The gavel was literally passed during Monday night’s meeting, as the Oakdale Joint Unified School Board met for its final meeting of the 2016 calendar year. The board unanimously seated Barbara Shook as President; Larry Betschart as Clerk and Mike House was named School Board Representative.

“Little did I know when I started teaching in the late 60’s, that I was going to be a Board President someday,” Shook stated as she transferred seat position with past president Tina Shatswell. “Never would have predicted that one.”

Action items proved to be a continuation from the November meeting as second reading and adoption of varying reports were presented by Chief Business Officer Susan Dyke and Assistant Superintendent Kristi Rapinchuk. All items were approved and adopted by the board.

Rapinchuk also addressed the board in relation to a donation being made by Oakdale Sunrise Rotary. Members of the service club were in attendance to present the District with a check for $10,000 to be used toward the Drive to Survive Program.

“The Drive to Survive Program was actually initiated by a very generous donation coming from Sunrise Rotary, several years ago,” Rapinchuk said of the driver safety class offered at Oakdale High School. “It allows us to provide classroom instruction for driver’s ed classes at no cost to families.”

The Assistant Superintendent noted it is offered during a zero period at the high school, as well as during summer school. She added that due to the generosity a student has yet to be turned away for inclusion in this class.

“We’re a small by mighty club,” Sunrise Rotary Club member Ken Cosner said of being able to make the donation.

Cosner stated proceeds from their annual Lobster event largely go toward continued support of this program.

“We’re very pleased to present this check for $10,000 and we hope to be able to continue to do this in the years to come,” he stated.

Contract negotiations for both Oakdale Teachers Association and CSEA, Chapter #830 continue. Representatives from both groups expressed optimism and confidence with the current process and the direction it is leading.

Sierra View students, Montserrat Garcia and Victor Zepeda began the meeting by leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next OJUSD Board meeting will be conducted on Monday, Jan. 23. Open Session begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is anticipated to be held at Oakdale City Council Chambers, 277 N. Second Ave., Oakdale.