Sequim schools may reduce staff starting Tuesday

SEQUIM — Sequim School District may see a reduction in staff come Tuesday.

At Monday’s Sequim School Board meeting, Randy Hill, executive director of Human Resources, announced the district will issue non-renewal notices to provisional employees by Tuesday.

Hill said this decision was made because of “the uncertainty of educational programs” and that this is in lieu of the district’s yearly review.

“Every year the district takes a look at the programs and sees if it can offer opportunities,” he said. “We are just uncertain of what we can offer.”

Provisional employees include those who are within their first three years of employment at the district or are coming over from another district within their first three years of employment.

Hill said at this time he does not know how many employees this will affect. He said employees who are issued notices would have the option to come back and apply for their positions again in the future.

Listed in the board meeting’s consent agenda, seven certificated employees filed resignations and one filed for retirement.

Helen Haller assistant principal Allyson Cundiff was among those who submitted a resignation that will be effective on June 30.

Cundiff was hired in the fall of 2016 from a school in Bremerton where she worked with students in pre-kindergarten through third grade. Her role as an assistant principal included some instruction leadership, leading some grade level teams and evaluation of teachers.

Hill said the process of hiring another assistant principal has not been discussed yet.

In addition, Richard James, Clallam County transportation program manager, announced his department is applying for a Clallam County Safe Route to School grant from the state Department of Transportation to create 5,000 feet of sidewalk from Carlsborg Road and U.S. Highway 101 to connect to the east- and west-bound routes of the Olympic Discovery Trail.

A sidewalk also would be installed beside Smithfield Road to connect Carlsborg Road sidewalk to the existing Miller Road sidewalk.

“We’re trying to get more children to walk and bike to school,” James said. He asked the board to approve submitting a letter of support for the grant application. The process would start in 2019 and would be complete by 2021.

Samantha Troxler presented the district’s McKinney Vento/Homeless Youth program and services and stated that 166 students have identified themselves as homeless for the 2017-2018 school year.

Board directors approved:

• A policy regarding federal and/or state funded special instruction programs and parent and a policy regarding student and parent rights in administrative surveys.

• A letter of support to the Clallam County Safe Route to School Grant

The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday, May 21, at Helen Haller Library, 35o W. Fir St.

________

Erin Hawkins is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach her at ehawkins@sequimgazette.com.

More in News

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port Angeles on Tuesday following annual dry dock and maintenance in Anacortes. During the maintenance period, extensive work was performed on the dock, including replacement of a wing wall used to steer and secure the vessel during loading and unloading of cars and passengers. The ferry is scheduled to resume daily service between Port Angeles and Victoria on Thursday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Coho returns

The ferry MV Coho backs into its landing after returning to Port… Continue reading

Building association calls for city to cease utility charges

Association says charges unconstitutional

Jefferson Land Trust considering conservation burial ground

Funds from plot sales could fund habitat improvements

Port Angeles artist Bob Stokes sits in his studio and music venue on Wednesday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Art community mourns Bob Stokes’ passing

Legacy includes statues, concerts, gatherings

Clallam PUD
Cindy Kimble, Clallam PUD’s customer and community outreach programs coordinator, can help residents navigate the utility district’s revamped low-income energy assistance program.
Clallam PUD hires staff to help low-income customers

Clallam County Public Utility District has overhauled its low-income energy… Continue reading

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve a sample of chili to Monica Dixon of Sequim during Saturday’s Community Chili Cookoff at the Sequim Boys & Girls Club. The event, organized by the club and Boy Scout Troop 90, showcased the culinary skills of six community organizations with each group receiving a share of the proceeds and the winner taking a $500 prize. The food bank’s chili recipe took top honors in the competition. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Chili cookoff

Jen Colmore, left, and June Nichols of the Sequim Food Bank serve… Continue reading

Port Townsend to test sewer system with smoke, dye

The city of Port Townsend will test its sewer… Continue reading

JUMP! Playground to close for renovations

Jefferson County Parks and Recreation will close the JUMP! Playground… Continue reading

Barcy Fisher, left, and Patti Buckland have been selected as the 2024 Marrowstone Island Citizens of the Year.
Fisher, Buckland honored as Marrowstone Island citizens of year

Barcy Fisher and Patty Buckland were named Marrowstone Island’s 2024… Continue reading

About 800 people from Jefferson and Clallam counties spill out from the steps of the Jefferson County Courthouse onto Jefferson Street in Port Townsend on Monday to take part in a National Day of Protest organized by the 50501 Movement, which stands for “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement.” (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Hundreds protest actions of Trump administration

Activists cite USAID, worry about Treasury, impacts of immigration

Peninsula to welcome Canadian visitors

Celebration of Coho passengers planned

Fish barrier removal to impact highway traffic

Portions of roadway to have long-term closures