HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

October 25, 2006

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Byers called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. in the gymnasium of Des Moines Elementary School.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

McMicken Heights Elementary School students Austin Carlson and Kyle Kennedy led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

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

Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services

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

Steve Grubb, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Susanne Jerde, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Alan Spicciati, Executive Director/Secondary Schools

Marsha Spreier, Executive Director/Elementary Learning

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources

Nancy Pappas Barnhart, Director/Human Resources/Classified

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

Mark Finstrom, Director/Technology Services

Marianna Goheen, Director/College and Career and Secondary Counseling

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Relations

Michael Sita, Supervisor/High School Programs


APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Tom Slattery moved approval of the October 11, 2006, regular board meeting as presented.  Matt Pina seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Matt Pina moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Julie Burr Spani.

 

The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

 

 

HOST PRINCIPAL

 

Des Moines Elementary School Principal Karin Jones welcomed the Board; introduced staff members that were present; commented, as an educator and a parent, on how much she appreciates district administrators; thanked the staff, the PTA, and the community for their dedication and support of the school; commented on the various activities at the school; remarked that the school will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary next year; and stated the challenges the school community faces.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

Superintendent Welch congratulated Evergreen High School Principal Gail Barnum for being named Distinguished Principal of the Year for the Seamount 3A League.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff asked if he could comment after Rose Clark spoke.  President Byers granted his request.

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Rose Clark, 16856 Des Moines Memorial Drive, Burien, commented on small learning community schools and how they are impacting shared services.

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Alan Sutliff expressed support for saving and supporting all services in relationship to small learning communities; reported that the Federal Way School District has joined the network that will be bringing a lawsuit against the state for inadequate funding education; and commented on various aspects that need to be addressed in order for the district to retain qualified staff.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch announced that Barbara Billinghurst will be speaking at the Cabinet meeting on October 26 about the PTA’s research report regarding the inadequacy of funding;  reported that he will participate in a conference with the University of Washington and Washington State University regarding improving education in our state; remarked that the Microsoft Corporation is launching a public awareness campaign on the importance of math education, and noted their videos feature some Highline School District students; and reported that three Highline family members passed away this month: former superintendent Dr. Robert Sealey, community leader and volunteer Dr. Donovan Hanson, and Mount Rainier High School language arts teacher Dr. Robert Faist, and asked those present to participate in a moment of silence to honor these individuals.

 

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

1.      Resolution No. 2253 – To Authorize the Superintendent to Sign a New Interlocal Agreement for the Mount Rainier Swimming Pool on Behalf of the Highline School District No. 401.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2253 authorizing the superintendent to sign a new interlocal agreement for the Mount Rainier swimming pool on behalf of the Highline School District No. 401 for years 2007 through 2009.

 

2.      Approval of 2006-2007 Contractual Agreement for Financing and Operation of Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center.  The Board approved the 2006-2007 Addendum to the contractual agreement for the financing and operation of the Sea-Tac Occupational Skills Center between the Highline School District and the Federal Way, Tukwila, and Tahoma School Districts.

 

3.      Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $10,000 donation from the Quest for Truth Foundation for Aviation High School as follows:  $8000 to the General Fund (3356); $1000 to the ASB Fund (10276-3); and $1000 to the Dan Hartley Trust (81976-3).

 

4.      Donation to Parkside Elementary School by Parkside PTSA.  The Board approved the $4000 donation by Parkside Elementary School’s PTSA to cover the cost of transportation for student field trips.

 

5.      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:

 

General Fund warrants #184900 through #185137 dated 10/18/2006 for $680,729.58;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #185138 through #185139 dated 10/18/2006 for $23,693.11;

ASB Fund warrants #185140 through #185175 dated 10/18/2006 for $27,742.06;

Trust Fund warrant #185176 dated 10/18/2006 for $191.93;

General Fund warrants #185177 through #185347 dated 10/25/2006 for $300,887.94;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #185348 through #185365 dated 10/25/2006 for $1,857,678.98;

and ASB Fund warrants #185366 through #185388 dated 10/25/2006 for $12,841.96.

                                                                                                                                                    

6.      Personnel Matters.  The Board approved two (2) leaves, three (3) resignations, eleven (11) new hires, one (1) new assignment, and twelve (12) others as listed on the regular agenda; and one (1) leave, three (3) resignations, two (2) new hires, three hundred ninety-seven (397) supplemental contracts, five (5) new assignments, and eight (8) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.                                                                              

 

Tom Slattery moved approval of the consent agenda as presented, Matt Pina seconded the motion.

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

Executive Director of Human Resources Don Waring gave a presentation on what the district is doing to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel; reported where the district currently stands regarding compliance of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as modified by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001; discussed what the district is doing to hire teachers of diversity; and invited Board members to attend the Tacoma job fair.

 

A Board discussion followed the presentation.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

No report was given.

 

2.  Other Business

 

Matt Pina commented the Board needs to have conversations on how libraries and other areas are affected by the small learning communities, including the lack of a central office for the school campus; and asked the Board to consider joining other community organizations by drafting a letter to the Port to address rumors pertaining to a fourth runway.  A Board discussion followed.

 

Tom Slattery commented on the Gates Foundation grantee meeting for superintendents and board members that he, Phyllis Byers, Julie Burr Spani, and Superintendent Welch attended on October 23.

 

Phyllis Byers announced that on November 11, at 2:30 p.m., there will be a “Living Road of Remembrance” at Sunnydale to honor fallen soldiers.

 

3.   Follow-up Items and Work/Study Sessions  

 

On track.

                                                                                     

4.   Next Steps

 

There will be a work/study session on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center regarding:

·        High School Improvement

 

There will be two work/study sessions on November 8, 2006, at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center:

·        Dual Language School

·        Strategic Plan

 

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on November 8, 2006, at 6 p.m., at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Tom Slattery moved the meeting be adjourned; Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.

 

Phyllis Byers adjourned the meeting at 6:38 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board