MEDICAL LAKE—The board approved the district’s 2019-2020 report card and disbursed board roles for 2021 in a quick meeting Dec. 22 that was over in 15 minutes before everyone wished each other a “Merry Christmas” and headed to a much-needed vacation.
Board president Rod Von Lehe will retain his role in 2021. Departed board member Peggy Schweikhardt was vice president. The board nominated and approved Leo Spilker to fill the role next year.
Laura Parsons will act as legislative representative. New board member Wendy Williams-Gilbert was originally nominated, as she recently met with Gov. Jay Inslee to discuss district progress. However, superintendent Tim Ames interjecting, noting “while I’m sure she would do a fantastic job, our board policy states members need one year of experience to be (legislative representative).”
Inslee reportedly told Williams-Gilbert, “I wish everyone was as innovative as Medical Lake’s school district” during their meeting.
Ron Cooper will continue to be the district’s WIAA representative.
The district report card from the high school noted a 98% graduation rate in 2020, a mark only Nine Mall Falls and West Valley school districts hit in Spokane County, Ames said.
50% of students at Hallett Elementary were on free or reduced lunches at the time of the report. 21.9% of students are in special education, the report card noted. Teachers had an average of 12 years experience, while 42.9% had at least a master’s degree.
29% of students at Michael Anderson Elementary are in the low income category, while 16% are students with disabilities. Math growth improved from 2019 to 2020 for first and third graders, but dropped for other grades. Reading growth improved in the same timeline for first, third and fifth grades, but dropped for the others.
Smarter Balanced and ELA assessment state test scores dropped for math and reading in 2019 at the middle school at all grade levels. Seventh-graders netted the best average scores for both ELA and math assessments.
Endeavors hoped to net a 60% graduation rate in 2020, but hit a 42.9% mark. 17 students took ELA classes, while 27 took math classes in 2019.
Drew Lawson can be reached at [email protected].
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