Soundings (3/26/13)

Posted by Kendall Pickerill 
on Mar 26, 2013
 
 
Flag Salute & Invocation by Tim Krell

Visiting Rotarians: Ray George

Guests: Randy Cleman, Celeste, Sandy Clay, Hannah

Announcements

  • Applications announcement by Bill Geyer
  • We would like to send 2 or 3 young people to RYLA. RYLA registration (online only!) will take place May 2-5, 2013 at Mt Baker Baptist Camp. Our club will cover the fee. Our club can sponsor up to four kids. Ages are 18-25. 
  • Northwest youth services thank you to Rotary for donation and story about one example family 
  • Anthony Goo student of the month with Dr. & Mrs. 4.0 student with "huge heart." Story of decorating freshman to senior section of gymnasium for pep rally. Humorous acceptance speech by Anthony. "The greatest thing a volunteer can do is to put a smile on someone else's face."
  • Ray George with kids fair program announcement.

 
Bucks in the Bay
  • Kendall: plug for fiancé finishing WWU courses, 1 manufacturing internship left, Vote for Hotel Bellwether for Evening Magazine's BEST Luxury Hotel in 2013, thank you Mark Turner for beautiful new Hotel Photos
  • Lance Calloway: hockey announcement, won rights to go to tournament, booked trip to Palm Springs but he's going in Minnesota
  • Bill Boyd: son hired as camp firefighter
  • Phil X. Hageman: grandson played with concert group on violin
  • Rob Bring: health care dinner, looking for attendees
  • Terry Myers: Dr. Guzman (Anthony Goo's parent) thank you
  • Patti Imhof: Mimi Ferlin raised $30,000 in auction items
  • Leena Kirschman: $3,850 scholarships for boys & girls club, had lunch with Kristine & Henry to get to know
  • Christine P: Membership survey thank you, Bob and she went down to grant training
  • Chuck Luttrell: Daughter went to Europe and noted on informal dress, thanked her teacher for prepping her, wrote a letter to the superintendant.

Sergeant at Arms by Chuck Luttrell 

  • Ray George fined for taking 5 mint puts for 2 minute speech
  • Shoes joke, $2 fine
  • 77 oscars best actress
  • March madness Gonzaga bet for top 16
  • Orphalee: national federation of high schools, what changed? 3 point shot
  • UW fans stand up, fine those not standing
  • 1979 Michigan beats Indiana, what two famous NBA players played against each other?
  • I love guns and coffee decal:
  • Women only table (+1 man) fined
  • Lance fined for complaining about going to Minnesota

Program:
Bob Moles introduces Dr. Greg Baker.
Talking about school district, weathering the recession thanks to community and local levy dollars. Bellingham promise flyer. Paper represents what the community wants. Striving to deliver upon this promise. Mission statement: "..." Goal is to get every student to graduation, with choices, more schooling or right to the workplace. All students should be loved: uncomfortable. Keep the word love? Unanimous to keep the word and feeling of love. Love meaning belonging and cared for. Met with business community: "give me confident individuals."
5 key strategies highlighted:
Great teaching with strong support
Childhood education. Moved daycare across town to be closer to school (student parents?)
Last bond in 2006 completed all projects, what will he do next with next bond? Analysis scores of facilities by consulting company. Feedback added new ideas and thinking. Need is greater than can be done with one bond.
1. Sehome High School needs repair, transformer blew up, for example. Warm, heat serve kitchens move to centralized kitchens for faster meals. Synthetic turf for field for more uses.
2. Options High school: portables behind Bellingham High School. Go gym or library.
3. Roeder Elementary: poor staff conditions, build or remodel? Train and develop staff
4. Happy Valley schools: rebuild new school with adequate parking, PE, music, world languages. Not ADA accessible currently. Retire Larrabee. 
5. Park view Elementary

Transportation facilities are very poor with only one lift for bus repair.
Funds to keep maintenance and conservation going. Safety increase (Colorado shooting reference).
Is the time now? Most affordable now but bad time to ask due to recession.
Maybe ask for bond in November.
Eddie comment: healthcare dilemma, healthier foods and cooking, centralized comment/compliment
Bill Geyer question: Support funding versus relocation. Move to WTA area for multi-use for repair. Answer: ease of access, bus routes for A to B and around.
Roeder Administration building question: Why not lease from private sector? Answer: There is a bond dollar restriction on leasing.

Dennis loved presentation!

No one wins the raffle!

Respectfully submitted,
Kendall Pickerill