Prior to a statewide shutdown in March that forced youths into remote learning situations, dozens of Sequim-area students opted to take their studies online.

Without a local online school, Sequim school administrators note, those pupils became enrolled in other districts — taking with them state-funded apportionment.

With that in mind, Sequim School District officials have applied to open Dungeness Virtual School, an online school that would serve at least 20 students starting in the 2020-2021 school year.

Sequim administrator Vince Riccobene detailed Sequim’s application for the online school to school board members at their June 15 virtual meeting. Sequim should hear back about the application from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction in the next week or so, Riccobene said.

About 45 students left the Sequim School District for online programs through other districts, he said. Creating the online school was designed in part to keep those students in the district.

“We have a roster of students who have withdrawn to other online programs (and) encouraged them to take a look at our program,” he said Monday.

The initial application is for students in grades K-12, Riccobene said, but staff wanted to start with grades 6-12 and expand grade levels as feasible.

The online school could be used to make up credits but is designed for students who want to take all or part of their regular classes online.

Students who decide to enroll at Dungeness Virtual School are able to participate in extra-curricular activities in Sequim, Riccobene said.

“(This is) something that’s been long needed in Sequim and throughout the country,” board director Larry Jeffryes said.

The online academy would cost the district about $16,500 for courseware (computer programs) and one full-time teacher position.

Darlene Apeland, director of Business Operations and Finance, said that the school’s teacher could have up to 40-50 students.

Riccobene said he and a committee that included counselor Erin Fox and teachers Michelle Mahitka, Isaac Rapelje and Taylor Thorson began exploring the options for an online school in the fall of 2019. The group was initially interested in partnering with Spokane Virtual Academy, which offers the courses and teachers, handles compliance issues and other details.

“They more or less send you a brochure and you put your school’s name on it; everything is taken care of on their end,” Riccobene said. “As a team we were convinced this was the way to go.”

But the team changed its collective mind after having conversations with Brad Sprague, Executive Director for the Washington Association for Learning Alternatives, as well as Port Angeles School District staff, who recently started Seaview Academy, an online school.

Much of that mind change, Riccobene said, was considering the idea that a local online school with staff from the community could make more meaningful connections with local students.

For more about Dungeness Virtual School, email to kharrison@sequimschools.org or call 360-582-3433.

Cuts to classified staff

In a 4-1 vote Monday, Sequim school board directors agreed to cut 13.5 full-time classified staffing positions.

The recommended cuts from superintendent Dr. Rob Clark include 11 paradeducators, one custodian, one bus driver aid and half of a bus driver position.

The cuts are in addition to elimination of several teacher positions the district approved in May, as school leaders expect an enrollment drop — and corresponding budget shortfall — this fall.

“Eleven paraeducators is a big cut,” board director Brian Kuh said. “I am reluctant to do this; I don’t do it lightly.”

“Para professionals are very important in the classroom, to the kids, to the teachers ,” Jeffryes said. “I hope we can restore as many of those as possible. We can’t make any promises and that’s unfortunate.”

Jeffryes, Kuh, Jim Stoffer and board president Brandino Gibson voted to approve the cuts, while Eric Pickens voted against.

“I think these folks should be employed,” Pickens said, saying money from the district’s general fund could pay for the staffers.

“I respectfully disagree that our ending fund balance can support this,” Clark said.

“I’m more concerned about our budget now than three or four weeks ago. With all of those unknowns (about school in the fall), I believe it’s the correct action to take, albeit tough. But I do not think our budget cannot support having these employees on the payroll.”

Each of the paraeducator positions eliminated would be staffers hired at the beginning or after the start of last school year, Clark said.

“Is there a potential they could be asked back? Yes, there is. Is there a potential that all of them will be asked back? No, there isn’t,” he said.

Statement on racism

Sequim school board directors agreed on Monday to draft a statement denouncing racist acts and to clarify the district’s position of offering a safe environment for its students.

That statement will undergo some rewriting and be posted on the district website this week, board directors said.

“We felt it would be important for the board to put a statement together regarding our thoughts around racism,” Gibson, the board president, said.

Kuh offered the initial draft at Monday’s meeting.

“I just felt it was important to start to make some sort of statement,” he said.

The statement reads, in full:

”As our community grieves for the senseless killing of George Floyd and other recent tragic events, a groundswell of support for citizens of all colors has turned that grief into action. In addition to peaceful demonstrations that have taken place, hard questions are being asked by all of us and our ingrained behaviors are being challenged as to whether or not they passively extend systemic racism and injustice.

The Sequim School Board stands in solidarity with our community by recognizing the shameful legacy of racism in our country, and we are determined to review our district and programs to ensure that equity for each and every student is achieved. We know we have work to do to close the equity gaps that exist for students of color and those who come from under resourced households.

We recognize the importance of our relationship with local law enforcement agencies and are grateful most for the ongoing collaboration with the Sequim Police Department. Together, we have partnered to provide School Resource Officers that are a part of our district family and work hard to keep our students safe by remaining vigilant in our schools and building trust with our students and staff alike. Thank you, Sequim PD, for your service and commitment to our schools and community.

We know that the path to true equity is difficult, and that racism remains even within our beloved community, but the Sequim School District is dedicated to pursuing a learning environment that provides each student with the best resources they deserve regardless of their social status or color of their skin. You have our unyielding commitment to work towards this righteous pursuit.

‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’ – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Stoffer noted that “(The district has) several policies put there already, but it’s more impactful to have one statement, especially in this day and age.”

Pickens added, “That’s a firm stand we should take as a board.”

Clark said that he’d like to see the district pursue funding for more cameras on school campuses. He referenced the racist and anti-Semitic artwork found at Sequim High School over winter break during the 2016-2017 school year. Having cameras in place would have helped determine which student violated the district’s policies banning such material.

More board action

The Sequim School District accepted three donations — $3,000 from Security Services Northwest for the SHS football team; $1,000 from the Puget Sound Anglers-North Olympic Peninsula Chapter for a scholarship to going to graduate-to-be Alissa Lofstrom, and from Sequim Prairie Garden Club, who gave $1,000 to the Sequim High FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) club.

Board directors also honored student representative Payton Sturm, who graduates on June 19 from Sequim High. “It’s been such an honor to serve on the board the past two years,” she said. Sturm is headed to Baylor University in Waco, Texas, this fall.

The board meets from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, for a capital projects levy workshop, and does not meet again until Monday, July 20.