This winter, my wife decided she wanted to paint our kitchen cabinets. It sounds like an easy task, but it required much more than we anticipated. Washing, sanding, prepping, priming, reordering all the items in the cabinets, before we could begin painting. Change, even good change, is difficult.

Just like at home, change has also come to the Valley. While the changes are good, they are definitely a process!

We have had to say a sad goodbye to our Treasurer, Morgan Kail, as she switches gears to raise her family, but in the same breath give an exciting, warm welcome to our new Treasurer, Tricia Schreffler. Lynne Herstine and Stephanie Wigfield ended their long, appreciated run with us as board members, but we get to extend an enthusiastic welcome to Dr. Joe Wigfield and Steve Pomesky as they join the board. We also heartily welcomed Dr. Mike Schreffler, who comes with much experience as our curriculum consultant, while saying goodbye to the wonderful Joy Sama who left the valley for a full-time position at Tuslaw (for more information, see the article, “Welcome to the Nest” in Inside SV).

As these personnel changes are happening, we are simultaneously preparing for changes to our facilities. However, the one thing that has not changed is that we continue to live within our means. The school district is excited that the facility upgrades will be paid for utilizing the additional public utility tax dollars Sandy Valley is receiving from the Rover Pipeline. To accomplish these projects, we have a 2-phase plan in process. Phase 1 consists of artificial turf in the football stadium, which will be installed this spring. Phase 2 includes an auxiliary building which will occur in subsequent years and will require community involvement. The details of both projects will be forthcoming at a community meeting in the spring of 2020.

Just as winter bursts forth into spring, Sandy Valley is preparing to reorder for a new season in our history. In keeping with the Right-to-Read theme (see our Social Media and webpage for more information), “Oh, the Places We’ll Go!” once we have worked our way through the slow process of change.

I am happy to say my wife was ecstatic about the finished cabinets. I am so looking forward to the “places we’ll be” when we finish our reordering and we see what our hard work accomplishes. Please be patient with us as we work through these exciting changes and updates. Please also stay in touch—follow us on Social Media and our webpage as we update you on these exciting times!

David J. Fischer, Superintendent

Go Cards!!