HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

February 13, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Burr Spani called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

      Julie Burr Spani, President

      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

Susanne Jerde, Executive Director/Elementary and Middle Schools

Terri LePenske, Executive Director/Student Support Services

Susan Smith Leland, Executive Director/Finance & Business Services

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Nancy Pappas Barnhart, Director/Recruiting and Retention

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, Manager/Family and Community Partnerships

Aimée Denver, Coordinator/Health Services


 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Michael Spear moved approval of the January 23, 2008, regular Board meeting minutes as presented; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

President Burr Spani asked that the agenda be revised to reflect that Rexanne Forbes will be recognized at a later meeting. Ms. Forbes was ill and was unable to attend the meeting.

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the revised agenda as presented; seconded by Sili Savusa.

 

The revised agenda was unanimously approved.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

Superintendent Welch introduced the members of his 2007-08 Superintendent’s Council on Cultural Competency and Academic Achievement; thanked them for their input in serving on his committee; and gave a brief explanation concerning the council’s purpose.

 

President Burr Spani introduced district interpreters David Cremeens and Lynda Dysert who provided sign language for a hearing impaired student in attendance.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins thanked the Board for the work they do for the district, and gave a brief report concerning the Panasonic conference she attended.

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

The following individuals remarked on how much they appreciate SRO Mike Castro, and commended him for his work at Chinook Middle School:

 

Khadija Egeh, 9804 9th Avenue SW, Seattle

Mahaed Mohamud, 9804 9th Avenue SW, Seattle

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch remarked how pleased he was that so many Chinook students have come to speak to the Board meeting regarding SRO Mike Castro’s work at the school; reported on the press release regarding the Toyota Family Literacy Project and gave an overview of the grant; recognized Dr. Steve Grubb for his work in helping the district obtain the Toyota grant; announced the grand opening celebration at Cedarhurst Elementary on February 21; mentioned that he and Dr. Carla Jackson will be speaking at the Highline Council PTSA meeting on February 25; pointed out that the high school fairs are underway; and referenced the Washington College-Bound Scholarship program that is available to seventh- and eighth-grade low-income students.

 

Sili Savusa commented on the Toyota press conference; stating that the grant was one of five grants awarded out of 240 applications nationwide; and expressed how pleased she was to be a part of the event.

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

1.         Resolution No. 2313 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Parkside Elementary School Replacement Project – Final Acceptance of Educational Specifications.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2313 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Parkside Elementary School Replacement Project – Final Acceptance of Education Specifications; authorized the staff to incorporate the accepted Educational Specifications into the project; and authorized the superintendent or his designee to sign all appropriate documents to carry out the actions authorized by this resolution.

 

2.         Resolution No. 2316 - Capital Facilities Improvement Plan - Marvista Elementary School Replacement Project - Final Acceptance of Educational Specifications.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2316 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Marvista Elementary School Replacement Project Final Acceptance of the Educational Specifications; authorized the staff to incorporate the accepted Educational Specifications into the project; and authorized the superintendent or his designee to sign all appropriate documents to carry out the action authorized by this resolution.

 

3.         Resolution No. 2317 – Board Protocol Guidelines.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2317 – Board Protocol Guidelines to establish guiding principles which support a partnership of responsibility and teamwork.

 

4.         Resolution No. 2318 – Support of H.R. 648 — Revision to the No Child Left Behind Act.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2318 – Support of H.R. 648 – Revisions to the No Child Left Behind Act, and requested Representatives Adam Smith and Jim McDermott also support the resolution.

 

5.         Procedure on “Who Walks” During the June Ceremony for the Class of 2008.  The Board approved the proposed procedure for students to be permitted to walk in the June graduation ceremony, if they have a reasonable chance of completing requirements for their diploma before the start of the next school year, and have a plan in place on how to complete the graduation requirements as listed. It was agreed upon that Policy 2410 be reviewed each year no later than the first Board meeting in January, or by January 15, which ever comes first, to ensure procedure is relevant.

 

6.         Donation to Mount Rainier High School.  The Board approved the $3225 donation of photography equipment from commercial photographer Don Mason, to be used for photography, journalism, and yearbook classes at Mount Rainier High School.

           

7.         Donation to Marvista Elementary School.  The Board approved $4000 for the purpose of field trips, and $8000 for the purpose of a visual arts grant from the Marvista PTSA.

           

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 $149,246.08;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 1/31/2008 for $5,860,305.67;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 1/31/2008 for $2,204,597.71;

General Fund warrants #203202 through #203300 dated 1/28/2008 for $3,145,537.11;

General Fund warrants #203301 through #203492 dated 1/30/2008 for $448,916.34;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #203493 through #203531 dated 1/30/2008 for $2,062,735.85;

ASB Fund warrants #203532 through #203557 dated 1/30/2008 for $11,379.95;

General Fund warrant #203558 dated 1/31/2008 for $349.67;

General Fund warrants #203559 through #203722 dated 2/06/2008 for $686,834.99;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #203723 through #203728 dated 2/06/2008 for $537,187.16;

ASB warrants #203729 through #203753 dated 2/06/2008 for $8,397.64;

Trust Fund warrant #203754 dated 2/06/2008 for $95.52;

General Fund warrants #203755 through #203932 dated 2/13/2008 for $369,017.41;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #203933 through #203969 dated 2/13/2008 for $1,352,493.23;

ASB Fund warrants #203970 through #203987 dated 2/13/2008 for $13,441.29;

and Trust Fund warrant #203988 through #203989 dated 2/13/2008 for $82.85.

                                                       

9.      Personnel Matters.  The Board approved four (4) resignations, two (2) new hires, five (5) special coaches, and two (2) others as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) resignations, five (5) new hires, and two (2) others as listed on the supplemental.

           

10.    Donation to Gregory Heights Elementary School.  The Board approved the $13,544 donation from Gregory Heights PTSA for the sole purpose of providing for the clinic, field trips, laminating, library, musicals, parent packs, and photocopies at Gregory Heights Elementary School.

 

11.    Donation from Fred Meyer.  The Board approved the donation of $5514 from the Fred Meyer Stores’ “2007 Support Our Schools” campaign.

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the consent agenda, with the amendment to wording of Policy 2410; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as amended.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

Susan Goding gave a report on the visit that she, Julie Burr Spani, Superintendent Welch, and Catherine Carbone Rogers had with legislators on February 11.

 

Superintendent Welch stated he would do some research regarding the various legislators’ projects of interest. 

 

2.  Other Business

 

President Burr Spani thanked the design team for the boards depicting the new school designs for Parkside and Marvista Elementary Schools.

 

Bernie Dorsey reported on the Panasonic Leadership Conference he attended; remarked on the accountability work being done by the district; and expressed how impressed he was with the team. 

 

Ms. Savusa asked for examples of what high-performing accountability systems looked like. 

 

A Board discussion followed.  Board members asked for more information to be given regarding a high-performing accountability system at the March 12 Panasonic/Accountability work/study.

        

President Burr Spani mentioned that former school board member Shirley Farley passed away, and said a donation was sent to Camp Waskowitz in Shirley’s honor on behalf of the Board.

 

President Spani asked Superintendent Welch to coordinate with the City of Burien to ensure the district doesn’t run a bond at the same time that the city plans to run theirs to build a community center.  Board members agreed with the suggestion.

 

Michael Spear commented on the high school fair he attend at Highline High School, and remarked how impressed he was with the event.

                                                                       

3.   Next Steps

 

President Burr Spani remarked that the next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on February 27, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. at Bow Lake Elementary School.  There will be two work/study sessions that night: one regarding Aviation High School, and the other regarding the 2008-09 Budget.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

President Burr Spani declared the meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. to a work/study session pertaining to 2000 (Instruction) Policies.

 

                                                                         

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board