Soccer supporters seek school board backing

Soccer supporters attended the Joint School District #171 board meeting Monday evening in mass to ask for increased recognition and financial backing for the sport.

Four years ago, the board voted to recognize a soccer team at Orofino High School with the understanding that it would not be funded at that point. During the ensuing years, the group has carried out fund raising activities to pay for expenses. They are now asking that the high school teams, both boys and girls, have head coaches paid by the district, as well as receive transportation costs as other approved sports do.

The group with testimony from coaches, parents, patrons and players presented the case that over 200 students have been participating in the sport from pre-school to high school and are having very positive experiences. During the 2004 season there were rosters of 14 young women and 33 young men at OHS. The young men succeeded in becoming District I-II Class 2A-3A champions. All eight teams in the district have earned the Idaho High School Athletic Association "Distinguished Scholastic Awards". The average GPA is above 3.25.

In addition to funding for the coaches and transportation, the group is asking that the soccer team at Orofino Junior High School be recognized, though not funded at this point. If funding is approved for the high school teams, the Orofino Youth Soccer members would be able to participate in booster activities and the student athletes would provide individual fees as per the usual sport guidelines.

The board, recognizing the number of participants in the sport, said they would look at the proposal during their budgeting process. However, with continuing tight budgets and other programs that have been cut and not reinstated, made no promises.

Informal votes from patrons to determine which building plan is most favored have been counted. Superintendent Al Arnzen said that 56 percent of the votes were for Plan B which would be the stand-alone middle school on property below OHS. Plan A received 44 percent of the vote. He said that he felt there were two sentiments behind the voting. Those who voted for Plan B primarily felt that it would be better educationally. Proponents of Plan A felt it would be better financially. He suggested that Plan B might be modified to include fifth graders at the middle school and not add on at Orofino Elementary School. There was concern from board member Theresa Graber that voters would not be any more comfortable with having fifth through eighth graders together than they were to have seventh through twelfth graders together.

The board will make a final decision about how to run the bond election for facilities that is planned in the fall. Arnzen also briefly discussed proposals from financial institutions to assist the district with the bond election and selling of the bonds. Those will be reviewed by the board.

Taylor Stifanick updated the board on the progress of the campaign to raise funds for purchase of Automatic External Defibrillators for each of the schools in the district. The campaign has now grown to be region wide with the assistance of EMS personnel from Clearwater, Lewis, Idaho and Nez Perce counties (EMS LINC). Earlier in this year, the board pledged to match up to $2,500 in community donations. Stifanick reported that as of Monday night, $3,500 has been raised. Not only are funds being raised, but youth leadership meetings are being held to set up organizations at each of the 22 schools in the region to make sure there are funds for replacement of batteries and pads and maintenance for the AED units. Training is also going on and will need to continue throughout the region. While Stifanick had chosen this campaign as a senior project before Justin Haag collapsed in ventricular defibrillation at a district basketball game several weeks ago, it has caused an expansion and acceleration of the efforts. See this article for further information...

Two board member positions will be up for election this spring. Shelley Wessels position will be up for election and Stacy Lee will need to run for her position and then be up for re-election on the regular schedule next year. Declarations of Candidacy are due April 15.

Principals of the Orofino schools recognized teachers from each of their schools. OJHS Principal Shannon Wilson told the board about Sallie Wilhelm who was recently named Region II Substance Abuse Prevention Program Director of the Year and Patty Reggear and the Idaho Middle School Teacher of the Year. OHS Principal Jerry Nelsen recognized the achievements of Cindy Wilson and Michelle George who are currently on an exchange trip to Germany. OES Principal Robert Stiffler recognized the work and involvement of Tammy Gilmer.

A request to have a Lewis and Clark encampment on school/community property in Weippe during the Bicentennial Sept. 20-23 was approved. Students and teachers in the district are invited to be involved with the activities.

An alternate local graduation plan will have its first reading at the next board meeting. The plan will be used for students who are not able to pass the ISAT tests.

Arnzen talked with the board about developing an emergency policy for the district. He will begin with information provided by Clearwater County Sheriffs Department.

Clearwater County Ambulance Service in Weippe is requesting that the district donate about two acres of property in Weippe for new ambulance facilities. Arnzen suggested that before the board made a decision that they have an appraisal done. The board agreed that the appraisal needed to be done.