WawonaNews.Weebly.com - March 2023
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Feb. 14
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Mar. 14, 2023
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Feb. 14
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF 2022-23 INDEPENDENT AUDIT FIRM SELECTION
- APPROVAL OF THE 2nd INTERIM BUDGET REPORT
INFORMATION ITEMS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Yosemite to Reopen March 17
Yosemite National Park, which has been closed for nearly two weeks due to overwhelming snowfall, will remain that way until March 17, a park spokesperson said Thursday.
The park was potentially going to reopen on Monday, March 13, but due to another storm system barreling toward California, the closure has been extended through next Thursday.
“We love the visitors, we want the visitors back so we’re clearing the roads and trying to prep,” said Scott Gediman, spokesperson for Yosemite National Park.
Park crews have been busy plowing roads and parking lots, removing snow from rooftops, evaluating tree stability, and digging out fire hydrants and propane tanks, among other tasks.
“Hopefully on St. Patrick's Day, if everything goes well, we can welcome back visitors,” said Gediman. “It might be a partial reopening, but we just feel we need to be realistic at this point.”
Yosemite National Park, which has been closed for nearly two weeks due to overwhelming snowfall, will remain that way until March 17, a park spokesperson said Thursday.
The park was potentially going to reopen on Monday, March 13, but due to another storm system barreling toward California, the closure has been extended through next Thursday.
“We love the visitors, we want the visitors back so we’re clearing the roads and trying to prep,” said Scott Gediman, spokesperson for Yosemite National Park.
Park crews have been busy plowing roads and parking lots, removing snow from rooftops, evaluating tree stability, and digging out fire hydrants and propane tanks, among other tasks.
“Hopefully on St. Patrick's Day, if everything goes well, we can welcome back visitors,” said Gediman. “It might be a partial reopening, but we just feel we need to be realistic at this point.”
Yosemite Will Remain Closed Through Sunday, March 12—Possibly Longer
March 6
Reopening on March 13 is a best-case scenario. Another storm system is forecast at the end of the week that could result in further impacts to the park. Conditions will be evaluated on a daily basis and the park will provide an update early next week. As park crews continue snow removal operations, employee safety remains the top priority. We have received significant snowfall over the last two weeks. National Park Service and partner crews are working hard to move snow, restore power, resupply stores, and perform numerous other tasks.
Some tasks park crews are focused on right now:
-Plowing roads to two full lanes wide.
-Plowing parking lots and pullouts. Most parking lots are still under up to six feet of snow.
-Evaluating snow loading on trees near roads and facilities (which could cause trees to fall in popular areas).
-Locating and digging out hundreds of fire hydrants and propane tanks.
-Damage assessments on park buildings (mostly damage to chimneys and roof vents from snow sliding off roofs).
-Removing snow from rooftops to prevent structure collapse and danger to bystanders from snow sliding off roofs.
-Various other facilities and vehicles need to be dug out, repaired, and/or resupplied.
March 6
Reopening on March 13 is a best-case scenario. Another storm system is forecast at the end of the week that could result in further impacts to the park. Conditions will be evaluated on a daily basis and the park will provide an update early next week. As park crews continue snow removal operations, employee safety remains the top priority. We have received significant snowfall over the last two weeks. National Park Service and partner crews are working hard to move snow, restore power, resupply stores, and perform numerous other tasks.
Some tasks park crews are focused on right now:
-Plowing roads to two full lanes wide.
-Plowing parking lots and pullouts. Most parking lots are still under up to six feet of snow.
-Evaluating snow loading on trees near roads and facilities (which could cause trees to fall in popular areas).
-Locating and digging out hundreds of fire hydrants and propane tanks.
-Damage assessments on park buildings (mostly damage to chimneys and roof vents from snow sliding off roofs).
-Removing snow from rooftops to prevent structure collapse and danger to bystanders from snow sliding off roofs.
-Various other facilities and vehicles need to be dug out, repaired, and/or resupplied.
Wawona Snow Situation March 6
Greetings everyone,
I wanted to provide a brief update on the situation in Wawona. Wawona is forecast to have relatively clear weather and small levels of snowfall today through Thursday. Thursday night will start a significant rainfall period, with 6 ½ inches currently forecast between Thursday night and Sunday night. We are anticipating a lot of standing water and possibly localized flooding due to standing water with that weather pattern.
The current status of roads are as follows.
Mariposa County has widened:
Given the unpredictability of this rainfall on the existing snowpack, if you choose to come to Wawona, please consider doing so only to access and assess your property and prepare it for the next round of weather. The park remains closed with no ETA for opening, so access will be provided to your property only and recreation in the area is not currently allowed. Wawona Road is open 7a - 7p daily. Gates are closed and locked during overnight hours.
There has been a report of one deck collapsing and one tree through a roof (owner has been notified) but otherwise we have not seen or heard of any major structural damage to any private homes.
Please also note: the phone at the Ranger Office has been working intermittently, so if you leave a message there it may not get to us for several days. You can call Chad or my cell phones if you are in need of more immediate assistance, but please know we are triaging needs and may not be able to help immediately.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.
Heidi L. Edgecomb
U.S. Park Ranger
Operations Supervisor - Wawona District
Yosemite National Park
209-375-9520 x 228 (o)
209-347-3198 (c)
Lieu days: Tuesday/Wednesday/2nd Thursday of each pay period (usually!)
Greetings everyone,
I wanted to provide a brief update on the situation in Wawona. Wawona is forecast to have relatively clear weather and small levels of snowfall today through Thursday. Thursday night will start a significant rainfall period, with 6 ½ inches currently forecast between Thursday night and Sunday night. We are anticipating a lot of standing water and possibly localized flooding due to standing water with that weather pattern.
The current status of roads are as follows.
Mariposa County has widened:
- Chilnualna Falls Road from Wawona School to the bridge
- Larke Lane
- Loop Road from Chilnualna Falls to Larke
- The Bruce Loop and Birdie/Bogey/Cedar
- River Road
- Forest Drive
- Koon Hollar from Forest Drive to 7976. (This does not include 7951, 7953, 7954, 7956, 7916, 7915, or 7860)
- Spelt Road
- Yosemite Ave
- Yosemite Pines between Yosemite Ave and Chilnualna Ave
- the remainder of Loop Road
Given the unpredictability of this rainfall on the existing snowpack, if you choose to come to Wawona, please consider doing so only to access and assess your property and prepare it for the next round of weather. The park remains closed with no ETA for opening, so access will be provided to your property only and recreation in the area is not currently allowed. Wawona Road is open 7a - 7p daily. Gates are closed and locked during overnight hours.
There has been a report of one deck collapsing and one tree through a roof (owner has been notified) but otherwise we have not seen or heard of any major structural damage to any private homes.
Please also note: the phone at the Ranger Office has been working intermittently, so if you leave a message there it may not get to us for several days. You can call Chad or my cell phones if you are in need of more immediate assistance, but please know we are triaging needs and may not be able to help immediately.
Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.
Heidi L. Edgecomb
U.S. Park Ranger
Operations Supervisor - Wawona District
Yosemite National Park
209-375-9520 x 228 (o)
209-347-3198 (c)
Lieu days: Tuesday/Wednesday/2nd Thursday of each pay period (usually!)
Please Delay Trips to Wawona
February 2nd
Greetings everyone,
I wanted to share some photos and ask that trips into Wawona be delayed until further notice, if at all possible. We are dealing with significant limitations to travel within Wawona due to the amount of snow. Most areas are one-lane wide and most of the off-shoots from Chilnualna Falls Road and Forest Drive are two-tracks for emergency access only. Most vehicles are 4WD with chains due to deep snow. We accessed the last two occupied homes today, if that gives you an idea of the difficulty we are dealing with (it last snowed on Tuesday).
Most yards and driveways have 4 feet of settled snow in them. We have no ETA from Mariposa County for additional equipment to clear their roadways more effectively. There is currently no parking available in parking lots (library, community center, etc).
If your house is on a private road or you do not have snow removal services through your property management company, please realize you will need to solve this problem before you can gain access (or rent) your property. Thus far the success of snow removal by property management companies has been dependent on how accessible your road is, how much room there is to maneuver and pile snow within your yard, and if your driveway is paved or not. Many areas are requiring loader work rather than plows due to the weight and depth of the snow. I urge you to reach out to your PM for information on accessing your property before you decide to come up.
If you do come to Wawona, please realize you will need to park on your property and not on any roadway. You will need tire chains at least in your yard, and likely on your road. You may need snowshoes and a shovel to reach your door. We are also asking activities beyond those necessary for accessing your property be limited due to limited resources and response availability. As Chad noted yesterday, this is not the time to go on a ski trip, and the park is closed to visitors and recreation until further notice.
Up to 30" of snow is forecast this weekend and snow is expected all of next week, so our difficulties will likely compound soon. It is possible the highways will close again, and it is possible you will find yourself snowed in and/or stranded for a few days.
Propane deliveries are generally not happening due to the narrowness of the roads. JS West, Campora, and Suburban have all been up and no deliveries have been possible anywhere off Chilnualna Falls Road and nothing east of West Bruce.
As snow loads begin shedding off roofs, we are seeing damage to roof vents on many NPS houses, so please anticipate you may have similar damage to attend to. Until snow is cleared from roadways and driveways, it is not possible for contractors to get to houses, so please don't send anyone up until you are positive your yard and house can be accessed. Composite roofs are holding about 4 feet of snow, and metal roofs are shedding the same amount. So far we have not seen any major structural damage on private homes, but we have not done detailed inspections on most houses, only drive-by cursory looks.
Good news: Crews have been hard at work shoveling access to fire hydrants. Water and sewer systems are all currently working. The power is on. Wawona Road is currently clear and being widened. 41 from Oakhurst is open with convoys due to narrow conditions between Tenaya Lodge and Sugar Pine. No one is trapped in their home.
Today through Sunday, please reach out to me if you have any specific concerns or questions that cannot be answered by your property manager. After Sunday feel free to contact either Chad Andrews or me. Please be patient as it may take some time to get back to you. We will send another email blast to all of you when we have resolved some of these access challenges.
Thank you for your assistance as we deal with this major inconvenience!
Photos (all taken today): Loader work on Spelt Road; Chilnualna Falls Road between the school and Spelt; West Bruce Road; Chilnualna Falls between Redwoods and Larke Lane; Chimney damage
Heidi L. Edgecomb
U.S. Park Ranger
Operations Supervisor - Wawona District
Yosemite National Park
209-375-9520
209-347-3198 (c)
February 2nd
Greetings everyone,
I wanted to share some photos and ask that trips into Wawona be delayed until further notice, if at all possible. We are dealing with significant limitations to travel within Wawona due to the amount of snow. Most areas are one-lane wide and most of the off-shoots from Chilnualna Falls Road and Forest Drive are two-tracks for emergency access only. Most vehicles are 4WD with chains due to deep snow. We accessed the last two occupied homes today, if that gives you an idea of the difficulty we are dealing with (it last snowed on Tuesday).
Most yards and driveways have 4 feet of settled snow in them. We have no ETA from Mariposa County for additional equipment to clear their roadways more effectively. There is currently no parking available in parking lots (library, community center, etc).
If your house is on a private road or you do not have snow removal services through your property management company, please realize you will need to solve this problem before you can gain access (or rent) your property. Thus far the success of snow removal by property management companies has been dependent on how accessible your road is, how much room there is to maneuver and pile snow within your yard, and if your driveway is paved or not. Many areas are requiring loader work rather than plows due to the weight and depth of the snow. I urge you to reach out to your PM for information on accessing your property before you decide to come up.
If you do come to Wawona, please realize you will need to park on your property and not on any roadway. You will need tire chains at least in your yard, and likely on your road. You may need snowshoes and a shovel to reach your door. We are also asking activities beyond those necessary for accessing your property be limited due to limited resources and response availability. As Chad noted yesterday, this is not the time to go on a ski trip, and the park is closed to visitors and recreation until further notice.
Up to 30" of snow is forecast this weekend and snow is expected all of next week, so our difficulties will likely compound soon. It is possible the highways will close again, and it is possible you will find yourself snowed in and/or stranded for a few days.
Propane deliveries are generally not happening due to the narrowness of the roads. JS West, Campora, and Suburban have all been up and no deliveries have been possible anywhere off Chilnualna Falls Road and nothing east of West Bruce.
As snow loads begin shedding off roofs, we are seeing damage to roof vents on many NPS houses, so please anticipate you may have similar damage to attend to. Until snow is cleared from roadways and driveways, it is not possible for contractors to get to houses, so please don't send anyone up until you are positive your yard and house can be accessed. Composite roofs are holding about 4 feet of snow, and metal roofs are shedding the same amount. So far we have not seen any major structural damage on private homes, but we have not done detailed inspections on most houses, only drive-by cursory looks.
Good news: Crews have been hard at work shoveling access to fire hydrants. Water and sewer systems are all currently working. The power is on. Wawona Road is currently clear and being widened. 41 from Oakhurst is open with convoys due to narrow conditions between Tenaya Lodge and Sugar Pine. No one is trapped in their home.
Today through Sunday, please reach out to me if you have any specific concerns or questions that cannot be answered by your property manager. After Sunday feel free to contact either Chad Andrews or me. Please be patient as it may take some time to get back to you. We will send another email blast to all of you when we have resolved some of these access challenges.
Thank you for your assistance as we deal with this major inconvenience!
Photos (all taken today): Loader work on Spelt Road; Chilnualna Falls Road between the school and Spelt; West Bruce Road; Chilnualna Falls between Redwoods and Larke Lane; Chimney damage
Heidi L. Edgecomb
U.S. Park Ranger
Operations Supervisor - Wawona District
Yosemite National Park
209-375-9520
209-347-3198 (c)
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Important Message For All Wawona Residents
All,
Wawona is now looking at 5 feet of snow on the ground. This is more than I've ever seen here and might be the most Wawona has ever seen as far back as 1982, I'm told. Everyone living in the community is in the same situation, needing to shovel out, running short on propane, and feeling stuck. We understand and are doing everything we can to help solve those issues.
Currently, Highway 41 south of the park is closed to all traffic, with no known ETA for opening. That section of road is also facing avalanche danger, snow accumulation and tree failures. NPS Roads crews are working hard to keep a lane open to the boundary, so that once 41 south opens, we will be ready. Wawona Road North is facing the same issues as well as snow drifting. This is making it more challenging for road crews. Wawona road north will remain closed for in undetermined period of time.
Things you can do to help:
Please be patient. This event is affecting the entire region and resources are thin.
Thank you,
Chad Andrews
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
Wawona is now looking at 5 feet of snow on the ground. This is more than I've ever seen here and might be the most Wawona has ever seen as far back as 1982, I'm told. Everyone living in the community is in the same situation, needing to shovel out, running short on propane, and feeling stuck. We understand and are doing everything we can to help solve those issues.
Currently, Highway 41 south of the park is closed to all traffic, with no known ETA for opening. That section of road is also facing avalanche danger, snow accumulation and tree failures. NPS Roads crews are working hard to keep a lane open to the boundary, so that once 41 south opens, we will be ready. Wawona Road North is facing the same issues as well as snow drifting. This is making it more challenging for road crews. Wawona road north will remain closed for in undetermined period of time.
Things you can do to help:
- Stay home and off the roads unless you have an emergency.
- Begin to shovel your driveway out to where it meets a street. Eventually the street will be plowed and then you will be able to get out.
- Shovel a path to your propane tank and clear off the tank head. This will make it infinitely easier for delivery trucks to get tanks filled once they are able to make it into town.
- Do not engage in hazardous activity. By this I mean trying to hike, ski, etc., where you may get hurt, lost or stuck. Our ability to respond to such emergencies is severely limited.
- BE ALERT! While working around your home, be aware of your relation to your roof. Snow will start sliding off and this creates a real avalanche-like danger. Keep an eye on the trees around you as well as we are starting to see more tree failures.
- Prepare as best as you can for another power outage, which realistically could happen.
Please be patient. This event is affecting the entire region and resources are thin.
Thank you,
Chad Andrews
Wawona District Ranger
Yosemite National Park
(W) 209-375-9520
(C) 209-742-8269
No Shortage Of The White Stuff In Wawona
Photos courtesy of Kathie and Wayne Heringer, Stacy Boydstun, Everardo Giron, and Jennifer and Gary Wuchner
Yosemite Closed Through Wednesday, March 1
This is a message from Yosemite National Park.Yosemite National Park is closed through Wednesday, March 1, due to severe winter conditions. Authorized admin traffic: use El Portal Rd/Hwy 140
This is a message from Yosemite National Park.Yosemite National Park is closed through Wednesday, March 1, due to severe winter conditions. Authorized admin traffic: use El Portal Rd/Hwy 140
ROAD CLOSURES
Feb 24 - This is a message from Yosemite National Park.
Wawona Rd (Hwy 41) and Big Oak Flat Rd (Hwy 120) are both closed overnight. Travel not advised on other roads. Updates: 209/372-0200 (1, 1).
Feb 24 - This is a message from Yosemite National Park.
Wawona Rd (Hwy 41) and Big Oak Flat Rd (Hwy 120) are both closed overnight. Travel not advised on other roads. Updates: 209/372-0200 (1, 1).
New Librarian
Welcome to the new addition to our library, Nicky Park. Nicky hails from Coarsegold and is working on her Masters in Library Sciences. Please come in and meet Nicky and share your requests for for any books or DVDs you would like to see in our library.
Library hours:
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Welcome to the new addition to our library, Nicky Park. Nicky hails from Coarsegold and is working on her Masters in Library Sciences. Please come in and meet Nicky and share your requests for for any books or DVDs you would like to see in our library.
Library hours:
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Home Hardening Grant and Application
Hello all. It seems like all I ever do is ask you to fill out forms, but I am going to do so anyway. We have just launched our Home Hardening program countywide and I think Wawona is a great location to do some outreach. This program provides a free onsite assessment, recommended home hardening measures, and free installation of ember screens or foundation clearance for all Mariposa County homes. We are working to find corporate or retail sponsors as well to offer rebates or discounts for homeowners to purchase and install the recommended hardening measures. It could be very helpful in gaining FireWise Community status as well, if you are interested in that.
The application and ROE for Home Hardening are included below.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I apologize for being the lady with all the forms!
Thank you,
Melinda Barrett
Mariposa County RCD
(559)580-0944
The application and ROE for Home Hardening are included below.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I apologize for being the lady with all the forms!
Thank you,
Melinda Barrett
Mariposa County RCD
(559)580-0944
YOSEMITE-WAWONA ELEMENTARY CHARTER SCHOOL
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2022
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Jan. 10
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
ACTION ITEMS
INFORMATION ITEMS
2nd Interim Budget Report
Board of Directors Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2022
5:30 P.M.
Wawona Elementary School
7925 Chilnualna Falls Road
Wawona, CA
- CALL TO ORDER
- ROLL CALL
MONTHLY ITEMS AND FINANCIAL REPORTS
- CONSENT AGENDA
3.1- Approval of Agenda
3.2– Approval of Minutes of the regular meeting of Jan. 10
3.3 - Approve Warrants/Payroll
3.4 – Accept Donations to YWECS
- HEARING OF PERSONS WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD
ACTION ITEMS
- APPROVAL OF 2019-20 AUDIT REPORT CORRECTIVE ACTIONS
- APPROVAL OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS FOR THE 2022-24 SCHOOL YEARS
- APPROVAL OF THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY REPORT CARD (SARC) FOR 2021-22
INFORMATION ITEMS
- STAFF REPORTS
- BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS PROJECTS UPDATE
- BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
- FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
2nd Interim Budget Report
- NEXT BOARD MEETING
- ADJOURNMENT
Wawona School Trip to The Channel Islands National Park
(New Pictures Posted 2/11)
Fee Exemption Vehicle Stickers 2023
Yosemite residents: Do you enjoy the friendliness and courtesy of the entrance station staff? Please bring a smile to their faces by making sure your vehicle has a current fee exemption sticker. Update your sticker by February 24!
Only YNP-23 (blue), or YNP-24 (gold/red) stickers are valid.
If you need a sticker, email [email protected] with the following info
name
mailing address
vehicle registration(s), or license plate # and state
phone number
Homeowners in Foresta, Wawona, and Yosemite West—email [email protected] for more information. (P. Davis)
Yosemite residents: Do you enjoy the friendliness and courtesy of the entrance station staff? Please bring a smile to their faces by making sure your vehicle has a current fee exemption sticker. Update your sticker by February 24!
Only YNP-23 (blue), or YNP-24 (gold/red) stickers are valid.
If you need a sticker, email [email protected] with the following info
name
mailing address
vehicle registration(s), or license plate # and state
phone number
Homeowners in Foresta, Wawona, and Yosemite West—email [email protected] for more information. (P. Davis)
