HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
January
28, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
President Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. in the multi-purpose
room at
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
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
Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Rod Sheffer, Project Manager/Facilities Services
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Michael Spear moved approval of the January 14, 2009, regular Board
meeting minutes; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.
The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Susan Goding moved approval of
the agenda; seconded by Julie Burr.
The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
HOST PRINCIPAL
Gregory Heights Elementary School Principal Phil Robinson welcomed the
Board and community to Gregory Heights; first-grade teacher and Primary
Literacy Coach Brenda Martin introduced first-grade student Bernie Jones who read
a story he wrote; fifth-grade teacher and Student Leadership Team Advisor Susan
Boyer introduced Student Leadership Team (SLT) representatives Drew Sagmoen, who
gave an overview regarding what the students have done to improve the school’s
environment, and Chelsi Haskin who commented on the school’s recycling campaign—Re-think,
Reduce, and Recycle; fourth-grade teacher and Intermediate Literacy Coach Joan
Johnston introduced fourth-grade student Jasmine Tran who remarked on the Advancement
Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at the school and how it has helped
her become a successful learner; Gregory Heights Elementary School PTSA
President Erin Synder remarked on how the organization supports the students
and school; Principal Robinson ended by introducing staff members who were
present, thanked those individuals who were instrumental in preparing for the
Board meeting, gave an overview of the school’s accomplishments and challenges,
and thanked Board members for their work.
RECOGNITION
Governor Gregoire proclaimed January 2009 as School Board Recognition
Month. Superintendent Welch thanked Board members for their leadership and
dedication in promoting public education and student achievement, and presented
each Board member with a certificate of appreciation.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins commented on potential
concerns surrounding the possible delay of construction on the new
Highline Council PTSA Vice President and Regional Nine Legislative
Chair Meg Van Wyk complimented the staff and facility at Gregory Heights
Elementary School; reported on the Washington State PTA’s statement concerning
basic education funding; announced that the PTA is planning a focus day on
February 26 to rally in Olympia; and referenced the PTSA’s general membership
meeting on February 24 with Superintendent Welch.
Scheduled Communication
There was no scheduled communication.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch thanked staff members who assisted students and
their parents on January 25 with completing the Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) forms
for financial aid, and thanked Executive Director of High Schools Max
Silverman, Director of College and Career and Secondary Counseling Marianna
Goheen, and Office of College and Career Specialist Barbara Wilson for their
leadership in supporting this effort.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Michael Spear pulled item 8 – McMicken
Heights Elementary School Replacement Project – Construction Schedule for
discussion. Superintendent Welch and
Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Geri Fain gave an overview of the
pros and cons of delaying the construction of
Michael Spear moved that the
superintendent’s recommendation on the action item be amended to read: “that the Board approve the postponement of
the construction of the McMicken Heights Elementary School Replacement Project
and instructed staff to coordinate the move to the Sunnydale interim site.” Susan
Goding seconded the motion.
The motion to revise the
superintendent’s recommendation, as noted on the action item, was approved
unanimously, and the McMicken Heights Elementary School Replacement Project
item remained on the consent agenda.
Consent Agenda
1. Revised Policies – 3410 (Student Health), 3417 (Catheterization),
and 3419 (Self-administration of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications) for
Adoption. The Board adopted the
revised policies 3410 (Student Health), 3417 (Catheterization), and 3419 (Self-Administration
of Asthma and Anaphylaxis Medications).
2. Revised Policies – 3413 (Student Immunizations and Life Threatening Health Conditions), 3415 (Accommodating
Students with Diabetes), 3416 (Medication at School), and 3418 (Emergency
Treatment) - First Reading. No action was taken,
this was a briefing only.
3. North Shorewood Site – Addendum #2 to Existing Lease with
Westside School and Explorer West Middle School. The Board approved Addendum #2 to the
Existing Lease with
4. Who Walks in Graduation.
The Board approved continuing with the procedure for an additional
school year and to direct schools to more closely track the students during the
summer.
5. Donation to
6. Approval of
Vouchers and Warrants. (January 14, 2009, through January 21,
2009.) 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 #215034 through #215173
dated 1/14/2009 for $652,505.02;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #215174 through
#215192 dated 1/14/2009 for $988,880.94;
ASB Fund warrants #215193 through #215212 dated
1/14/2009 for $27,417.27;
General Fund warrants #215213 through #215419
dated 1/21/2009 for $730,695.64;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #215420
through #215438 dated 1/21/2009 for $1,598,327.86;
and ASB warrants #215439 through #215461 dated
1/21/2009 for $47,200.80.
7. Personnel
Matters. The Board approved the two (2)
resignations, one (1) new hire, and one (1) other as listed on the regular
agenda; and the four (4) resignations, one (1) new hire, and two (2) others as
listed on the supplemental agenda.
8.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved.
1. Legislative Report
Susan Goding gave a brief report regarding the
legislative session.
2. Board and
Superintendent Business and Updates
Michael Spear mentioned the
Federal Way School District Board of Directors instructed their superintendent to
write to state representatives and the governor regarding the funding formula, and
wondered if the Board wanted to give Superintendent Welch direction to draft a
similar letter before the meetings with legislators on February 9.
Superintendent Welch addressed Mr. Spear’s comment and said he would include information
in the Board’s Friday packet regarding the matter.
Susan Goding asked for a
work/session regarding the PSSC program. A Board discussion followed. President Dorsey asked Ms. Goding to identify
the top five topics she has regarding the program and then the superintendent
and President Dorsey will look at the work/study schedule to see where the
discussion could be integrated.
President Dorsey commented
on recent Working Together staff meetings he has attended.
3. Next Steps
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be
held on February 11, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Educational Resource and
There
was no unscheduled communication.
ADJOURNMENT
Julie Burr moved the meeting be adjourned; Michael Spear seconded the
motion.
President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
__________________________________
President,
____________________________
Secretary to the