In brief: The Summit ski resort opens at Snoqualmie Pass

SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wash. – The Summit at Snoqualmie said it finally has enough snow to open Summit West today to limited operations.

The resort said it will expand operations and may open Summit Center with another serious shot of snow. Alpental still needs a lot of snow on its rugged terrain.

The Summit is one of the lowest elevation ski resorts in the Cascades, but among the most popular because of easy access from Seattle on Interstate 90. It’s opening relatively late because of a dry December.

Catholic school has deal with gay hire

SAMMAMISH, Wash. – A part-time musical coach at a Catholic school in Washington state who recently announced she is engaged to her same-sex partner said Thursday the school has given her a new employment agreement as an independent contractor.

Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish recently forced out a vice principal who married his partner.

Stephanie Merrow said she was nervous before her meeting with the school’s principal, Polly Skinner, but it was “very warm and welcoming.

“She was very nice, she made me feel very valued,” Merrow said, adding, “I got a little raise.”

In response to her inquiry at the meeting, Merrow said she was told her marital status doesn’t matter.

The contract did not talk about Catholic teachings, she said.

School attorney Mike Patterson didn’t immediately return a call and email for comment.

Students at Eastside Catholic have led protests recently over the departure of vice principal Mark Zmuda.