HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

October 11, 2006

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Byers called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. in the boardroom of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Highline High School sophomore Esther Foster led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

Phyllis Byers, President

Susan Goding

Tom Slattery

Julie Burr Spani

 

Vice President Matt Pina had an excused absence.

 

 

Central office members present:

John Welch, Superintendent

Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services

Carla Jackson, Assistant Superintendent/Teaching, Learning, and School Improvement

Susanne Jerde, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Alan Spicciati, Executive Director/Secondary Schools

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources - Certificated

Marsha Spreier, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Beckie Bouchard, Director/Assessment, Evaluation, and System Accountability

Michael Sita, Interim Supervisor/High School Programs


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Tom Slattery moved approval of the September 27, 2006, regular board meeting as presented,  Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Tom Slattery moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Julie Burr Spani.

 

The agenda was approved unanimously.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

PEMCO Senior Education Representative Jim Menzies recognized Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment (A.C.E.) Vocational Teacher Joani Bishop for receiving the Teacher of the Year award from the Washington Association for Career and Technical Education.  Ms. Bishop is the first recipient to receive the award.

 

President Byers congratulated Ms. Bishop on behalf of the Board and the entire district.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff commented on candidates that the WEA supports in the upcoming elections, and referenced initiatives 920 and 933 and how they will impact education.

 

Meg Van Wyk Vice President of the Tyee Service Area for the Highline Council PTSA read a statement from the council regarding support for the band program in the Highline School District; commented on math score concerns; and reported on a meeting the organization had with Representative Upthegrove concerning the math issue.

 

Scheduled Communication

 

The following individuals commented on the band program at Highline High School, referenced scheduling challenges with the four-period day, and remarked on the value of the music program to the community:

 

1.      Carolyn Winiecki, 607 SW 175th Place, Normandy Park

2.      Wendy Frandle, 1802 SW 167th Street, Burien

3.      Linda Roush, 22495 13th Avenue S, Des Moines

4.      Nicole Vukonich, 160 SW Normandy Road - #210, Normandy Park

5.   Heidi Kludt, 160 SW Normandy Park Road – #211, Normandy Park

6.   Tyler Kimmel, 1633 SW 168th Street, Burien

7.   Esther Foster, 22495 13th Avenue S, Des Moines

 

Superintendent Welch thanked the speakers for expressing their concerns regarding the band program at Highline High School, and asked Executive Director of Secondary Schools Spicciati and Highline High School Principal Pat Dunn to look into the possibility of changing the scheduling structure.

 

                                                                                   

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch commented on enrollment numbers for the district; reported on the Oregon superintendents’ visit last week regarding small learning communities; reported that Executive Director Linda Lanham of Aerospace Futures Alliance of Washington and Vice President of Government & Community Relations Bob Watt of The Boeing Company visited Aviation High School this week; mentioned efforts to relocate Aviation High School to a location at the Museum of Flight; announced Speaker of the House Frank Chopp is planning a visit to Aviation High School; and commended the students that spoke at the meeting for their professionalism.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

1.                  Revised Policy 4314 – Community Relations – Gifts and Donations to the School District or Individual School.  The Board approved the recommended change to Policy 4314 allowing the superintendent to appoint a designee to approve gifts, grants, or donations with a value of less than $2500.

 

2.                  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 $258,762.21;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 9/26/2006 $5,376,504.84;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 9/26/2006 for $2,114,778.04;

General Fund warrants #184426 through #184625 dated 10/4/2006 for $702,072.33;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #184626 through #184644 dated 10/4/2006 for $386,153.34;

ASB Fund warrants #184645 through #184664 dated 10/4/2006 for $23,976.79;

General Fund warrants #184665 through #184863 dated 10/11/2006 for $698,014.09;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #184864 through #184881 dated 10/11/2006 for $3,632,096.70;

and ASB Fund warrants #184882 through #184899 dated 10/11/2006 for $27,022.29.

 

3.      Personnel Matters.  The Board approved three (3) leaves, seven (7) resignations, two (2) new hires, and five (5) others as listed in the regular agenda; and three (3) leaves, one (1) resignation, eighteen (18) new hires, one (1) supplemental contract, five (5) new assignments, and nine (9) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the consent agenda as presented, Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

Susan Goding gave a report on the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) regional conference she attended regarding state auditing.

 

 

2.  Other Business

 

The Board discussed recent incidents on school campuses and whether the district’s procedures are adequate. Superintendent Welch commented on what he is doing regarding the issue.

 

Julie Burr Spani remarked on the importance of band in our schools, and reiterated the Board’s support to the program.

 

Tom Slattery commented on the importance of the upcoming levy, and announced that Highline Citizens for Schools will hold a kick-off meeting at North Hill Elementary on October 30 at 7 p.m.

 

President Byers reminded Board members of the upcoming Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grantee meeting on October 23; referenced the Highline Citizens for Schools’ meeting at North Hill; and reminded Board members of the National School Boards Association’s annual conference in San Francisco in April 2007.

 

Superintendent Welch announced that district bus driver Anna Rasovich passed away today due to medical complications. 

 

 

3.   Follow-up Items and Work/Study Sessions 

 

      On track. 

              

                                                            

4.   Next Steps

 

President Byers announced the following meetings:

·        October 18, beginning at 5 p.m., in the North Classroom at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center, there will be two work/study sessions regarding: 1) the Levy Plan, and 2) a Technology Update. 

 

·        October 19 there will be a work/study session beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Sea‑Tac Occupational Skills Center, in the Albrecht Room, regarding Board development.

 

·        The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on October 25, at 6 p.m., at Des Moines Elementary School.  Also on October 25 there will be a work/study regarding the Teen Parent Program.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

 

The following individuals commented on the importance of band:

 

Johnny Stone, 2132 SW 159th Street, Burien

Angelica Vuong, 15422 21st Avenue SW, Burien

Christopher Amba Ndifon, 15820 8th Avenue SW, Burien

 

Jeanette Burrage, 905 S 209th Street, Des Moines, asked Board members to look into the possibility of teachers using intimidation tactics to discourage students who want to participate in band programs throughout the district.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Tom Slattery moved the meeting be adjourned, Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

 

Phyllis Byers adjourned the meeting at 7:15 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board