HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

February 22, 2006

CALL TO ORDER

President Byers called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. in the Gymnasium at Midway Elementary School.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Marvista Elementary School third-grade student Samantha Hefford-Anderson led the flag salute.

ROLL CALL

Board members present:

Phyllis Byers, President

Matt Pina, Vice President

Susan Goding

Tom Slattery

Julie Burr Spani

Central office members present:

John Welch, Superintendent

Susanne Jerde, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Alan Spicciati, Executive Director/Secondary Schools

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Relations

Bill Crossman, Project Director/High School Design

Melissa Patterson, Director/Business Services

Alan Schmidt, Director/Facilities Services

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Matt Pina moved approval of the February 8, 2006, regular board meeting and two executive sessions and the February 15, 2006, executive session as presented. Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.

The minutes were approved as presented.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Tom Slattery moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Susan Goding.

The agenda was approved unanimously.

HOST PRINCIPAL

Midway Elementary School Principal Ben Gauyan welcomed the board and community to the meeting; commented on the school’s 50 years of serving the community; remarked on the diversity of the school’s student population; gave an update on the school’s adequate yearly progress; introduced Midway Elementary staff members that were present; and commented on the school’s leadership team efforts.

RECOGNITION

President Byers recognized Cascade Middle School eighth grader Sina Sagiao for being selected to attend the People to People Leadership Forum in Washington D.C.

President Byers recognized Dan Davis for his leadership in coordinating the Highline School District’s United Way Campaign, and congratulated Mr. Davis for being nominated for United Way’s Coordinator of the Year Award.

COMMUNICATION

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

President Byers, Superintendent Welch, Tyee High School Teacher Mary Edwards, and Sylvester Middle School Teacher Mary Van Eaton reported on the purpose, goals, and guiding principles of the Panasonic group; commented on the group’s goals for success for every student and staff member; reported on the focus to build leadership capacity across the district; mentioned the Panasonic team’s work regarding creating various performance evaluation tools for district staff members; and remarked on the importance of the work to the district.

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff echoed the remarks that were made pertaining to the Panasonic Foundation efforts; commented on legislative issues; presented copies of the Washington Education Associations (WEA) brochure addressing issues of concern; and remarked on the importance of the upcoming bond.

Aviation High School students Hayley McJunkin, Sebastian Hill, and Angela Pak spoke on behalf of Aviation High School’s PTSA inviting the board to attend the 2^nd Annual Dan Hartley Scholarship Dinner on March 14; and each one commented on their appreciation of Aviation High School.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Superintendent Welch reminded everyone of the open house at New Start on March 1; announced that on March 1 there is a “stakeholder’s” meeting at the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; referenced the college preparedness work/study March 22; presented Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff with a Read Across America proclamation; and commented that following the board meeting there would be two work/study sessions: 1) High School Improvement, and 2) Transfer Policies and Procedures.

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

Julie Burr Spani stated she would like clarification regarding items number 4 and 7.

Ms. Burr Spani asked Tom Slattery whether the Proposed Rate Increase for Uniformed Security/Police Officers had anything to do with the discussion the board was supposed to have regarding the district approach to security officers. Tom Slattery explained that item number 4 is referring to contracted security officers for spring events and the other issue pertains to SRO Officers that are assigned to our high school campuses. Ms. Burr Spani then questioned whether the SRO Officer matter was scheduled to be discussed at a later date. Matt Pina and Superintendent Welch pointed out the subject is on the Work/Study Sessions schedule list for April 19—Security Department Staffing and Organization.

Ms. Burr Spani asked for clarification regarding the numerous “Class Size Overload” references listed on the Personnel Matters report. Superintendent Welch stated in our contract with the Highline Education Association the district has agreed to pay teachers an additional amount when class sizes get to a certain level. Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff gave a brief overview as to what the contract states regarding class size overload compensation.

After the above discussion, the items remained on the consent agenda.

1. Resolution No. 2202 – Quit Claim Deed to the City of SeaTac for Property at the Sunnydale Site. The board adopted Resolution No. 2202 – Quit Claim Deed to the City of SeaTac for property at the Sunnydale site and authorized the superintendent to sign the appropriate documents.

2. Resolution No. 2208 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Cedarhurst Elementary School Replacement Project – Easement with Val Vue Sewer District. The board adopted Resolution No. 2208 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Cedarhurst Elementary School Replacement Project – Easement with Val Vue Sewer District and authorized the superintendent to sign all necessary documents pursuant to the easement, as they become available.

3. Final Acceptance of Purchase Order No. P054808 – with Williams Scotsman, Inc. for the Purchase of Portable Classrooms at the Woodside Site. The board accepted the work of Williams Scotsman, Inc. for the purchase of portable classrooms and installation at the Woodside site for a total cost of $429,002.84, plus Washington State sales tax.

4. Proposed Rate Increase for Uniformed Security/Police Officer Wages. The board approved the proposed amendment to the Classified Substitute and Temporary Employees’ Salary Schedule, increasing the rate for Uniformed Security/Police Officers to $35.35 per hour, with a four-hour minimum, effective January 1, 2006.

5. Disposal of Surplus Equipment. The board declared the vehicle listed and the items stored at Maywood as surplus, and authorized the staff to dispose of the equipment according to the current State statutes and regulations.

6. 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:

Capital Projects Fund warrant #174492 dated 2/10/2006 for $20,664.38;

Transportation Vehicle Fund warrant #174493 dated 2/10/2006 for $89,002.68;

General Fund warrants #174494 through #174781 dated 2/15/2006 for $737,653.03;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #174782 through #174792 dated 2/15/2006 for $29,339.71;

ASB Fund warrants #174793 through #174824 dated 2/15/2006 for $31,034.58;

Trust Fund warrant #174825 dated 2/15/2006 for $58.48;

General Fund warrants #174826 through #175098 dated 2/22/2006 for $535,666.25;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #175099 through #175115 dated 2/22/2006 for $1,691,920.56;

and ASB Fund warrants #175116 through #175162 dated 2/22/2006 for $25,872.42.

7. Personnel Matters. The board approved one (1) leave, eleven (11) new hires, sixty-five (65) supplemental contracts; four (4) new assignments, and four (4) others as listed in the regular agenda; and six (6) leaves, one (1) resignation, eight (8) new hires, eighteen (18) supplemental contracts, and four (4) others as listed in the supplemental agenda.

8. Donation to Highline High School. The board approved the $24,168.20 donation to Highline High School’s Band Club from the Highline High School Band Booster Club.

9. Donation to Hazel Valley by Hazel Valley PTSA. The board approved the donation of $4,000 by the Hazel Valley PTSA to Hazel Valley Elementary School to be used for field trips.

Susan Goding moved approval of the consent agenda as presented, Matt Pina seconded the motion.

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

PRESENTATION

Superintendent Welch introduced Demographer Les Kendrick who gave district trends and projections through 2009 and explained how the information will affect enrollment throughout the district.

Superintendent Welch followed up with comments regarding boundary and enrollment matters pertaining to Hazel Valley, Madrona, Hilltop, and McMicken Heights.

Susan Goding commented on Aviation High School needing a new location and asked if Evergreen High School had been considered as an interim location for the school. Superintendent Welch responded that Aviation High School is currently scheduled to remain on the campus of South Seattle Community College for one more year, and that Evergreen had not been considered—noting that combining the two campuses could possibly compromise the cultures of both schools.

Superintendent Welch presented a possible boundary adjustment plan for Marvista Elementary School feeding into Pacific Middle School and Mount Rainier High School and stated, given the present projections, there would be space at Pacific and Mount Rainier for those students in the affected area; however, there could be a transportation problem that would affect the transfer students who elect to attend Sylvester Middle School and Highline High School. Superintendent Welch said he is looking into the issue as to whether the district would be able to provide transportation for one more year for those students, and would get back to the board regarding his findings.

Tom Slattery commented that if the adjustment is allowed, he would like to see the district find transportation, stating it was the system that changed the pattern and not the families choosing the change. Matt Pina agreed and commented the district needed to resolve the matter as soon as possible so families could make decisions regarding what schools their children would be attending.

Superintendent Welch remarked he would follow up with a written proposal to the board so they could take action on the matter.

DISCUSSION

1. Legislative Report

Tom Slattery reported that Matt Pina, Susan Goding, Catherine Carbone Rogers, Superintendent Welch, and he went to Olympia and talked with legislators regarding various matters of interest; and reported that the simple majority bill did not pass the senate. Matt Pina commented that Senator Keiser put forth a bill to promote financial education. Superintendent Welch reported that on February 10 students from the Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment had been to Olympia observing the process of getting bills through the legislature.

2. Other Business

Board members had an extensive discussion regarding student-led conferences in the middle schools and high schools; proposed a highbred system that encompasses both arena conferencing and student-led conferencing; and discussed the importance of cultural fairs. Superintendent Welch remarked that parents have the ability to meet with teachers throughout the year, not just during arena or student-led conferences; stated he will come back with a couple of conference options for the board to review; and referenced the students’ understanding of the thirteenth-year plan and the understanding process.

Tom Slattery reported on a presentation he attended by Dr. Jack Shonkoff, and encouraged everyone to read Dr. Shonkoff’s book From Neurons to Neighborhoods.

Susan Goding stated she would represent the board at the auditor’s entrance interview on March 2.

3. Follow-up Items and Work/Study Sessions

Matt Pina questioned that High School Curriculum for Advanced Placement scheduled for March 22 was slated as a written report. Superintendent Welch explained that the College Preparedness work/study scheduled for March 22 would allow for an in-depth discussion with Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate representatives and administration planned a written report to identify what curriculum the district offers.

Follow-up Items are on track.

4. Next Steps

President Byers reminded board members of the Work/Study Session with stakeholder’s on March 1, at 5:00 p.m., at the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center regarding the strategic plan; and announced the next regularly scheduled board meeting is scheduled for March 8, 2006, at 6:00 p.m., in the Boardroom of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

There was no unscheduled communication.

ADJOURNMENT

Matt Pina moved the meeting be adjourned, Susan Goding seconded the motion.

Phyllis Byers adjourned the meeting at 7:05 p.m.

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President, Board of Directors

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Secretary to the Board