The Cheney School Board heard a number of financial and legislative updates at their Jan. 23 meeting as well as first readings of policy revisions that could have far-reaching effects for students and parents.
The Cheney Free Press previously reported that the district will be receiving a $1.9 million grant to fund STEM improvements at the high school level, and at its most recent meeting the board received a follow-up presentation on the subject by Cheney teacher and grant writer Adam Smith.
According to his presentation, Cheney has just one STEM pathway in its schools at the moment in the form of an AP Computer Science class, and just five girls are on that track. Grant funds will be used to fund new classes like data science, robotics and engineering and machining and manufacturing. They will also go toward improving the technology in existing classrooms.
As part of the process, the district hopes to change the perception of STEM paths with students, teachers and parents and “make it cool.”
Smith has been working on raising the $100,000 in funds required from the district to receive the grant. Thus far, just over $89,000 has been raised in donations from local businesses, and Smith said he is still in talks with Amazon, Avista and other organizations to provide the remainder.
The board also heard an update on the state Legislature’s 2019 session, currently in its third week. Board members were told what representatives were overseeing bills of consequence to the district, but it’s too early to tell just what the results of the session will be, said assistant to the superintendent and board of directors Helen Page.
Cheney Superintendent Rob Roettger spent much of the day on Friday on the phone with legislators testifying on various issues, Page said.
The board unanimously adopted a transportation policy dictating bus route scheduling and detailing which students the district must provide transport for.
It also heard the first reading of a policy regarding the release of information concerning student sexual and kidnapping offenders. According to board documents, principals must disseminate information about students required to register as a sex or kidnapping offender to the appropriate staff within the school based on offender risk assessments. School staff will maintain confidentiality regarding these students according to district privacy policies involving minors.
Additionally, the board received maps of potential attendance boundary suggestions, though as of the meeting there remained additional community meetings to take into account before a final decision is made.
Shannen Talbot can be reached at [email protected].
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