If the district returned the excess bond money, the average savings to a taxpayer who owns a median priced home in Walla would have been approximately $15 a year over a seven-year period.

The School Board agreed to use the excess Edison bond funds for the following projects:
- Addressing traffic issues at Edison Elementary
- A new boiler and energy efficiency and air quality improvements at Pioneer Middle School (This action could leverage additional state grant dollars through state energy efficiency programs.)
- Telecommunication improvements at four schools (Green Park, Berney, Pioneer and Garrison)
- Capital improvement to educational facilities to promote student achievement and safety

“This was a tough decision which spurred a great deal of discussion with our stakeholders,” School Board President Cindy Meyer said. “But the decision to reinvest these funds came down to doing what was best for kids and their future. We appreciate all those who weighed in on this decision and we will be fiscally responsible with your tax dollars.”

Superintendent Rich Carter reported there were several factors leading up to the district coming in under budget on the Edison construction project.

Factors leading to the Edison project coming in under budget include:
- Global recession which led to lower contractor and building supplies costs
- Excellent architectural plans which resulted in fewer construction change orders
- Effective and efficient construction management and project oversight

On February 6, 2007, Walla Walla voters approved the $19.5 million bond to construct a new Edison Elementary bond with a 61 percent yes count. The bond measure ballot language did include provisions to use excess funds for other district capital improvement projects.

Walla Walla High School Principal hiring schedule:
- Applications deadline: July 9
- Interviews: July 12-16
- Final Selection: July 16, 2010
- Report date: August 9, 2010

Below is a summary of the priority recommendations in the 2010 report:
# 1 - High Schools
High school facilities were found to be in greatest need of improvement. The Task Force recommends that the School Board address Walla Walla High School deficiencies in phases, focusing on the highest priorities: science and math classrooms, the commons and overcrowding. Lincoln Alternative High School should be replaced in a single project. Continue to pursue the Southeastern Washington branch of the Tri Tech Skills Center, as this opportunity proceeds through the legislature.

# 2 - Pioneer Middle School
Replace an antiquated boiler system and expand the air conditioning system to the entire building. Expand and remodel the existing gym and construct an additional gym. Add classroom space to relieve overcrowding.

# 3 - Blue Ridge/Preschool Facility
Relocate the preschool to a different site and return Blue Ridge to a neighborhood elementary school.

# 4 - Comprehensive Facility Maintenance Program
Task Force members feel strongly that the district should continue to have a strong facility maintenance program. The program should be based on research and data. Consider using outside resources and a combination of school district personnel and community experts to help develop and monitor a district-wide facilities maintenance plan.

Community Facilites Task Force Membership
Dan Reid (Chair), Opp and Seibold Construction
Darcey Fugman-Small, Woodward Canyon Winery
Mary Koch, Retired Educator
Jim Peterson, Walla Walla Community College
Pat Johnston, WWPS - Chief Financial Officer
Karen Carman, Parent Representative
Craig Sievertsen, Parent Representative - Banner Bank
Gay Buissink, Teacher - Wa-Hi Business Education
Jim Sporleder, Principal - Lincoln High School
Allan Gillespie, Owner, Gillespie Roofing
Ruth Ladderud, Whitman College
Scott Krivoshein, Investment Broker, Raymond James
Dan Hess, Lawyer - School Board Member
Jerry Zahl, Walla Walla Farmers Co-Op

NON-VOTING MEMBERS
Lowell Schneider, Plant Facilities Director
Dan Johnson, Facilities Support Director
Dr. Rich Carter, Superintendent
Mark Higgins, Communications Director
John Evans, Architects West
Kay Schisler, Task Force Administrative Assistant

NON-VOTING OBSERVER
Rob Blethen, Publisher, Walla Walla Union Bulletin

Scrimmage Schedule - Session 1 - 6 - 6:40 p.m.
- F1: Hermiston Varsity vs WW Varsity
- F2: Hermiston JV vs Waitsburg-Prescott
- F3: Stanfield vs WW JV
- F4: Dayton vs Hermiston 9

Session 2 - 6:50 - 7:45 p.m.
- F1: WW JV vs Hermiston JV
- F2: (6:50 - 7:15 p.m.) Dayton vs Waitsburg-Prescott
(7:20 – 7:45 p.m. ) Dayton vs Stanfield
- F3: (6:50 - 7:15 p.m.) Hermiston 9 vs Stanfield JV
(7:20 – 7:45) Hermiston 9 vs Waitsburg-Prescott JV

Classified: Loren Garcia, Assistant Secretary, Blue Ridge
Mario Saldana, Para-Educator, Head Start/ECEAP, Green Park
Laura Segovia, Para-Educator, Head Start/ECEAP, Blue Ridge
Heraclio Torres, Para-Educator, Pioneer Middle School

RETIREMENTS/RESIGNATIONS
Administrative: Darcy Weisner, Principal, Walla Walla High School

Certificated: Robert Gregoire, ESL/Title I teacher, Green Park, 12 years
(Bob is resigning .5 FTE and will continue as a .5 FTE teacher)
Jennifer Nicholson, Library Media Specialist, Edison Elementary, 2 years
(Jennifer is resigning .5 FTE and will continue as a .5 FTE teacher)
Kathy Smith, Special Education Teacher, Green Park, 8 years

Classified: Samantha Morales, Head Secretary, Head Start/ECEAP, Blue Ridge, 2 years

“Dan Reid of Opp and Seibold General Construction continues to be one of the district’s longstanding partners and committed volunteers,” Carter said. “

Reid has served and chaired the district’s Community Facilities Task Force for 15 years. This community-based group helps the district develop long-range facilities improvement plans to provide a source of information in making critical decisions.

The district has acted on many of the recommendations in these reports over the years, including the modernization of Sharpstein Elementary, the construction of a new Edison Elementary and the development of the Southeast Washington Transportation Cooperative and new Support Services facility.

This group, under Dan’s leadership, supported and encouraged the district to invest the state matching funds from the successful Edison Elementary bond issue into the Transportation Cooperative. This move allowed the district to leverage another $4 million in state matching funds. The Community Facilities Task Force also came on board early with this project through its recommendation the district purchase the land for the Transportation Cooperative and Support Services project. In all, the Transportation Cooperative and Support Services facilities are nearly a $10 million project for the community at no additional cost to local bond rates thanks to the leveraging of state matching dollars to fund this work.

“Dan Reid and the members of Community Facilities Task Force have supported this effort from day one,” Carter said.

Reid also earned the district’s Art Regier Volunteer of the Year award in 2002 for his continued service to the district.Dan and his wife Lori are also outstanding parents who are actively involved in school functions, including PTAs. Dan has coached youth sports over the years and is involved in many community functions, including serving on the YMCA board of directors. Thanks to Dan Reid for his service to our school district and community as this year’s deserving recipient of a SEWASA Leadership Award.

Dates: June 29 to August 5 (Monday - Thursday)
Session 1 - 8:00 - 9:00 a.m. (Incoming 9th-12th grade students)
Session 2 - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m. (Incoming 6th-8th grade students)
Session 3 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. (Incoming 9th-12th grade students)

Instructors: Eric Hisaw & Amy Hisaw
Location: Wa-Hi Weight Rm & Gym
Cost: $30 pre-registered / $35 at door

Note: Students will need a medical release and a parent permission form, which they can get at the Wa-Hi Athletic Office any time or at the door. (PHYSICALS ARE NOT REQUIRED). Information: Contact Eric Hisaw at 527-3020 or by e-mail at: ehisaw@wwps.org