Travis Loudon is given the oath of office as the Oroville School Board’s newest director at the Monday, July 30 meeting. Photo by Gary DeVon

OROVILLE – Travis Loudon, a 2001 graduate of Oroville High School, was chosen to fill the remaining empty position on the Oroville School Board at the board’s Monday, July 30 meeting.

Loudon was among two people who expressed interest in the Position #4 seat. The position had been held by Christina Rise, who resigned earlier in the year after moving to another area of the district. The board interviewed Loudon and Brian Swensen before making their decision.

Loudon attended Spokane Falls Community College, Heritage and Central Washington University before getting his teaching degree. He has volunteered at several schools and did his student teaching in a fifth grade classroom setting at Lake Chelan School District. School Director David Nutt made the motion to select Loudon and it was seconded by Director Todd Hill and passed unanimously.

A budget hearing was also part of the school board meeting. The budget sets total revenues at $7,377,905 with $140,400 in the Student Body Fund, $80,050 in Debt Service, $248,650 in Capital Projects and $70,050 in the Transportation Vehicle Fund for the 2012-2013 school year for a total of $7,566,035.

Nutt voted they approve the budget and Hill seconded it and it too was carried.

Under ‘Good News and Announcements’ Superintendent Steve Quick said the district had passed the Washington State Patrol transportation inspection. The WSP inspects the district’s school buses and other vehicles.

“Once again the transportation director and the transportation department need to be given a big hand… this is his first year and he is doing a good job,” said Quick.

Quick also said the district received a note from Jessica Russell with North County Community Schools thanking the school and the board and the teachers, especially those teachers that open up their classrooms and teach classes.

There was some discussion about facilities improvements and the various options to be considered. Quick recommended the district repair the elementary school roof next summer and get a non-voter bond to cover the difference between the cost and an Urgent Repair Grant. The board will be holding a special meeting to discuss which option they want to pursue and how to pay for it.