Cascade school board hires new choir director

The Cascade School Board of Directors went through several items during their April 22 meeting.

In action items, the board approved the hiring of Mindy Wall as the choir director for grades 6-12.

Superintendent Bill Motsenbocker said the district had "an amazing pool" of candidates with four finalists who interviewed for the position.

"Three of the four could have done the job well," he added. "It came down to availability and Mindy was our top candidate. She's the individual who's been leading the choir program since we hired a substitute earlier in the school year."

The board also approved the resignation of CHS ELL Teacher Carolina Morrow. Motsenbocker explained that Morrow stepped down from her position due to family reasons, and the district will hire a replacement and continue the ELL program.
Other action items, included the approval the first readings of several policies, one being Policy 3205 "Sexual Harassment of Students Prohibited."

Motsenbocker explained the policy has some changes, including one that prohibits staff, employees, contractors and agents from providing a letter of recommendation for a coworker who they know, or have probable cause to believe, to have engaged in sexual misconduct with a student or minor.

Another approved item was the first reading of Policy & Procedure 5253 "Maintaining Professional Staff/Student Boundaries," which clarifies the types of boundary invasion, including communications unrelated to school, work or business via electronic, verbal or written methods. Any type of sexual misconduct is also a boundary violation.

Motsenbocker added that the district removed a recommendation from the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) that deems it unprofessional for staff members to follow a student on social media. He added that the recommendation is not required by law.

He explained there are different sports teams where athletes and coaches communicate with each other on social media.

Motsenbocker added the board can discuss the matter during the second reading of the policy.

Another policy with changes was Policy 5281 "Disciplinary Action and Discharge." Motsenbocker said the policy now prohibits the public and volunteers, along with students and staff, to engage in unlawful harassment, verbal abuse, physical abuse and sexual misconduct at a school event or school property.

It also includes new acts that are prohibited by the school, such as racial discrimination, falsification of school records and obstruction of justice.

The board approved Policy 6020 "System of Funds and Accounts." Prior to the vote, Motsenbocker described the changes to various funds in the last few years.

They also approved the first reading of Policy 6100 "Revenues from Local, State and Federal Sources," which explains steps and regulations for enrichment levies, previously known as maintenance and operations levies, and the applications of those revenues. Motsenbocker also described the procedures and requirements for grant funding and Title I funds.

During the Board monitoring portion of the meeting, Cascade High School Principal Elia Ala'ilima-Daley provided information about the 2019 CHS graduation week and numbers.

He explained 82 of the 89 registered seniors are expected to graduate this year, which is a 92 percent graduation rate. He noted the number is down from last year's graduating class of 107 students.

Ala'ilima-Daley added that staff are working with the seven students not scheduled to graduate, including three who are enrolled in the Cascade Discovery Program and will complete their credits in January. One student is on track to finish next year.

"We make sure our seven are treated just like our 82 who are graduating this summer," Ala'ilima-Daley said.
In other business, the board approved USIP Insurance for Summer Athletic Programs.

They also approved the first reading of Procedure 3120P "Enrollment Procedures," which identifies the required number of weekly minutes for a full-time equivalent student.