LAKEPORT–The Lakeport Unified School District Governing Board was basking in the glow of Clear Lake High School (CLHS) being named as a California Distinguished School Thursday night at its monthly meeting.
Board President Dennis Darling asked CLHS Principal Steve Gentry to tell the board about the process that went into the school being recognized by the state. Gentry said they had to pick some programs that helped improve student performance, file an application about those programs and send it off to the state Department of Education.
A regional and county visiting team was later sent out to visit the school and evaluate it based on speaking with staff, teachers, students and parents as well as looking at progress. The team filed a report with the state Department of Education and the school had to wait to hear back if they were selected. Gentry said he got the news of the award Tuesday, the day before a monthly staff meeting, where he gladly shared it with his staff. He said it was gratifying and exciting to be awarded.
Gentry said the award ceremony from the state would be held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim on May 20. He said it would cost the district approximately $1,800 to send representatives there. He said he would rather keep that money in the district.
Darling said he will draft a letter on behalf of the board congratulating the school for being recognized.
Board Clerk Robyn Stevenson said Gentry should be proud of his staff for all their hard work.
The board approved a request for allowance of attendance because of an emergency condition to be filed with the state Department of Education regarding a Feb. 25 school closure because of snow. It approved a resolution declaring May 11 as California Day of the Teacher and the week of May 9 as Teacher Appreciation Week. Another approved resolution will declare the week of May 16 as Classified Employee Appreciation Week. It also decided which board members would attend the graduations of Natural Continuation High School, CLHS and Terrace Middle School.
Board member Bob Weiss was absent from the meeting.
Kevin N. Hume can be reached at kevin.n.hume@gmail.com or call directly 263-5636 ext. 14.
