HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
December
10, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
President Burr Spani called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. in the Board
Room of the Educational Resource and
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mount Rainier Sophomore Class President Chino Gonzales led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Bernie
Dorsey, Vice President
Susan
Goding
Sili
Savusa
Michael
Spear
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
Andréa Johnson, Executive Director/Facilities
Services
Susan Smith Leland, Executive Director/Finance &
Business Services
Terri LePenske, Executive Director/Student Support
Services
Angus Mairs, Executive Director/Instruction Design
and Development
Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources
Mark Finstrom, Director/Technology Services
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Janet Hodson, Assistant Director/Total Compensation
Rick Mahoney, Assistant Director/Recruiting and Retention
Kim O’Neil, Assistant Director/Employee Services and
Labor Relations
SCHOOL BOARD
REORGANIZATION
President Burr Spani asked for nominations for Board president. Susan
Goding nominated Bernie Dorsey for president. No other names were nominated for
president. Bernie Dorsey was unanimously elected as the new Board president.
President Dorsey asked for nominations for Board vice president. Michael
Spear nominated Sili Savusa as vice president.
No other names were nominated for vice president. Sili Savusa was
unanimously elected as Board vice president.
The following Board members volunteered to serve as 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
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Susan Goding moved approval of the November 5, 2008, regular Board
meeting, and the November 17, 2008, executive session minutes as presented; Sili
Savusa seconded the motion.
The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Sili Savusa moved approval of
the agenda as presented, seconded by Susan Goding.
The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins stated she
feels teachers are being vilified by the media and public; expressed concern
regarding suggestions being made for fixing the education system; and asked the
community and Board to give the teachers the recognition they deserve.
Highline Council PTSA Vice President and Region 9 Legislative Chair Meg
Van Wyk congratulated the new Board officers; announced that the Highline
Council PTSA has been converted from a 501(c)4 to a 501(c)3, retroactive to
June 2008; reported that the council closed the PTSA groups at Cascade Middle
School and on the Evergreen Campus because of low membership; gave a brief
update on the Kent area council meeting she attended, and commented on the
upcoming legislative session.
Scheduled Communication
The following individuals commented on various needs concerning the district’s
music program and requested a district Fine Arts Administrator:
Barbara McMichael
Laurie Heckel,
Sara Stricherz,
Jeffrey Steen,
Sandra Locklear, 15607 18th SW, Burien
Mysty Beal,
The following
Alex Flood,
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch addressed the comments pertaining to the music
program and referenced an arts council/partnership with a community voice; announced
four Highline High School drama students were honored by the ACT Theater for
plays they had written; commented on a
conversation with the City of Des Moines and community members regarding the
replacement of Des Moines Elementary; stated he is working with Des Moines
Police Department to keep our children and campuses safe; remarked on the Mount
Rainier Pool report regarding keeping the pool open; reported there is
conversation with the City of Des Moines regarding putting funding in place to
keep the pool open; and noted his visits to middle schools regarding the
College Bound Scholarship opportunity, and his visits with the eighth graders
at the schools.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
Michael
Spear pulled Item No. 3 - Resolution No. 2359 from the consent agenda, asking
for an explanation regarding the district’s legal responsibility and how the
item was drafted. Mr. Spear asked that
the item be changed to a briefing only and be brought back to the Board for
consideration at a future meeting. Julie
Burr Spani also asked for clarification regarding the item.
Michael
Spear moved that Resolution No. 2359 be changed to be a briefing only and be brought
back to the Board for consideration at a future date; Sili Savusa seconded the
motion.
The
Board unanimously approved the motion to consider the item as a briefing only
and to bring the resolution back to the Board at a future date.
Julie
Burr Spani pulled Item No. 4 – Burien Heights Site – Amendment to Ground Lease
with NAVOS, asking for clarification concerning clauses in the lease. Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain gave an
explanation and clarified the verbiage concerning the lease. Ms. Burr Spani reinstated the item back on
the consent agenda.
1.
Resolution No. 2357 – Capital Facilities Improvement
Plan – Shorewood Elementary Replacement Project – Critical Area Protective
Easement with the City of
2.
Resolution No. 2358 – Capital Facilities Improvement
Plan –
3.
Resolution No. 2359 –
4.
5.
Approval for Contract for New Third-Party
Administrator for 403(b) Account. The Board approved the contract to the
third-party administrator, CPI Qualified Plan Consultants, for the
administration of 403(b) tax sheltered annuity accounts.
6.
Approval of 2008-2009 Addendum to Contractual
Agreement for Financing and Operations of the
7.
Revised Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of
Business, and Quorum — Board Meeting Start Time Change. The Board
approved the recommended change to Policy 1400 – Regular Meetings – changing
the start time of Board meetings to 6 p.m.
8.
9.
Approval of Vouchers and Warrants. Approval of payment of vouchers audited and
certified by the auditing committee (for October 15, 22, & 29, November 5,
12, & 20) 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 $55,178.63;
Payroll automatic deposits dated 11/26/2008
for $6,788,814.22;
Payroll wire tax transfer dated 11/26/2008
for $2,576,529.39;
General Fund warrants #213385 through #213522
dated 11/12/2008 for $636,017.26;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #213523
through #213553 dated 11/12/2008 for $657,910.90;
ASB Fund warrants #213554 through #213578 dated
11/12/2008 for $50,799.46;
General Fund warrants #213579 through #213778
dated 11/19/2008 for $427,842.88;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #213779
through #213801 dated 11/19/2008 for $4,698,180.37;
ASB Fund warrants #213802 through #213827 dated
11/19/2008 for $15,523.01;
Trust Fund warrant #213828 dated 11/19/2008
for $65.40;
General Fund warrants #213829 through #213917
dated 11/24/2008 for $2,224,942.45;
General Fund warrants #213918 through #214157
dated 11/26/2008 for $607,428.54;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #214158
through #214180 dated 11/26/2008 for $596,007.56;
ASB Fund warrants #214181 through #214207
dated 11/26/2008 for $17,010.48
General Fund warrants #214208 through #214325
dated 12/03/2008 for $415,928.76;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #214326
through #214343 dated 12/03/2008 for $201,707.42;
ASB Fund warrants #214344 through #214364
dated 12/03/2008 for $17,939.22;
Trust Fund warrants #214365 through #214366
dated 12/03/2008 for $6,010.00;
General Fund warrants #214367 through #214506
dated 12/10/2008 for $404,134.11;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #214507
through #214529 dated 12/10/2008 for $390,784.15;
ASB Fund warrants #214530 through #214552
dated 12/10/2008 for $12,920.49;
and Transportation Vehicle Fund warrant
#214553 dated 12/10/2008 for $15.26.
10.
Personnel Matters. The Board approved five (5) resignations, twelve (12) new hires, one
(1) new hire – retire/rehire, two (2) supplemental contracts, nine (9) special
coaches, one (1) certificated exception,
and nineteen (19) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.
Michael Spear moved
approval of the consent agenda as modified; Julie Burr Spani seconded the
motion.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved as modified.
PRESENTATION
Executive Director
of Finance and Business Services Susan Smith Leland congratulated the new Board
officers; gave an update concerning the 2007-08 Year-End Financial Report; gave
an overview of the 2008-09 budget status; and presented the 2009-10 budget
projections.
Executive Director
of Human Resources Don Waring thanked former Assistant Director of Recruitment
and Retention Nancy Pappas for her work regarding recruitment and retention; announced
Dr. Rick Maloney has assumed the role of recruiting and retention;
introduced Human Resources staff members that were present, and commended them
for their work; and gave an update regarding the district’s recruitment,
retention, and induction strategies. A Board discussion followed Mr. Waring’s
presentation.
Sue
Bjēlke,
Sandra Locklear, 15607
18th SW, Burien, commented that the district needs highly qualified
teachers in the arts.
1. Legislative Report
Susan Goding commented on a report from the state’s Basic
Education Task Force; and remarked on the upcoming federal economic stimulus
package. Superintendent Welch remarked
on the feedback the district has received from legislators concerning the
package.
2. Board
and Superintendent Business and Updates
Sili Savusa reminded
Board members that Big Picture High School’s Senior Exhibition Week is December
15 through 19, 2008.
Susan Goding
inquired as to why the Unscheduled Communication segment was at the end of the
meeting. Superintendent Welch explained
that having Unscheduled Communication towards the end of the meeting gives
those in attendance an opportunity to hear what was discussed throughout the
course of the evening, and then comment.
Julie Burr Spani reported
on the supporter breakfast event she attended at the
Michael Spear addressed
Stacie Hawkins comments regarding recognizing teachers for what they are doing
right; and commented on the district’s music program stating he would like to
see the matter addressed. A Board
discussion followed. Superintendent
Welch said he would review the work/study schedule with the new Board
president, and will include the fine arts program on the updated list.
Sili Savusa
commented on safety issues and the upcoming work/study concerning bullying.
Superintendent
Welch referenced the letter from the City of
Superintendent
Welch reminded Board members of the upcoming executive session on January 5,
2009, regarding his mid-year evaluation.
Bernie Dorsey thanked
Board members for their trust in electing him as the new Board president; and
reminded the Board they need to stay focused regarding their “star” goals: (1) creating
systemwide measures for success, (2) increase time on student achievement, (3) conduct
collaborative visits at schools, and (4) increase Board recognition of the good
work that is being done throughout the district and community.
3. Next Steps
President Dorsey announced the following upcoming meetings:
Three work/study sessions on
Wednesday, December 17:
1. Reviewing specific policies
from the 3000 Series.
2. An update on the research concerning
School Start Times.
3. An update regarding the Tech
Plan for the Student Information System.
There will be an executive session regarding an
employee evaluation on January 5, 2009, from approximately 6 p.m.-7 p.m.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be
held on January 14, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Educational Resource and
ADJOURNMENT
Michael Spear moved the meeting be adjourned; Susan Goding seconded the
motion.
President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
_________________________________
President,
____________________________
Secretary to the Board