>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

ENTERPRISE — The Enterprise Education Foundation report at the Enterprise School Board meeting April 7 revealed a successful fundraising effort of $21,000 at the annual dinner auction to be used to fund art and music programs for the district.

“It was very uplifting to see the community support,” said Superintendent Brad Royse.

In a related item, Royse announced that the preliminary 2008-09 budget, with the help of the foundation, contains the funding for a full-time art teacher. Royse requested feedback from the board on moving forward with opening the position. The board and high school Principal Blake Carlsen unanimously supported the idea.

“Students consistently express art classes as the highest priority on needs surveys. Lately, I found a We Want Art petition signed by students on my desk,” Carlsen said.

The board voted to approve the district calendar for 2008-09 even though the goal of producing a common calendar for the county schools has not been accomplished.

“In my personal opinion, the only way we will have a common calendar is if we have a common school district with common contracts. We honor staff input on our calendar and the different schools have significantly different staff contracts,” Royse said.

Upper level shared classes are still available, and the staff tries to be flexible on a student by student basis. According to board member Mike Weidemann, the possibility of offering a CNA class on a county-wide basis is dependent upon a common schedule because of the number of hours required by the state for that training.

A progress report by Royse on the biomass conversion project contained good news and bad news. Royse said he has been extremely pleased with the work of local contractors L.D. Perry, Miller Plumbing and John Hillock. There have been delays, however, in working with McKinstry, the general contractor. Also, according to Royse’s report, asbestos removal was handled incorrectly and problems have just recently been resolved.

Asbestos removal revealed leaking pipes that were previously not visible and must be replaced. The 1949 vintage main water heater for the building is also in need of replacement. Cam Hamilton, the McKinstry representative, plans to meet next week with the board and superintendent to help resolve issues around additional funding.

Board member Nils Christofferson reminded the board that the projected savings for the conversion were based on the price of diesel heating fuel at $2.29 per gallon and fuel is now at $3.15 a gallon. Christofferson also discussed the possibility of accessing Forest Service slash piles as an additional biofuel source that would bring the cost of fuel even lower.

“Yes, I’m confident we will realize our planned savings,” said Royse.

In action items, the board approved spending $1,500 to pay umpire fees for the Enterprise/Joseph softball team. The program is funded by participant fundraisers and the three coaches — Travis Huffman, Chuck Simpson and Janelle Yanke — are volunteers. The board also approved hiring Eric Johnson as assistant junior high track coach as there are 26 students participating and more supervision is needed.

Discussion items included assurance from Superintendent Royse to the board members that they will not be required to submit the Verified Statement of Economic Interest that has caused many local council and commission members to resign.

The superintendent also warned that problems may arise when the school facility will have to be closed this summer when the lighting retrofit is under way.

According to Royse many groups and organizations plan to use the facility year round.

Royse also said the alternative school will still be offered next year and several ongoing issues are in the process of resolution and will be reported at a later date.

Both Royse and Carlsen reported that parent-teacher conferences were successful and positive with nearly 98 percent participation rates.

The next meeting is scheduled for May 5 at 7 p.m. in the high school home ec room.