The 2021-22 Winter edition of our Waitsburg School District community newsletter hit mailboxes this week.* You can find the articles from the printed newsletter below. If you did not receive a copy of the newsletter in your mailbox, please feel free to contact our school district office at 509-337-6301 to make sure we have your address in our distribution list.
* Please note the following corrections below to information that was included in the printed newsletter on page 2: School Board Director Lisa Morrow’s term ends in 2025, Sarah Boudrieau’s term ends in 2023, and Dr. Clarke’s term ends in 2023.
Waitsburg Replacement Levy on the February 8th Ballot
Learn more at waitsburgsd.org/page/2022-levy
Waitsburg School District is one of many districts with a replacement levy up for renewal on the upcoming February 8, 2022 Special Election. Waitsburg’s proposed Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy will be used to maintain school programs and services that are not fully fund by the State. The 2022 EP&O Levy replaces the levy last approved by Waitsburg voters in 2020 and is not a new tax.
School districts run levies to help cover the gap between what the State funds, and the actual cost of operating our schools. In Waitsburg, levy dollars help pay for smaller class sizes, athletics, extra-curricular activities, classified and certificated staffing, after-school programs, transportation costs, technology, maintenance and operations, nutrition services, and much more.
Waitsburg voters can expect to see the school district’s replacement EP&O Levy on the upcoming February 8th election. Ballots should arrive in the mail the week of January 24th. Voting information and many resources can be found online at wei.sos.wa.gov. Tax exemptions and deferrals are available for senior citizens and individuals who are disabled. Those interested in learning more are encouraged to contact the Walla Walla County Assessor’s Office at 509-524-2560, or the Columbia County Assessor at 509-382-2131.
Please remember to return your ballots by February 8th!
Meet Your Waitsburg School Board
Mrs. Christy House
District 2 (Since December 2011) – Term ends 2023
Christy House is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. She graduated from University of Idaho with a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Food and Nutrition. Christy has been an active local volunteer with 4H, her children’s other activities, and her local church. She and her husband live in Waitsburg. Both of their two adult sons attended Waitsburg School District from K-12. Her oldest son is in year two of an electrical apprenticeship with Walla Walla Electric. Her youngest is a senior in standing at University of Idaho majoring in Crop Management and Plant Science with a minor in Plant Protection.
Mrs. Lisa Morrow
District 4 (At Large) (Since August 2018) - Term ends 2025
Lisa Morrow lives in Waitsburg with her husband Duke, son Jasper, and their chocolate lab Finley. Lisa has worked for the Washington State Department of Corrections for the past 18 years. She stays very busy helping out in the community and volunteering her time as the leader of the 4-H Club PENPALS, the Waitsburg Livestock Barns Co-Superintendent, the past Treasurer of the Waitsburg Home and School Association (HASA), and past T-Ball / Majors coach and volunteer. Lisa is an FFA parent volunteer and recently was awarded a plaque at the WW Fair as an honorary member from the Waitsburg Chapter. In the spring time she also loves to keep the books for the baseball teams and cheer on the kids.
Mrs. Sarah Boudrieau
District 1 (Since March 2020) - Term ends 2023
Sarah is a Deputy Clerk in the Superior Court of Columbia County, with an education background in Criminal Justice. She is married to Trevor, and they stay busy with three boys: a 2018 Waitsburg graduate who studies at WSU and serves in the Army reserve, along with one son in 11th grade and another in the 5th grade in Waitsburg schools.
Mrs. Stephanie Cole
District 3 (Since December 2021) - Term ends 2025
Stephanie Cole is the Assistant Director of Admissions at a long-term care facility in Walla Walla. She is an alumnus of Waitsburg High School, Walla Walla Community College, and Eastern Washington University. Stephanie is married to her high school sweetheart and together they have two beautiful girls, ages 2 and 5. In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys crafting, Bible studies with local moms, and adventuring with her family. She is excited for this opportunity to serve the community where her roots run deep.
Dr. Carol Clarke
District 5 (Since December 2021) - Term ends 2023
Carol Clarke retired as Superintendent of Waitsburg School District in June 2017. During her 40+ years in education, she taught at all levels from early childhood to graduate level. Following retirement, she has served as Curriculum and Instruction Coordinator for Crossroads Christian Academy in the Republic of Panama. Since March 2020, she has worked remotely as an Educational Consultant for Crossroads and returns to Panama in the fall and spring to complete on-site educational activities for the school. Carol earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale; a Master’s in Education from the University of Memphis, and a Doctorate in Education from Washington State University. An active member of Waitsburg Christian Church, Carol currently serves as the Church Board Chairman. She is also active in P.E.O. International and fills the duties of Vice President for Chapter BE, Waitsburg.
Strategic Planning Summit
You’re invited to join the Waitsburg Strategic Planning Summit on January 18th from 5:00-8:00 PM in the Waitsburg Elementary School library. Waitsburg School District is looking for parents and community members interested in helping us develop our schools’ strategic plan by reviewing district data and helping us develop a draft plan to guide the vision of our schools. A meal will be provided for participants during the January 18th session.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Superintendent Mark Pickel by January 14th at 509-337-6301 or mpickel@waitsburgsd.org.
College & Career Fair
Waitsburg High School is hosting a College and Career Fair on Tuesday, March 8th in our high school gymnasium. At this time, we have 15 confirmed college and career exhibits planned! We hope to increase the number of exhibitors as we get closer to March 8.
College and Career Fairs are designed for students to explore and interact with colleges and universities, as well as business and careers to discover post-secondary opportunities. Students will find the exhibitors informative and friendly. Students often are provided with assistance in completing Financial Aid Forms and tips for completing applications and successful interviews. Student resumes also may be reviewed by exhibitors. Students are encouraged to bring parents.
If you know of any college, university, or business that would like to participate in the Waitsburg College and Career Fair, please ask them to contact Principal Wooderchak at swooderchak@waitsburgsd.org.
We hope to offer as many experiences as possible for our students and would like to thank each of the College and Career Fair representatives for their participation in our event!
Current Confirmed Exhibitors:
- Air Force
- Army
- Columbia Basin College
- Columbia County Sheriff’s Department
- Columbia Pulp
- Gravis Law Firm
- Lewis Clark State College
- McGregor
- Navy
- Providence
- Spokane Community College
- University of Idaho
- Walla Walla Community College
- Walla Walla Electric
- Walla Walla Fire Department
Keep up with DW Sports!
Please remember to watch the DW Sports website at
dwsports.org to find the most up-to-date information and schedule changes for athletics! On the website, look under the More tab > Printable Schedules. As soon as changes are made to schedules, you will find them on this page.
Character Strong
Preston Hall Middle School and Waitsburg High School students participate in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with the guidance of the Character Strong Curriculum. The curriculum is focused on fostering the whole child wellness and teaches students SEL and character, side-by-side. Focus points for learning are: courage, perseverance, honesty, respect, gratitude, kindness, responsibility, cooperation, creativity, and empathy.
The curriculum students experience from our trained staff include thoughtful ways to begin each month, week and day related to the month’s character trait. Students gain tools to thoughtfully re-focus to meet their social, emotional, and physical needs throughout a day. Experiential learning is designed to put abstract values into practical action so students can better understand each character trait. Ask your student about our Character Strong lessons!
Reminders for Inclement Weather
Occasionally, severe weather may make it necessary for the buses to run late, or for school to be cancelled or delayed. When this happens, announcements will be made via the following communication platforms beginning 6:00 a.m.:
- Waitsburg School District website: www.waitsburgsd.org
- Automated calls and text messages to students’ families (**please make sure we have updated contact information for you!)
- Waitsburg social media channels @waitsburgsd (Facebook and Instagram)
- WSD Mobile App (Live Feed)
- Local news/radio stations
Please do NOT call the schools or bus drivers regarding school closure or delay information. Waitsburg School District also utilizes the media notification system
Flash Alert Newswire to communicate its school closure/delay information with local TV, radio, and news stations as needed. As soon as a decision has been made to delay or close school, this information is posted to the Flash Alert website. Parents and the public are encouraged to check this website in the mornings for accurate and reliable information direct from the Waitsburg School District. Visit our website at www.waitsburgsd.org to connect to FlashAlert.
Upcoming Dates
- January
- 17 - NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Day
- 28 - End of 2nd Quarter / 1st Semester
- February
- 8 - Special Election. Remember to turn in your ballots!
- 9 - Early Release at 12:10
- 21 - NO SCHOOL, President’s Day
- March
- 2 - Dr. Seuss Day
- 8 - College & Career Fair, 9AM-3PM, at Waitsburg High School
- 13 - Daylight Savings (Spring forward 1 hour)
- 29-30 - Parent-Teacher Conferences
- April
- 4-8 - NO SCHOOL, Spring Break