New Wilsonville elementary school location moved - will open Fall of 2012

By Kimberly Nelson Jacobsen

March 05, 2010, 9:17AM

Due to the economic downturn and slower than expected build-out at Villebois, the City of Wilsonville and the West Linn-Wilsonville School District have agreed to relocate the Tooze Road school site and swap land between the site and the District's Advance Road property.

The city is in the process of purchasing 10-acres on the east side of Villebois for the District to oversee construction of an elementary school. This will replace the Tooze Road site. School construction is expected to begin in early 2011, with the new school opening for students in the fall of 2012.

The new school will help relieve overcrowding at other schools in the area, while supporting Villebois, which is attracting more families with children than originally predicted.

"The city supports the District in its efforts to provide the best school facilities possible for Wilsonville students and their families," said Mayor Tim Knapp. "In addition, we feel that construction of a neighborhood elementary school that is more centrally located will encourage the development of new housing in Villebois."

In 2006, the city obtained the 10-acre site along Tooze Road for school and park development. However, slower than projected construction at Villebois means infrastructure improvements will not be available to serve this site for several more years. The Tooze Road property remains a valuable asset and could be sold for housing development when there is sufficient market demand.

The School District owns a 40-acre site on Advance Road that is currently undergoing concept planning to identify 10 acres for future city sports fields. The mid-to-long-range plan for the remaining 30 acres will be development of a middle school and a primary school.

"This is yet another example of the great partnership between the city and District," district superintendent Roger Woehl said. "The District appreciates the difficult situation the economy has created for all and the "can do" energy of the city leadership and staff in solving the school siting plan."



ACUPUNCTURIST D.A. Wiley Age: 53 Occupation: Licensed acupuncturist Birthplace: Tampa, Fla.; moved to Oregon from Boulder, Colo., in June 2001 to attend the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine Home: Northeast Portland Family: Lives with her partner "For a pregnancy, you watch how they walk in. Is she looking really tired? What's her physical strength like? What's her stamina like? I'm looking to see where the work needs to be done. With Kemi (McLaren), she was overdue and was motivated. She had done some research online and she saw that acupuncture can really help stimulate labor. "It's the people who make Oregon feel like home. They're more outdoorsy, more healthy. People are motivated to be in a healthy place. There are farmers markets everywhere. People have chickens in their yards. It's just a very healthy environment. I didn't feel that same connection in Colorado."

PARENTS
Kemi McLaren
Age: 33
Occupation: Second-grade teacher in the West Linn-Wilsonville School District
Birthplace: West Hollywood, Calif.; she moved to Oregon in May 2003.
Home: Tigard

"I don't think I expected to feel so excited to share Malia with everyone as I have been since she's been born. I'm not sure I thought I'd be this excited to be a mom. She makes me mushy, and I'm not like that. I never thought I'd love something so much this quick.

I thought I'd be eagerly anticipating the completion of this stage so that we can get to the stage where she is more active and less dependent on me, but it's completely opposite --I don't want her to get another day older. I can't believe how alert she is already, and I don't want her to grow up yet.

I almost feel like we are starting our life now. We are planning on finally taking advantage of all there is to do here in Oregon. We talked so many times about the ability to take Malia surfing and skiing in the same day.

I can't wait to take her to the Tulip Festival, to Washington Park, the zoo --everything. Our biggest hope is that she learns to appreciate all that Oregon has to offer."

Steve McLaren
Age: 34
Occupation: Firefighter with the Portland Fire Bureau
Birthplace: Detroit, Mich.; he moved to Oregon in November 2002.
Home: Tigard
"When she first came, I just totally lost it. I was put in this emotional place that I never expected to be in. You range from excited to scared to worried to thanking God for this moment.

Already, I'm thinking about how I want to take her to the coast, to the trails in the gorge, to go snowboarding with her. How many times will she be in and out of the room we set up for her?

How many times will she slam the door and say she hates us? I'm sure she'll be mad at me for not letting her wear some short skirt. Things like that go through your mind, and then you just want to soak in the moment of her being born, of her coming home, of us being that family of three.

I look at her and I look at Kemi and think: 'These are the two most beautiful women in Oregon. I can't believe that I get to be husband and father to these two. I get to be attached to them the rest of their lives.' "

The jury has reached a verdict in the trial of a Victor High School teacher accused of sexually abusing a then 16 year old girl.

Jurors found Bartlett not guilty on the first count of forcible touching, guilty of the second count of forcible touching, not guilty of the third count of sexual abuse and guilty of the fourth count of endangering the welfare of a child.

“We all know Ron’s innocent and we’re good and we’re going to move on. We’re a strong family," said his wife Johanna Bartlett. "You’ve seen all the support we’ve had. Tomorrow’s a new day. We’ll just start all over again.”

Sentencing will be June 2 at 10am at the Ontario County Courthouse. Bartlett could face anywhere from probation to one year in prison.

During the trial, Bartlett admitted to touching the thigh of this accuser, an art student at Victor High, but he said the touch was only a reflex.

The accuser, now 17, testified Tuesday that Bartlett made her uncomfortable with the touching, but that she didn't report it right away because she thought he needed to seek help.

Bartlett also testified in his own defense this week.

In closing arguments Thursday afternoon, prosecutor James Ritts said, "It's not that he touched that makes him guilty; It's why."

He said the touches that the victim alleges occurred prior to May 29 weren't reported because they weren't sexual in nature - this time it was.

Ritts said given nearly 10 months to think about it, he contrived his story for jurors. But given the same amount of time as the victim, he never once denied it. He instead said, "I went insane. I don't know how or why. I hate me so much right now. It's something I never thought I'd be capable of doing. It's really bad, it's like fired bad. Hate me forever bad."

Ritts said if Bartlett just touched her on her thigh and sent her to class, would he react like that?

"Ron Bartlett is not a bad man; he just made a bad choice. His actions were inappropriate, criminal and sexual" said Ritts.

The last witness to take the stand before the defense rested was accused art teacher Ronald Bartlett himself.

After the verdict, Ritts said, “I’m relieved he was convicted. My feeling is we have a victim that came forward, did the right thing for the right reasons and she’s been vindicated. I’m relieved.”

His defense attorney also made a statement after the verdict was read.

“I appreciate the jury’s time. They worked hard. It’s obvious from the last couple of days they’ve watched this case very closely," said Defense Attorney Scott Green. "They listened very closely and I respectfully disagree with their decision, but that’s why we have a jury system.”

The Victor Central School District released this statement: "Due to the nature of his conviction, under New York State Education Law, Mr. Bartlett's certification to teach will be automatically revoked
by the State Education Department and his employment with the district will terminate."

Summations Begin

During his summations, Defense Attorney Scott Green asked jurors to consider the alleged victim's credibility. He told them to "Consider what you saw and heard, the confusion, inconsistencies and length of time she took to answer."

He pointed to the inaccurate dates she gave of when the alleged incidents occurred, and to differences between her grand jury and trial testimony.

Count 1- Forcible touching, stemming from April 2, 2009. The accuser says Bartlett put his hand on her hand and on her waist in the darkroom. Defense says victim "embellished" when she said that Bartlett was aroused and pressed against her.

He says that's what the charge stems from, and it didn't happen. He told jurors if they don't believe that, they can disregard her testimony altogether.

Green said if the student violated the way she claims she was violated in the darkroom, wouldn't she have said something to a friend or her grandmother when she picked her up that day? He said she didn't, which doesn't make sense. Green said that means she's not credible.

Green also said the way the victim described how Bartlett was crouched down behind her in the gallery and allegedly touched her is not physically possible. He said that is reasonable doubt.

In his summation, prosecutor Ritts said, "His behavior denies logic, reason and common sense."

Ritts said Bartlett touched the alleged victim for his own gratification. He says he violated her trust. He said common sense dictates that if the scenario was overblown Bartlett would have said that from the beginning, and every time, but he never did.

Instead, he said, Bartlett hung his head, looked at his feet and talked around questions. Telling administrators, "It never happened in the past and will never happen in the future."

Ritts said, "Their stories are diametrically opposed," and "The life experience of a 17-year-old is far different from that of a 50-year old, and you have to consider that."

Wednesday's Testimony

Bartlett testified that he was alone in the darkroom and in the art gallery with the student on several occasions. He said he was "mortified" after he touched her in the gallery. He said the reason he touched her on the thigh was to signal her to go to class.

The prosecutor pointed out that Bartlett was able to read the girl's statement to police, and notes taken during the interview prior to testifying. Bartlett told the student his wife had had an affair. The girl says Bartlett told her this was the first time he had told anyone about it - a statement Bartlett denied making on the stand.

When questioned by his own attorney, Bartlett said he didn't touch the 16-year-old student any differently than he'd touch his own son.

The prosecution disputed this because Bartlett never said, 'you're overreacting' or 'this is no big deal' when questioned by district officials.

Bartlett admits the touch was wrong, but would not characterize it as inappropriate. He said the victim texted him two days after he was placed on leave.

Bartlett denied all statements that the victim testified to about what he said to her during a hallway conversation. He also disputed statements made on the stand by fellow teachers and the district's director of human resources.

The defense rested its case late Thursday morning. Attorneys are due back in court to give their closing arguments Thursday afternoon, after which the jury will be charged and jurors will then begin their deliberations.

Position Title: MATHEMATICS TEACHERS

Salary/Pay Scale: According to Victor Teachers Association contract

Requirements:
Possession of a valid New York State teaching certificate in Mathematics 7 - 12 is required. Candidates must document successful experience as a classroom Mathematics Teacher, and be able to demonstrate their ability to engage students in instruction.

Description:
The Victor School District has full and part time Mathematics Teacher positions available for the 2010/11 school year due to retirements at both the Junior High School and the High School levels.

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POSITION: PARKS DEPARTMENT
JOB#: 10-12

BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM WORKER Seasonal position with no opportunity for permanent employment.
CLOSES: Open until filled. SALARY: $12.35 - $12.97/hour. No benefits.
DEPARTMENT: Parks & Recreation
JOB FUNCTION: Temporary, seasonal position to assist full time staff in the Edmonds Beautification Program duties as assigned by the Parks Manager.

REQUIREMENTS: Must have the ability & interest to perform outdoor maintenance activities in all kinds of weather. Previous grounds maintenance, nursery or gardening experience desirable but not required.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Follow safety rules & procedures. • Applicant must be able to take direction, work productively & follow tasks through to completion in a timely manner. • Flower program maintenance including: planting, watering, weeding, mulching, pruning & deadheading annuals, perennials & shrubs. • Will involve care & attention to detailed work. • Work in all types of weather performing grounds keeping tasks as directed by staff. • Some early shifts involved.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: • Applicant must have a High School Diploma or equivalent and be at least 18 years of age. • Have experience in some of the above listed job duties and physical ability to perform these duties.

REQUIRED LICENSES AND OTHER EMPLOYMENT CRITERIA: • Possess & maintain a valid Washington State driver's license. A five-year driver’s abstract is required for this position, to be submitted with the application packet. Washington State driving abstracts can be obtained from the Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) or the DOL website for a nominal fee. For additional information, please see their website at www.dol.wa.gov. Applications that do not have the required driving abstract attached upon submission may be considered incomplete and may be disqualified from the application pool for this position.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to perform physical labor including: • Bending, squatting and kneeling. • Redundant and sometimes strenuous activities and duties. • Lifting heavy objects (50 lbs.). • Outdoor work in all types of weather and conditions. • Must be able to push, carry and pull. • Must be able to safely drive a City vehicle and obey all traffic laws. • Must have dexterity of hands and fingers to operate tools and equipment. • Must be able to see and hear to perform the essential functions of the job. • Requires reaching overhead and above shoulders. • Requires the ability to shovel, dig, or other physical labor. • For additional ADA information, please contact the HR Department.

HAZARDS • Noisy work areas. • Exposure to herbicides and other flower/plant chemicals and/or fumes. • Physical contact with and exposure to flowers, plants and pollen and possibly insects. • Outside temperature extremes, direct sunlight.

NOTES: Pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, all new employees must present acceptable documents verifying identity and authorization to be employed in the United States.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: A City application form is required for all city job openings. It is important that you review the application form carefully. An incomplete application form may disqualify you. Applications will be accepted for current job openings only. If you are applying for more than one job opening, a separate application form is required for each position. Applicants may attach other information such as resumes, letters of recommendation, etc., that will assist us in the review and selection process.

Applications are available from the City of Edmonds, City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave. N, Edmonds, WA 98020 (425) 775-2525 or www.ci.edmonds.wa.us. Any individual requiring ADA accommodation during any part of the selection process should advise the City of the need.