President Slattery requested a moment of silence for Highline High School student Trevor Yeager and Jane Emerson’s mother-in-law who both passed away earlier this week.

RECOGNITION

Board members honored Mengstab Tzegai for his service on the board from May 2004 through December 2005. Mr. Tzegai was appointed to serve as the director for District 3 when Linda Kalena resigned her position. The board praised Mr. Tzegai for being willing to fill the gap, and for his commitment to see that all children succeed. The board commended Mr. Tzegai for the diligent manner in which he served and stated he will be missed.

Superintendent Welch thanked Mr. Tzegai for his commitment to the community, the professional manner in which he served on the board, and for the respect he has shown to him and to district staff.

Mengstab Tzegai thanked the board for allowing him to serve as a director and stated he appreciated the opportunity to be an advocate for the children of the community. Mr. Tzegai stated he will actively encourage the immigrant population to become more involved in their children’s education.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CONFIRMATION

President Slattery asked Susan Goding and Julie Burr Spani to come forward to take the oath of office and be sworn in as new board members. After swearing them in, he welcomed them to the board and thanked them for being willing to serve the community by serving as directors.

BREAK

The board meeting recessed at 7:52 p.m. to thank Mr. Tzegai and welcome the new members.

The board meeting reconvened at 8:05 p.m.

President Slattery took roll call because of the new members now serving on the board. Those present were:

Phyllis Byers

Susan Goding

Matt Pina

Tom Slattery, President

Julie Burr Spani

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the minutes of the November 9, 2005, regular board meeting as presented. Matt Pina 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.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Welch announced the Highline School District was awarded the Association of School Business Officials’ Meritorious Budget Award 2004-05. The award is given to districts across the country to recognize their efforts for excellence in school system budgeting. Superintendent Welch thanked Melissa Patterson, Trudie Nichols, Sherri York, Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Catherine Carbone Rogers, and Alice Porter for their work on the report. Director of Business Services Melissa Patterson accepted the award on behalf of her department.

Superintendent Welch reported on the After High School College Fair and thanked Kathy McCabe, Eric Aasness, Teresa Matthews, Dave Cotlove, Bill Crossman, Barb Wilson, Lynn Chamberlain, Jackie Chalmers, Marianna Goheen, Shauna Pierson, Mauricio Ayon, Julie Burr Spani, and Alan Spicciati for their work on the project.

Superintendent Welch reported on what district staff is doing in relation to the honors program and what is being done to address the concerns. He stated he will work closely with parents, administration, and the teachers to determine how to best meet the needs of the students.

Superintendent Welch introduced the Service Learning Youth students from Evergreen High School who gave a presentation and asked the board to consider passing a resolution supporting the “Dream Act” (S 1545 and HR 1918) in assisting immigrants to access higher education.

COMMUNICATION

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

Highline Council PTSA Legislative Chair Meg Van Wyk welcomed the new board members; thanked Mengstab Tzegai for all he has done for the parent group; invited the board to the Reflections Ceremony on January 23 at 7:00 p.m.; reported on the organization’s legislative priorities; expressed her excitement regarding Highline’s science program; and commented that the district needs to have more laboratory time for students.

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff welcomed the new board members and reported on the community forum in Tulalip regarding the WASL as a high-stakes graduation requirement.

Scheduled Communication

The following individuals commented regarding the Honors Program:

1. Jane Emerson, 3149 SW 170^th Street, Burien (Jane was not able to attend due to a death in the family, so Meg Van Wyk read her letter.)

2. Gretchan Morgan, 413 SW Normandy Road, Normandy Park

3. Toby Bradshaw, 17721 3^rd Place SW, Normandy Park

4. Mike Vrbanac, 17916 Normandy Terrace SW, Normandy Park

5. Pat Zabora Fairbanks, 20720 7^th Place S., Des Moines

6. Hilary Smith, 37833 35^th Way S., Auburn

7. Michael Wray, 18449 8^th SW, Normandy Park

8. Karen Cody, 125 S. 107^th Street, Seattle

9. Linda Wray, 18449 8^th SW, Normandy Park

10. Mike Janecke, 18314 Riveria Place SW, Normandy Park

11. Susan Janecke, 18314 Riveria Place SW, Normandy Park

12. Sandy Fry declined her opportunity to speak

13. Andrew Reusch, 431 SW Normandy Road, Normandy Park

14. Micaiah Michaela, 2701 S. 224^th Street – Apartment 804, Des Moines

15. Katie Dolan, 32138 37^th Place S., Auburn

16. Eva Ghirmai, 12832 24^th Avenue S., SeaTac

17. Kevin Graham, 21842 12^th S., Des Moines

18. Aaron Smith, 37833 35^th Way S., Auburn

Susan Conners commented on the elementary curriculum and the need for science and social studies classes.

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

1. Resolution No. 2194 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – White Center Heights Elementary School Replacement Project – Transfer Family Center Building and Assignment of Block Grant to King County Housing Authority. The board adopted Resolution No. 2194 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – White Center Elementary School Replacement Project – Transfer Family Center Building and Assignment of Block Grant to the King County Housing Authority, and authorized the superintendent to sign and deliver any and all documents to carry out the intent of the resolution.

2. Resolution No. 2197 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Bow Lake Elementary School Replacement Project – Final Acceptance of the Value Engineering Study Recommendations. The board adopted Resolution No. 2197 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Bow Lake Elementary School Replacement Project – Final Acceptance of the Value Engineering Study Recommendations approving the report as follows: acceptance of nine (9) of the items as proposed; acceptance of nineteen (19) of the items with modifications; and rejection of forty-one (41) of the proposed items. The board also authorized the staff to incorporate the accepted recommendations into the project.

3. Resolution No. 2198 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – North Hill Elementary School Replacement Project – Avigation Easement with the Port of Seattle. The board adopted Resolution No. 2198 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – North Hill Elementary School Replacement Project – Avigation Easement with the Port of Seattle and approved the easement, authorizing the superintendent to sign the appropriate documents.

4. Resolution No. 2199 – New Bank Account for Point of Sale Cash Receipts. The board adopted Resolution No. 2199 – New Bank Account for Point of Sale Cash Receipts allowing district staff to segregate receipts of cash made through different software systems allowing quicker reconciliation of cash.

5. Capital Facilities Improvement Plan 2002 – Mount View Elementary School Replacement Project – Change Order Number Twenty-Two. The board approved Change Order No. 22 on Bid No. 03/04-4 to Kassel Construction, Inc., for the earthwork allowance in the amount of $128,000 less approved compensation for earthwork described in Notice of Change Number 1.1 in the amount of $23,968 for a total decrease amount of $104,032, plus Washington state sales tax.

6. Revision to Procedure 1630—Evaluation of the Superintendent – First Reading. No action was taken.

7. Donation to Pacific Middle School. The board approved the approximate donation of $30,100 from the Pacific Middle School PTSA.

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 $243,752.46;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 11/30/2005 for $5,019,143.98;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 11/30/2005 for $1,892,853.49;

General Fund warrants #170818 through #171039 dated 11/16/2005 for $479,198.96;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #171040 through #171057 dated 11/16/2005 for $1,084,271.45;

ASB Fund warrants #171058 through #171086 dated 11/16/2005 for $26,426.82;

General Fund warrant #171087 dated 11/16/2005 for $82,168.28;

General Fund warrants #171088 through #171325 dated 11/23/2005 for $368,441.12;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #171326 through #171341 dated 11/23/2005 for $468,206.05;

ASB Fund warrants #171342 through #171379 dated 11/23/2005 for $38,100.34;

General Fund warrants #171380 through #171479 dated 11/23/2005 for $2,537,665.10;

General Fund warrants #171480 through #171698 dated 11/30/2005 for $352,294.90;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #171699 through #171703 dated 11/30/2005 for $89,111.57;

ASB Fund warrants #171704 through #171739 dated 11/30/2005 for $17,245.30;

Trust Fund warrants #171740 through #171742 dated 11/30/2005 for $354.47;

General Fund warrant #171743 dated 11/30/2005 for $201.76;

General Fund warrants #171744 through #171973 dated 12/07/2005 for $722,216.06;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #171974 through #172006 dated 12/07/2005 for $786,162.27;

ASB Fund warrants #172007 through #172052 dated 12/07/2005 for $28,049.88;

Trust Fund warrant #172053 dated 12/07/2005 for $221.50;

General Fund warrant #172054 dated 12/08/2005 for $1,000.00;

General Fund warrants #172055 through #172283 dated 12/14/2005 for $439,388.84;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #172284 through #172300 dated 12/14/2005 for $247,228.95;

and ASB Fund warrants #172301 through #172343 dated 12/14/2005 for $34,309.96;

9. Personnel Matters. The board approved four (4) leaves, three (3) resignations, thirteen (13) new hires, seven (7) supplemental contracts, five (5) new assignments, twenty-nine (29) special coaches, and twenty-five (25) others as listed in the regular agenda and two (2) leaves, five (5) resignations, thirty-eight (38) new hires, three (3) supplemental contracts, two (2) new assignments, one (1) special coach and five (5) others as listed in the supplemental agenda.

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

The consent agenda was approved unanimously as presented.

PRESENTATION

Communication and Community Relations Director Catherine Carbone Rogers presented the district’s five-year strategic plan process for 2006-07 through 2010-11.

DISCUSSION

1. Legislative Report

Tom Slattery gave an update on WSSDA’s legislative priority positions, and particularly alternative assessments in regard to the WASL. Matt Pina asked for a follow-up regarding alternative assessments and how they will line-up with federal government requirements. Superintendent Welch asked Assistant Superintendent Teaching, Learning, and School Improvement Dr. Carla Jackson to update the board on recent discussions regarding the matter. Dr. Jackson said a new assessment system could be initiated as long as the state’s system had been previously approved by the federal government, and noted, once approved, the system would be another way to reach standard.

Phyllis Byers reminded board members of the breakfast meeting on January 6 with local legislators. The meeting will at the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center beginning at 7:30 a.m.

2. Other Business

Tom Slattery commented that the board needed to elect new officers and representatives for various committees, and asked if board members would like to defer reorganizing until January. After a discussion, board members agreed to reorganize at the January 11 board meeting.

Tom Slattery asked board members to express their thoughts regarding approval of an earlier start time for the ERAC board meetings (the current meetings are scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.). After a discussion, board members agreed to begin the ERAC board meetings at 6:00 p.m. The new time will go into effect beginning January 11, 2006. (Please note: The second board meeting of each month is usually held at a school location site and the start time for those meetings will remain at the 5:30 p.m. time.) Work/study sessions would begin at 5:00 p.m.

Susan Goding asked if it was possible to evaluate the work/study session schedule and determine if the various subjects indeed need a work/study or if some could be handled through a report in the board packet. Superintendent Welch stated he would include the current work/study schedule in the Friday board packet, and asked board members to get back with him regarding any items they think could be handled by a report. Julie Burr Spani requested board members be given the information in advance so they would have time to review the material before the work/study. Matt Pina suggested Superintendent Welch determine what subjects were best presented at the actual work/study and what could be given to board members to review in advance in an effort to allow adequate time for thoughtful discussion.

Superintendent Welch asked that Activities, Athletics, Health & Physical Education, and Fine Arts Coordinator John Melver give to the board staff’s recommendation regarding participation in the Seamount League. The board agreed with staff’s recommendation to remain in the Seamount League and be in the AAA division.

There was a discussion regarding the proposed creation of a health center at Tyee High School. Board members want to ensure the public is informed regarding the clinic. Superintendent Welch reported Max Silverman has been working with the SeaTac ministers regarding informing the public, and stated he will request community forums be scheduled to ensure the community is informed. Board consensus is the clinic is a good idea but they have some questions regarding what the responsibilities are and what is expected of the district.

3. Follow-up Items

The board agreed that items 76 & 86 (graduation standards and high school graduation requirements) could be combined.

The board also agreed to combine items 82/83 & 89 (enrollment and capacity issues related to boundaries).

4. Next Steps

The next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held January 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

Tom Slattery commented there will be a work/study session on small learning communities in February.

Matt Pina stated he would like to see a discussion on district usage of SROs and our security team.

There was a discussion regarding the possibility of the board needing to come up with new policies in reference to small learning community parameters.

Susan Goding questioned the school ratio of 100 students per grade in the elementary and high schools but the middle schools ratio per grade is approximately 300-400 students per grade. Superintendent Welch stated a middle school work/study is scheduled for late spring to address the matter. There was a discussion and the board and superintendent concurred that differentiated education relates to all our high schools.

Susan Goding commented on the web pages for the schools and district needing to be updated; Superintendent Welch agreed and said he and Catherine Carbone Rogers would work on seeing that all the web pages were updated.

Tom Slattery commented board members are working with the Panasonic Foundation representatives regarding board development.

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

Meg Van Wyk, 16203 25^th Avenue SW, Burien, expressed her concern that the CES (Coalition of Essential Schools) program in general does not support AP and IB programs. Superintendent Welch clarified the CES coaches’ role as it pertains to Highline and stated the coaches have been told our schools will have AP and IB programs. There was board discussion regarding the subject.

ADJOURNMENT

Tom Slattery adjourned the meeting at 11:10 p.m.

__________________________________

President, Board of Directors

____________________________

Secretary to the Board