School boards reorganize for new year

RITZVILLE – Lind and Ritzville School Boards met Dec. 16 in Ritzville and performed a number of year-end organizational tasks.

The Ritzville board elected Reid Phillips chairman and Greg Galbreath vice-chairman.

The Lind board re-elected Jani Melcher chairwoman and Adam Labes vice-chairman.

The boards set 2022 meeting dates to be the fourth Monday of each month, with the exception of December 2022, when that day falls on Dec. 26, the observed day for Christmas.

In even numbered months, meetings will be in the Lind-Ritzville High School Collaboration Room, 209 E. Wellsandt Road, Ritzville. In odd months, the meetings will be in the cafeteria at Lind-Ritzville Middle School, 507 N East St., Lind.

During the Dec. 16 meeting, the boards also took time to recognize outgoing members Marci Miller and Layne Iltz.

Superintendent Don Vanderholm thanked them for their years of service and dedication to Lind-Ritzville schools and presented each with a box of cookies.

Above and Beyond

During the session, there were also awards presented.

Ritzville Grade School Principal Cindy Deska presented an “Above and Beyond” award to Preschoool Teacher Kelsey Knodel. Deska recognized Knodel “for her contribution to getting our littlest leaners and their parents a positive first start in school.”

Lind-Ritzville High School Principal Kevin Terris presented an “Above and Beyond” award to Custodian Jarod Marecz. Terris said “Jarod is such a positive person to be around. He takes great pride in his duties, and seems to always find a way to be doing more than what he is asked to do.”

In other business:

The Lind Board accepted a letter of resignation from Lind Elementary third-grade teacher Jennifer Anderson.

The boards approved out-of-state travel for Future Farmers of America students to attend the Western National Roundup in Denver, Colo., in January.

The boards designated the The Ritzville Adams County Journal as the official media for the district.