Cram slides into school leadership role seamlessly

The seating chart is a tool used in school classrooms across the country. Same with the La Conner School District’s meeting room, where board members and administrators sit in order of seniority.

That being the case, interim superintendent David Cram – now the district’s finance director – slid into seat formerly held by Superintendent Will Nelson during the board’s 90-minute June 10 public study session.

Nelson, who officially departs the district June 30 after three years, isn’t attending this month’s board meetings and didn’t participate in commencement exercises on June 6.

Cram led discussions on several agenda items, including the board’s extension of a district contract with the state Department of Commerce Energy Division.

La Conner has been eyed for a grant-funded solarization project that would allow the school campus to serve as a community emergency shelter, among other benefits.

Cram and board president Susie Deyo later deferred to member Kim Pedroza for a report on the selections of two student representatives to succeed graduated seniors Josi Straathof and Taylor-Rae Cayou on the district’s governing panel.

Pedroza identified the nominated new student reps as ­incoming freshman Emmalin Goodman and incoming sophomore Kellie Cayou-Lockrem.

“Both of these girls are just dynamic,” Pedroza said. “They’re amazing kids.”

Board member John Agen applauded the choices and suggested increased duties for the student leaders.

“I would like to see every other month, or most months, where the student representatives bring information and recommendations to the board in addition to their annual projects,” Agen said.

Pedroza said the girls are willing to take on the heavier workload. She then formally moved that they be appointed as school board student representatives, an action that was unanimously approved.

Deyo praised the district’s school board student representative program.

“The kids have been so great,” she said.

Deyo said Goodman and Cayou-Lockrem will be sworn in prior to the start of the 2024-25 school year, most likely at the board’s regular meeting in late August.

Cram announced that the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community will again provide significant financial aid to the school district, committing to $500,000 in unrestricted funds and $40,000 in technology support for 2024-25.

“This is great news,” said Cram. “We should see the first round, $250,000, in the next few weeks.”

“We’d like to thank the tribe for its generous donation and gift,” Deyo said. “We can’t thank the tribe enough. It makes a huge difference for us.”

The board also heard recommendations from Beth Clothier, the district’s director of teaching and learning, for science and physical education curriculum updates.

Clothier endorsed adoption of the K-5 Mystery Science and Grades 3-6 SPARK P.E. curricula. The board is expected to act on the proposals next month.

Clothier said La Conner Elementary School teachers are familiar with Mystery Science and that SPARK is used by other school districts in the county.

“Our P.E. teachers have been developing their own curricula up to now,” Clothier said.

Food service supervisor Kelly Kjarstad offered a detailed report. Her department secured several grants over the past year that has allowed it to serve local produce and meats. School cafeterias are now serving a higher percentage of students.

In addition, she said, the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has given La Conner “a couple shout-outs” for its food service. The most visible of those is the inclusion of La Conner’s salmon chowder recipe on the OSPI website.

“Kelly has done a great job getting grants this year,” Cram said. “She’s been successful getting grants in what’s a very competitive process. That’s important because we don’t have those funds.”

Next up for the board is its June 24 annual retreat (12-5 p.m.), immediately followed by its regular public meeting.