A MESSAGE FROM SUPERINTENDENT ROBERT RISINGER

April 2008

              On behalf of Omak’s students, staff and board of directors, I thank voters for approving both our March 11 levy proposals. With passage of the replacement maintenance and operation levy, we are assured that we can move forward with a sound financial base for our basic educational, transportation, nutritional and extra-curricular programs for another two years.

              Most exciting is the additional funding for new initiatives in educational technology. We will report our progress in this area through this district newsletter and in other ways. We are pledged to continue strengthening and expanding our technology resources so that Omak graduates are well prepared to compete in a global economy.

              Many volunteers with the Citizens for Omak Schools worked hard on the campaign, donating both hours of their time and monetary contributions to cover advertising and promotional costs.  Especially significant was a $500 donation from the Okanogan-Omak Rotary club to buy postage stamps to encourage voters to mail in their ballots.

              The business community was generous in its support, providing reader board messages, hanging banners and displaying signs and posters. I also want to acknowledge the students who joined the campaign effort and so articulately expressed their need for and appreciation of quality education.

              Levy campaigns are stressful, but they are also a time when the community comes together to support schools. There are few other events in the life of a community that have such significant impact on all community members. We celebrate the levy election results and thank the community for all that you provide for our students.

Sincerely,

Robert Risinger

Superintendent