THE KENTUCKY MINE TRESTLE PROJECT was discussed at the Sierra County Board of Supervisors’ meeting November 19th. This project went out to bid with a $120,000 budget secured from a 2022 National Scenic Byways Program Grant. The lowest bid was $240,000. Bids are valid for 45 days, so Public Works Director Bryan Davey reached out to the Forest Service and contacted the Sierra County Historical Society for help. As of this meeting, the Historical Society raised $41,000 in donations, and are anticipating people will continue to donate until the December 1st deadline. They asked the Board to fund whatever they couldn’t raise. Bill Copren, who is a member of the Historical Society’s Board of Directors told the Board and audience that this is the last Stamp Mill left in the world. Supervisor Lee Adams felt they would be insane to walk away and stated the County made the commitment in the 70’s to be the guardian of the Kentucky Mine. Supervisor Lila Heuer made the motion to enter into the contract with the lowest bidder contingent on funding and direction to staff to bring back at the next meeting with a budget. The motion was approved unanimously. Davey is also talking with the Forest Service about Title II funding they may be able to acquire.
THE CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) results for 2023-2024 was reported on during the joint meeting of the Sierra County Office of Education and the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District Governing Board meeting on November 12th in Loyalton. Megan Meschery stated the CAASPP purpose is to assess knowledge in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and the English language and also to see how much students improved from the previous year. The results are used to support students over time, identify gaps in learning and data to help gather information to support student learning.The participation rate across the District for ELA was 89.5% and Math 90.5%. The State would like a 95% participation rate. ELA are for all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The results across the district show 32.97% at standard or above. State is at 47.4%. The district will be focusing on English literacy and see the greatest need in reading and writing. Over 21% were below standard in reading and over 40% were below standard in writing.Math is taken by all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The district results are 31.11% at standard or above. State is 35.54% at standard or above. Greatest needs are in the concepts and procedures and problem solving with over 30% at below standard. Science is taken by students in 5th, 8th and one year in high school. District results are 25.68% at standard or above. State is 30.70%. Greatest need is in the area of life sciences with over 50% below standard. ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) is for all students until they are redesignated out of support services. The District 38.08% at standard or above with 8 out of 21 students at a 3 and 4 level. State 3 and 4 levels were 47.41%In comparing our district to similar districts for ELA, SPJUSD is at 32.97%, Plumas Unified is 37.58% and Fort Sage (Herlong area) is 19.17%. Math: SPJUSD is 31.11%, Plumas Unified is 24% and Fort Sage is 15.7%. Science: SPJUSD is 25.68%, Plumas Unified is 22.88%, and Fort Sage 18.76%.Next steps to address challenges will be to work hard in literacy. All schools are using Step Up To Writing curriculum and working on districtwide literacy improvement. The District needs to adopt new math curriculum. They will continue to analyze absenteeism data to determine its impact on academic achievement and increase communication to parents to have 95% participation. The District will also focus on school-wide strategies to lift tier 1 instruction and literacy.
A BOMB THREAT was found to be non-credible after an email was sent to the Sierra County Clerk Recorder’s Office threatening the Courthouse following the election. The FBI had previously issued a warning about a blanket hoax being distributed, which is what this was, according to Sheriff Mike Fisher.
LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL voted approval to collect a 12.5% Transient Occupancy Tax at its regular meeting November 19th, starting in January. That is the same amount Sierra County charges. Council member Sue McIlravy found Ordinance No. 369 was already established but it will need to be modified to reflect the new rate and to add Airbnb terminology. The tax is to be paid directly to the Clerk of the City of Loyalton. Penalties and interest will be added if the City is not paid. The motion was made by Bill Mertton, seconded by Joy Markum and approved.
THE CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress) results for 2023-2024 was reported on during the joint meeting of the Sierra County Office of Education and the Sierra-Plumas Joint Unified School District Governing Board meeting on November 12th in Loyalton. Megan Meschery stated the CAASPP purpose is to assess knowledge in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics, Science and the English language and also to see how much students improved from the previous year. The results are used to support students over time, identify gaps in learning and data to help gather information to support student learning.The participation rate across the District for ELA was 89.5% and Math 90.5%. The State would like a 95% participation rate. ELA are for all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The results across the district show 32.97% at standard or above. State is at 47.4%. The district will be focusing on English literacy and see the greatest need in reading and writing. Over 21% were below standard in reading and over 40% were below standard in writing.Math is taken by all students in grades 3-8 and 11. The district results are 31.11% at standard or above. State is 35.54% at standard or above. Greatest needs are in the concepts and procedures and problem solving with over 30% at below standard. Science is taken by students in 5th, 8th and one year in high school. District results are 25.68% at standard or above. State is 30.70%. Greatest need is in the area of life sciences with over 50% below standard. ELPAC (English Language Proficiency Assessments for California) is for all students until they are redesignated out of support services. The District 38.08% at standard or above with 8 out of 21 students at a 3 and 4 level. State 3 and 4 levels were 47.41%In comparing our district to similar districts for ELA, SPJUSD is at 32.97%, Plumas Unified is 37.58% and Fort Sage (Herlong area) is 19.17%. Math: SPJUSD is 31.11%, Plumas Unified is 24% and Fort Sage is 15.7%. Science: SPJUSD is 25.68%, Plumas Unified is 22.88%, and Fort Sage 18.76%.Next steps to address challenges will be to work hard in literacy. All schools are using Step Up To Writing curriculum and working on districtwide literacy improvement. The District needs to adopt new math curriculum. They will continue to analyze absenteeism data to determine its impact on academic achievement and increase communication to parents to have 95% participation. The District will also focus on school-wide strategies to lift tier 1 instruction and literacy.
A BOMB THREAT was found to be non-credible after an email was sent to the Sierra County Clerk Recorder’s Office threatening the Courthouse following the election. The FBI had previously issued a warning about a blanket hoax being distributed, which is what this was, according to Sheriff Mike Fisher.
LOYALTON CITY COUNCIL voted approval to collect a 12.5% Transient Occupancy Tax at its regular meeting November 19th, starting in January. That is the same amount Sierra County charges. Council member Sue McIlravy found Ordinance No. 369 was already established but it will need to be modified to reflect the new rate and to add Airbnb terminology. The tax is to be paid directly to the Clerk of the City of Loyalton. Penalties and interest will be added if the City is not paid. The motion was made by Bill Mertton, seconded by Joy Markum and approved.
