Walla Walla Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Linda Boggs will provide an overview of the parameters of the initiative, review this year’s spending plan and lead a discussion for next year’s spending plan. Initiative 728 was approved by Washington State voters in November 2000 to provide school districts local control of additional funding to support efforts to achieve mastery of the essential learnings for all students.

For more information, please call Linda Boggs at (509) 526-6734.

One of the perceptions some people have is that the problems at Wa-Hi are due to deferred maintenance. The fact is the facility’s major weaknesses are not connected to maintenance at all.

The size and construction at Wa-Hi pose the major problems. Classrooms are too small to accommodate 30 or more students comfortably. Most rooms have no air conditioning and inadequate air circulation.

The walls of single-pane windows contribute to discomfort and energy inefficiency. Many rooms have a total of two electrical outlets, certainly not enough to allow use of needed technology. (Only one computer is available in the majority of classes.)

Science labs are far too small, with little storage space, poor ventilation, and antiquated plumbing. The library and commons are also too small to accommodate students. The lunch room has space for about 400 students although over 700 eat lunch at the same time. The library can hold only two classes of students per period.

The separation of classrooms and buildings creates more problems. Teachers are unable to collaborate with each other, especially when they have to share rooms and have no adequate planning areas.

Wa-Hi does not meet ADA requirements, making it difficult to negotiate the campus for those who are disabled. Locker lobbies are crowded and hard to supervise. Unfortunately these are weaknesses that cannot be solved by more maintenance or even by some minor alterations. In fact, it is because of continuous maintenance that Wa-Hi looks much better than it really is.

Location: Walla Walla Community College Main Campus
Cost: $25 per person

For Tickets Contact:
Dondi & Andrea Cortinas
525-6331
cortinasfamily@msn.com

Jim Hayner, Chair - Citizens for Schools

City of Walla Walla Urban Forestry Advisory Commission celebrates Arbor Day at Green Park
This week members of the City of Walla Walla Urban Forestry Advisory Commission joined city council members in visiting Green Park Elementary to celebrate Arbor Day and plant a tree at the Isaacs Street school.

Green Park 5th grade students -- led by Music Teacher Marybeth Norby -- entertained the group by performing two songs in the school’s gym before helping plant the dedicated tree near the Green Park main entrance. Students also received tree seedlings to take home and plant.

The program supports the City of Walla Walla’s urban forestry and community education program.

Blue Ridge secretary takes Curriculum Department position
Long time Blue Ridge Secretary Heidy Wiese has been named district WESPaC Coordinator. Heidy will supervise and monitor the WESPaC data system and will be based in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction. She will transition to her new position during April and May.

Assistant Superintendent Linda Boggs notes that Heidy’s knowledge base and expertise in the Skyward/WESPaC is truly an asset to the district and looks forward to the support she will provide teachers, office personnel and administrators.

Wa-Hi Cheerleaders selling Krispy Kreme donuts
Walla Walla High School Cheerleaders are selling Krispy Kreme donuts for $7 a dozen to raise funds for their program. E-mail Coach Cathy Rasley at crasley@wwps.org with your orders.

Orders will be available to pick Saturday, April 22, in front of the Wa-Hi office (800 Abbott Road) from 9 a.m. to noon. For more information, you may also call Rasley at 527-3020.

She will hold two sessions (Thursday, April 27):
2 - 4 p.m.: School Personnel (nurses, principals, administrators and teachers)
6 - 8 p.m.: The second session will be open to students, parents, and anyone in the community

If you plan to attend, e-mail District Health Services Director Jennifer Douglas at: jdouglas@wwps.org.
Although pre-registration is not required, Douglas would like an estimate count for those planning to attend.

The Expo will be held on April 20 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Wa-Hi Commons. This is a ‘WASL day’ so there are no classes until 10:45. This is strictly a ‘volunteer attendance’ affair. Last year 60 local employers and between 500 to 600 students attended.

We are hoping this year’s expo will be bigger and better. If you hire students for summer, volunteer or long term employment, have career opportunities for high school or college students, or if you just want to share your field with our students, plan now to attend the Walla Walla High School Job Expo.

Fact Sheet:
Date: April 20, 2006
Time: 8:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Where: WaHi Commons Call: 527-3020 x4602
For more information, contact Pat Hanford in the Career Center 527-3020 x4602 or e-mail phanford@wwps.org