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Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 25, 2007     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 25, 2007
 
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Two contc,'nd for school board se (Continued from page 27.) he said. "We have shown improve- ment over the last few years." The statewide tests are a re- port card on the local school sys- tem, DeMiero said. "There's a lot of' pressure on kids and teachers as well. It's good for everyone. It's a benchmark for the schools," he said, adding he wouldn't change it. If a new elementary school is built, :; has been proposed, in the planned Peacock Ridge develop- ment, DeMiero wonders what will happen to that school when the students move on to other schools. Mountain View, Olympic Middle School, Oakland :Bay Junior High and Shelton High School are all close by. Donating five acres for a school is an excellent "sell" for the devel- opers, he said, adding he'd prefer the school district put more money into rebuilding Mountain View in- stead. "I'D MUCH RATHER redo Mountain View. The kids can bus to school. Their parents can drive them," he said of elementary stu- dents in the Peacock Ridge devel- opment, which is planned to be built just east of Olympic College Shelton. As a board member, DeMiero said, he would be responsive when people call, adding he wants peo- ple to call and visit him to discuss school district issues. "The people you're responsible for need to know Band minstrels to sing at their Medieval thing Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All lords, ladies, knights and damsels of the shire of' Shelton are invited to attend an evening of merry- making at the ninth annual Me- dieval Feast hosted by the local roving minstrels better known as the Shelton High School Band and Color Guard. Evenings offYolic, food and fun will be presented on November 9 and 10 in the Student Union Building at 3737 Shelton Springs Road. Doors ()pen at 6 pro. A ticket includes a medieval-style dinner and live entertainment provided by band members. Tickets are on sale now. Ad- vance ticket prices are $12 and can be purchased from band members, at Verle's, Lynch Creek Floral and at the door. Tickets sold at the door cost $15. Proceeds from the Medieval Feast go to support the band's many activities throughout the year. Senior center plans bazaar The Mason County Senior Ac- tivities Center will host its an- nual holiday bazaar next week- end. Featuring crafts, handmade quilts, "white elephant" and "re- gifting" tables, the bazaar will also include a lunch of home-style soup and sandwiches. Lunch will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the entire event will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. Festivities will take place at 826 Railroad Avenue in Shelton. More infi)rmation is available by calling 426-7374. your name, your phone number," he said. He said he wants to be a team- player and a problem-solver. "I've been preparing myself on the PTSO board for the last six years and I'm ready to take the next step. This isn't Steve against Sue," he said. McCausland, 52, was elected to a four-year term in 2003 and says being a board member involves a learning process. "Things change all the time," she said, adding she thinks a person can be on a school board for 25 years without being a seasoned veteran because things change so fast. "AM I MORE seasoned than when I started? Uh, huh," she said. McCausland, who is married to Shelton High School teacher Roger McCausland, grew up in Spokane and graduated from Spo- kane Community College with associate's degrees in landscape design and floral design. While a student, she served for four years on the statewide Advisory Council for Vocational Education. The Mc- Causlands have two children, one a freshman at Pacific Lutheran University, the second a junior at Shelton High School. The top issue to her is the gen- eral election ballot measure call- ing for a 50-percent majority for levy and bond issues. She said she doesn't think that issue will come up again in her lifetime. "It's for all Washingtonians, but it's important for our school district," McCausland said. Last spring, the Shelton School Dis- trict's $1.3-million school bus levy lost narrowly, getting just over 59 percent "yes" votes. "THERE'S NOT AN equal standing (with the 60 percent "su- permajority" requirement). Each vote should be equal," she said. "I'll never understand why it was put into place. In my opinion all votes should be 50 percent plus one. To me, it keeps things simple." Another issue facing the school district is residential growth and the speed of the growth that's planned, McCausland said. "It's not just houses coming in that af- fects the schools, growth affects roads, schools, hospitals." Local governmental agencies need to be aware of what's hap- pening to each other and work together to have the community understand what growth means to it, she added. Her job, as a board member, is to make sure the board is to all the facts before quick decisions, she said, she has to be res well informed and make well prepared. A THIRD ISSUE is 1 standing state funding and works, McCausland said. transportation and special she added.. "Ample funding is the mount duty of the state. it's being funded now is not I for basic education," she As for the WASL said schools and school need to be accountable. need to come to school learn, '; she added. "It's not pen in hand; it's having a spirit." The WASL'has already modified. It keeps being and simplified, she said. She said she's proud ofthei district and the programs it € "From home school to placement students, there's thing for them "We have maintained our budget responsibly. We had to do (reductions in offs)." Best, Crater seeking electio (Continued from page 27.) GENE CRATER RETIRED in 2000 after a 31-year career in the Shelton School District as a middle-school physical education teacher and middle- and high- school coach. Currently, he has a part-time job at a Christian school in Olympia. Crater, 65, and his wife, Susan, have four grown children. He has a bachelor's degree in physical ed- ucation from Central Washington University. "Coaching, to me, was the great- est thing that ever happened to me," he said. He coached football, wrestling and baseball at Shel- ton High School and football and wrestling at what was then Shel- ton Middle School. The top issue to Crater is one voters will decide in the general election, and that is whether to do away with the 60 percent "super- majority" requirement to pass lev- ies and require a simple majority for passing them. "PEOPLE RAVE GOT to un- derstand it takes money to run a school system," he said. "The first thing you have to look at is finances." If the measure calling for a simple majority on funding issues doesn't pass next month, it probably won't come up again, he added. Crater was at one time presi- dent of the Shelton Education As- sociation, the local teachers union, and was its head negotiator dur- ing talks with the school district. He said he has training in the bud- get. "Sometimes. there isn't money being spent correctly," he said, adding, what are the facts? Is it a new program? Maybe a grant needs to be added to pay for it. "We need to communicate bet- ter so people will understand," he said, adding that he will commu- nicate. "Kids are my life and I love them." ALL FOUR OF his children went through the Shelton School District and graduated from col- lege. 'There's a return on the mon- ey. What an investment. What a reward," he said. He said his job as a board mem- ber is to make children the focus of the district and to communicate with the other board members. "I'm retired. I'm going to be a com- municator and will visit schools. I will be available," he said. He also talked about growth. "You have to plan ahead. We need to look at growth. Where are we going to put new schools, a new high school?" he said. The district needs to look at a long-term plan for growth and involve the resi- dents on committees. "I don't want the board to do it. I want the town to do it," he said. Crater envisions the outgrowth of that effort will be a study with a full range of purposes. "It's a guide that will help the district and the public," he said. "I believe we really need to open up the doors of com- munication." He suggests there be coffee nights and m nights for people to come to informal basis. MAINTENANCE IS a issue of importance to "They're doing a I me wrong," he said. "I re maintenance is important, we maintain our schools to a high level." He wants to give a boost maintenance in the get it up a little higher. we've got the new schools, maintain them at a hi added. Being a board member haS] a long-term goal of Crater's. an honor for me to run for board. If I don't get it, I honor to run for office and do good," he said. "You're not ting a rookie. I'm coming in an understanding of it and I'm a good communicator communicate what m going always be there for How MANY BUTTONS ARE IN GRANDMA'S BUTTON JAR? Correct answer wins an Autumn Flower Arrangement t): i i I i, Lynch Creek Tloral Gifts and Espresso 4th and Railroad 426-8615 Coi%.0000 # ¢:00! Shelton Health & Rehab Center -, 153 Johns Court (corner of 13th & Johns Prairie Road) (360) 427-2575 HALLOWEEN Drop by until 5:30 for Trick or Treating and see our . frightfully great jewelry values too! S 1st & 426-5811 Suite 108 " F G,Tt q4&apping • One year Interest FgcJEE w/qutmd Mtnimum qtr.fut O.A.C. I 0:00-5:30 Sattwday 10:00-2:00 ! Don't let anything keep you away from our SPECIAL HALLOWEEN DOOR Knock for Treats from 6-8pro )) HA! i I Y HALLOWEEN Come visit and discover the rich living experiences we create every day for our residents. New House of Horr°rs Cake Walk Fish in a Cauldron Face Painting Cookies & Punch and ... Trick or Treating for children 12 & under every *20 purchasel FIR We are asking for donations of candy or money for all the who will be trick or treating down our halls and going to the help is greatly appreciated. Please contact Teresa at 426-1651, Thank you. -- Fir Lane Residents and Staff Page 32 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 25, 2007 Two contc,'nd for school board se (Continued from page 27.) he said. "We have shown improve- ment over the last few years." The statewide tests are a re- port card on the local school sys- tem, DeMiero said. "There's a lot of' pressure on kids and teachers as well. It's good for everyone. It's a benchmark for the schools," he said, adding he wouldn't change it. If a new elementary school is built, :; has been proposed, in the planned Peacock Ridge develop- ment, DeMiero wonders what will happen to that school when the students move on to other schools. Mountain View, Olympic Middle School, Oakland :Bay Junior High and Shelton High School are all close by. Donating five acres for a school is an excellent "sell" for the devel- opers, he said, adding he'd prefer the school district put more money into rebuilding Mountain View in- stead. "I'D MUCH RATHER redo Mountain View. The kids can bus to school. Their parents can drive them," he said of elementary stu- dents in the Peacock Ridge devel- opment, which is planned to be built just east of Olympic College Shelton. As a board member, DeMiero said, he would be responsive when people call, adding he wants peo- ple to call and visit him to discuss school district issues. "The people you're responsible for need to know Band minstrels to sing at their Medieval thing Hear Ye! Hear Ye! All lords, ladies, knights and damsels of the shire of' Shelton are invited to attend an evening of merry- making at the ninth annual Me- dieval Feast hosted by the local roving minstrels better known as the Shelton High School Band and Color Guard. Evenings offYolic, food and fun will be presented on November 9 and 10 in the Student Union Building at 3737 Shelton Springs Road. Doors ()pen at 6 pro. A ticket includes a medieval-style dinner and live entertainment provided by band members. Tickets are on sale now. Ad- vance ticket prices are $12 and can be purchased from band members, at Verle's, Lynch Creek Floral and at the door. Tickets sold at the door cost $15. Proceeds from the Medieval Feast go to support the band's many activities throughout the year. Senior center plans bazaar The Mason County Senior Ac- tivities Center will host its an- nual holiday bazaar next week- end. Featuring crafts, handmade quilts, "white elephant" and "re- gifting" tables, the bazaar will also include a lunch of home-style soup and sandwiches. Lunch will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the entire event will last from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 3. Festivities will take place at 826 Railroad Avenue in Shelton. More infi)rmation is available by calling 426-7374. your name, your phone number," he said. He said he wants to be a team- player and a problem-solver. "I've been preparing myself on the PTSO board for the last six years and I'm ready to take the next step. This isn't Steve against Sue," he said. McCausland, 52, was elected to a four-year term in 2003 and says being a board member involves a learning process. "Things change all the time," she said, adding she thinks a person can be on a school board for 25 years without being a seasoned veteran because things change so fast. "AM I MORE seasoned than when I started? Uh, huh," she said. McCausland, who is married to Shelton High School teacher Roger McCausland, grew up in Spokane and graduated from Spo- kane Community College with associate's degrees in landscape design and floral design. While a student, she served for four years on the statewide Advisory Council for Vocational Education. The Mc- Causlands have two children, one a freshman at Pacific Lutheran University, the second a junior at Shelton High School. The top issue to her is the gen- eral election ballot measure call- ing for a 50-percent majority for levy and bond issues. She said she doesn't think that issue will come up again in her lifetime. "It's for all Washingtonians, but it's important for our school district," McCausland said. Last spring, the Shelton School Dis- trict's $1.3-million school bus levy lost narrowly, getting just over 59 percent "yes" votes. "THERE'S NOT AN equal standing (with the 60 percent "su- permajority" requirement). Each vote should be equal," she said. "I'll never understand why it was put into place. In my opinion all votes should be 50 percent plus one. To me, it keeps things simple." Another issue facing the school district is residential growth and the speed of the growth that's planned, McCausland said. "It's not just houses coming in that af- fects the schools, growth affects roads, schools, hospitals." Local governmental agencies need to be aware of what's hap- pening to each other and work together to have the community understand what growth means to it, she added. Her job, as a board member, is to make sure the board is to all the facts before quick decisions, she said, she has to be res well informed and make well prepared. A THIRD ISSUE is 1 standing state funding and works, McCausland said. transportation and special she added.. "Ample funding is the mount duty of the state. it's being funded now is not I for basic education," she As for the WASL said schools and school need to be accountable. need to come to school learn, '; she added. "It's not pen in hand; it's having a spirit." The WASL'has already modified. It keeps being and simplified, she said. She said she's proud ofthei district and the programs it € "From home school to placement students, there's thing for them "We have maintained our budget responsibly. We had to do (reductions in offs)." Best, Crater seeking electio (Continued from page 27.) GENE CRATER RETIRED in 2000 after a 31-year career in the Shelton School District as a middle-school physical education teacher and middle- and high- school coach. Currently, he has a part-time job at a Christian school in Olympia. Crater, 65, and his wife, Susan, have four grown children. He has a bachelor's degree in physical ed- ucation from Central Washington University. "Coaching, to me, was the great- est thing that ever happened to me," he said. He coached football, wrestling and baseball at Shel- ton High School and football and wrestling at what was then Shel- ton Middle School. The top issue to Crater is one voters will decide in the general election, and that is whether to do away with the 60 percent "super- majority" requirement to pass lev- ies and require a simple majority for passing them. "PEOPLE RAVE GOT to un- derstand it takes money to run a school system," he said. "The first thing you have to look at is finances." If the measure calling for a simple majority on funding issues doesn't pass next month, it probably won't come up again, he added. Crater was at one time presi- dent of the Shelton Education As- sociation, the local teachers union, and was its head negotiator dur- ing talks with the school district. He said he has training in the bud- get. "Sometimes. there isn't money being spent correctly," he said, adding, what are the facts? Is it a new program? Maybe a grant needs to be added to pay for it. "We need to communicate bet- ter so people will understand," he said, adding that he will commu- nicate. "Kids are my life and I love them." ALL FOUR OF his children went through the Shelton School District and graduated from col- lege. 'There's a return on the mon- ey. What an investment. What a reward," he said. He said his job as a board mem- ber is to make children the focus of the district and to communicate with the other board members. "I'm retired. I'm going to be a com- municator and will visit schools. I will be available," he said. He also talked about growth. "You have to plan ahead. We need to look at growth. Where are we going to put new schools, a new high school?" he said. The district needs to look at a long-term plan for growth and involve the resi- dents on committees. "I don't want the board to do it. I want the town to do it," he said. Crater envisions the outgrowth of that effort will be a study with a full range of purposes. "It's a guide that will help the district and the public," he said. "I believe we really need to open up the doors of com- munication." He suggests there be coffee nights and m nights for people to come to informal basis. MAINTENANCE IS a issue of importance to "They're doing a I me wrong," he said. "I re maintenance is important, we maintain our schools to a high level." He wants to give a boost maintenance in the get it up a little higher. we've got the new schools, maintain them at a hi added. Being a board member haS] a long-term goal of Crater's. an honor for me to run for board. If I don't get it, I honor to run for office and do good," he said. "You're not ting a rookie. I'm coming in an understanding of it and I'm a good communicator communicate what m going always be there for How MANY BUTTONS ARE IN GRANDMA'S BUTTON JAR? Correct answer wins an Autumn Flower Arrangement t): i i I i, Lynch Creek Tloral Gifts and Espresso 4th and Railroad 426-8615 Coi%.0000 # ¢:00! Shelton Health & Rehab Center -, 153 Johns Court (corner of 13th & Johns Prairie Road) (360) 427-2575 HALLOWEEN Drop by until 5:30 for Trick or Treating and see our . frightfully great jewelry values too! S 1st & 426-5811 Suite 108 " F G,Tt q4&apping • One year Interest FgcJEE w/qutmd Mtnimum qtr.fut O.A.C. I 0:00-5:30 Sattwday 10:00-2:00 ! Don't let anything keep you away from our SPECIAL HALLOWEEN DOOR Knock for Treats from 6-8pro )) HA! i I Y HALLOWEEN Come visit and discover the rich living experiences we create every day for our residents. New House of Horr°rs Cake Walk Fish in a Cauldron Face Painting Cookies & Punch and ... Trick or Treating for children 12 & under every *20 purchasel FIR We are asking for donations of candy or money for all the who will be trick or treating down our halls and going to the help is greatly appreciated. Please contact Teresa at 426-1651, Thank you. -- Fir Lane Residents and Staff Page 32 - Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, October 25, 2007