HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
March
11, 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Highline Retirees’ Association Representative Mary Wining led the Pledge
of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Bernie
Dorsey President
Sili
Savusa, Vice President
Julie
Burr Spani
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
Angus Mairs, Executive Director/Instruction Design
and Development
Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety
Kim O’Neil, Assistant Director/Employee Services and
Labor Relations
Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative
Programs
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Michael Spear moved approval of the February 25, 2009, regular Board
meeting as presented; Susan Goding seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Susan Goding moved approval of
the agenda as presented, seconded by Julie Burr Spani.
The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
There were no community/staff organizations or committee reports given.
Scheduled Communication
There was no scheduled communication.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch recognized educators who have retired from active
teaching, administration, or a specialized field of the teaching profession and
asked Mary Wining from the Highline Retirees’ Association to accept a
proclamation on behalf of all association; announced that on Saturday, March
14, at 1 p.m. legislators from the 33rd district will hold a forum
at the Kent City Hall Council Chambers; gave an update on recent Working
Together staff meetings Highline Education Association President Stacie
Hawkins, Board members, and he have attended; mentioned that five Aviation High
School students and one Health Sciences & Human Services student were
selected into the first phase of Washington Aerospace Scholars for 2009; reported
on the meeting that Board Member Michael Spear, Executive Director of Student
Support Services Terri LePenske, Coordinator of Health Services Aimée Denver,
and he had with Youth Suicide Prevention Program Field Coordinator Kelly
Chatwood had regarding youth suicide prevention; and referenced the project
boards for McMicken Heights that were on the platform.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
Susan
Goding pulled item number 2, Resolution No. 2361- College Bound Scholarship
Program for comment only, stating that she felt that the resolution was a good
one.
Sili
Savusa pulled item number 3, Resolution No. 2363 – Capital Facilities
Improvement Plan – Award of Bid No. 08/09/1 McMicken Heights Elementary School
Replacement Phase 1 Abatement and Demolition for clarification regarding
the lowest bid.
Assistant
Superintendent of Support Services Geri Fain addressed Mrs. Savusa’s concern,;
related that a staff member called the contractor and verified the amount; and
commented that the company’s reference checks were positive.
Michael
Spear pulled item number 6, Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and
Bullying – First Reading for comment, stating that he wants to make sure the
policy has some “meaning behind it.” Superintendent Welch assured Mr. Spear that
the matter would be thoroughly addressed in the procedure part of the policy;
and assured him there will be an in-depth conversation with principals
regarding the subject at their summer academy, along with homework issues.
After
a Board discussion, all items were reinstated on the Consent Agenda.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
1.
Resolution No. 2360 – Capital Facilities Improvement
Plan – McMicken Heights Elementary School Replacement Project – Racial Balance. The Board
adopted Resolution No. 2360 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – McMicken
Heights Elementary School Replacement Project – Racial Balance to assure the
Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction that the construction
project planned for McMicken Heights Elementary School will not create or
aggravate racial imbalance as defined by WAC 392-342-025.
2.
Resolution No. 2361 – College Bound Scholarship
Program. The Board adopted Resolution No. 2361 –
College Bound Scholarship Program to ensure that Highline District low-income
students become aware of the life-changing opportunities provided by the
College Bound Scholarship Program.
3.
Resolution No. 2363 – Capital Facilities Improvement
Plan – Award of Bid No. 08/09-1 McMicken Heights Elementary School Replacement
Phase 1 Abatement and Demolition. The Board adopted Resolution No. 2363 –
Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Award of Bid No. 08/09-1 McMicken Heights
Elementary School Replacement Phase 1 Abatement and Demolition to 3 Kings
Environmental, Inc. for the base bid of $499,333, plus appropriate Washington
State sales tax.
4.
Revised Policy 1105 - Director District Boundaries. The Board
approved the revisions to Policy 1105 – Director District Boundaries,
reflecting changes in state laws and new language recommendations by the
Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA).
5.
Policy 2255 Annual Revision – 2008-2009 Alternative
Learning Experience Programs – for Adoption. The Board approved the
revisions to Policy 2255, 2008-2009 Alternative Learning Experience Programs.
6.
Revised Policy 3207 – Prohibition of Harassment,
Intimidation, and Bullying – First Reading. The Board considered the
revisions to Policy 3207 – Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and
Bullying. This was a briefing only, no action was taken.
7.
Policy 2422 – Homework – for Adoption. The board
approved the recommended revisions to Policy 2422 – Homework.
8.
Donation to Aviation High School. The Board
approved the $4000 donation from the Aviation High School PTSA to be used for
the Robotics Team.
9. 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 (voucher review for February 25, through March 4, 2009):
Payroll warrants as listed totaling $29,846.34;
Payroll automatic deposits dated 2/27/2009 for
$6,565,620.44;
Payroll wire tax transfer dated 2/27/2009 for
$2,430,170.98;
General Fund warrants #216317 through #216441
dated 2/25/2009 for $826,522.70;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #216442 through
#216453 dated 2/25/2009 for $58,504.72;
ASB Fund warrants #216454 through #216477 dated
2/25/2009 for $45,122.82;
Trust Fund warrants #216478 through #216479 dated
2/25/2009 for $219.56;
General Fund warrants #216480 through #216543
dated 2/26/2009 for $2,173,192.40;
Capital Projects Fund warrant #216544 dated 2/26/2009
for $28,268.00;
General Fund warrants #216545 through #216646
dated 3/04/2009 for $298,774.35;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #216647 through
#216669 dated 3/04/2009 for $511,173.87;
and ASB Fund warrants #216670 through #216681
dated 3/04/2009 for $13,844.51.
10. Personnel Matters. The Board approved three (3) resignations, one (1) new hire, ten (10) supplemental contracts, and seven (7) others as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) resignations, and two (2) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.
11. Donation to
Puget Sound Skills Center. The Board approved the $10,000 donation to
the Puget Sound Skills Center of high-quality hospital beds from the Highline
Medical Center to be used for the Puget Sound Skills Center’s medical program.
12. Donation to Cedarhurst Elementary School. The Board approved the $3000 donation for the
sole purpose of providing teachers $100 to purchase classroom supplies as
needed.
Sili Savusa moved
approval of the consent agenda as presented; Susan Goding seconded the motion.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved as presented.
There
was no unscheduled communication.
1. Legislative Report
Susan Goding commented on HB 2261 – the latest
education bill; remarked the Senate passed SB 6048; and mentioned that State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn wants to put the WASL test
on-line.
2. Board and
Superintendent Business and Updates
·
Professional Attire Guidance, Bernie Dorsey (5 minutes)
President Dorsey commented
on the importance of teachers dressing in professional attire. A Board
discussion followed. Superintendent Welch said he would be glad to talk with
the Senior Leadership Team and HEA President Stacie Hawkins regarding the best
way to address the matter and report back to the Board at the April 8 Board
meeting.
·
High School Late Start, John Welch (5 minutes)
Superintendent Welch followed-up on conversations
regarding high school late start times and said the majority of the Board indicated
they would like to put the concept on the list for discussion this summer. Julie Burr Spani was against studying the
topic again, stating documentation doesn’t warrant it. A Board discussion
followed.
·
Michael Spear thanked the Board and superintendent for encouraging
further discussion regarding preventing youth suicides; remarked on high school
fairs taking place throughout the district; and acknowledged Steve Grubb for
his work in the district.
·
Sili Savusa referenced the email the Board and superintendent received
regarding the geese droppings at the Evergreen Campus; and asked staff members
to look into the complaint and report back to the Board regarding a solution to
the problem. Superintendent Welch remarked that this seems to be a problem
throughout the West Coast, and he is having staff look into the matter.
·
Susan Goding referenced the reading presentation given at the Board
meeting on February 25, and asked what the district is doing for those
students that don’t read at grade level but need to learn science, math, etc.
at grade level. Executive Director of Instructional
Design & Development Angus Mairs and Executive Director of Elementary and
Middle Schools Steve Grubb addressed Ms. Goding’s concerns and gave examples of
how teachers are addressing the problem in the schools, and what supports are
offered to students. A Board discussion
followed. Superintendent Welch said he
would follow-up on the issue.
·
Julie Burr Spani commented on the positive feedback she has received
from teachers regarding the Working Together staff meetings; and referenced the Seattle Times article on Homework Haters, and stated she is
thankful for the information the Board received at the work/study session
regarding homework and how it can be effective.
3. Next Steps
President Dorsey announced that the next regularly
scheduled Board meeting will be held on March 25, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the
Evergreen Campus. There will be a
presentation during the Board meeting regarding the 2009-10 Resource
Allocation.
President Dorsey also mentioned he will not be able
to attend the March 25, 2009, Board meeting, and Vice President Savusa will
conduct the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Michael Spear moved the meeting be adjourned; Julie Burr Spani seconded
the motion.
President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 6:58 p.m.
__________________________________
President,
____________________________
Secretary to the