District Information 
Ask Superintendent Teresa Baldwin
April 2011 Question: I recently went to my 13 year old nephews birthday and got quite the surprise when I was informed that he can’t write or read cursive. Why is this acceptable?
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
In Washougal School District we teach the reading and writing of cursive letter forms as part of the elementary curriculum in third grade. Most children learn both quickly, but they also quickly domesticate and stylize their written letter formations. Some children actually return to printing as a choice, in lieu of cursive, even though they know cursive writing form.
Your nephew must be in middle school at this time, and he certainly could still learn to read and write cursive letter forms. Please have one of his parents call me at 954-3001 and give me more details about his school placement, and I will discuss this issue with his principal. The school will provide assistance with this easily correctable problem!
Thank you!
February 2011 Question: I would like to know the district policy on early kindergarten entry. I have read the state law .so need to know how to go about getting my son assessed. He has been in preschool 2 years. This year he is a mentor in sped preschool. I feel he is more than ready for Kindergarten but misses the cut off by 2 months.
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Thank you for your question regarding early entry to kindergarten for your son whose birthday misses the "uniform entry qualifications for kindergarten" established in WAC 392-335-010: A child must be five years of age as of midnight August 31 of the year of entry to be entitled to enter kindergarten.
Under WAC 392-335-025, "Local option exceptions to uniform entry qualifications," school districts may adopt regulations that provide for individual exceptions, such as a screening process to assess the ability of students to succeed in earlier entry to kindergarten.
The Washougal Board of Directors is in the process of revising all policies, and the policy titled Qualifications of Attendance and Placement will go to the board for a first reading on March 8. Currently the policy says "special exemptions may be made for younger pupils who appear to be sufficiently advanced." However, since 2008, we have not provided early entrance screening. Our rationale has been that, based on the experience of our elementary principals and in my own experience, the assessment system rarely identifies an early entry student who is ready for kindergarten. In addition, students who did appear to be ready for kindergarten, invariably struggled. As a result, we have concluded that there are no reliable estimates of the skills and abilities that younger children need to be successful in kindergarten.
Please note that it is possible that you may be able to enter your son in a state-approved private kindergarten, which then allows him to enter first grade under the conditions of WAC 392-335-020, "Kindergarten experience qualifications for first grade."
That regulations states, "Any child not otherwise eligible for entry to first grade who successfully has completed a kindergarten program in a public or private school shall be permitted entrly to the school program: Provided that, the kindergarten program standards substantially equalled or exceeded the applicable basic education program requirements...Provided further, That if the district of entry has reason to believe that an individual child so qualified may not succeed in the district's first grade program, the district shall have the option of placing the child in either kindergarten or first grade for evaluation...and final determination of placement."
It is fortunate that your son is doing so well. The district is always interested in options that insure the continuing success of students. For this reason, we are in the process of updating our policy and clarifying alignment of procedures with the state uniform entry age for kindergarten.
Thank you for your question. We look forward to serving your son in one of elementary schools in the future.
February 2011 Question: I am new to the Washougal area. I moved here from Ridgefield almost a year ago. I also graduated from RHS. Our tennis court policy was that the courts (as well as the track) were open to the public (including during school hours) as long as they were gone when the sports teams started their practices/games/meets. I do like to play tennis often and I was wondering what Washougals policies were on this situation. Is the public allowed to us the courts and track when school is in session?
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
I just had to chuckle at your email address! You are probably anxious for winter to be over! After this week, I'm looking forward to baseball and tennis weather, too!
During the school year, the district tennis courts are open before after Washougal High School hours, 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., except when we have men's tennis (fall) and women's tennis (spring). Tennis teams are typically working out or having matches from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
The track is always locked and not open to the public except through a facilities rental agreement with the community education office. The reason is that the track and field are secured is to reduce the exposure to a range of maintenance issues including minor things like gum on the turf to the possibility of vandalism.
Welcome to Washougal! I hope you'll take advantage of our excellent tennis courts.
June 2010 Question: Teresa,
Thank you so much for the kind and inspirational words that you gave to my band students yesterday morning. It truly meant a lot to me as a teacher and the children were "walking on air" after receiving such high praise. Taking time out of your busy day to listen to us play and give us such positive remarks is something we will always remember.
Sincerely,
Sandee Canton
Hathaway Band Director
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Dear Sandee,
It truly was a pleasure listening to your band concert yesterday! I hope to attend the spring concert again next year. The tremendous growth in musical skill is quite amazing in just one year. I'm sure the middle school band teachers are delighted to have these students.
April 2010 Question: 1) Is it true that $204,000 dollars have been proposed as cuts in classified staffing? 2) Do we have one of the largest reserve funds in the state? 3) Why are we not using some of the District's reserve funds to offset budget reductions next year?
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Thank you for your question regarding the District's budget planning for next year:
1) It is unfortunately true that on the draft of potential budget reductions, there is an amount of $204,000 listed as possible reductions for classified staff. There are several items on this draft of potential budget reductions that represent devastating outcomes for student services and programs. In some ways, this year is harder than last year because we don't have many choices left of places to further reduce expenses.
2) The district has 6% in the ending fund reserve account, which has always been considered fiscally sound in school district finance. In addition, there is $436,000 reserve fund for the opening of a new school, which seems distant in the scope of planning right now. In 2000-2007, both of these reserve funds would have been within the range of many school districts' financial planning. The downturn in the economy has forced districts to reduce reserves in order to fund operating expenses, and so we see, at least locally, the trend moving away from saving and building 5% - 8% in reserves, to spending down reserves.
3) Let me begin by saying that school districts are facing a double-hit as we plan for next year's budget. Not only is the state drastically cutting revenues, there are also increased costs, such as an increase in unemployment benefits and workman's compensation. For Washougal, the total budget shortfall adds up to $630,000. I would encourage you to attend the staff forum next Monday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. to share your ideas for balancing the budget.
As a reminder, no decisions regarding the budget have been made. Additional information regarding budget planning has been posted on the "Budget" section of the District website.
April 2010 Question: Would you please explain to me the Washougal School District policy on the use of public school property for the use of private religious services. Specifically, I refer the use of the Washougal High School gymnasium for religious services on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010. Would you also please forward to me all policy guidelines from the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction on this same subject? Thank you very much.
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Thank you for your question regarding the use of the Washougal High School gymnasium for religious services on April 4, 2010.
State and school board policy are based on the federal supreme court ruling on June 11, 2001 in the Good News Club vs. Milford Center School case. In 6-3 decision, the court said that public schools which allow civic groups or clubs to rent or use their facilities cannot refuse access to or use of those facilities by religious organizations.
Here are three links that summarize the court decision:
http://onthedocket.org/cases/speech/good-news-club-et-al-v-milford-central-school-06112001http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=000&invol=99-2036 http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1345&dat=19901009&id=C8sSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_fkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5033,1153304
Click here for the link to the Office of the Superintedent of Public Instruction website on religion in schools.
The question and answer from the OSPI website is as follows:
Q: Must public school officials make school facilities available during nonschool hours for religious use by religious organizations?
A: Some courts hold that the school may not refuse rental requests by religious groups if they grant such requests to other community groups. Other courts hold that the school may deny the rental requests of religious organizations which seek to use the premises for religious purposes as long as they do so consistently and do not apply selective rules to certain religious groups.
I am attaching the Washougal School District Board Policy #4330 Use of School Facilities.
March 2010 Question: I know that Kindergarten Registration for the 2010-2011 school year is coming up soon, and I was wondering two things:
When does registration start?
And, does it matter what elementary school my child attends?
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Thank you for your question regarding Kindergarten registration for next year. Here is the announcement that will go on the District website this week, and I've attached two documents, one that provides more detailed information, and the other is a copy of the required CIS form. Please contact your school's principal if you need further information. Thank you. We welcome your Kindergartner to school next year!
Kindergarten "Round-up" Registration May 3-7, 2010
Registration for children entering Kindergarten at Cape Horn-Skye, Gause and Hathaway Elementary Schools will be held May 3-7, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the school where the child will attend. Children entering Kindergarten must be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2010. Parents must present the following for registration: 1) The child's original birth certificate 2) Proof of vaccinations 3) A completed and signed Certificate of Immunization Status (CIS) form. CIS forms are available from the school offices. For more information, visit the District website at www.washougal.k12.wa.us
January 2010 Question:
I will vote yes and support the levies this February but I was wondering if we will ever see the day when the school district receives 100% of its funding from the state so that we don’t have to rely on passing these levies every few years? Also, what is the best way for me to contact my state legislators and have my voice heard on this subject?
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Thank you for your support of Washougal Schools and the upcoming levy. Your question about when we might expect full state funding for education is a key question. Many educators across the state and superintendents here in Clark County have made full state funding a legislative priority for the last five years.
As you requested, I am enclosing directions for contacting legislators who represent citizens in Washougal School District.
In addition, I am providing you with public information regarding how reduced state funding for education has impacted Washougal School District.
If you need further information, please contact me. Thank you.
Information on Contacting Legislators: Priority mail to legislatures must go through the Washington state governmental website. Use the following procedure to be sure email is received:
Go to the legislative website: www.leg.wa.gov
Click on: Legislator Information
Go to Legislator E-Mail Services and click on: House
On that page, click on: All
On that page is a full listing of all senators and representatives, click on: District
On that page, scroll down to District 15 and click on Legislators Honeyford, Chandler or Taylor to access the internal email system. (They represent Washougal citizens living in Skamania County.)
Scroll down to District 18 and click on Legislators Herrara, Orcutt or Zarelli to access the internal email system. (They represent Washougal citizens living in Clark County.)
Budget Information
The most critical issue facing all school districts, including Washougal School District, is the potential that the state will further reduce basic funding for education in 2010-2011. Last year, the Washougal District reduced $1.3 million from a $28 million budget by eliminating ten teaching positions and one administrative position, by reducing all administrative salaries, by reducing work hours for classified staff, by reducing transportation routes and by changing kindergarten schedules.
The Governor's budget now being reviewed by the legislature would require nearly another million dollars in budget cuts. If the legislature enacts further funding reductions, Washougal District will have to consider such things as increasing class size, reducing counselor and classified staff support time and reducing programs that are valued by our community. Parents support lower class sizes and extracurricular programs that provide healthy, inspiring activities for students. The legislature needs to find a way to fund education at least to the same level as this year (2009-2010) and create no new unfunded mandates during this legislative session.
November 2009 Question:I was curious about stadium usage at WHS by non-school district players. I have noticed that we are allowing CCYF teams to play on the turf Saturdays all day long as well as several soccer teams on Sundays and during the weekday evenings. I seem to recall that when we wanted to pass our last bond, it was raised that to replace the turf was approximately $800,000, and that it had a life expectancy of 8 years. I might be wrong about those numbers, but that seems to stick in my mind. I'm not sure what we are charging the CCYF league and soccer teams to use our field, and use of the lights also, but I am hoping that it more than covers the cost of usage.
I have several issues with renting out our field. First, as a taxpayer I believe that the turf should be used exclusively for the advancement of Washougal players. If that were the case, then only teams that had players from the Washougal area should be allowed to rent the field. If the district still wanted to rent out the stadium, and the team was made of non-Washougal students, they should be charged more for stadium usage. Second, since I am charged $5 to enter the stadium when my son is playing, that fee should also be charged to every patron coming to watch any team using the field. Third, when my son played sports at Jemtegaard Middle School, he had to play his games there. His teams were not allowed usage of the varsity field. The CCYF teams start with children under 4th grade and go up to 8th grade. Those children should not be playing on varsity turf fields. We should offer to rent out Jemtegaard, and be sure and charge $2, which is what I paid to get into that field to watch my son play. Fourth, when we walked by the stadium on Saturday, they were making an announcement to be sure and get your concessions at the tents to support the Prairie Baseball program. Obviously there could be no doubt that if organizations are using our field, causing wear and damage to our turf, they should be required to support local organizations, not Battle Ground ones. Fifth, I believe that the sheer number of events being played/practiced at the stadium is excessive. It is unfair to expect the surrounding neighborhoods to have to deal with the increased traffic, noise, late-night lights and litter that is occurring 24/7.
I am hoping that since the turf is being replaced by the new bond that is being issued in December, that our district will reassess the costs and benefits of renting out the stadium. Ultimately since the citizens of Washougal are paying for its upkeep, it should benefit Washougal students first and foremost. And by the way, I think that the district did a great job in pursuing the stimulus bond so we can make some much-needed repairs.
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Great Question! I appreciated reading your perspective on the use and cost of replacing the Fishback stadium turf. It clearly is an ongoing expense to replace the turf every 8-10 years, at an estimated cost of about $475,000 this year.
Your point is well taken, and I will share the information you provided with the Board of Directors. I know that the current philosophy is to make the fields available to the community, which includes various sports leagues serving youth in east county.
I will have Kathy Douglas, the community education secretary who collects fees for fields, send you information regarding what the district collects for field rentals.
August 2009 Question:I have heard many different rumors, is there or is there not going to be busing from Cape Horn Skye Elementary down to town after school? My kids go to daycare down in town and I need to know if they can get there this year via bus. Thanks
Superintendent Baldwin's Answer:
Great Question! Changes to the bus routes between Gause and Hathaway Elementary Schools will not affect the availability of busing from downtown Washougal to Cape Horn-Skye and Canyon Creek Middle School.
This existing bus run for elementary students is financially supported by state funding. The bus run is also required by the state for middle school students, since Jemtegaard did not meet Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for their Special Education students. Parents of students who would otherwise attend Jemtegaard can choose to have their student bused to Canyon Creek Middle School if there is space available.
Both Cape and Canyon Creek have the same bell schedule, so the same bus run services both elementary and middle school students, meaning there is no extra cost to the district for providing this service.