Paul Scarpelli has been appointed to fill the vacant position on the Vancouver Public Schools Board of Directors. The appointment follows school board interviews with 11 candidates on Aug. 20. The board of directors voted unanimously in selecting Scarpelli to fill the vacant seat left by board director Michelle Giovvanozzi who resigned at the end of July.

The appointment is temporary until the November general election in which a permanent board member will be elected to the position. District policy 1114 states: “In the case of a board vacancy, the remaining board members will fill such vacancy by appointment. … to serve until the next regularly scheduled board election, at which time a director will be elected for the unexpired term, if any.” Scarpelli is not a candidate for a board position in the general election.

“I’m looking forward to serving on the Vancouver board of directors in this capacity,” said Scarpelli. “As a lifelong resident of Vancouver and a graduate of Fort Vancouver High School, I’m passionate about education and dedicated to the school district and this community. I am grateful to the members of the board for choosing me from the many fine candidates who applied to fill this important role over the next few months.” 

Scarpelli has been finance manager for Clark County. His experience covers management of large organizations, global manufacturing and contributing to the community through service on various boards. Scarpelli has a Bachelor of Mathematics degree from the University of Washington and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Portland.

“We want to thank all of the people who interviewed for this appointment. It’s impressive to see the level of professionalism and commitment of these individuals,” said Board President Mark Stoker. “It was a difficult decision, but we are pleased to be moving forward with the appointment of Mr. Scarpelli so we can continue to serve the interests of our students, families, employees and community members.”

Scarpelli will be sworn in at the Sept. 10 board meeting.

John Zingale

After being named the 2019 Washington state History Teacher of the Year, Vancouver iTech Preparatory’s John Zingale is now 1 of 10 finalists for the national title. The award from the nonprofit Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History honors exceptional K-12 American history teachers from every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Department of Defense schools and U.S. territories. 

Zingale’s passion for history/social studies, technology and project-based learning have enabled iTech's students to experience hands-on, individualized, project-based history. Projects such as the Fort Vancouver Virtual Reality tour and museum, How It Works (civics game creation) and Spare Parts: This is U.S. (immigration history) bring history to life for his students. Students also participate in National History Day competitions; write letters to their senators and representatives; analyze community-based issues; hear from Holocaust and American concentration camp survivors; and learn to research, read, interpret and cite primary source documents. 

Zingale has taught at iTech Preparatory since 2013. He has a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University and a master's degree in teaching from the University of Portland.

The Washington state Teacher of the Year distinction carries a $1,000 honorarium and recognition at an in-state ceremony. In addition, iTech will receive American history books and Gilder Lehrman educational materials. 

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History will announce the National History Teacher of the Year in September. The recipient will receive a $10,000 prize and recognition at a special ceremony in New York City in October.

Early this morning, following a full day and night of negotiations, Vancouver Public Schools and Service Employees’ International Union, Local 925 reached a tentative agreement on a new three-year contract for bus drivers and maintenance, custodial, grounds and cafeteria workers.

Details of the settlement will be released after a ratification vote.

Bargaining began last April. The current contract expires Aug. 31, 2019.

“I am pleased that we have reached a tentative agreement with our SEIU bargaining team. I want to thank both teams for their positive collaboration to get to this tentative agreement,” said VPS Superintendent Steve Webb. “These professionals are critical to the operation of our schools. They drive our buses; cook and serve student meals; maintain our grounds, schools and equipment; and keep our students and staff members safe. They are integral members of our district and valued employees.”

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Members of the media are invited to tour the new Ogden Elementary School. The new 85,000-square-foot building is the first replacement school to be completed as part of a $458 million bond measure passed by voters in February 2017.

• When: Monday, Aug. 26

• Tour time: 4:15 p.m. to 5 p.m.

• Interviews and additional photo opportunities during back-to-school night: 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Photos and interviews with students will require parent permission.) 

• Location: 3200 NE 86th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98662

The tour will be led by Principal April Whipple, Assistant Superintendent Todd Horenstein and Facilities Planner Jennifer Halleck. Highlights will include the Family-Community Resource Center, secure entry and front office, commons area and learning stairs, music room, fitness space and dance room, grade-level classrooms, library, project-based learning and outdoor learning spaces. 

The school will hold a public dedication and open house on Nov. 4.

More information on the new school is available at https://vansd.org/reschools/project-school-ogden.