer for identical twins Brittni and Brandi Nester. They've traveled to L.A. for a runway show, done hair modeling and fashion shoots in Portland, and most recently, jetted to New York for a runway charity event put on by VH1. The 18-year-old Camas High School grads got their start last year, when Brittni signed up for the American Mall Model Search Contest at the Westfield Vancouver Mall. "It was something new to do and I thought it could be fun," she said.
An investigation into the Mount Pleasant School District has uncovered more than $1,000 worth of stolen gasoline and $4,000 in "questionable" transactions over a 3-year time period by former employee Cheryl Randall. The report, released last week by the Washington State Auditor's Office, includes an investigation into reimbursements for mileage, hotel, registrations, certification fees and insurance co-payments, along with fuel purchases made with a district credit card while in Randall's possession.
danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com
