September 8 - Meeting Date

Greeters Mandy Church and Cliff Carlson Pledge Becky Wilson - Inland Printing

Invocation Ed Ammon - Walla Walla College

Trivia Question Correct answer for Dave Harwood’s table. Congratulations!

Convention Raffle No big winners! The jackpot continues to grow!

Program Overview Walla Walla Public Schools Community Report - Rich Carter The 2003-2004 school year is off to a terrific start according to a community report from Superintendent Rich Carter. Carter said enrollment numbers are up slightly from last year as the district continues to recover from three years of enrollment slips during the late 1990s. Carter praised teachers, administrators, parents and students for what he called a ‘banner year’ for 2003 achievement scores from the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) state tests. He reported significant gains in 4th and 7th grades with 10th grade students holding the line on their scores. Carter voiced concern regarding new federal legislation known as the “No Child Left Behind Act.” This legislation calls for 100 percent of students to reach strict achievement targets in math and reading by 2014. Walla Walla Public Schools and other districts throughout the nation face punitive measures if test score targets are not met. Special education and second language students’ scores throughout the state are currently lagging far behind these federal targets. Carter praised the school board for mandating the district to maintain a 3 to 5 percent cash reserve. He said this “funding cushion” has helped the district weather tough economic times. This school year Walla Walla Public Schools was forced to absorb more than an $800,000 loss in state funding. Carter said if this funding trend continues, tough decisions will have to be made regarding class size and program options. He reminded the Exchange Club members the district will propose a replacement Maintenance and Operations levy this winter and said the district is planning for a multiple projects bond issue in 2005.

Member Spotlight Janis Barton Place of work: Walla Walla Public Schools Years in club: 1.5 Birth place: Walla Walla, WA High school: Walla Walla High School Favorite food: Thai, Chinese Favorite movie: Action/Drama Favorite music: Norah Jones; Jazz; Country Favorite book: Tuck Everlasting (from childhood) Hobbies: Roses gardening, snowshoeing, mountain biking

Most memorable life experience: Traveling in Europe, France, Spain and Southeast Asia: Thailand

Tell us something about yourself that nobody else would know: I’ve been a dance, drill and cheer advisor in the Tri-Cities.

Thanks Fair Volunteers Many thanks to the dedicated club members who spent part of their Labor Day weekend volunteering in the Exchange Club booth at the Walla Walla Fair. Ed George organized the fair booth and deserves to be recognized for his efforts. Ed reported the club brought in $1,500 less this year. He said the club will consider raising prices slightly for next year. Bowling League The annual bowling league starts next week and more bowlers are needed. Contact Dan Snider at 525-7160 for more information. Membership Dues Board members met last week to update the policy on membership dues. Members will be dropped from the club if they are one year behind on dues. Please pay dues in a timely manner.

Meeting Location Exchange Club of Walla Walla meetings will continue to be held at the Elks Club. Future Programs Transportation Department • Sept. 15 Washington State Department of Transportation representative Don Whitehouse will report on how funds from the increased gas tax will be used in Walla Walla County.