November 25 Board Highlights

Here are some of the highlights from the November 25, Ephrata School Board meeting. Members of the public are always welcome to attend board meetings. A list of meeting dates and times, board agendas and other information can be found at: https://www.ephrataschools.org/district/school-board.

Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy Approved for February 2025 Ballot
The board approved a resolution that will place a replacement levy on the February 2025 ballot for Ephrata taxpayer consideration. The EP&O Levy is not a new tax. It replaces the 2021 voter-approved levy, which expires in 2025. Levy dollars fund things that the state does not and bridge the gap between what the state pays for and what it actually costs to run a school district. EP&O levy dollars fully fund athletics, activities and extracurricular activities in Ephrata Schools. Elective classes, instructional technology, College in the High School, safety and security, and staff training are partially funded. For more information on the replacement levy, read the press release here.  

Lego Robotics Presentation
Lego Robotics teams from Grant Elementary, Columbia Ridge Elementary and Parkway Intermediate will compete in the First Lego League (FLL) competition in Pasco, Wash. on December 14. The four teams headed to competition provided a sneak-peak of their entries to the school board Monday night. This year’s FLL competition consists of a series of robotic tasks with the presentation of research projects related to underwater research and exploration. Nearly 60 teams from communities across Central Washington will be in attendance, each competing to earn a spot at the Eastern Washington State Championship.

FLL Competition Themes:

• Grant Elementary “Grant Goliaths:” Creating fishing nets that are safer for Killer Whales
• Columbia Ridge “Ridge Robotics:” Creating a shark shaped capsule that cleans coral reefs
• Parkway Intermediate “Parkway Pizzazz:” Studying Super Power and Carefully Engineered (S.P.A.C.E) Germs. SPACE Germs are bioengineered physcophere that kill the algae that steal oxygen from coral.

Completion of Electronic Door System at Parkway Intermediate
The board approved a contract with e3 Solutions of Yakima, Wash. to integrate new building doors with the building’s current electronic door system. Five new doors will be installed by district maintenance staff. e3 will handle electronic systems installation and programming of the new doors. Total cost of the contract with e3 Solutions is $21,815. The work is expected to occur over Winter Break.

New Kitchen Equipment Approved at Grant Elementary, Parkway Intermediate and EHS
Earlier this year, Ephrata Schools received a $165,000 Healthy Kids-Healthy Schools Grant from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). The grant allows for items including renovation or repairs, new purchases and improvements to cafeteria and kitchen equipment. In October, directors approved using a portion of the funding to make needed electrical upgrades at Grant Elementary, Parkway Intermediate and EHS. The district will use the remaining grant dollars ($100,000) and roughly $20,000 of district funds to purchase new equipment at each school:

• Grant Elementary will receive a  Vulcan Oven, commercial dishwasher, reach-in freezer, pass through heated cabinet and a heated proofing cabinet.
• Parkway Intermediate will receive a Vulcan Oven, commercial dishwasher and heated proofing cabinet.
• EHS will receive a Vulcan Oven, hot serving table and pizza table.

Thank You Director Waller
Monday night’s school board meeting was the last for Ephrata School Board Director, Anita Waller. Waller stepped down from her position on the board after six years of service to Ephrata Schools. “Anita has been an invaluable board member, bringing a unique perspective from her background and expertise,” said Ephrata School District Superintendent, Ken Murray. “She has been a steady voice for Ephrata and she will be missed.”

The school board is currently interviewing applicants to fill Waller’s open position. 

School Improvement Plans Approved
The Ephrata School Board approved K-12 School Improvement Plans (SIP) following presentations from each school principal. The plans highlight data-driven goals, targeted strategies and measurable outcomes tailored to each schools’ unique needs. These state required plans serve as a roadmap for continuous growth, focusing on areas such as academic performance, student engagement and school climate. View school plans. 

Donations
The board recognized the generosity of community members that recently made donations to the district. By policy, the school board must approve any donation of money, materials or equipment having a value of $500 or more. Our sincere thanks go out to:

• Stemilt Growers for their $1,000 donation that will be split equally between Columbia Ridge Elementary and Grant Elementary to purchase winter clothing for students in need.

Grant Elementary students from the "Grant Goliath" Lego Robotics Team show the school board their "killer whale safe" fishing net concept.

Columbia Ridge "Ridge Robotics" Lego Robotic Team sing a song about their lego project, a shark shaped capsule that cleans coral reefs.

Parkway Intermediate School's "Parkway Pizzazz" Lego Robotics Team presents information on SPACE Germs.

Parkway Intermediate School's "Parkway Pizzaz" presents their lego robotic concept to the Ephrata School Board.

The Ephrata School Board bids farewell to Director Waller, who is stepping down after six years of service to Ephrata Schools. From L to R: Charles Flynn, EHS representative to the board, Director Matthew Truscott, Director Mike Fleurkens, Director Anita Waller, Director Josh Sainsbury, Superintendent Ken Murray.