Medical Lake’s biannual Healthy Youth Survey yielded mixed results during a report at the Medical Lake School District board of directors meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The anonymous survey is administered to students in grades six, eight, 10 and 12, and is conducted throughout the region. Medical Lake Middle School assistant principal Scott Blasingame said one test goal was to ensure that harassment, intimidation and bullying weren’t occurring in the buildings. As usually goes with bullying the middle school had the larger numbers within the district, however new policies introduced last year showed a decline from the previous test.
Superintendent Dr. Pam Veltri noted that with the new policy, which encouraged reporting bullying incidents, the numbers would be higher than normal because students were aware of who they could go to.
The survey also looked at drug and alcohol use among the schools. Among the results noted, 5 percent of sophomores said they used painkillers to get high, up from 2 percent two years ago.
One item of interest approved by the board was the surplus of a steam kettle found in the Hallett Elementary kitchens. Dating back to the 1960s, the kettle is of a fairly large size and there are more modern, compact instruments available. It was speculated that the kettle found its way to the elementary school during the high school’s remodel, when the kitchen was forced to relocate for some time.
The board approved the district’s annual school performance report, which can be viewed on the district’s website, http://www.mlsd.org. Veltri said the district put the document online after consulting parents on what they believed was the easiest way to access it. By having it online, the district saves $3,000 - $4,000 per year on printing and postage costs.
Also approved at the meeting were additions to the Medical Lake High School ASB fundraising list, including Rage in the Cage, a light bulb sale and the softball team’s hot chocolate sale this year. The board also approved the surplus of some baseball equipment including catchers’ helmets, chest protectors and shin guards.
Veltri read a proclamation from Gov. Jay Inslee declaring the month of October as Principals Month in the state of Washington, coinciding with national recognition of the job principals perform throughout the year.
The next school board meeting takes place Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. in the Administration building.
James Eik can be reached at james@cheneyfreepress.com.
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