School board approves 2022-23 calendar

LIND – After soliciting feedback from staff and parents, the Lind-Ritzville School Boards approved a traditional calendar for the 2022-23 school year.

At the February board meeting, Superintendent Don Vanderholm proposed a second option, which would have started school earlier in August, but added several 3-day weekends throughout the year, apart from 3-day weekends associated with federal holidays.

Vanderholm reported there was more support for the traditional calendar, which the boards approved.

Enrollment in the Ritzville School District is down 9.6 students as of the March board meeting. Vanderholm attributed the loss to the departure of two families from the district. However, enrollment in the Lind-Ritzville Academy, an affiliate on-line school program, is up 3 students over the same period, leaving a net loss of 6.6 students for the cooperat5ive school district. Vanderholm said “enrollment is still above what we budgeted for the year.”

Vanderholm discussed electric busses briefly, indicating there had been questions raised about potential use of electric busses in the district.

Vanderholm pointed out several concerns over the use of electric busses, particularly regarding range, especially in cold temperatures, and a loss on cargo space on the busses due to the space needed for the batteries. Vanderholm said six busses in the district fleet run propane, which is a byproduct of natural production and petroleum refining processes.

Currently, propane sells at a significantly lower price than gasoline or diesel, and is considered one of the least expensive forms of alternative fuel.

Student representatives to the board reported Spokane Teachers Credit Union would be presenting “Money Live” in Lind-Ritzville schools this spring. According to STCU, Money Live is a hands-on simulation designed for middle and high school students.

In other business, te board accepted a letter of resignation from Steve Nygren, who has announced that he will retire Aug. 31 after a 31 year career.

The board also renewed the superintendent contract for 2022-23.