Two students now on school board

The La Conner School District Board of Directors doubled the high school student representation on the Board to two, approving Yareli Lopez and Domenic Wilbur to start their year-long term in September. They approved raises of 3.8% for the five administrators.

For seven exempt employees, raises ranged from 2.1% to 18.4%. Documents are on the school district website.

They accepted $5,000 from the Town of La Conner to support the after schools Braves Club and approved an agreement with the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection for funds and participation in the Swinomish indigenous science program.

The 55 people attending were more interested in the work and tenure of Superintendent Whitney Meissner. Six spoke: Laraine Drye, a paraeducator, expressed her concerns with the reduction in staffing, the movement of individuals and severe understaffing at recess, with “two people supervising up to 100 students.” Lynne Beebe, a retired teacher, shared her concern for the stress students are under and asked that resources be gathered and solutions found.

Madeline Roozen-Cook asked the Board to “face the elephant in the room” and tell the community about discussions of replacing the superintendent. Suzann Keith, a 24-year teacher, had questions about the Board’s decision to honor Meissner’s contract.

Maggie Wilder told of the celebration of her sister’s, Georgia Johnson, career Sunday. Her comment that the community needs a healing process was met with applause.

The Board, as is its culture, did not respond to public comment.