Voters to consider supplemental levy in February 2020 special election
Vancouver Public Schools’ board of directors approved a supplemental education and operations levy to appear on the ballot in the Feb. 11, 2020, special election. The board voted unanimously on a resolution at its Nov. 12 meeting.
If passed by voters, the supplemental levy for education and operations would benefit all schools in the district. It would pay for locally funded teacher positions that maintain smaller class sizes. The levy also would maintain current levels of programs and services in VPS and help schools continue to improve student achievement and graduation rates.
The projected rates per $1,000 of assessed property valuation are:
43 cents in 2021
41 cents in 2022
40 cents in 2023
“Asking voters to approve a new tax measure is a request that Vancouver Public Schools takes very seriously,” said Mark Stoker, school board president. “The Vancouver community has demonstrated its support for children and public schools in many ways, including ongoing support for bonds and levies. We are grateful for this support and take seriously our obligation to handle taxpayer dollars responsibly.”
Vancouver iTech educator is a finalist for prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence
Dr. Erin Lark is one of five state-level finalists for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Dr. Lark is in her second year of teaching environmental and life sciences at Vancouver iTech Preparatory. She was the only Southwest Washington educator selected as a 2020 state finalist.
Columbia River senior is in the running for U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship
Columbia River High School student Noel Simms has been selected as a nominee/alternate for the U.S. Senate Youth Scholarship award. Simms is one of approximately 40 students selected during the Association of Washington Student Leaders leadership camps this summer. Simms now will go through an interview process for the opportunity to be one of two Washington students to receive a $10,000 scholarship and to represent Washington state this spring in Washington, D.C.
Congratulations to the November Excellence Award recipients!
The following employees were selected for the November 2019 Excellence Award recognition. They were honored at the Nov. 12 school board meeting. Pictured from left:
Emily Jinnah, elementary academic coach, Fir Grove
Elizabeth Tiegs, family-community resource coordinator, Roosevelt Elementary
Tawnya Clark, paraeducator, Fir Grove
Michael Hornback, instructional technology facilitator, ITS
Bill Niemeyer, data integration technician, assessment and performance management department
The Excellence Award is given to five employees and/or small teams from October to May each school year. Nominations are open to staff, students, parents and community members. Nominees are selected for recognition by a committee of their peers.
VPS collaborates with community partners on discipline
Vancouver Public Schools is reaching out to staff and community members for input and guidance as part of its response to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office investigation of disproportionate discipline for special education, African American, Native American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students.
A steering committee of 12-15 internal and external stakeholders including representatives of Vancouver’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and SW Washington’s League of United Latin American Citizens will convene in December to review the AGO’s report, the relevant discipline data and the work completed to date. Invitations also will be extended to Native American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and special education partners.
Parents, partners and community members may contact the steering committee at vpscommittees@vansd.org.
Community forums will gather information for new elementary school
The district will hold community forums at Anderson, Hazel Dell, Minnehaha, Eisenhower and Walnut Grove elementary schools this winter to share information and listen to community feedback on the need for a new elementary school, which was slated for construction on district-owned property at NE 25th Avenue. Those schools likely would be impacted by the NE 25th Avenue school project that is being considered for deferment to a future bond program.
The Foundation for Vancouver Public Schools benefits our students and families. Donate today to the 2019 annual campaign.
Students honored for fire safety posters
Students from five Vancouver schools competed in the Hazel Dell–Salmon Creek Business Association’s Fire Safety Poster Contest, a joint project with Clark County Fire District 6. From more than 100 entries, 15 were selected for recognition. Meet the grand prize winner, and see why her victory shouldn’t have come as a total surprise.
Community engagement coordinator named to Honor Roll
Vancouver Public Schools’ Carla Feltz has been selected for Kaiser Permanente Thriving Schools’ 2019 Honor Roll. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that champion sustainable, healthy school environments. Feltz is one of 17 honorees.
In her role as community outreach and engagement coordinator, Feltz has supported 14 schools in promoting health and wellness efforts such as using healthy snacks or additional recesses to reward positive behavior.
Creative force receives award from Vancouver Business Journal
Vancouver Public Schools' Tara Cox is a recipient of the 2019 Vancouver Business Journal's Accomplished and Under 40 award. Recipients of the award are recognized for their professional and community leadership. Cox is a creative multimedia force in the district's communications office and is an enthusiastic supporter of public education and the Vancouver community.
Construction begins on new Walnut Grove Elementary
Ground is broken at the site of the new Walnut Grove Elementary School. Hear from students and staff on what the new building will mean for the school community.
Congratulations, retirees
Anne Flindt, a paraeducator at Alki Middle School, will retire Nov. 26 with 20 years of service.
Isabella Miller, a cafeteria assistant at Marshall Elementary, retired Oct. 31 with 29.8 years of service.
Our address is:
2901 Falk Rd., Vancouver, WA 98661
P.O. Box 8937, Vancouver, WA 98668
Superintendent: Dr. Steve Webb
Board of Directors: Rosemary Fryer, Dale Q. Rice, Wendy Smith, Mark Stoker
Vancouver School District is an Equal Opportunity District in education programs, activities, services, and employment. The district does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, age, families with children, honorably discharged veteran or military status, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal. The district provides equal access to the Boy Scouts of America and other designated youth groups. The district complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Worker Protection Act, and all other state, federal, and local equal opportunity laws. You may also contact any of the following people by writing to them at Vancouver School District, PO Box 8937, Vancouver, Washington 98668-8937 or by calling 360-313-1000: ADA–Kathy Everidge; Title VII, 504–Tamara Shoup; IDEA–Daniel Bettis; Affirmative Action–Kathy Everidge; Title IX Elementary–Debra Hale; Title IX Secondary–Chris Olsen; Athletic Equity–Jim Gray. This notification can be provided in the appropriate language for communities of national origin and minority persons with limited English language skills by contacting 360-313-1250.
