APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Consent Agenda

Mat Pina moved approval of the minutes of the December 14, 2005, regular board meeting and executive session as presented. Susan Goding seconded the motion.

The minutes were approved as presented.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Matt Pina moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Phyllis Byers.

The agenda was approved unanimously.

RECOGNITION

Superintendent Welch honored Chinook Middle School students Faiza Diriye, Austin Jaschke, and Sarah Melchior for being selected to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador Program which fosters world citizenship, and thanked Chinook Middle School Principal Todd Moorhead and Activities Coordinator Linda Johansen for working with the students regarding the program.

In recognition of National School Board Recognition Month, Superintendent Welch honored school board members Phyllis Byers, Susan Goding, Matt Pina, Tom Slattery, and Julie Burr Spani for their contribution to the community, and particularly the Highline School District. He also acknowledged former board members Mengstab Tzegai and Steve Denmark for their recent service on the board.

COMMUNICATION

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

Highline Education Association (HEA) President Alan Sutliff reported on the recent HEA Representative Council meeting in which Superintendent Welch addressed questions from the representatives; stated the council voted to endorse the upcoming bond; and commented on the Washington Education Association (WEA) priorities for the legislative session.

Scheduled Communication

1. Julie Crassweller, 404 SW 182^nd Street, Normandy Park, commented about the Marvista sixth-graders who will be attending middle school next year at Sylvester Middle School and asked the board to consider absorbing those students into Pacific Middle School.

Superintendent Welch responded, if the board agreed, he would ask staff to see if it was possible for all of those students to attend Pacific Middle School and then continue on to Mount Rainier one year earlier than originally recommended. A work/study session is scheduled for February 22 and Superintendent should have an answer to Mrs. Crassweller’s question at that time.

Matt Pina said a change would require board action and asked that the February 22 agenda include any recommendation for change.

2. Karen Cody, 125 S. 107^th Street, Seattle, presented a petition to the board with names of parents and community members who are requesting a work/study session to discuss the district’s plans and goals related to programs for highly able students.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Welch reported on an opportunity for district middle and high school students to attend the Launch Your Future Now fair, hosted by Congressman Adam Smith, promoting the importance of math and science and introduced Mark Finstrom, who is being recommended for the Director of Technology Services position with the district.

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

Board member Matt Pina pulled the following items from the consent agenda for further review:

Resolution No. 2202 – Quit Claim Deed to the City of SeaTac for Property at the Sunnydale Site, and
Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Budget Increase for Olympic Interim School Project.

1. Resolution No. 2181 – Easement with Highline Water District for Water Utilities on the Crestview Site. The board adopted Resolution No. 2181 – Easement with Highline Water District for Water Utilities on the Crestview Site and approved the easement and authorized the superintendent to sign the appropriate documents.

2. Resolution No. 2196 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Mount Rainier High School Replacement Project – Native Growth Protection Easement with the City of Des Moines. The board adopted Resolution No. 2196 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Mount Rainier High School Replacement Project – Native Growth Protection Easement with the City of Des Moines and authorized the superintendent to sign the appropriate document.

4. Resolution No. 2203 – Request for Authorization of a Costco Credit Card. The board adopted Resolution No. 2203 – Request for Authorization of a Costco Credit Card authorizing the Business Services Department to obtain an American Express Credit Card Account for the purchase of items to support specific programs, and one additional card for the Business Services Department to support specific program needs.

6. Bid No. 05/06-5 Tyee High School Landscaping and Electrical Work for Portable Classroom. The board awarded the contract for Bid No. 05/06-5 Tyee High School Landscaping and Electrical Work for Portable Classroom to Robbins and Company for the base bid of $99,159 plus Washington state sales tax. This award was based on the overall lowest responsive bid received.

7. Wal-Mart Foundation Donation to Highline Public Schools. The board approved the $5,000 donation to Highline Public Schools from the Wal-Mart Foundation.

8. Approval of Vouchers and Warrants. Approval of payment of vouchers audited and certified by the auditing committee as required by RCW 42.24.090, and those expense reimbursement claims certified as required by RCW 42.24.90 as recorded on a listing which is available to the board were as follows:

Payroll warrants as listed totaling $232,754.42;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 12/29/2005 for $4,853,530.36;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 12/30/2005 for $1,808,141.76;

General Fund warrants #172344 through #172629 dated 12/21/2005 for $707,568.19;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #172630 through #172659 dated 12/21/2005 for $2,079,261.84;

ASB Fund warrants #172660 through #172708 dated 12/21/2005 for $28,529.81;

Trust Fund warrant #172709 dated 12/21/2005 for $36.00;

General Fund warrants #172710 through #172810 dated 12/22/2005 for $2,540,423.09;

General Fund warrants #172811 through #172812 dated 01/04/2006 for $764.30;

General Fund warrants #172813 through #172959 dated 01/05/2006 for $239,656.12;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #172960 through #172961 dated 01/05/2006 for $10,907.20;

ASB Fund warrants #172962 through #172984 dated 01/05/2006 for $11,943.42;

Trust Fund warrant #172985 dated 01/05/2006 for $63.00;

General Fund warrants #172986 through #173164 dated 01/10/2006 for $884,537.93;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #173165 through #173177 dated 01/10/2006 for $70,310.27;

and ASB Fund warrants #173178 through #173202 dated 01/10/2006 for $18,533.20.

9. Personnel Matters. The board approved one (1) leave, five (5) resignations, thirty-four (34) new hires, eight (8) supplemental contracts, one (1) new assignment, one (1) certificated exception, and four (4) others as listed in the regular agenda and two (2) leaves, three (3) resignations, four (4) new hires, four (4) supplemental contracts, two (2) new assignments, and seven (7) others as listed in the supplemental agenda.

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the revised consent agenda, seconded by Susan Goding.

The revised consent agenda was approved unanimously.

MATTERS FOR BOARD ACTION

Matt Pina pulled Resolution No. 2202 – Quit Claim Deed to the City of SeaTac for Property at the Sunnydale Site from the consent agenda and requested the subject be discussed at an executive session. He stated he would like an explanation as to how this request differed from a similar request on another piece of property, which was turned down. Board members agreed to postpone the item until the board has an opportunity to discuss the matter in an executive session.

Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Budget Increase for Olympic Interim School Project. Mr. Pina asked if the increase was still within the Capital Facilities Budget and asked for an explanation as to what the board can expect in relation to Mount Rainier High School delays.

Superintendent Welch asked Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain to clarify any impact to actual schedule and the budget for Mount Rainier, and to address the specific reasons for the increase for Olympic.

Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain and Facilities Project Manager Kasey Wyatt gave an explanation for the cost increase and stated staff will monitor the cost and keep the board informed as to the Mount Rainier schedule.

Julie Burr Spani asked whether the problems with the permit process have been resolved. Mrs. Fain explained the reason for the former permit delay was mainly due to a State Environmental Protection Act (SEPA) determination and appeal that automatically stopped the permit process. Matt Pina asked if the projects were still within the capital budget if the budget increase is approved. Mrs. Fain confirmed the projects are still within the capital budget with the reimbursements.

After a discussion, Matt Pina moved approval of the Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Budget Increase for Olympic Interim School Project, seconded by Phyllis Byers.

The board unanimously approved the Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Budget Increase for Olympic Interim School Project in the amount of $1,663,033 to come from the available reimbursement funds in the Capital Project Funds budget and authorized staff to expend the funds as needed for this project.

DISCUSSION

1. Legislative Report

Tom Slattery gave a report of the January 6 breakfast meeting with local legislators; gave an overview on WSSDA’s legislative priorities; and reminded board members of the upcoming Legislative Conference in Olympia on February 12 and 13.

Matt Pina, Susan Goding, and Tom Slattery all said they plan to attend the February conference.

2. Other Business

Board Reorganization

Tom Slattery opened the floor for nominations for president of the board. Mr. Slattery nominated Phyllis Byers, Matt Pina seconded the nomination. Julie Burr Spani nominated Matt Pina. Mr. Pina declined as he seconded the nomination of Mrs. Byers. Mr. Slattery closed the nominations. Phyllis Byers was unanimously elected to serve as president.

President Byers asked for nominations for vice president of the board. Julie Burr Spani nominated Matt Pina, Susan Goding seconded the nomination. Matt Pina was unanimously elected to serve as vice president.

Susan Goding was appointed to serve as the WIAA representative.

Matt Pina will continue to serve as the Highline Forum representative.

Tom Slattery will remain the legislative representative for one more year (this position serves for two years).

Julie Burr Spani was appointed to serve as the Highline Schools’ Fund for Excellence representative.

Phyllis Byers agreed to continue to serve as the Panasonic Foundation representative.

Matt Pina agreed to continue to head the superintendent’s evaluation committee.

Tom Slattery encouraged all board members to participate in the Highline Citizens’ for Schools organization.

3. Follow-up Items

Phyllis Byers asked for clarification regarding Item 90, Apprenticeship Program, and the date of January 13 on the Follow-up Items list. Superintendent Welch explained administration is preparing a report that will be in included in the board’s Friday packet.
Matt Pina asked for the Work/Study Session Schedule to be included as part of the board agenda under Follow-up Items; Superintendent Welch agreed to comply with Mr. Pina’s request.
On track.

4. Next Steps

· Work/Study Sessions:

o January 18 Student Learning Plans

o January 18 Student Led Conferences

o January 18 3000 Policy Series

o January 30 Board Professional Development

· Board Meeting

o January 25, 5:30 p.m.

Hazel Valley Elementary School

402 SW 132^nd Street

Burien, WA 98146

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

Julie Burrows, 22525 10^th Avenue, Des Moines, stated Mount Rainier does not want to lose the IB Program or the idea that there is excellence in education, and asked for communication from both the district and the community regarding the matter.

ADJOURNMENT

President Byers recessed the meeting to an executive session at 7:08 p.m. and said the board would adjourn the meeting without reconvening the general session.

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President, Board of Directors

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Secretary to the Board