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Deputy Superintendent Jordan to retire at end of school year
Walla Walla Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bill Jordan announced he is retiring at the end of the school year. Jordan was hired June 12, 2004 to direct the district’s Personnel Department. His last day will be June 30, 2010. Jordan’s career spans 40 years, including time as a teacher, principal and superintendent. He says Walla Walla has been a great fit.
“Walla Walla Public Schools is an excellent district, in a wonderful community, with outstanding employees,” Jordan said. “I have always been proud to have begun my career in Walla Walla and am honored to be able to conclude my educational career by serving the district.”
Jordan’s previous career experience includes:
- Administrator, Washington State University
- Deputy Superintendent for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Superintendent of Kelso School District
- Associate Superintendent of Richland School District
- Principal and Assistant Principal for Walla Walla Public Schools
- Classroom teacher for Walla Walla Public Schools
Jordan completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho and his graduate and doctoral programs at Washington State University.
Jordan serves on the Walla Walla Community College Foundation Board of Governors, the Community Center for Youth board, Commitment to Community board, and the Fort Walla Walla Museum Board of Directors. Jordan also serves on the WSU College of Education Dean’s Advisory and ACT Washington Council
In retirement, he plans to spend more time with his family and continue his passion of working on and showing classic muscle cars.
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Superintendent search firm hired
School board members Tuesday night hired Northwest Leadership Associates to lead a comprehensive search for a new superintendent. Dr. John Fotheringham will serve as the lead consultant.
Fotheringham is the former Executive Director of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) and a former superintendent of the South Central (now Tukwila) School District. Northwest Leadership Associates will now develop a work plan and timeline. Extensive community and staff involvement will be part of the hiring process.
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Boggs to stay in current job
Although Assistant Superintendent Dr. Linda Boggs says one day she may pursue a superintendency, now is not the right time to apply for the soon to be open Walla Walla head position.
“Because of my skills, passion and desire to spend my time doing what I love most, I have chosen to not seek the superintendency at this time although I’m not ruling out the possibility for the future.”
Boggs’ directs the district’s Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Department. She says the district is moving in the right direction, but there is more to do. Boggs has held her current position since July 2005.
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Retired educators offer scholarships
- Two $1,000 scholarships available
Requirements:
1. Graduate of high school in Walla Walla or Columbia County
2. Student teach between September 2010 and June 2011
Contact person: Mardel Bierwagen at 525-6117 or gbierwagen6117@charter.net
- Applications available: November 1, 2009
- Applications due April 1, 2010.
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AFS Foreign Exchange student program information night
Students wondering about experiencing life in another country will have the opportunity to learn more about the joys and challenges of such an adventure during an AFS Information Night Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Wa Hi Library. The event begins at 7 p.m. and will end at 8:30 p.m.
Information will be available about the programs AFS offers to American high school students and those in the “gap year.” There will also be information available for those interested in hosting an AFS student. Currently hosted students, recent returnees, and several AFS volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions.
Parents are encouraged to attend. AFS Intercultural Programs (formerly the American Field Service) is one of the oldest high school exchange programs. In Walla Walla, a local chapter of dedicated volunteers are responsible for providing support for students and their host families.
For more information about the Information Night contact Holly Howard at 509-301-1859. For more information about AFS, visit the AFS- USA website, www.afs/usa.org.
AFS Information Night
- 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- Wa Hi library
- Wednesday, Oct. 28
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Personnel Report (from 10/20 school board meeting)
New Hires
(Certificated)
Zheng Wu, Para-Educator (temporary), Garrison/Pioneer
RETIREMENT
(Administrative)
Dr. Richard Carter, Superintendent, 10 years
- Dr. Carter will retire in June 2010
Dr. Bill Jordan, Deputy Superintendent, 6 years
- Dr. Jordan will retire in June 2010
TRANSFERS
Joyce Larson has transferred to Edison as cook. She was previously a food service assistant at Blue Ridge Elementary.
Chris Young will transfer from his custodial position at Pioneer & Lincoln (split position) to Trades Assistant beginning in November. This is to fill the position vacated by Art Davila who is retiring.
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District considers using state grant for Walla Walla High School heating and air conditioning (HVAC) and lighting upgrade project
Tuesday night district Chief Financial Officer Pat Johnston reported to school board members on a possible project to install a modern heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at Walla Walla High School’s main academic building.
A $500,000 state grant would pay for nearly half of this project. Johnston said improved energy efficiencies could pay for the remaining costs over time.
Wa-Hi was constructed in 1963. Existing, dated and inefficient heating and ventilation systems are still being used in this facility. The facility was never outfitted with air conditioning.
Superintendent Rich Carter reported concerns he has heard from some business leaders and members of the district’s Community Facilities Task Force. He said concerns centered around how this project could impede future plans to improve facilities at Walla Walla High School through a bond measure. School board members have asked Principal Darcy Weisner to survey Wa-Hi staff on this project and get additional input. The deadline to apply for the state grant is December 4.
Project Rationale Highlights
• Air quality and lighting linked to improved student achievement
• Current lack of adequate heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) diminishes learning environment
• Current poor lighting negatively impacts learning environment
• Improved efficiencies could pay for project over time
• State grant funding pays for nearly half of the project
• District has adequate debt capacity for this project
Proposed Project Funding
Grant: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: $500,000
Grant: Pacific Power: $65,000
Walla Walla Public Schools: $750,000
Total Project Cost: $1,315,000
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Election date - November 3
Ballots for the November 3 general election have been mailed to registered voters. Contact the Walla Walla County Auditor’s Office for additional information. Please remember to vote.
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Big Blue Weekend
Walla Walla High School ASB Advisor Jillian DeBritz reported to school board members Tuesday night on the upcoming Big Blue Weekend event in Antelope, OR.
DeBritz said 300 students are expected to attend. The event focuses on building relationships, improving the school climate, opening lines of communication and allowing students to have fun. The cost is $60 per student. The event is Nov. 20-22.
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Pioneer “PALS” help 6th graders
Pioneer Middle School students involved in the Peer and Leadership Support (PALS) said the program is making their school more welcoming for everyone. Students in 7th and 8th grades are assigned to 6th grade students to help them transition to the school. “PALS” helped orient the students to the school, write interactive journals to their 6th grade buddies and regularly take time to talk to them.
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Walla Walla High School foreign language teachers
The Foreign Language Department from Walla Walla High School recently attended the Washington Association for Language Teaching (WAFLT) Conference in Spokane.
“Our goal was to attend the conference as a department, maximize our time in varied workshops and return to collaborate on acquired student-engaged activities in our target languages, one of the SMART goals we adopted for this year,” said French Teacher Kerri Tucker. “We are now using some of our collaboration meetings to share strategies and activities and attach them to our new curriculum we adopted last year. We greatly appreciate the enthusiasm and support of Wa-Hi’s administrative team and the building leadership committee.”
Wa-Hi’s six staff members in attendance, the most from any school, were presented with an Honor Roll Certificate for exemplary participation and support.
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Walla Walla High School Homecoming Royalty 2009 named
Congratulations to Walla Walla High School seniors Kyle Erb and Alicia Baker for being crowned Homecoming king and queen during last Friday’s Homecoming game.
Boys
Kyle Erb*
Seth Hampson
Brandon Porter
Joseph Quiner
Zach Sumerlin
Girls
Alicia Baker**
Kyla Klicker
Jacey Mohrland
Emily Petri
Karina Torres
*King
**Queen
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Lincoln High School highlights
- Each third Thursday for the past four years a group of Lincoln Alternative High School students have helped at the BMAC Food Bank.
- Recently 12 Lincoln students spent the day at the Hawk Point Challenge course. They immersed themselves in teamwork activities throughout the day.
- Seven Lincoln students had 90 percent attendance for the first quarter of school.
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Walla Walla High School Drama Department Presents: O Lovely Glowworm
Show dates: November 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21
Show times: 7 p.m., except for one matinee on November 21, when the show will be at 2 p.m. - as well as at 7 p.m.
Show location: Performances occur in the Walla Walla High School Performing Arts Center.
Show director: Brian Senter
Play by: Glen Berger.
O Lovely Glowworm brief description:
Our narrator, a blind, deaf, formerly dead, stuffed goat, finds himself alive again and in terrible pain. Out of desperation, he conjures up “scenes of great beauty” to distract himself from the pain and to figure out just how he wound up in this conundrum.
A heroic story of love and heroism evolves into the heroic story of how the Silent Valveless Water Waste Preventer was invented. Inspired by scraps from a Dublin rubbish heap, circa 1918, that blew in front of the tethered goat before blowing away again.
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Walla Walla High School winter sports meetings and practice dates scheduled
Winter sports offered:
- Wrestling
- Boys’ Basketball
- Girls’ Basketball
- Boys’ Swimming
Early registration for students who have participated in a fall sport (ONE NIGHT ONLY!)
Wednesday, October 28
6 p.m. in the lobby of the main gym
Please stop in and pick up your new medical release card
Registration for students who did not participate in a fall sport:
Wednesday, November 4
5-6:30 p.m.
Wa-Hi Small Gym
MUST HAVE A CURRENT PHYSICAL TO REGISTER
Students will need to have all forms in the athletic eligibility packet completed and signed by their parents or guardian prior to registration in order to receive clearance for participation. Students must also purchase an ASB card prior to registration and pay a $30 sports participation fee the night of registration.
FIRST DAY OF WINTER SPORTS PRACTICE - November 16
WINTER PARENT MEETING - November 19 @ 7 p.m.
TEAM PICTURES – TBD
Please contact the Athletic Office with any questions: 526-8635
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Classroom Close-Up features Green Park teacher
This week Green Park Elementary teacher Loretta Wright is featured as part of the district’s Classroom Close-Up series. A fun, information filled newsletter will be posted on the district website next week — (www.wwps.org).
A public service announcement radio spot featuring Wright is now playing on regional stations.
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