Skamania teachers & administration (L to R): Katy London (ELA), Kim Cunningham (Science/Social Studies), Lori Caccavo (Music), Jessica Shumway (TK/K), Camille Schauble (1/2), Milt Dennison (Supt.), Michelle Miller (PE/STEAM), Katie Chavarria (Head Teacher), Raymond Chavarria (Math)
As I begin my second year as superintendent of Skamania School, I reflect on our many successes from the 2022-23 school year. Now looking forward to the 2023-24 school year, I can focus on building upon those successes while looking at new challenges ahead.
Last year we welcomed a new group of teachers and staff members who are incredible. While we lost one teacher to retirement and one to new opportunities, we filled both positions with highly experienced teachers.
Due to continued increases in enrollment, our financial situation is solid. Receiving approval of a new 3-year levy last February adds to our financial stability.
With the completion of our building modernization project, we’ve been able to focus on several safety projects including adding cameras around the main building and outside areas. A new entry system has been installed that allows law enforcement and fire departments immediate access to the building if necessary.
Under the leadership of Head Teacher Katie Chavaria, we have adopted new reading and math curriculums. While post-COVID gains have been difficult for some students, recent standardized scores in Language Arts have shown our students are outperforming their state counterparts.
All our work is guided by a fantastic school board. They are active participants in school activities and provide exceptional governance. They recently authorized a project looking at the condition of our portable classrooms and estimating the reasonable life span of our decade’s old facilities. We will also be exploring replacement options.
And I can’t end my comments without recognizing the 83 superb students that attend our school. They are the main reason that after all these years, I continue to have difficulty entering retirement!
Looking forward to the new school year.
Milt Dennison, Superintendent