New school year brings changes for staff, students

Students in the Lind-Ritzville Cooperative School District returned to school on Aug. 28, and the School Board of Directors for both districts met that evening to discuss districtwide updates and goals for the school year.

As new students enter the districts each year, and other students move into different schools, the bus routes play an important role in ensuring all students arrive at the correct school on time.

Transportation Cooperative Supervisor Lynn Sackmann said the first day brought new difficulties into facilitating the bus routes, but he foresees them being corrected within the first week of the school year.

Sackmann explained new students moved into the districts this year, while other families are adjusting to the change in pick-up times.

He said the transportation department has been working closely with parents to ensure all students are picked up on time and safely transported to their appropriate school.

The school boards have also discussed the possibility of having a drop off location at the Ritzville Public Library for students to utilize the services and programs available there.

Sackmann explained because the Library is considered an education institution, it would cost the district a minimum of $1,000 per student to bus them there, because it would be considered a shuttle.

The directors and Sackmann discussed the possibility of having an occasional stop established next to the Ritzville Police Department for students to use in coordination with special Library events catered towards area youth.

Lind School District Principal Cindy Deska provided updates on the first day of school and changes at the two schools. Between the Lind Elementary and Lind-Ritzville Middle Schools, there are two new teachers for this school year.

Deska said the rough estimate for enrollment at the elementary school is 70 students, not including kindergarten or preschool students. At the middle school, there are currently 105 students enrolled.

Along with new students and staff, Deska said there is also new science material being implemented at the elementary school.

One of the main focuses at the middle school level is to continue to improve math test scores, and Deska said there is new math material as well as piloting an online math program in a few classes.

Deska also provided an update regarding summer school, and said 16 students in Lind attended the school and five kids participated in Hatton. She stated the school was a success and the best attendance in recent years.

At Lind-Ritzville High School, there are 105 students currently enrolled, with five foreign exchange students and five students in Running Start, Principal Ronanda Liberty stated. While there are not any new teachers at the facility, Annie Trunkle-Smart is now working full time as the school counselor.

Liberty said the main focus for the upcoming year is focusing on truancy and training the community board to assist with truancy issues. She added there is a need to create and implement a system for discipline and truancy to be in compliance with state requirements.

Ritzville Grade School Principal Tom Arlt introduced three new teachers joining the district this year. At the grade school, there are currently 195 students registered, including preschool students.

Arlt explained the Lind and Ritzville schools are the recipient of an estimated $94,000 in LAP Poverty funding. Arlt said this money will provide a lot of support for the schools, and will allow the expansion of LAP funding into the middle school and high school.

The majority of the funding will be allocated to Ritzville Grade School, but it is all based on need, Arlt explained.

The money will be allocated separately from LAP funding, and LAP Poverty funding is focused on showing the need above and beyond the LAP funding.

Greg Whitmore also spoke to the boards regarding the potential hiring of a game manager to help cover sporting events, assist with smaller tasks and coordinate with visiting teams.

Whitmore said the proposal is to hire a minimum of one individual per season and split the cost initially between Lind and Ritzville. This is an avenue to teach and train someone who is potentially interested in becoming an athletic director in the future, Whitmore said.

During the fall sports season, Whitmore said both high school volleyball and football are underway. He also informed the Boards that the Sprague School District has a cross country team this season, but it is not officially through the school district but they have asked permission to use the Bronco track and field uniforms.

For a facilities update, Superintendent Matt Ellis said Architects West is continuing specification interviews in September with staff members. They will then compile the data from interviews, and draft three models for the high school.

After these drafts have been created, they will be presented to the school boards for review and for edits to be made.

At the Ritzville Grade School building, the majority of the construction has been completed with the installation of the HVAC system, windows and lighting. There are minor projects remaining to be completed, as well as the installation of cameras for additional security in the building.

The Boards also approved an adjusted Wellness Policy and updated Graduation Requirements. They also approved the Athletic Combine Agreement, which includes the addition of the Kahlotus School District.

The Community Connection portion of the evening was the Ritzville Lions Club, represented by President Pat Kennedy. He explained the organization currently has 65 members, and was established in 1939.

The Lions Club is dedicated to service in the community, and Kennedy said they primarily donate labor and have helped construct buildings like the city park gazebo, football grandstands, and the amphitheatre and chicken shack at the Wheat Land Communities’ Fairgrounds.

Kennedy explained the Lions Club is focused on maintaining the American Legion Hall in Ritzville. The organization hosts fundraisers throughout the year, including Turkey Bingo, barbecue chicken and calendar sales.

The next Lind and Ritzville School Board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at Lind-Ritzville Middle School.