Faced with declining enrollment and early predictions of significant statewide reductions in education funding, the Lopez School District has determined that the position of superintendent should be reduced to half-time, as a cost-saving measure, beginning with the 2009-10 school year.
Children’s author Lois Harris will speak about and sign copies of her book, “Mary Cassatt: Impressionist Painter,” Saturday, Dec. 6,
2-4 p.m., at Griffin Bay Bookstore. Inspiring for all children, but especially appropriate for those with artistic interests, this book shows how one girl’s lifelong dream to become an artist came true due to an independent spirit, determination and commitment to her craft.
The San Juan Island Trails Committee/Bike Trails Group is sponsoring a community bicycle ride Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10:30 a.m. Participants will start at the Friday Harbor High School gym parking lot for a 10- to 12-mile bike ride to False Bay and back to town. Participants will take Blair Avenue to Market Street and then Mullis Street/Cattle Point Road to False Bay Road. The return will be Bailer Hill Road, Douglas Road, San Juan Valley Road to Blair and back to the high school.
Friday Harbor’s sales tax revenue in September was $68,792 less than in September 2007, according to figures from the town treasurer’s office. September’s revenue of $113,538.18 — generated that month and received in November — was the second best September ever, albeit a distant second: the town received $182,330.09 in September 2007.
The San Juan Island School District may reduce staff and programs beginning as early as the 2009-10 school year, because of a decline in enrollment and reduction in state funding. A special board meeting will be held on Dec. 10, 6 p.m. in the Friday Harbor High School library. The meeting will address long-range planning options needed to address an anticipated $717,2000 budget shortfall.
The San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee meets Dec. 8, 8:30-10:30 a.m., in the Large Conference Room of the County Legislative Building, 55 Second St., Friday Harbor. The date of the meeting was incorrect in the Nov. 26 Journal.
The San Juan Island School District is proud to announce that Beth Spaulding has met the rigorous National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She is the first to earn such certification in the district.
Jean McLeod, who during her 20 years in Friday Harbor enjoyed sailing, gardening and doll making, has died. She passed away suddenly Nov. 17 in Atlanta, Ga. due to lung failure. She and her husband, John, were building a home in Hayesville, N.C., where they moved to be closer to family.
Maybe the person who took the little statue from its crib was motivated more by a spirit in need than by a mean spirit. Maybe, just maybe — Lori Narum of Second Act wants to believe — the person who took the little statue from its crib really needed Jesus.
When Julie Capron of Softwear and Michelle Waldron of Daisy Bloom suspected two teen-age girls of stealing clothing from their stores, they decided to do something about it. Right then and there. They looked for the girls. And they found them on the ferry — wearing $800 worth of clothing belonging to four stores.
Monday at noon, the Friday Harbor Town Council will have a special meeting in Town Hall. The topic: A public hearing on the 2009 budget.
Temperatures near 40 and threat of rain Thursday didn’t deter more than 150 islanders and visitors from participating in the fourth annual “Turkey Trot,” a 5K (3.1 mile) run and walk which started at the Best Western Friday Harbor Suites.
Happy Thanksgiving Day, San Juan Island. The holiday season begins today with some potentially positive signs: Ferries from Anacortes to Friday Harbor have been packed for two days and some businesses are hopeful that the first day of holiday shopping season — Friday — could bolster the local economy and reverse two months of lagging sales.
