HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

January 14, 2009

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Cascade Middle School Principal Colin Ryan led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

      Bernie Dorsey, President   

      Sili Savusa, Vice President

      Julie Burr

      Susan Goding

      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

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Rexanne Forbes, Assistant Director/Communication

Rick Maloney, Assistant Director/Recruiting and Retention

Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative Programs

 


 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Sili Savusa moved approval of the December 10, 2008, executive session and regular Board meeting minutes, and the January 5, 2009, executive session minutes as presented; Julie Burr seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Michael Spear moved approval of the agenda as presented; Julie Burr seconded the motion.

 

The agenda was approved unanimously.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

Superintendent Welch recognized Paula Montgomery for her work with the Washington Global Health Alliance Ambassador Program and asked her to tell a little about the program and to introduce her staff members associated with the program.

 

Superintendent Welch recognized Assistant Director of Communication Rexanne Forbes for her work as this year’s campaign chair for the United Way Campaign. Because of her outstanding leadership and effort, Ms. Forbes has been nominated as United Way’s Chairperson of the Year.

 

Director of Recruiting and Retention Dr. Rick Maloney introduced the newest group of district teachers to receive certification from the National Board of Certification; introduced staff members from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards®, and asked them to assist with honoring the recipients who were receiving their certification; and introduced those teachers present who had previously received their certification.  Superintendent Welch and President Dorsey presented the recipients with their certificate plaques. National Board Certified Teachers are highly accomplished educators who have met high and rigorous standards in education.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins thanked the Board and superintendent on behalf of the teachers and support personnel for their service to the community and staff; mentioned that the organization has concerns regarding the budget and economy, and asked Superintendent Welch to attend their next council meeting to obtain input from the association; and remarked on the Working Together Staff meetings at the schools, noting the importance of the meetings.

 

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Mayone Woodbury, 10049 8th Avenue SW, Seattle, expressed her feelings of frustration and opposition concerning WASL testing.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch announced that on January 25 volunteers and experts are needed to will help students fill out FAFSA college applications, and invited Board members and the community to participate in the event; reported that Michiko Ogawa, from the Panasonic Corporation in Japan, visited the district to observe the work of the Panasonic Foundation; mentioned the district is in the process of submitting information to OSPI concerning a possible stimulus package;  shared concerns of the governor’s budget and stated he is meeting with superintendents throughout the region to respond to the budget; addressed the budget shortfall; noted that February 9 is the day the Board and he will be visiting legislators in Olympia; and commented on the new voucher and warrants reviewing system.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

Michael Spear and Sili Savusa requested item number 1, Resolution 2359 – White Center Heights Elementary School – Easement Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District be pulled for discussion.  Mr. Spear also pulled for discussion item number 4, Disposal of Surplus Equipment Vehicles.

 

Superintendent Welch asked Executive Director of Facilities Services Andréa Johnson to respond to Board members’ questions and concerns regarding Resolution 2359. A Board discussion followed.

 

Regarding item number 4, Mr. Spear questioned the surplus of pianos. Superintendent Welch responded to Mr. Spear’s questions regarding the surplus of pianos, and asked Executive Director of Finance & Business Services Susan Smith Leland to respond to Mr. Spear’s questions.

 

Both item 1- Resolution 2359 – White Center Heights Elementary School - Easement Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District, and item 4 - Disposal of Surplus Equipment Vehicles were placed back on the consent agenda.

 

1.      Resolution 2359 – White Center Heights Elementary School - Easement Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2359 – White Center Heights Elementary School – Easement Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District, and authorized the superintendent to sign all appropriate documents pursuant to the Easement Agreement.

 

2.      Aviation High School – Letter of Intent with The Museum of Flight. The Board approved the Letter of Intent with The Museum of Flight for Aviation High School, and authorized staff to execute all necessary documents.

 

3.      Revised Policies - 3410 (Student Health), 3417 (Catheterization), 3419 (Self-Administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications) for First Reading.  The Board considered the recommended revisions to Policy numbers 3410, 3417, and 3419. This was a briefing only, no action was taken.

 

4.      Disposal of Surplus Equipment and Vehicles.  The Board declared the unusable furniture and equipment listed as surplus, and authorized the list to be disposed of via the General Administration, State of Washington Surplus Agreement.

 

5.      Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $5000 donation from Hub International Northwest, LLC, to be use as follows:

            $2500 for scholarships;

$1000 for the instructional program;

$500 for staff professional development;

$500 for support of the Speech and Debate Team;

$250 for support of the Robotics Team;

and $250 for support of the Science Olympiad.

 

6.      Approval of Vouchers and Warrants (November 24 and 26, and December 3, 2008).  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 $44,346.24;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 12/29/2008 for $6,466,185.48;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 12/29/2008 for $2,407,826.30;

General Fund warrants #214554 through #214724 dated 12/17/2008 for $676,736.64;

Capital Projects Fund warrant #214725 dated 12/17/2008 for $690.83;

ASB Fund warrants #214726 through #214746 dated 12/17/2008 for $9,760.87;

General Fund warrants #214747 through #214831 dated 12/22/2008 for $2,223,744.49;

General Fund warrants #214832 through #214896 dated 12/24/2008 for $127,429.63;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #214897 through #214898 dated 12/24/2008 for $3,094.53;

ASB warrants #214899 through #214901 dated 12/24/2008 for $935.84;

General Fund warrants #214902 through #214975 dated 1/07/2009 for $391,460.72;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #214976 through #215004 dated 1/07/2009 for $1,832,477.40;

ASB Fund warrants #215005 through #215032 dated 1/07/2009 for $16,061.82;

and Transportation Vehicle Fund warrant #215033 dated 1/07/2009 for $7,334.74.

 

                                                      

7.      Personnel Matters.  The Board approved four (4) resignations, and one (1) other as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) resignations, four (4) new hires, one (1) new hire – retire/rehire, one hundred thirty (130) supplemental contracts, and two (2) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.                                                                                 

 

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

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

Puget Sound Skills Center Principal Dr. Sue Shields, Assistant Principal Todd Moorhead, Criminal Justice Program Instructor Miguel Marquez, Fire Services Program Instructors Robb Lovre and Mark Voigt, and King County Fire District #2 (Burien and Normandy Park) Battalion Chief Jerry Blaylock gave a progress report regarding training provided at the skills center and remarked on the importance of upgrading the facility.

 

A Board discussion followed the presentation.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

Susan Goding commented on the bills that are being proposed this session.

 

2.  Board and Superintendent Business and Updates

Julie Burr commented on the district’s recycling energy conservation program and encouraged the district to do more.

 

Michael Spear reported there will be a Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence board member retreat on Saturday, January 17, 2009, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

Superintendent Welch asked Board members for feedback regarding speakers at commencement ceremonies. Board members finalized who will be speaking and who will be attending the graduation commencements.

 

Superintendent Welch asked for feedback from the Board regarding the Work/Study & Presentation Schedule draft, stating he would like to finalize a schedule. A Board discussion followed.

 

President Dorsey commented on his experience with the Working Together Staff meetings; and referenced the recycling and energy conservation program efforts at schools, and stated that, if staff finds something that is working at a school, the system can be implemented without creating a “program.”

                                                                

3.   Next Steps

 

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on January 28, 2009, at 6 p.m. at Gregory Heights Elementary School.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Julie Burr moved the meeting be adjourned; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

 

President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 8:09 p.m.

 

                                                                       

__________________________________

Board of Directors President

 

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board