Facility assessment approved

Wear, tear and age have taken a toll on certain facilities in the Stanwood- Camano School District. On Tuesday, the board of directors approved the hiring of Pelletier and Schaar to investigate and assess cost estimates for projects at Twin City Elementary, Stanwood Elementary, Stanwood Middle School and Stanwood High School (SHS) as recommended by the Facility Advisory Committee (FAC).

The cost of the assessment, beginning this week, is capped at $40,000.

In previous meetings, school board members were concerned with finding the funds.

Gary Platt, executive director of business services, said a couple of things shook loose.

The combination of lower-thanbudgeted enrollment numbers and costs coming in below the projected expenditure for the November election of board members freed up enough money to move ahead with the assessment. Roofing projects at Twin City Elementary and Stanwood High School, highlighted by the FAC as urgent concerns, will be going out for bid without delay rather than being a part of the assessment.

“The board wanted to deal with these issues immediately,” said Platt.

Platt hopes to address the board in April with the finalized evaluation of the remaining projects.

In other school board news:

• Deven Rekdal, third-grade student at Stanwood Elementary, received the Shining Star Award. In Octo- tober, Deven underwent a heart transplant surgery. His first day back at school was Tuesday. His teachers, Megan Ovenell and Randi Bachand, nominated Deven because of his “tremendous courage.”

Deven’s mother, Cory Bright, said he’s feeling better than ever.

“He’s excited to see his friends again,” said Bright. “And he loves his teachers.”

Although Deven’s recovery has been “amazing,” said his mother, “he tires easily.” For now, Deven will continue attending class for half-days.

• SHS senior Jeremiah Borsum also received the Shining Star Award. He was nominated by Darryl Main, ag mechanics teacher, for “being a go-to guy, a leader that demands respect.”

Borsum is a teacher’s assistant for Main in the career and technology education

Church department.

“Jeremiah nailed all the criteria for a Shining Star,” said Main.

• Elger Bay Elementary’s Janet Peterson, office manager, and Leslie Whaley, secretary, were recognized as Classified Employees of the Month. They were nominated by first-grade teacher Kathleen Nelles.

“Janet and Leslie are the engine of our school,” said Nelles.

• The Teacher of the Month award was presented to Cheryl Anderton, teacher for the highly capable program at Twin City Elementary. Anderton was nominated by her students, Taya Shoemaker, Keely Noel, Samantha Hall and Cassie Bowling.

Each student presented reasons why Anderton was a special teacher.

Taya Shoemaker said, “Mrs. A. is the best teacher in the universe. She is patient and caring and teaches me something new every day.”

• The Port Susan Middle School leadership team acknowledged the efforts of the board of directors in honor of School Board Recognition Month. Hillary Pham, Ruth Karlberg, Christopher Blackwell, Asia Borseth and Drew Wright delivered the message: “Thank you for making a difference.”

• Index Sensors and Controls donated 141 binders valued at $282 to the district and four pressure hoses valued at $2,000 to SHS Technology Student Association.

Don and Wilma Bayes donated the transportation costs, estimated value of $214.98, to the district’s transportation department for an educational field trip to the fish hatchery.

Utsalady Booster Club donated art supplies valued at $166.75 to Utsalady Elementary.

Target’s Take Care of Education program donated $165.78 to SHS.

Staff Reporter Adam Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115 or astewart@scnews.com.