Hood River County district sites damaged during winter storm

Superintendent Bill Newton told board members at the Feb. 7 Hood River County School District meeting that the Peterson bus holds 77 passengers and is known for its improved safety standards, visibility for the driver, and a commitment to a durable product, according to a report submitted by Transportation and Safety Director Kyle Rosselle.

Cost was $137,711. Newton said each year, the district submits mileage reimbursement and depreciation loss for buses to the Oregon Department of Education, which is specifically placed into a bus replacement fund.

“This usually allows for the purchase of one bus per year,” Newton said. “The transportation department was pretty excited about the delivery of this bus.”

The bus has a Cummins diesel engine, which includes high-visibility LEDs, security camera, integrated ground lighting to aid in backing up as well as a backup camera system, among other features. The district has added On Spot drop chains and a full air conditioning system.

Facility damage

A recent inventory of district facilities by Director of Facilities and Operations Manager Todd Rainwater found damages and expenses incurred during the January cold front that closed down the Gorge for a week in January. Newton said the list includes frozen pipes, natural gas leaks, waterline breaks, hallway and classroom flooding, and damaged boilers.

The district estimates $105,000 in damages, which have been reported to the district’s insurer and to the state. “We have an opportunity to receive emergency funding on areas not covered by our insurer,” Newton said.

Impact Teaching Grants

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Amy McConnell shared 2024 Impact Grant awards from Hood River County Education Foundation totaled $66,973, funding 28 individual grant applications, as follows:

Hood River Valley High, $13,496.90, nine grants; Hood River Middle, $8,147.90, four; Wy’east Middle, $4,952.74, three; Parkdale Elementary, $6,900, two; Westside Elementary, $9,941, four; Mid Valley Elementary, $1,200, one; Cascade Locks Elementary, $13,245, two; and the elementary school All Kids Learn to Bike program, $3,998.

McConnell estimated the awards totaled $13,000 more than last year.

The board, with all seven members in attendance, unanimously approved to accept the awards as presented.

“I get to be a part of this process because I get to be on the Education Foundation, and it is really awesome,” said Board Chair Chrissy Reitz (position 1). “It’s really awesome to read what teachers are coming up with … it’s really fun to be able to allow a teacher to do something that’s a little outside the box. I appreciate the work our educators and all of our staff put into writing these grants because they are very thoughtful.”