LR School Boards prepare for change in attendance law

The Lind and Ritzville School Boards met on April 24 to discuss changes in the truancy policy for absent students and needs surrounding the schools.

Lind-Ritzville High School Principal Ronanda Liberty provided an update on the change on the attendance law. She has been working to draft a new truancy policy, which the districts will adopt during the next meeting, after review.

With a change in the law and a new bill, Liberty explained the need to realign the policy and the procedures to be uniform when addressing the issue of an absentee student.

The policy will address how to handle unexcused absences and students who are chronically excused.

A portion of the new policy will also include the creation of a Community Truancy Board, Liberty explained. They will create a list, based off of the states existing list, of approved excused absences.

The Board will also create a list of allowances on ethnic, cultural and religious reasons for absences.

With a representative from each school board, Liberty said the Board will look at each individual student’s case and determine the best solution for that student.

The Board will have a core training during the month of June.

Superintendent Matt Ellis informed the school boards the Ritzville School District currently has two insurance claims pending for issues at the Ritzville Grade School. The claims are for a roof leak and drainage issue, and for a plumbing issue in the kitchen.

Ellis stated DA Davidson had a bond rating discussion on April 28 to prepare for selling the bonds for the Ritzville School District.

Architects West is currently conducting interviews during the first two weeks of May for the remodeling project, and they need an assessment completed to determine the needs of the building.

Todd O’Brien provided the Community Connection for the month, discussing his role as Adams County Public Works director and also describing how the schools and the county work together.

O’Brien noted Public Works is the largest department in the county and is comprised of six divisions.

The county maintains 1,800 miles of roadway with 10 school districts utilizing the roads for transportation. Along with maintaining roadways, O’Brien said the department is also responsible for cleaning culverts and signage along the roads.

The Public Works department also manages the solid waste for the county, disposing of 19,000 tons of garbage a year, O’Brien stated. He added there are also recycling programs at both transfer stations.

In addition, O’Brien said the Public Works department also maintains 60,000 square feet of office space, and the Adams County Fairgrounds in Othello.

O’Brien has served as Director for 17 years, and has worked for the Public Works department for 27 years.

During his time with the department, O’Brien said the county has provided in-kind services to the school districts, and most recently assisted with writing the request for qualifications (RFQ) for the track project.

The past winter led to an above average amount of snow days for the local school districts. The school board members and O’Brien agreed it is worth having a discussion to determine which paved road routes could be utilized during inclement weather.

Ritzville Public Library Director Kylie Fullmer provided a brief update regarding the use of the high school library and the status of construction at the Ritzville Library facility.

Fullmer explained the after school events hosted by the library have continued to be popular with students, and the construction project is operating on time with expected completion in June.

She also announced the library received a Washington State Library grant to host a Coding Club. It will be able for students between the ages of eight and 14 with nine laptops available for use.

The Coding Club will allow participants to help code a video game. Fullmer explained all participants in the club had to commit to two hours on weekends for a month.

Due to an eclipse in August, Fullmer announced the library has purchased eclipse glasses. These will be distributed to children in August, prior to the event.

The next Lind and Ritzville School Board meeting is May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lind-Ritzville Middle School.