Other Headlines

District 5 woes are a concern for served areas
Trepidation on the part of the cities of Elma and McCleary and Grays Harbor Fire District 12 in rural McCleary, which Grays Harbor Fire District 5 provides emergency medical services to, was the main topic at the July 22 meeting of the Joint Ambulance Advisory Committee. Because District 5 has been having serious financial struggles, the three members of the committee who represent the other entities wondered if District 5 is “viable” enough to begin negotiating a new contract with.

Beerbower endorses Papac

County Commissioner Bob Beerbower is throwing his support to Phil Papac of Montesano, one of seven candidates making a bid to succeed him in office. Both are Democrats. Beerbower said there are several candidates he believes could do a good job, but Papac stands out. “He’s a small businessman and he knows what it takes to get things done,” Beerbower said. “He knows how much it means to the little guy out there trying to make a living when there are delays and you still have to make payroll.”

$17 million slated to get Elma through 08-09
The Elma School Board unanimously passed an operating budget July 23 of about $17.5 million for the 2008-09 school year.
Board members also unanimously approved a one-year extension on Superintendent Howard King’s three-year contract, with a 5.1 percent raise. Other administrators and teachers in the district have also received 5.1 percent raises, effective in September. As of July 1, King’s salary is $119,086, besides benefits. His contract runs through June 30, 2011.

McCleary adopts $2.7 million plan for 08-09

The McCleary School Board passed a $2.7 million operating budget July 24 for the 2008-09 school year. With a projected beginning balance of $230,000, budget revenues were figured at slightly less than $2.6 million. The McCleary School District has a single school, offering preschool classes through the eighth grade. Its budget is based on 246 full-time equivalent students. For state funding purposes, students are counted as full-time when they attend at least five hours of classes a day. Kindergartners count as half-time students, and students taking fewer than five hours of classes a day are pro-rated accordingly. Pre-schoolers are not counted.