Americana Project students kick off school board meeting

Travis Myrick and Jena Rickards, students from the Americana Project at Sisters High School, entertained Superintendent Ted Thonstad, the school board members and attendees at this year's first regular school board meeting on Monday evening, August 28.

Before showing off his artistic talent, Myrick told his audience that he had never imagined writing songs before he became involved in the Americana Project. Referring to the project with a sense of deep appreciation he stated, "I am a product of it."

Then, with a smile on his face, he started to strum his guitar and voice the lyrics to his original composition, "Wings." "Someone gave me wings to fly away. I need some wings to fly away."

After a brief pause, Myrick introduced Rickards who spoke briefly about the Americana Project.

"We want it to expand and open it up to include more people," she said. Myrick and Rickards then entertained all in attendance with one of Myrick's recent compositions that remains untitled. The song was tranquil and soothing with sentimental lyrics. The refrains called out: "I wish I could tell you somehow these feelings that are rushing around. Did you know that I would do anything just to be with you. I'll wait until the day the sun doesn't rise, and that's the day I'll give up on you."

Another interesting item gleaned from the evening was the fact that had evacuation of Sisters been necessary this summer because of the fires, the district had both buses and qualified drivers on stand-by to evacuate those in need, the handicapped and anyone without transportation. The lessons of Hurricane Katrina were not lost on the school district.

In board business, spirited discussion then transpired about the "3 x 5 card mixer" that was held at the All Staff Orientation on August 23.

Each participant was asked to write down the one thing the district could do to move the district from being a great district to becoming an exceptional district. Each participant traded his card with another and, with the traded card in hand, found a partner. The partners, then, shared the suggestion on each card and had seven points to divide between the cards, giving the better idea the greater number of points. This same procedure was followed for five rounds, after which each card's points was totaled.

Suggestions from the cards with the greatest number of points were shared with all in attendance. Surprisingly, the suggestion that received the highest number of points is that the district needs to provide more technology programs for students who are not bound for college.

Discussion then focused on the day care facility in the middle school. Concern was voiced that the district is renting to an independent contractor at a rate that is "less than the going rate."

The facility pays only for utilities and expenses.

The board questioned why the district is subsidizing the space. The obvious response was to provide preferential treatment to the children of district employees. The need to have a firm contract that assures that the day care center is open on inservice days and that discount rates are provided for district employees was discussed.

Finally, Michelle Williams, Sisters Charter Academy of Fine Arts Project Director, mentioned that the charter school's application was submitted to the district on June 15 and that the law provides the district with 15 days to reply but that she still had not received a response.

School Board Member Mike Gould said, "We are already holding you up 60 days. We need to do something about this."

School Board Chairman Rob Corrigan added, "We are anxious to understand what your thoughts are," acknowledging that "we are slow."

Superintendent Ted Thonstad reiterated that the district is in the process of evaluating the charter school's proposal with regard to district policies.