2023 September Splash

Sporting in Liberty Lake

From Golf to Pickleball, how to get involved Page 10

MEET SELKIRK PRINCIPAL TY LARSEN PAGE 2

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CITY COUNCIL FUTURE PLANNING PAGE

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Anchored Here – Selkirk principal has strong LL roots

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

Ty Larsen has no complaints about the building he calls his professional home.

The only thing missing is the water.

Construction of Selkirk Middle School began in April of 2018 and wrapped up the following summer. When the dedication of campus took place on Aug. 22, 2019, visitors basked in natural light through floor-to-ceiling windows that provide panoramic views of Mica Peak, the southernmost peak of the Selkirk Mountain Range.

Larsen has been here since the beginning – the very beginning, when a core team gathered to consider school names, colors, mascot, ASB, PTO and other particulars, right down to the color of the carpet. He was named principal in March of 2018, a month before the groundbreaking of the yet-to-be-named school.

“I lobbied for the job at Selkirk,” Larsen said. “It was a once-in-alifetime opportunity to build a community of kids and families.”

Larsen and other members of the core team filed through 250 proposed names for the Central Valley School District’s newest school. Options like River Rock, Telido Station, Ridgeview and Liberty Lake Middle School were considered. Finally, the group made the recommendation of Selkirk to the CVSD Board, pointing to Mica Peak’s connection to the rolling peaks that make their way through Spokane into Sandpoint and Schweitzer up to Canada.

“The mountain range is named after Thomas Douglas who was the fifth earl of Selkirk in Scotland,” said Larsen.

While the lineage may serve as a bonus point question in a future history class, Larsen takes pride in it and other facets of Selkirk culture,

including the Wolves mascot and purple and silver school colors. It’s all part of an environment that the principal describes as “bright, happy and welcoming.”

Years ago, on a middle school campus to the west, Larsen was a student at Greenacres Middle School. His life back then included a large slice of water sports like wake foiling, tubing, water skiing and knee boarding. He grew up near the shores of Liberty Lake in a home built on property that his grandfather first purchased in 1950.

“He built a basic log cabin, then my parents renovated it in 1968,” Larsen said. “It’s four houses down from the boat launch.”

A self-described “water dog,” Larsen was good enough as a slalom water skier to land a gold medal in the Centennial Games in at 15. He also played football and basketball at Central Valley High School.

Larsen hasn’t quite lived in the home without since interruption his childhood days – stops in Seattle, the South Hill and other residences in Liberty Lake came after he graduated from CV in 1992 – but he does now. He and his wife Sandi, a first-grade teacher at Sunrise Elementary, raised two daughters, now 25 and 18.

Larsen enrolled at the University of Washington after CV but later transferred to Eastern Washington University where he majored in Recreation Management. His professional journey began at Sports Creel as a shop manager. He took a job later installing sprinkler systems and later became a loan officer.

Eventually, Larsen found his way to the on-ramp that led to a career in education. His father taught and served as principal at University Elementary and, like his son, opened another school, Sunrise Elementary as principal in 1980. He later served in the same role at South Pines Elementary. Larsen’s mom was a secretary in the business office at CVHS.

Larsen returned to EWU, earning his master’s in teaching in 1999. His first job in teaching was at Broadway Elementary. In 2002, he moved to Horizon Middle School where he taught sixth grade math and science and coached football and basketball.

In 2008, Larsen decided to transition into administration.

“It was an attempt to have a greater effect,” he said.

Larsen served as assistant principal at Horizon for five years before getting his first chance to be a principal. He led Bowdish Middle School for four years.

At Selkirk, Larsen is known as an accessible leader who supports students and would rather walk the halls and visit a classroom than sit in his office. Larsen’s focus is on “genuine empathy.”

“I try to be genuine empathy,” Larsen says. “I want to help problem solve and help them navigate their emotions. Struggle is necessary. Struggle leads to learning and growth. I tell them, ‘Tomorrow can be a better day.’”

Q: You could probably write a novel on this topic, but how is the Liberty Lake of today different from the Liberty Lake you grew up in?

A: Today is busy. Liberty Lake,

Photo by Craig Howard Ty Larsen has served as principal of Selkirk Middle School in Liberty Lake since the campus opened for the 2019-20 school year. Larsen grew up in Liberty Lake and resides in the waterfront home that has been in his family for three generations. See LARSEN, Page 4

LARSEN

Continued from page 2 when I grew up, was essentially the houses around the lake. It was quiet and secluded. It was a community mostly disconnected from other small communities nearby, Otis Orchards, Greenacres and Veradale. Summer became a busy time as fishing season opened up and the boat launch traffic increased. Liberty Lake was more of a recreational community with the lake as the center point. Summers were filled with time on the water. Whether it was king of the dock, fishing or learning to water ski. The winters were quiet, where time was spent sledding on local hills, skating on the lake and, when thick enough, snowmobiling on the lake. Today is improved. When I grew up, there were no paved trails, no local businesses, no schools and fewer roads and golf courses. Our community has grown and there are many more activities to be part of and enjoy. It has become a place people want to move. Selfishly, I would say we keep it a secret but I think it’s in our human nature to share a great thing.

Q: In your opinion, what have been some of the benefits of this exponential growth? How about some of the challenges?

Benefits - Broader sense of community, increase activity opportunity, access to variety of businesses, improved roads, improved services (police and fire), increase in parks and schools.

Challenges - Traffic, some loss of convenience, variation from the original vision of Liberty Lake, resource exhaustion.

Q: Your parents both had backgrounds in education and your wife has been a longtime teacher. How do you think this family influence affected your decision to eventually pursue a career in this field?

A: When you’re around something for an extended period of time you begin to acclimate and realize ways to make it better. This creates a desire to become part of the environment and actually do your part to make it better. Not to mention, as kids we tend to look up to our parents and how they navigate life. That exposure can lead people to follow in their parents’

footsteps. I also believe landing in this career promotes a common experience among family members. When we have a shared career, we can share our experiences through a more empathetic lens. Having been a teacher, my wife and I are able to talk about teaching. The great parts and the not so great parts. We share stories and help each other be the best we can. We also listen to our kids’ experience in school and help them understand a different perspective.

Q: As you were going through the Central Valley School District as a student, who were some of the mentors who had an impact on you?

A: To name a few: Dick O’Brien – High school math teacher; Butch Walters – Junior high football coach, teacher and eventually administrative colleague; Steve Bernard – Football coach and Cougar nemesis; Rick Giampetri – Football coach and science teacher. There are honestly too many to list. People create moments for others that guide our development as people. Much of my learning came from family and friends. My parents, my sisters, my wife and my kids. My buddies, Kyle, Ryland, John, and Jason. Each of the moments those people created guided me to today.

Q: Why did you decide to make the transition from being a classroom instructor to administration and has this change worked out the way you’d hoped?

A: The transition to administration was a hope to have a greater influence on student learning. As a teacher I can work with the students in my class and potentially my teaching partners. As an administrator, I’m able to work with a variety of teachers and as a team, work toward improved student learning. Having been through the process of creating a new middle school, I would say the change has worked out as I had hoped. Curiosity is a major part of learning and I am with a group of people that agree. This creates an environment where we are all motivated to learn and help our students get to their fulfilling future.

Q: What are some of your memories about the process of establishing the foundation for Selkirk Middle School as part of the core team assembled before the

school was built?

A: One memory that sticks out is the fast timeline to get it done. Just when I thought I was on top of the game and getting ahead, a new need would arise and require immediate attention. I remember working with our core team and the ongoing excitement about the prospects of a new school. The level of ownership was indescribable for each person on the team. Selkirk has become our pride and joy and I think many of us would do anything to maintain its culture. I remember the value we tried to bring to the name, mascot and colors. We hoped for a school our students and families would be proud to call their own. I remember the construction process and how quickly the landscape changed. One day there was a field with a trench for the gym wall and before you knew it, we watched our logo being painted on the new gym floor. Picking out colors, textures, lockers and carpet. Much like building a house, there were many decisions to make. I was impressed with the amount of support during the construction process from our district and Jay Rowell, from the architects at ALSC, from OAC, and from Walker Construction. They help make sure the product we ended with was the best it could be for our community.

Q: How would you describe the culture you’ve tried to develop at Selkirk?

A: In a single word, Belonging. Middle school is a difficult time of development. Belonging is part of our basic needs as people. It’s never perfect but it is a focus for us to help our students, staff and community have a sense of belonging at Selkirk. The other important focus is positivity. In any corporation or community, the negative tends to be what we pay attention to. And what we focus on becomes our reality. There are so many aspects of education that are positive. We try to emphasize those positive aspects each day by celebrating even the smallest success.

Q: It sounds like you’re not the kind of principal who spends most of your day at a desk. What is your approach when it comes to being an accessible leader and mentor on campus?

A: The magic of learning happens in a classroom. I believe

my job is to do what I can to support the classroom. Whether it involves helping pick up trash in the halls or cafeteria, working with secretaries to get the right supplies, getting tables and chairs set up, working with families to help support their child, each is indirectly connected to the classroom. And, each person that does those varying jobs is working to support the classroom. It also involves the best part, teaching. I take advantage of opportunities to work alongside teachers or try new instructional strategies. Also, guiding staff in doing the best for our students. They’re all in this for same reason – kids learning. Remember the joy of watching your own child take their first steps or say their first words? That’s the magic of learning we get to witness each day.

Q: With the start of classes just around the corner, what are you looking forward to most about the 2023-24 school year?

A: Every year brings the opportunity for a fresh start. An opportunity to take what we learned last year and do our best to apply it to this year. The beginning is always exciting. Students show up looking their best and reconnect with friends they haven’t seen over summer. Teachers come back recharged with new ideas to make the year even better than the last. The building is clean and repaired from the hard work of custodians over the summer. It’s like a new beginning each September.

Q: Finally, you’ve described yourself as a “water dog” who grew up around the lake. If you had to pick one water sport to participate in, what would it be and why?

A: Right now, the favorite is wake foiling, a surfboard with a hydrofoil under water. It is a feeling like no other on the water. It’s also a completely different level of challenge when compared to traditional water skiing. Over the years, we moved to whatever was new and different. From knee boarding and tubing, to slalom skiing and barefooting, then wakeboarding and surfing. It’s all been tried. We also maximized time. No matter the weather or water temperature, from March 30 to Oct. 15, we were on the water. As long as there was a rope attached to a boat and the phrase, “Hit it,” we were enjoying life on the lake.

Council tackles city vision, core values at special meeting

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

While the title of the City Council’s special meeting on Aug. 22 may have set a municipal record for word count, the context seemed to justify the long-winded label.

When the governing board sat down to the theme of “Strategic Planning: Discussion to Define Core Values, Vision, Priorities and Results,” City Administrator Mark McAvoy made it clear that the conversation would have farreaching implications.

“If we use these values to set a vision, it’s a 20-year lookout,” McAvoy said. “Our vision is based on what our values are.”

McAvoy said that while the first workshop on the multilayered subject was characterized by brainstorming – with over 300 pieces of information collected – the latest discussion would be all about “quality and consensus building.”

The stand-alone meeting outside the normal council schedule was part of an ambitious but necessary timeline to have Liberty Lake’s Strategic Plan for the next five years stamped for approval by Jan. 1, 2024.

McAvoy described the Strategic Plan as “a middle ground between the annual budget and the Comprehensive Plan,” a 20-to30-year blueprint for community growth and development.

An overview of core values led off the conversation. McAvoy noted that the eight values have already been established with the city seeking feedback from residents about the list through a community survey. Nearly 600 responses were received. The existing core values are: Quality of Life, Integrity,

Financial Sustainability, FamilyCentered Activities, Community Investment, Civic Pride, Environmental Sustainability and Partnership.

A focus group – comprised of graduates of the inaugural City Academy and chairs of the city’s boards and commissions – also provided input.

Citizens chimed in with their top five values that included Inclusivity, Transparency, Safety, Education Responsible Growth and Education. Community, Honesty and Accountability rounded out residents’ top eight.

“Our task tonight is to take all of that data and either use it or not to determine if this is what the community stands for,” McAvoy said. “What it comes down to is the council needs be comfortable in saying, ‘When we govern, this is how we do it.’”

Quality of life led off the conversation.

“Quality of life characterizes a lot of difference aspects,” said Council Member Dan Dunne.

“I think it’s inclusive of other values like safety and education the community believes is important,” said Council Member Tom Sahlberg.

Several around the dais noted that the value of family centered activities should be altered to be more inclusive. “Communitycentered activities” earned approval as a placeholder.

The values of Community Investment, Civic Pride and Environmental Sustainability were retained. Council Member Jed Spencer suggested that Patriotism be considered – with the community prioritizing features like the Hometown Heroes street banners, Fallen Heroes Circuit Course and Rotary Memorial Day Breakfast – although fellow council members decided that Civic Pride encompassed the theme.

The value of Partnership earned the fewest voted of the existing values. Mayor Cris Kaminskas said all residents may not be aware of all the collaborative efforts the city makes with entities like the Central Valley School District, GSI, the Spokane Valley

Fire Department and others.

After some consideration of adding Collaboration to Partnership, council opted to stand pat with the original value.

McAvoy carted out the city’s vision statement in the second hour of the workshop. Survey respondents were invited to recommend principles they would include in the statement, established in 2001, the year Liberty Lake incorporated:

“The Liberty Lake community will maintain an environment that preserves and enhances natural surrounding through the harmony of planned architectural design and green space. Our community will achieve its quality of life by creating a safe, friendly environment in which community involvement promotes recreational opportunities and civic pride. Liberty Lake encourages and supports leading edge technology and a progressive business environment which ensures a diverse, prosperous and financially secure community.”

The public survey determined that Quality of Life, Harmony Between Nature and Growth and Economic Vitality rank highest in importance in the vision statement. Promote Inclusion earned the fourth highest vote count among 14 other values that garnered at least four votes.

A focus group met on July 13 and 20 to mull over the survey data and provide recommendations to council. The group focused on two questions: In light of the survey data, what opportunities do you see to make changes to the core principles that will guide Liberty Lake over the next 20 years? The group was also asked to consider four to five principles that council should incorporate into a new vision statement.

A half-dozen themes earned strong consensus from the group: Economic Vitality, Inclusivity and Accessibility, Growth Management, Preservation of Green Space and Infrastructure, Lifelong Learning and Culture and Public Safety.

A review of top priorities from the survey and focus group wound down the discussion.

The survey pointed to Public Safety, Planning and Growth Management, Revenues and Financial Management, Amenities and Sense of Place as its leading four.

The list generated by the focus group was similar: Public Safety, Responsible Growth Management, Business Vitality and Enrich Communities. McAvoy told council that there needs to be a tracking of results related to each priority.

“We should be able to say if we prioritize public safety, for example, what should we expect to see more or less of,” McAvoy said.

Kaminskas said one goal in this arena would be increasing the number of officers per 1,000 residents. Sahlberg, a former police officer, said that public safety objectives should be related to the continued growth of the city.

Sahlberg added that results have already emerged related to public safety with the success of the City Academy as well as resident participation in programs like Neighborhood Watch and SCOPE.

When it comes to accessibility, improved walkability was mentioned as well as a reduction in pedestrian/vehicle incidents. Sahlberg said improved availability and affordability of housing should also be included in this category.

Finance Director Kyle Dixon said the priority of effective government could be evaluated by an appropriate financial reserve. Other thoughts included reducing debt, responsiveness to citizen engagement, increased transparency, strategic revenue approaches to address city services and no audit findings.

“There’s a lot of information to consider,” said Dunne told McAvoy toward the end of the workshop. “But I’m confident you can coalesce it for us to consider.”

McAvoy said staff would take the input and begin putting operational aspects of the Strategic Plan together. He hopes to have a draft of the document ready by the Sept. 19 council meeting.

September

New feature introduced for residents to share 2024 budget priorities

Liberty Lake’s residents have a new way to express their priorities about programs and projects they’d like to see in the city’s 2024 budget. Right now through the city’s online Community Engagement Connection resource

Annual Cops, Cars & Cruisers event Sept. 16

The Liberty Lake Police Department’s annual Cops, Cars & Cruisers event returns on Saturday, Sept. 16. This community event that benefits Special Olympics will be held at Meadowwood Technology Campus, 24001 E. Mission Ave. from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The morning’s activities will include a car show (with registration starting at 8 a.m.), musical routines from the Blazen Divaz (9:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.), and appearances by the Spokane C.O.P.S. Mounted Patrol Drill (10:30 a.m.) and the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Air Unit (at 11 a.m.).

Later events will include a tribute to first responders and the military (11:50 a.m.), a chili cookoff contest (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.), a demonstration from the Spokane Police Department K-9 group (1:45 p.m.), and awards presentations (2:30 p.m.).

Attendees and participants may join a no-host dinner at the Fieldhouse Pizza & Pub (1235 N. Liberty Lake Road) after the event, followed by a car cruise starting at the Meadowwood Technology Campus at 5:30 p.m.

Details and updates about the Sept. 16 activities are available at the Cops, Cars & Cruisers’ Facebook site.

that was launched this spring, people can join a message board to voice their thoughts about the upcoming budget.

The “2024 Liberty Lake Budget Development” message board is available through the “Connect

Pavillion Park basketball court now in the paint

Painting tipped off at the start of August for the new Hooptown U.S.A. mural at the basketball courts at Pavillion Park. Artist Danielle Davis says there have been some delays due to August’s temperatures affecting the heat of the court’s surface. Plus, there was some stoppage when the recent

with Us” link at the top of the city’s homepage at www.libertylakewa. gov.

People can use the messaging board to post their requests for services and projects they feel will best serve the city, comment on previous posts written by other residents and ask questions about the budget that city staff can respond to. The site also offers a timeline

on the key steps happening in the current budget process.

City staff began the 2024 budget process at the end of July. A public hearing with citizen input about the upcoming year’s budget will be held during the City Council meeting on Sept. 19, to be followed by another public hearing about 2024 revenue sources at the council’s Oct. 3 meeting.

nearby fires caused ash to fall onto her paint. Plans call for project to be completed by the

https://www.facebook.com/libertylakewa

end of September.

(Photo by Brian Cuda)

Introducing the Safety Awareness Channel

Suspicious Vehicles 33 Significant Cases

scam.

Splash news sources

Total incidents generated by Officers and emergency calls for service last month 622

Traffic Collisions/Hit & Runs / Injury Collisions 5

Citations (Traffic/Criminal/NonCriminal) 45

2

DUI (Driving Under Influence)

Thefts / Vehicle Prowls / Vehicle Theft / Burglaries 21

Malicious Mischief 4

Argument / Assault DV / Simple Assault / Assault w/a Weapon

2023-88003543 Criminal Impersonation/Theft via Fraud, 07/01/2023:

Officers responded to a business in the 1900 block of N Harvest Parkway for a suspicious phone call and possible missing person. An employee advised that a subject called claiming to be a lieutenant at the Liberty Lake Police Department. The employees were advised to remove money from the till and that the bills were counterfeit. One of the employees left the business and at the direction of the fraudulent caller, drove to multiple businesses

2023-88003662 Theft of a Motor Vehicle, 07/7/2023:

Officers responded to the report of a stolen motor vehicle in the 600 block of N Garry Drive. The victim advised that he was attempting to sell his vehicle. A potential buyer came to see the vehicle and took it for a test drive and never returned the vehicle. The potential buyer also gave the victim a fraudulent cashier’s check. The vehicle was located several days later by Spokane County deputies in the West Plains area of Spokane County.

2023-88003922

Assault,

The victim told officers she had been walking with a friend when a car full of juveniles drove by and she was hit with an egg thrown from the vehicle. The vehicle was seen in another area of town and another victim was located as well after being hit by an egg. Officers located the suspect vehicle and spoke with the suspects. Charges were forwarded to the Juvenile Prosecutors Office.

The Liberty Lake Police Department would like to remind everyone to remain out of the construction areas until those projects are completed and the roadways are opened. Please drive safely and remember to take your

Gold gets and upgrade as Pickleball gains momentum

By Nina Culver Splash Contributor

Liberty Lake is a gathering place for those who enjoy the outdoors, with miles and miles of trails throughout the city offering space for walkers, runners and dog walkers. But there are also plenty of opportunities for more organized activities as well, with three golf courses and multiple public parks that offer pickleball courts.

Of the three golf courses in the city, only one is owned by the city. Trailhead Golf Course, a 9-hole course located at the corner of

Liberty Lake Road and Country Vista Drive, just opened a new club house that includes a pro shop, sports simulators, meeting space and a restaurant. The new building replaces one that was small, cramped, old and had no public meeting space.

The improvements were years in the planning and came after multiple public meetings seeking input from residents about what amenities they wanted to see in the new building. Meeting space was high on the list and the new building boasts the 1,500 square foot Rotary Room that can seat 100 people. The Liberty Lake Centennial Rotary made a $50,000 donation to get the naming rights for the room, said Liberty Lake director of planning and engineering Lisa Key.

“We have monitors on all four walls for presentations,” she said.

“It’s pretty slick.”

The 7,000 square foot first floor

of the club house also includes two sports simulators that require reservations. On a recent day two men were using a simulator to play golf, thwacking the golf ball against the wall as a computer simulated where the ball would land.

“It’s not just golf,” Key said. “It’s soccer and other sports. It will be great for winter revenue.”

There’s a staff break room and an office attached to the pro shop with plenty of storage space. “It’s really quite a better setup,” Key said.

There’s an 1,375 square foot outside deck overlooking the golf course that can be accessed from the meeting room or the new restaurant. The city chose chef Adam Hegsted of the Eat Good Group to operate the restaurant, which is expected to feature pasta, sandwiches, burgers, salads and gourmet sausages made by Woods Meats.

The opening of the restaurant has been pushed back because of

equipment issues, Key said. It is now anticipated to be open in the spring. “They’ve had some delays,” she said. “That’s still on.”

The first tee of the golf course had to be reconfigured in order to accommodate the increased size of the building. “I think people are really happy with this,” Key said.

As part of the construction project, the parking lot was redone in stages. Part of the parking lot was occupied by construction trailers for several months as well, limiting parking. Still, the city heard few complaints as people eagerly awaited the improvements, Key said.

“Parking was very challenging,” she said. “Generally speaking, the patrons were very patient.”

While everything was dug up, the city also took the opportunity to replace 50-year-old water lines that were in the area. The city has been setting money aside each year since

Photo by Ben Wick Trailhead Club house officially opened on August 29th with an expanded Golf Pro shop, two state of the art golf simulator bays, and a 7,000 sq foot community meeting space named after the Liberty Lake Rotary. The catering space is still under construction with an anticipated opening in the spring of 2024.

COVER STORY

it was incorporated to bury electrical lines where it can and about $100,000 of that money was used to bury the lines on the corner where the golf course sits.

“So much clutter is gone,” Key said. “What it does to the vista here is just phenomenal.”

The public seems particularly excited about the meeting room, Key said. “People are absolutely in love with the facilities,” she said. “Meeting space is a huge part of it. There really was a dearth of meeting space in Liberty Lake.”

Those interested in playing at Trailhead can book a tee time online at www.libertylake.wa.gove/246/ golf. Play is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for juniors. Push carts are $5 and a power cart is $18 for nine holes. People also have the option to rent a set of clubs. The simulators can be rented for between $45 and $55 per hour depending on the time and day.

Across town are two 18-hole courses owned by Spokane County, MeadowWood Golf Course and Liberty Lake Golf Course, located on either side of Valleyway Avenue to the east of Molter Road.

MeadowWood is a championship course designed by Robert Muir Graves and built in 1988. There’s a practice green, practice sand bunker and an aquatic practice driving range. The Liberty Lake Golf Course was founded in 1959 and completely redesigned in a $6 million project in 2008, with the golf course reopening in 2010. It has a grass practice driving range and a practice sand bunker and chipping area.

Rates for both courses are $43 or $45 for 18 holes depending on the day and time or $29 and $31 for nine holes. It is $29 for college students and $13 for junior players. Visit www. spokanecounty.org/1210/LibertyLake or www.spokanecounty. org/1234/MeadowWood for more information.

Carol Schulz, past president and current member of the Liberty Lake 18-Hole Golf Club, usually plays both County courses each week. She’s been a member of the club for 30 years and said she first started golfing simply because everyone assumed she was a golfer because she lived in Liberty Lake. So she arranged a group lesson for herself and a few of her friends and fell in

love with the sport.

“I love to be outside,” she said. “I think I have met the nicest people in golf.”

She said the two courses both offer good golf, but have different atmospheres. At Liberty Lake people are assigned to play in random foursomes and don’t know ahead of time who they will be playing with. At MeadowWood, people generally play with the group they come with, Schulz said.

“I love the relaxed feel and people and lots of laughter,” she said of playing at MeadowWood. “It’s just easygoing. The whole focus for both of them is fun.”

She almost exclusively plays at 18-hole courses, but Schulz said she used to play at Trailhead when her grandkids were young and learning the sports. “It was a wonderful place for families, a wonderful place for new golfers,” she said.

She said she appreciates the meticulously kept greens at both County courses and enjoys playing as part of a club. “It’s wonderful to know you always have a tee time that’s available to you on a set day that works for you,” she said.

At 73, Schulz said she appreciates that golf has kept her healthy and active. “I think it keeps you going

and moving and being outside,” she said.

Anyone interested in joining the women’s golf club can contact the club through the pro shop at the Liberty Lake Golf Course.

Another popular sport in Liberty Lake is pickleball, which has been described as a combination of badminton, ping-pong and tennis. Players use paddles to volley a ball back and forth over a net and the game is almost exclusively played in teams of two.

People can play pickleball in three public parks in Liberty Lake; Orchard Park, Pavillion Park and Rocky Hill Park. A locked box of

equipment is kept at each park and people can get the key at Liberty Lake City Hall. However, pickleball player Sam Kraemer said many die-hard players bring their own equipment.

Kraemer, who works as a pastor, said his father introduced him to the game two years ago. He’d grown up playing racquetball and tennis, so it wasn’t a big leap. “I was looking for an active hobby out here in Liberty Lake,” he said.

At first he would scour the Liberty Lake Community Page on Facebook in the hopes of finding people to play pickleball with, then See LL SPORTS, Page 13

Photo By Nina Culver (Left) Pickleballer Sam Kraemer and friends catching a game at the pickleball courts in Liberty Lakes Orchard Park. Community members can also find pickleball courts at Rocky Hill Park and Pavillion Park.

LL SPORTS

Continued from page 11

started his own group. The Liberty Lake Pickleball page, which has more than 700 members, now serves as a hub for people looking to set up games.

“I’ve caught the pickleball bug,” Kraemer said.

The game can be mastered by people of all ages and simple enough that beginners can have fun, Kraemer said. “At the same time, it can be rather competitive,” he said.

It’s a game where strategy matters more than athleticism, he said. “You kind of have to be patient and strategic,” he said. “A lot of it is skill. I lose to plenty of senior citizens with knee braces all the time.”

The pickleball courts are about half the size of a tennis court and the net is several inches shorter. Kraemer said he likes to use his own net on the city courts. “The purists like myself like professional quality,” he said.

Kraemer said he’s noticed that new players are welcomed and players seem eager to teach what they know. “There’s a little bit of pickleball culture that is warm and welcoming,” he said. “It’s not just a game. It kind of becomes a social

group.”

Kraemer is part of a group that plays at Orchard Park from 5 to 7 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday so he can play before he goes to work. Other group members are regulars at other times, including in the evenings and on the weekends. One man has started a league that plays in Orchard Park every Tuesday evening.

He said he’d like to see more and better opportunities to play pickleball outdoors, including lighted courts and courts that are dedicated to pickleball so nets don’t have to be set up and removed each time. During winter and bad weather people can play at the HUB Sports Center, located on the edge of Liberty Lake, but the available playing time is during the day and isn’t accessible to people who work a traditional schedule. There have been times when Kraemer tried to play at the HUB and was turned away because it was full.

“Everybody wants more pickleball in Liberty Lake that I talk to,” he said.

Kraemer said he’s heard of some new indoor pickleball facilities being built in Spokane Valley and north Spokane. “I imagine you’ll see more indoor facilities,” he said.

Ryan Barbieri, the program director at the HUB, said pickleball has been at the facility since the beginning. “It was one of the first groups here,” he said. “It’s really popular, especially since the pandemic. It just exploded.”

Barbieri said he expects to see between 60 and 70 players a day during the winter. Open pickleball sessions are offered Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. and also from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“It became one of the sports that you could first do during the pandemic,” he said. “There was enough social distancing that people could play. Once people started playing it, they were hooked.”

Barbieri said the HUB has been able to offer occasional play sessions in the evenings, but not often. The facility is usually fully booked with other events in the evenings and on weekends. “It’s harder for us to carve out time for pickleball,” he said.

He said he sees a lot of couples and families, though single players are welcome to come and be matched with another player. Since sessions are held during the day

on weekdays, many who come are retirees, but there are a fair amount of younger people as well, he said. “It really is for every age,” he said. “We have the die-hards and we get the newer people who are trying it out.”

The HUB has all the equipment needed and clinics for beginners are held on the second Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost of the clinic is $15 and the open play sessions the other days of the week are $5.50 if booked in advance or $7 at the door.

The HUB will also host their annual Slamma Jamma Pickleball Tournament Sept. 9 and 10, with men’s and women’s doubles on Saturday and mixed doubles on Sunday. The cost is $50 per player, plus $5 per event. More information is available at www. hubsportscenter.org.

Barbieri said the tournament attracts players from around the region, including Idaho and Montana. Last year was the first time the tournament was offered since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Last year was really light,” Barbieri said. “We’ll see how this year turns out.”

Photo by Nina Culver Included in the Trailhead Club house rennovation was the establishment of two state of the art golf simulators next to the expanded Golf Pro Shop.

File Photo

While not owned by the City of Liberty Lake, MeadowWood Golf Course is still a popular destination amongst golf enthusiasts in Liberty Lake.

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Student of the Month Citizen of the Month

Nick Goode has been better than good at Ridgeline High School. The incoming senior maintains a 4.0 grade point average and will serve as ASB president. He is vicepresident of the RHS National Honor Society chapter and volunteers with Link Crew, a program that supports and mentors freshmen students. A native of Liberty Lake, Goode is a founding member of the Ridgeline Green Team, a group focused on environmental awareness which has established a community garden, volunteered for Second Harvest Food Bank and offered “safe places” for students in the form of hikes and other activities. Goode has participated in cross country and track since his freshman year at Central Valley. He holds personal records of 4:54 in the 1,600 meters and 2:06 in the 800. Goode has also been part of the troupe at Liberty Lake Community Theatre.

Athlete of the Month

Sofia Morales earned All Greater Spokane League fastpitch softball first team honors as a junior for Central Valley this spring. Playing third base for the Bears, Morales hit .529, had an on-base percentage of .636, hit seven doubles and had 26 runs batted in. She struck out only once in 51 at-bats. “My sophomore year, I struck out a lot,” Morales said. “It was my goal to get better.” The Greenacres resident has earned six varsity letters between slowpitch and fastpitch and was named First Team All GSL last fall in slowpitch. In fastpitch, she was honorable mention as a freshman and second team as a sophomore. Morales is part of the Spokane Diamonds, a fastpitch club team. “Sofia is clutch and consistent,” said CV Head Coach Joe Stanton. Morales volunteers for Bears Support Bears, a program to promotes school involvement.

Gary and Patty Moreno shine a light of hope at Legacy Church in Liberty Lake. The couple serve as co-pastors of the church established in October 2017 in Liberty Lake. It has called the building on East Mission Avenue home since January 2018. With a mission of “Rewriting futures for generations to come,” the church focuses on “meeting people where, they’re at,” says Patty. “Sometimes life can really stink but that doesn’t mean it can’t change or there’s not hope. We want to be agents of change. Jesus died to give us hearts that are whole.” Legacy Church offers an array of programs, including two Gathering Times each Sunday, Wednesday Evening Prayer, Legacy Kids, Legacy YTH and more. The church hosts a 3-on-3 basketball tournament each June. Gary and Patty are proud parents of four grown kids and have seven grandchildren.

with Faith Based Values

Ridgeline High School is no longer the new kid on the block

By John McCallum Splash correspondent

Grady Emmerson always knew he wanted to be where he is now — assistant principal for athletics and activities at Central Valley School District’s Ridgeline High School.

It was an opportunity that fell into his lap after he completed his administration credentials in 2015 – 2016 and accepted a position in the district as assistant principal at Greenacres Middle School in 2016.

A graduate of Washington State University — where he also played outside linebacker for the Cougars football team from 1996 – 1999 — Emmerson began his career teaching math and assisting with coaching football at Gonzaga Prep. He held similar positions at East Valley High School, North Central High School — where he was also head football coach — and Ferris High School before arriving at Greenacres near where he lived in Spokane Valley.

“I knew I was going to get out of coaching and come into this,” Emmerson said of the administration position.

He also knew someday he would return to a high school, where he loves the atmosphere and excitement generated by students beginning to find their identity and place in the world.

“It’s where my heart is,” Emmerson added.

Starting from scratch

In 2018, CV district voters approved a capital bond to fund a new high school. Ground was broken on the $96 million, 241,000-squarefoot Ridgeline along Country Vista Drive in Liberty Lake not long

after. In 2019, Emmerson accepted a position as a planning principal for the school, working with a team of district staff and administrators to figure out “how do you start a school from the ground up.”

It was information that came readily available. The last high school built in this area was Mt. Spokane in the Mead School District in 1997e.

Emmerson said they visited schools in the area and talked extensively with other school administrators, teachers and staff to find out what worked and what didn’t work. Emmerson eventually wound up in his current position at Ridgeline in 2020 and began the process of setting up athletics and activities.

There were a number of challenges for both. Finding coaches was one.

To populate the school’s student body, Central Valley officials redrew existing school boundaries, with Ridgeline receiving students living in the city of Liberty Lake and the Greenacres portion of the city of Spokane Valley and areas to the south.

Students who were seniors in 2021 – 2022, the year Ridgeline opened, would remain at their current high school. Most of the new high school’s first-year student body of 959 — according to the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s ASB Card and Athletic Participation Data — would be composed of freshmen, sophomores and some juniors, who also had options for remaining at their current school.

As students moved over to Ridgeline, the district also moved over teachers. Emmerson said he

reviewed the credentials of those staff members to see who had coaching experience and asked them if they were willing to step into that role.

“I’m a big believer of having coaches in the building,” Emmerson said. “As people moved over, we started plugging those coaching holes.”

Sports where teachers were not available to coach were staffed by “community coaches,” experienced, non-teaching coaches.

Emmerson was also tasked with ordering equipment for “every sport you can think of.” Some of his sports knowledge helped facilitate this, and he coordinated ordering the proper equipment with the coaches who had been selected to lead their programs. If no coach had been picked yet, Emmerson talked with athletic directors at other schools to ascertain what was needed.

The process of coaches and equipment included dealing with the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to “thousands of Zoom interviews” with coach candidates and equipment suppliers as well as equipment shipping delays.

“It wasn’t frustrating because in the end this is what we’ve got to do (to start the sports program),” Emmerson said. “All of these kind of things added to the stamp of who we are as a school.”

A season of firsts

Like any new school, 2021 – 2022 was a season of firsts for students and staff at Ridgeline. First games, first wins, first drama productions, Homecoming dance, band concert — all of these marked milestones in the school’s young history.

But before all these could take place, there were other firsts Emmerson needed to address. Those involved setting up the systems needed to support these firsts such as establishing processes and recruiting personnel — experienced and newcomers — to take tickets at events, run concessions, announcing,

Photo by John McCallum Ridgeline High School Assistant Principal for Athletics and Activities Grady Emmerson helped put together the Falcons’ athletics and activities programs basically from scratch. See FALCONS, Page 26

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About and for Liberty Lake seniors

Senior Class – CV grads from 1958 gather for 65th reunion

By Craig Howard Splash Contributing Editor

The world was a different place in 1958 – just ask graduates of Central Valley High School who earned their diplomas 65 years ago.

The U.S. launched its inaugural satellite that year while the first stereo recordings became available. Many were listening to songs like “At the Hop” by Danny and The Juniors, which topped the charts that January.

The average cost of an American home was $12,750 while a gallon of gas ran 31 cents. “The Donna Reed Show” was popular on black-andwhite televisions across the country while moviegoers flocked to films like “South Pacific.”

“It was a simpler time,” said Karen Toreson, one of 174 students in CV’s Class of 1958.

The seniors who called CV home for the 1957-58 school year attended a school that was only in its second year on Sullivan Road. Many had started as Bears when campus was much farther to the east at the current site of Greenacres Middle School.

Since 1968, Toreson, her husband Skip and other members of the Class of ’58 have been gathering for regular reunions every five years. The events and venues have varied over the years, from boat trips to snow ski getaways to picnics and dances.

The latest gathering took place on July 22-23 with a dinner and brunch at Darcy’s in Spokane Valley. The theme? “Bears Need to Come Out of Hibernation.”

“The last two have been more settled,” Skip said.

Karen was part of a three-person planning committee for this year’s festivities along with Nancy James and Barbara Schanz. A total of 26 alumni attended, accompanied by 13 guests. There have been 71 members of the class who have passed away over the years.

“My favorite part is just remembering and being brought up to date on families,” said Karen, who lives in Liberty Lake. “There’s a lot of reminiscing. It’s good to be there and support your friends.”

The layout at Darcy’s included class pictures, annuals, memorabilia, vintage football programs and other conversation pieces. As part of the event, a directory of alumni was also complied. Those unable to attend inperson were mailed a directory.

“We had a classmate who lives in New York say she had so much fun looking through the directory and trying to figure out who was who,” Karen aid.

Jim Custer was the school photographer in 1958 and played football until he broke his wrist on

a trampoline. He would go on to become an elite trampolinist, topnotch ice skater and a member of the renowned Ice Capades troupe for six years. After graduating from CV, Custer was part of active duty with U.S. Coast Guard which he joined as a reserve at the beginning of his senior year.

For Custer, the reunions are an opportunity to relish shared memories and savor enduring friendships.

“We get a chance to reflect on our growing up years and the camaraderie we had back then,” he said. “Things have changed but we haven’t changed. We still have the same morals.”

Custer – a name familiar to many for his background as a maestro of large-scale antique and home and yard shows – says the music of the era was defined by bands like the Platters, Drifters and Four Seasons.

“It was music you could actually understand,” he said.

Custer is part of a group of ’58 grads who live in the area and get

together once a month for lunch. Custer and three of his former classmates -- Lloyd Herman, Ron Meyers and Doug Flegel – all started first grade together at Vera Elementary.

“Isn’t it very unique that we’re all still in the Valley?” Custer said.

A trio of grade schools – Vera, Opportunity and Greenacres – fed into Central Valley Junior High back then, where students attended from seventh through ninth grade. Incoming CVHS students began as sophomores.

Some alumni from 65 years ago have attended every reunion. One of CV’s most beloved teachers, Les Smith, attended the last gathering in 2018. Peter Gladhart, who was in a band with Skip Toreson, served in the Peace Corps and earned his PhD from Cornell, made his way up from the Willamette Valley in Oregon in July to be part of his first reunion.

From medical challenges to the passing of spouses and other family members, the homecomings provide a welcome cushion for old friends often facing similar adversity.

“There have been ups and downs for all of us,” said Skip. “It makes you feel better when you can share what you’re going through and

Contributed photo Members of Central Valley’s Class of 1958 convened in Spokane Valley for their 65th anniversary in late July. A total of 26 CV grads attended the two-day gathering. The distinguished Bears have been gathering since their 10th reunion in 1968.

FALCONS

Continued from page 20

scorekeeping and other behind the scenes activities.

There were also new systems installed at the school such as moveable bleachers in the main gym, a public address system, scoreboards and game clocks that needed to be learned and personnel trained who knew how to operate the systems. Emmerson said he met with custodial crews to put in place systems for pre-event set up and post-event tear down and cleanup, making sure these vital employees also knew how to operate systems and what the event involved.

And it was a matter of time before the Ridgeline sports teams established their own firsts. The Falcons’ girls soccer team earned the school’s first victory with a 5-3 nonleague win over Clarkston in their season-opener on Sept. 7. That was soon followed with wins by the volleyball and slow-pitch softball teams, with the football team defeating Cheney on Oct. 8 to earn its first win.

Emmerson said Ridgeline athletics has grown each season, culminating this past spring with all nine of the teams reaching some level of postseason competition. That’s likely been buoyed by a strong sports participation from among the students.

According to the Athletic Participation Data, of the 959 students that first year, 452 — just over 47% — participated in at least one sport that school year. In 2022 –2023, that jumped to 55.55% (740 of 1,332 total students).

By comparison, Central Valley High School had 33.87% (522 of 1,541) students participating in at least one sport in 2021 – 2022 and 38.92% (541 of 1,390) in 2022 – 2023. University High School posted

32.60% (523 of 1,604) and 49.62% (652 o 1,314) in those two school years respectively.

Establishing tradition

One of the biggest elements of the high school experience are traditions. Rivalries between schools — whether built on geography, size or other factors — play a big part in these traditions, setting up such annual basketball contests as the Rubber Chicken Game between Ferris and Lewis and Clark and the Stinky Sneaker Game between Central Valley and University.

Emmerson said as the new kid on the block, Ridgeline didn’t have those big games yet.

“You can’t force a rivalry, in my opinion,” he added. “Everything was new to us.”

But those rivalry games help create school spirit through week-

long events leading up to the big game. Until rivalries develop, Emmerson and Ridgeline staff wanted to set something up unique to the school to help build tradition and community.

They did some brainstorming and hit upon the month of March. March is associated with green, the green of the coming spring, the green of St. Patrick’s Day.

And green and white are the colors of Ridgeline High School.

“We sat down and asked, ‘How do we own the month of March?’” Emmerson said. “We came up with “Verde Loco.”

Verde Loco is “crazy green” in Spanish. Emmerson said they based activities traditionally associated with rivalry games along this theme — with classes and student groups going about decorating hallways,

engaging in different competitions. There is also a Powder Puff football game, a dance, and an outreach to local businesses to help support the event through “Shop Loco,” with participating businesses offering specials in celebration of the school’s event.

“All of these things that happen in conjunction with games at larger arenas, we owned in house,” Emmerson said. “Communities love to support schools, and schools want to be part of communities.”

All of these efforts, from getting the right equipment and coaches to Verde Green have led to Ridgeline developing what Emmerson described as an “old school feel to it.” Successes include the school’s first graduating class this past spring, a band program that is taking off, Unified Sports teams reaching state competition along with a 3A classification state champion Knowledge Bowl team.

Emmerson said they are also starting to see people with no children in school coming to games and activities, making the school a centerpiece for the local community.

“There is an identity for who we are,” he said. “We’re all grown up. We’re a real school. If it’s happening at other schools, it’s happening at Ridgeline.”

Photo by John McCallum Trophy cases at Ridgeline High School reflect the two-year-old school’s sports firsts, such as first wins for various programs.

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Versalia Pizza

By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

Nestled in the picturesque town of Liberty Lake lies a culinary haven that has captured the hearts and taste buds of both locals and visitors alike. Versalia Pizza is an unassuming gem that has become a beloved cornerstone of the community. With its mouthwatering pizzas, warm ambiance, and dedication to quality, this eatery has etched its place in the hearts of Liberty Lake residents as a go-to destination for satisfying cravings and creating lasting memories.

Before delving into the delectable offerings that make this pizza place truly exceptional, it's important to understand its roots. The establishment's journey began with a simple dream: to craft pizzas that go beyond the ordinary. What started as a humble food cart venture at the Liberty Lake Farmers Market has blossomed into a culinary destination boasting a passionate following.

Seth Carey embarked on this journey without knowing the destination. He knew he wanted to create pizzas that were not just sustenance but a form of artistry. From hand-tossed dough that achieves the perfect balance between crispy and chewy, to a richly seasoned tomato sauce that sings with flavor, every element is carefully curated to create a symphony of taste in every bite. But it's not just the base – it's the toppings that truly make these pizzas shine.

Seth and Laura Carey worked at the seasonal Farmers Market in Liberty Lake from the wood-fired creation of their first pizza in 2009 until 2021. During that time, they

ventured into a brick-and-mortar location in Kendall Yards in 2014.

“I like the cart,” Seth shares about working the pizza cart at markets. “It’s all wood-fired. You’d start the fire in the morning or at the event, and it didn’t feel like work. It almost felt like you were camping! The wood smoke and all that! It made it very enjoyable for me.”

The Kendall Yards location grew and flourished while showcasing local ingredients whenever possible. Produce and meats are proudly sourced from nearby farms and markets, resulting in an array of toppings that burst with freshness and authenticity, ranging from classic pepperoni to gourmet combinations that push the boundaries of flavor exploration. One unique pizza that's unlikely to be found elsewhere in the greater Spokane area is the famous Brussels and Bacon. The pizza is built on their handmade and tossed dough, spread with garlic olive oil, then topped with bacon, Brussels sprouts, Beecher’s flagship aged cheddar, their three-cheese blend, and finished with a swirl of balsamic reduction.

While the pizzas are undoubtedly the star of the show, this establishment goes the extra mile to cater to a variety of tastes. The menu features an assortment of salads made with farm-fresh ingredients, along with mouthwatering appetizers that perfectly complement the main event. From Rosemary Focaccia to artisanal breadsticks, every dish is designed to elevate the dining experience.

Beyond its culinary prowess, what truly sets this pizza place apart is its inviting atmosphere. One of the most remarkable aspects of this Liberty Lake pizza haven is its role as a community gathering spot. It isn’t just a place to eat; it's a space

Paid for by Mike Behary 4 Liberty • 2257 N Wolfe Penn Street, Liberty Lake, WA 99019

where people come together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. From little league teams celebrating after a victory to friends reconnecting, the restaurant's walls have witnessed countless memories being made.

Versalia offers pizza connoisseurs a chance to become regulars by joining the Mug Club. The Mug Club is a yearly subscription that allows members to enjoy a mug of ice-cold beer on tap while savoring the delicious pizza. There are only 52 mugs available in the Mug Club, all of which hang on the wall behind the taps. There are 8 rotating beers on tap at any given time.

“We sold out within a week last year,” General Manager Dominic Welch explains about the Mug Club. “It’s $75 for the year, and you get a 24-ounce pour for the price of a 16-ounce pour, a free pizza every 10 mug fills, 25% off our merchandise, and then, as part of our year-end party, which we hold for the Mug Club members.”

The Liberty Lake Versalia will welcome back its fall Chess Club on Wednesday evenings from 7 pm to 9 pm. Happy Hour specials will be offered during the Chess Club to help players maintain their mental endurance.

With a commitment to crafting exceptional pizzas using locally sourced ingredients, creating an inviting atmosphere, and fostering connections, this hidden gem has truly carved its niche in the hearts of all who have had the pleasure of dining there. So, the next time you find yourself in the vicinity, be sure to embark on a culinary journey that promises not just a meal, but an experience that captures the essence of Liberty Lake's warmth and hospitality.

Versalia is located at 20760 E. Indiana Liberty Lake and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am to 9pm. For more information visit their website at versaliapizza. com, or follow them on social media with the handle Versaliapizza.

Photo by Ashley Humbird

Seated from left to right are Dominic Welch, General Manager of Versalia Pizza in Liberty Lake, and Laura Carey, the Owner. Standing at the back is Seth Carey, Laura's husband and business partner. Seth and Laura jointly established the Liberty Lake Versalia Pizza branch in January 2022.

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OPINION

Completion of the overpass which brings our community together is a fitting reminder of Lud Kramer’s contribution to our City.

Lud knew the advantages that City incorporation would bring to our citizens. It allowed us to harness current taxpayer funds, create new funding resources and leverage other funds available from State government for our growing list of city projects.

Lud was a good mentor in educating me on the way government works locally and at the Legislature in Olympia. One must focus on City goals, develop a clear plan to achieve them by creating a picture.

In 2005, we began working with Senator Lisa Brown and Representative Kelly Linville to create the LIFT program to help fund infrastructure (like the overpass) by getting a share of State Sales Tax that was developing in the River District. Establishing a TIF with the County, Fire District, Library District and the City Property Tax Increment in the River District provided another matching revenue.

EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ben Wick

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CONTRIBUTORS

Craig Howard, Nina Culver, Ashley Humbird, Ross Schneidmiller, John McCallum

The Liberty Lake Splash P.O. Box 363 Liberty Lake, WA 99019

Phone: 242-7752 www.libertylakesplash.com

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In 2012, the City was focused on our growing transportation needs. My plan was to improve access to I-90 with state help. Our overpass became a project identified in the Connect Washington 2015 transportation plan to be built and funded in 2030-2032. Senator Mike Padden provided guidance to work the leadership. Senator Curtiss King and Senator Steve Hobbs as Chairs for their Transportation Committee and Representatives Jake Fey and Judy Clibburn Chairs in the House Transportation Committee were gracious with their help. My connections to Representative Marcus Ricelli and Majority Leader Patrick Sullivan and others helped carry our story. Two other community champions Chief Bryan Collins from Spokane Valley Fire and Superintendent Ben Small at Central Valley School District were absolutely essential. Their message on the urgency for safe travel within our community guaranteed a win. At the end of the legislative session, WSDOT’s Mike Gribner and Keith Metcalf tremendous support assured the project dollars were awarded in 2019 (A full decade ahead schedule).

Finally, Centennial Properties gave us favorable terms for the right -of -way acquisition which is how the bridge found a home where it stands today.

Of note: This thank you message was produced by The Splash’s advertising team, which works its tail off on behalf of partner businesses, helping them share their messages through advertisements. This is an independent function from The Splash’s editorial team, which has its own evaluation process to determine the community news stories and features it pursues. For more information about a win-win partnership that expertly markets your business to thousands of readers (while making this home-grown community newspaper possible), email advertise@libertylakesplash.com. With story ideas, contact editor@libertylakesplash.com.

It took over 20 plus years of work to get the Kramer Overpass! My sincere thanks to all who made that a reality along the way. Now let us celebrate and enjoy the ribbon cutting! I know Lud would be smiling!

Respectfully, Former Mayor Steve Peterson

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Central Valley Staffing update

By Nina Culver Splash Contributor

Student numbers are being checked daily in the Central Valley School District as administrators work to determine the number of teachers the district will need on the first day of school. Any teachers that might be added will come from the list of 58 teachers who did not have their contracts renewed last spring.

Districts work off of estimates as to whether their student enrollment will rise or fall each year. “We started this in January,” said Tim Nootenboom, associate superintendent of human resources.

Based on projected student enrollment and the loss of one-time federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) dollars meant to help districts during the pandemic, the district knew it had to cut 96 certificated staff members. By law, districts had to notify teachers by May 15 if their contracts will not be renewed, well before the district passed its $232 million general fund budget in July.

After retirements and resignations were taken into account, 58 teachers were given letters of non-renewal.

Superintendent John Parker said it was the decision of the previous superintendent to use the one-time ESSER funding to pay for additional staff, knowing that the funding would not be renewed, and that he wasn’t going to second guess that decision. “We were trying to put money where the greatest needs were,” Parker said.

Generally speaking, districts try to avoid using one-time funding to pay for ongoing costs, he said. “I’m unclear if there was an exit ramp,” he said.

“We invested a lot of that in staff,” said district spokeswoman Marla Nunberg of the ESSER funding. “It was not sustainable.”

Salaries account for 88 percent of the district’s general fund budget, leaving few other areas to

ON THAT NOTE

cut funding in order to balance the budget.

In addition, the district appears to be growing more slowly than anticipated. Early estimates were that enrollment this fall would be up 400 students from last year, but now that number looks like it will be up around 175 students instead, Parker said. “It was a decrease from what we anticipated,” he said. “We are trying to do the best we can at estimating with this rapid growth we’ve been having.”

Over the summer there have been additional teacher resignations, allowing the district to call back eight teachers who were laid off. More can be called back if the number of students showing up for the first day of school is greater than anticipated, but the district is proceeding cautiously, Nootenboom said.

Emails have been sent out to parents seeking to confirm whether students will be attending Central Valley schools. “We do daily enrollment counts,” he said. “We’re not going to overcommit early.”

Parker said the district has put the laid off teachers on a list giving them priority for hiring for any vacant or new positions that might be added through August 2025. “We met with all of our individuals we had to non-renew,” he said. “We tried to keep some on as core substitutes, where they are guaranteed to substitute daily.”

Parker said about 20 of those teachers have been made core substitutes and a few have been given long-term substitute positions. A long-term substitute is needed if a teacher goes on a leave of absence for any reason. Even if a teacher who was laid off takes a job with another district this year, they would still be a priority rehire next year, he said. “We’re trying to piece them together with the first opportunity,” he said.

Parents did raise concerns earlier this year that if certain teachers were laid off that entire programs, such as theater or music, might go away as well. In particular, the teacher who oversaw the theater and choir programs at Ridgeline High School was slated to be laid off and parents and students flooded a school board meeting in March to express their concerns about losing

those programs.

Nunberg said that programs like theater and choir will not be lost. “All the major programs are still happening this year,” she said.

Parker said that though student enrollment might not grow as much as originally thought this year, he expects the district’s growth to continue since construction in Spokane Valley is booming. New apartment complexes, in particular, continue to be built at a rapid pace. “This is a destination place for a lot of families,” he said.

Central Valley is the state’s 27th largest school district and the goal is to be nimble enough to move and add staff as necessary as quickly as possible, Parker said. “When you have 29 schools, you really have to coordinate,” he said.

Nootenboom said it’s important for the district to maintain “right size staffing levels.” “We have a number of checks and balances in place to make sure any additions are either budgeted or have a revenue source,” he said.

Back to school with new glasses

Clarification Note

In the article “2023 Primary Candidates” printed in the July edition of The Liberty Lake Splash a candidate referenced Liberty Lake City Council discussions regarding Library policies and “banning books.”

Please note that the ordinance changes referenced were proposed and approved by a 6-1 vote of city council, but ultimately was vetoed by the mayor, specifically stated “The City Council or Mayor will not initiate any book ban. The City Council will confirm or deny any book bans by the Board of Trustees.”

Please send Letters to the Editor, feedback, correction requests and/or other correspondence to publisher@libertylakesplash.com.

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