HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

March 9, 2005

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Slattery called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m. in Gymnasium at Sunnydale Elementary School.

 

Board Member Phyllis Byers greeted everyone in Spanish, welcoming them to the board meeting. 

 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Former Board Member Ed Pina led the flag salute.

 

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

            Tom Slattery, President

            Steve Denmark, Vice President

Phyllis Byers

Matt Pina

 

Mengstab Tzegai had an excused absence.

 

 

Central office members present:

            Dr. Joseph McGeehan, Superintendent

Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services

Carla Jackson, Executive Officer/Academics and School Improvement

Barbara Blackshear-Haley, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Susanne Jerde, Director/ ELL-Title I, Elementary School

Melissa Patterson, Director/Business Services

Alan Schmidt, Director/Facilities Services

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Communication Officer

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the minutes of the February 16, 2005, board meeting, the February 19, 2005, executive session, and the February 24, 2005, executive session as presented.  Steve Denmark seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved unanimously as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Steve Denmark moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Matt Pina.

 

The agenda was approved unanimously as presented.

 

 

HOST PRINCIPAL

 

Sunnydale Elementary School Principal Vipi Dorland welcomed the board, parents, and community members; thanked the PTSA members for supplying refreshments; asked those who would be commenting at the meeting to frame their remarks in a respectful and kind manner; and talked about the history of Sunnydale, the first school in the district.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

At 6:14 p.m. President Slattery opened the Public Hearing regarding proposed school closures and boundary changes.

 

Dr. McGeehan presented the proposal for school closures and boundary changes, and announced additional meeting dates and locations regarding those meetings.

 

Bob Frause facilitated the hearing in which 34 parents, students, and community and staff members commented on the proposed school closures and boundary changes.

 

President Slattery closed the Public Hearing portion of the meeting regarding proposed school closures and boundary changes at 7:50 p.m.

 

There was a brief break.

 

The board meeting reconvened at 7:55 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff thanked the board for welcoming input regarding the superintendent selection, and expressed his disappointment that only two finalists were presented for consideration at the end of the a national superintendent search.

 

H.A.S.S.P Co-president Stacie Grage stated concern that the organization was not receiving information from district administration concerning small learning communities and how the reorganization will impact classified employees throughout the district.

 

Highline Council PTSA President Debbie Thoma thanked the board for involving their organization in the superintendent search process; reported on the Reflections program; announced the district had two state winners - Marvista’s Avery Gardner won for dance, and Shorewood’s Katheranne Reese won for outstanding interpretation in the film category; reported that Legislative Chairperson Meg Van Wyk had the opportunity to speak to various legislators; gave an update on the organization’s work regarding state funding and asked the board to contact state representatives regarding their support of the Simple Majority Bill; and commented on concerns from parents pertaining to obtaining information about small learning communities and reminded administration to update the district website regarding the matter.

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Maenad Widdershins, 18816 1st Place S.W., Normandy Park, commented on the proposed school closures as they relate to the challenge program.

 

The following individuals commented on the need for a security resource officer at Evergreen High School:

Bob Brown, 9814 21st S.W., Seattle

Evergreen High School ASB President Aaron Garcia, 11318 20th Place S. W., Seattle

Justice Nino, 12255 16th Avenue S., Seattle

Joy Hicks, 10834 1st Avenue S.W., Seattle

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Dr. McGeehan referenced comments regarding the need for school resource officers and reported on the costs of these officers to the district; stated the officers had been provided through a grant that is no longer in effect; commented he is in discussion with the board regarding finding a long-term solution; stated the district would need to find comparable resources for the other three high schools; announced that there will be a work/study session on March 23 to answer questions board members have regarding school closures and boundary changes; thanked the translators for helping with the meeting; commented that the board and administrators are listening to all the comments regarding closures and boundary changes; and reported the governor is expected to present her budget between March 21 and 23.

 

Dr. McGeehan introduced Captain James Graddon from the King County Sheriff’s Office who spoke on behalf of the Sheriff regarding the SRO program.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

Board Member Matt Pina requested Item #1 be pulled for further discussion.

 

 

2.      Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Olympic Interim School Improvement Bid Set 1 – Final Acceptance of Bid No. 03/04-08.  The board accepted the work of Pine Island Construction, related to bid No. 03/04-08 – Olympic Interim School Improvements Bid Set 1 for a total cost of $513,503.00 plus Washington state sales tax.                                                               

 

3.      $2,500 Donation to the Hilltop Elementary Library from the Fred Meyer Foundation.  The board approved the $2,500 donation by the Fred Meyer Foundation to the Hilltop Elementary Library to purchase additional books for the school’s reading program.

 

4.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 $216,049.92;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 2/28/2005 for $4,721,362.52;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 2/28/2005 for $1,757,375.56;

General Fund warrants #158985 through #159248 dated 2/23/2005 for $380,260.13;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #159249 through #159269 dated 2/23/2005 for $593,377.91;

ASB Fund warrants #159270 through #159311 dated 2/23/2005 for $24,384.28;

Trust Fund warrants #159312 through #159315 dated 2/23/2005 for $2,184.82;

General Fund warrants #159316 through #159427 dated 2/24/2005 for $2,271,448.96;

General Fund warrants #159428 through #159612 dated 3/2/2005 for $293,751.27;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #159613 through #159625 dated 3/2/2005 for $188,860.97;

ASB Fund warrants #159626 through #159653 dated 3/2/2005 for $29,671.45;

Trust Fund warrant #159654 dated 3/2/2005 for $106.00;

General Fund warrant #159655 dated 3/4/2005 for $99.32;

General Fund warrants #159656 through #159924 dated 3/9/2005 for $743,578.69;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #159925 through #159941 dated 3/9/2005 for $310,663.69;

ASB Fund warrants #159942 through #159978 dated 3/9/2005 for $21,945.75;

Transportation Vehicle Fund warrant #159979 dated 3/9/2005 for $153,532.04;

and Trust Fund warrant #159980 dated 3/9/2005 for $258.40

 

                                                          

5.      Personnel Matters.  The board approved one (1) resignation, twelve (12) new hires, one (1) new assignment, and two (2) others as listed in the regular agenda; and four (4) resignations, eighteen (18) new hires, thirty-eight (38) supplemental contracts, seventeen (17) special coaches, and five (5) others as listed in the supplemental agenda.                                                                                 

 

6.           PTSA Donation to Des Moines Elementary School.  The board approved the $6,400 donation by the Des Moines Elementary PTSA for field trips for the teachers and students at Des Moines Elementary School.

 

7.      PTSA Donation to Bow Lake Elementary School.  The board approved the $3,450 donation by the Bow Lake PTSA to Bow Lake Elementary to be used for field trips.

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the consent agenda as revised, Steve Denmark seconded.

 

The revised consent agenda was approved unanimously.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Policy 2410 – High School Graduation Requirements – For Adoption. 

 

Matt Pina reiterated his concerns regarding the math and science credit requirements.

 

Board members discussed the issue.

 

Dr. McGeehan introduced Executive Officer of Academics and School Improvement Dr. Carla Jackson who explained the reason for the policy change.

 

Dr. McGeehan commented the subject could be added as a follow-up item and passing the policy change would not jeopardize the legitimacy of further conversation regarding the matter.

 

Matt. Pina moved the board postpone taking action on the item until they received more information on the matter.  There was no second, therefore,  President Slattery declared the motion dead.

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of Policy 2410 – High School Graduation Requirements as presented, Steve Denmark seconded the motion.

 

The revisions to Policy 2410, to include the 1.0 arts requirement, as well as inclusion of the Certificate of Academic Achievement and Certificate of Individual Achievement, were adopted by the board 3 to 1, with Matt Pina opposing.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

President Slattery reiterated that the board is waiting on the governor’s budget; explained the process of the Simple Majority Bill before legislators; and stated if passed, the bill would be put before the voters in November.

 

2.  Other Business

     

      President Slattery gave board members an opportunity to address questions regarding the proposed school closures and boundary changes.

 

Dr. McGeehan answered a number of the questions, and read a statement he sent to principals reminding them the proposed changes are still in the process stage.

 

President Slattery affirmed the board will not be making a decision before April 20, and asked the community to be patient in the process.

 

3.   Superintendent Search Update

 

President Slattery stated the board was still involved in the process of selecting a new superintendent and stated the board wanted to get the best candidates possible; commented the board’s intent was to hire the best possible person for the position; explained how the board came up with the two candidates as finalists; stated the board was not going to bring people who wouldn’t be a good fit for the district; and reminded everyone that Dr. McGeehan was still the superintendent until July 1, 2005.

 

3.   Follow-up Items  

 

Current items on track.

 

Matt Pina requested the math and science graduation requirements be added to the follow-up list.  

                                                                      

4.   Next Steps

 

            Work/Study – Small Learning Communities:  March 21 at 5:30 p.m.

            Evergreen and Tyee High Schools

Educational Resource and Administrative Center

 

School Board Meeting:  March 23 at 6:00 p.m.

            Work/Study Session – School Closures/Boundary Changes     

Salmon Creek Elementary

614 S.W. 120th Street, Seattle

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

 

The following individuals commented on the importance of a security resource officer at Evergreen High School:

 

            Chris Sims, 10423 2nd Avenue S., Seattle

Charles Lind, 1802 16th Avenue, Seattle

 

The following individuals expressed concerns regarding proposed changes to the challenge program:

 

Sylvia Bonham, 111 S. 197th Street, Des Moines

Kim Dunn, S.W. 185th Place, Normandy Park

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Phyllis Byers moved the meeting be adjourned; seconded by Steve Denmark.

 

The motion was approved unanimously.

 

 

Tom Slattery adjourned the meeting at 9:32 p.m.

 

                                                                       

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board