Rerouting bus runs, moving forward with bond feasibility studies, and preparing for the 2009-10 budget were among the highlights of last Thursday’s school board meeting.

Business Manager Ben Thomas gave his monthly report and told the board that the fund balance is healthy. The board then had a lengthy discussion about the cost of buses.

For the 2007-08 school year, the bus routes were changed, which has caused an increase in fuel and driver cost. The school receives $92,000 from the state, but the cost of the bus runs is currently $135,000. The board asked Kline to work with the transportation committee and Thomas to get the buses back on track and out of the red.

Thomas also prepared an enrollment projection for 2009-10, which the budget is based upon. His number is 439.86, but before the board approves an amount, board member Keith Whitaker plans to run his own projections. The number will be decided at the next school board meeting.

Board chair Janet Brownell asked the board to be cautious when approving a number.

“This year is an anomaly because of the economy. We don’t want the projected enrollment to be too high,” she said.

Trevor Carlson, senior vice president of Seattle Northwest Securities, gave a bond presentation to the board, explaining possible scenarios and potential rates for taxpayers. The board did not make a decision, although Carlson was fairly confident that Orcas School would be able to sell its bond to the voters.

Brownell made an announcement about the communication between parents and school staff. The PTSA recently began conducting exit interviews for parents who decide to remove their children from Orcas Island Schools. While she couldn’t discuss the content of those interviews, Brownell stressed the importance of parents expressing concerns with the school district.

“The school board is committed to having open communication within the school and we want parents to know that they can talk to us and that it is safe and confidential. Whenever you have an issue, talk to an administrator or school board member before yanking your kids out of school,” Brownell said.

The board approved items on its consent agenda, including coach stipends for co-curricular softball, baseball, golf, and middle school girls basketball, Val Heller’s AP European History class trip to Italy over spring break, and hiring Cathy Ferran as the new executive assistant in the district office.

ASB President Maddy Smith talked about an all-student talent show on March 20, and the Orcas Island Education Foundation donated $3,000 to the athletic department. Funds came from the sale of Christmas trees at Ace Hardware last December. Therese and Scott Lancaster, who own the hardware store, gave the money to OIEF with the stipulation that it be used for Orcas School sports. Scott is also a school board member.

The San Juan Nature Institute gave an update on its 4th through 6th grade school program underwritten by the Russell Family Foundation and the Orcas Island Community Foundation. Students in the fourth grade have been learning about salmon, 5th graders are experiencing salmon streams, and 6th grade students are following salmon as they move throughout the marine environment. The kids also participate in beach field trips and boat rides on the “Centennial.”

Bob Connell brought up the possibility of “School Site Councils,” which is a kind of parent advocacy group. He gave a presentation of possible bylaws and procedures, and the board moved to have the project handled by Superintendent/Principal Barbara Kline and Principal Tom Gobeske.

The next school board meeting in Tuesday, March 26, 5:30 p.m. in the Orcas School Library.