HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

December 12, 2007

                                                                                                                                                                 

CALL TO ORDER

President Pina called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Former Mount Rainier student Derek Pina led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

      Matt Pina, President

      Julie Burr Spani, Vice President

      Phyllis Byers          

      Susan Goding

      Tom Slattery

     

Central office members present:

John Welch, Superintendent

Carla Jackson, Deputy Superintendent

Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services

Alan Spicciati, Chief Accountability Officer

Steve Grubb, Executive Director/Elementary and Middle Schools

Susanne Jerde, Executive Director/Elementary and Middle Schools

Susan Smith Leland, Executive Director/Finance & Business Services

Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Nancy Pappas Barnhart, Director/Recruiting and Retention

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

Kim O’Neil, Assistant Director/Employee Services and Labor Relations

Courtney Vollan, Assistant Director/Title I, LAP, ELL, & Indian Education

Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative Programs

Rick Mahoney, Manager/Retention Programs

Lisa Tylor, Coordinator/Budget Financial Reporting & Grants

Cherri Smith, Coordinator/District Secondary Literacy

Wendy Sayan, Supervisor/Secondary Alignment

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the August 22, 2007, regular Board meeting and executive session minutes as presented; Tom Slattery seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved as presented.

 

SCHOOL BOARD REORGANIZATION

 

President Pina asked Phyllis Byers and Tom Slattery to join him in stepping down from the Board and turned the meeting over to Vice President Julie Burr Spani.

 

Vice President Spani turned the meeting over to Superintendent Welch.

 

Superintendent Welch asked Judges Seitz to come forward and swear in the new School Board directors.  Judge Seitz gave the oath of office to Sili Savusa, Bernie Dorsey, and Michael Spear.

 

Vice President Spani announced the meeting would be recessed for a few minutes for pictures, and to give the audience an opportunity to congratulate the new Board members and thank the out-going Board members.  The meeting recessed at 6:16 p.m.

 

At 6:24 p.m. Vice President Burr Spani reconvened the meeting and took roll with of the new members now serving on the Board.  Those present were: Bernie Dorsey, Susan Goding, Sili Savusa, Michael Spear, and Julie Burr Spani.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Michael Spear.

 

The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

 

Vice President Burr Spani asked for nominations for president of the Board.

 

Susan Goding nominated Julie Burr Spani; Michael Spear seconded the motion.

 

No other names were nominated for president.

 

Mrs. Burr Spani was unanimously elected as the new Board president.

 

President Burr Spani asked for nominations for vice president.

 

Susan Goding nominated Bernie Dorsey as Board vice president; Michael Spear seconded the motion.

 

No other names were nominated for vice president.

 

Mr. Dorsey was unanimously elected as Board vice president.

 

The following Board members volunteered to serve as Board representatives on the following committees and/or organizations:

 

Bernie Dorsey              Panasonic Foundation

Susan Goding               WIAA

Sili Savusa                    Superintendent’s Advisory Council

Julie Burr Spani            The Highline Forum

Michael Spear              Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence

 

 

RECOGNITIONS

 

Karen Matsumoto of the Environmental Educational Association of Washington recognized Marine Technology Teacher Joe Weiss of the Puget Sound Skills Center for receiving the organization’s Formal Educator of the Year Award.

 

Manger of Retention Programs Rick Mahoney recognized teachers Ron Adams, Diana Hass, Victoria Holeman, and Kyong Yim for receiving their certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.    Superintendent Welch congratulated the teachers for their accomplishments.  President Spani commended the teachers for their hard work and commented that the students will benefit from teachers’ hard work.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Co-president of the Highline Council PTSA Jill Wunch welcomed new Board members; thanked outgoing members for their dedication and service in serving the district; announced the organization’s upcoming meeting on February 25 with Superintendent Welch and Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson; and gave Board members the new PTSA 2007-2008 Directory.

 

Highline Education Association Representative Debbie Strayer mentioned the organization was pleased regarding the Simple Majority legislation passing; reported the executive board attended a training session in Austin regarding the World Café communication system; and then as a staff member at Mount Rainier High School, she invited Board members to various events at the school.

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

There was no scheduled communication.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch congratulated Bernie Dorsey, Sili Savusa, and Michael Spears for being elected to serve on the Board; shared that Pacific and Sylvester Middle Schools earned honorable mentions in the 2007 State Superintendent Learning Improvement Awards for their progress in mathematics and reading; reported that he and former president Matt Pina spoke at the Des Moines council meeting concerning a joint retreat with the Board in the spring; referenced the 2006-2007 Financial Report included in the agenda under Written Reports, and commended Susan Smith Leland for her work over the past nine months; reported on various programs that brought in additional revenue funding last year; stated that Mrs. Smith Leland will be conducting a training workshop regarding “school finance 101,” after the first-of-the-year; announced that Odyssey, The Essential School senior Isaura Jimenez is the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from the National Council of  La Raza; commented on recent meetings with legislators regarding priorities for 2008; and mentioned his experience in serving on a panel for the Seattle Foundation regarding education and the economy.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

Susan Goding wanted to discuss item # 7 - Policy Series 2000 – Instruction – First Reading before voting on the consent agenda, and she pulled item # 4 - Renaming of Meeting Rooms at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center. 

 

Susan Goding and Julie Burr Spani both requested changes to wording concerning various 2000 policies, and requested the verbiage be incorporated in the second reading of Policy Series 2000 – Instruction.

 

1.                  Approval to Submit Application for Carl Perkins Federal Funding for Career and Technical Education at the Puget Sound Skills Center, 2007-08 School Year.  The Board approved the Puget Sound Skills’ Center 1007-08 application for Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education funding and authorized the superintendent to sign the assurances pages.

 

2.                  Approval to Submit Application for Carl Perkins Federal Funding for Career and Technical Education in the Highline School District, 2007-08 School Year.  The Board approved Highline Public Schools 2007-08 application for Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education funding and authorized the superintendent to sign the assurances pages.

 

3.                  Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Final Acceptance Bid No. 06/07-8 – Upgrade Security at Secondary Schools.  The Board accepted the work of Cannon Construction, Inc. related to Bid No. 06/07-8 -Upgrade Security at Secondary Schools for a cost of $1,336,000, plus Washington State sales tax.

 

5.         Yearly Bid Calendar for the 2007-2008 School Year.  The Board approved the Yearly Bid Calendar for the 2007-2008 School Year.

 

6.         Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $10,000 donation from the Quest for Truth Foundation for Aviation High School; $8,000 to the General Fund (3356), $1,000 to the ASB Fund (10276-3), and $1,000 to the Dan Hartley Trust (81976-3).

 

7.         Policy Series 2000 – Instruction – First Reading.  Policy Series 2000 – Instruction was a briefing only, and will be considered for action at a subsequent meeting.

 

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 $186,264.71;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 11/30/2007 for $6,309,712.56;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 11/30/2007 for $2,426,031.33;

General Fund warrants #200699 through #200907 dated 11/14/2007 for $548,030.61;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #200908 through #200939 dated 11/14/2007 for $779,149.75;

ASB Fund warrants #200940 through #200971 dated 11/14/2007 for $21,142.90;

Trust Fund warrant #200972 dated 11/14/2007 for $165.00;

General Fund warrants #200973 through #201221 dated 11/21/2007 for $968,073.09;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #201222 through #201239 dated 11/21/2007 for $3,106,723.59;

ASB warrants #201240 through #201282 dated 11/21/2007 for $36,956.49;

Trust Fund warrants @201283 through #201284 dated 11/21/2007 for $530.01;

General Fund warrants #201285 through #201457 dated 11/28/2007 for $303,331.71;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #201458 through #201468 dated 11/28/2007 for $2,646,867.40;

ASB Fund warrants #201469 through #201496 dated 11/28/2007 for $17,199.09;

Trust Fund warrant #201497 dated 11/28/2007 for $340.00;

General Fund warrants #201498 through #210592 dated 11/29/2007 for $3,084,299.23;

ASB Fund warrant #201593 dated 11/29/2007 for $151.83;

General Fund warrants #201594 through #201788 dated 12/5/2007 for $691,866.89;

Capital Projects Fund #201789 through #201826 dated 12/5/2007 for $2,276,213.52;

ASB Fund warrants #201827 through #201851 dated 12/5/2007 for $10,700.67;

General Fund warrants #201852 through #202095 dated 12/12/2007 for $797,167.16;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #202096 through #202111 dated 12/12/2007 for $2,263,941.89;

and ASB Fund warrants #202112 through #202143 dated 12/12/2007 for $23,549.93.

                                                 

9.         Personnel Matters.  The Board approved five (5) resignations, twelve (12) new hires, eight (8) supplemental contracts, eleven (11) special coaches, one (1) certificated exception, and three (3) others as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) resignations, four (4) new hires, one (1) special coach, one (1) certificated exception, and eleven (11) others as listed on the supplemental agenda..

 

10.       Administrative Salary Schedule 2007-2008.  The Board approved the revised Administrative Salary Schedule 2007-2008.

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the consent agenda as revised; Bernie Dorsey seconded the motion.

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as revised.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Renaming of Meeting Rooms at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center. 

 

Susan Goding expressed her opposition to renaming conference rooms after individuals.

 

Julie Burr Spani gave an explanation as to why she wanted to honor these individuals by naming rooms after them. 

 

A Board discussion followed.  Board members agreed that the matter could be discussed at the upcoming Board retreat, and asked for information regarding where rooms have already been named after individuals.  New Board members did not feel they had enough information to vote on the item, and agreed that the matter could be brought back at a subsequent Board meeting after they have been given more information.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson gave a presentation regarding the purpose of curriculum and college audits.

 

Executive Director of Human Resources Don Waring gave a presentation on the district’s recruiting and retention program.

 

A Board discussion followed Mr. Waring’s presentation.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

Susan Goding commented on recent meetings with legislators regarding the district’s 2008 legislative priorities.

 

2.  Other Business

 

Julie Burr Spani mentioned the HSFFE wants to raise an additional $50,000 to start an endowment fund; reported that Joe and Jane McGeehan want to do more for arts programs in the district by doing grants and fundraisers; announced that the Foundation received $14,000 from employees in pledges via the United Way drive; declared that after the Foundation gives their final awards this year, the Foundation will have reached the $1 million mark in gifts to the district; and remarked the Foundation would like to have representatives from big corporations serve on their board.

 

Susan Goding reported on the Vietnamese fundraiser dinner she and Michael Spear attended.  Ms. Goding also commented regarding a school district in Oregon that matched the students to the class, resulting in a class of 65 students.  She remarked that she would like to see the Highline district investigate this approach.

 

Superintendent Welch asked Board members to let him know their interest in attending the National School Board Conference in March. 

                                                                                

3.   Next Steps

 

President Burr Spani announced the next regularly scheduled Board meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2008, at 6 p.m. at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Sili Savusa moved the meeting be adjourned, Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

 

President Burr Spani declared the meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

 

                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board