HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY
Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting
April 8, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
President Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. in the Boardroom of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Community member and parent Steve Mays led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Board members present:
Bernie Dorsey President
Sili Savusa, Vice President
Susan Goding
Julie Burr Spani
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
Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools
Mark Finstrom, Director/Technology Services
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement
Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety
Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, Manager/Family and Community Partnerships
Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative Programs
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Susan Goding moved approval of the March 25, 2009, regular Board meeting minutes as presented; Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.
The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Susan Goding moved approval of the agenda as presented; seconded by Michael Spear.
The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
RECOGNITION
Superintendent Welch asked Highline Council PTSA Reflections Committee Chair Debbie Thoma to give an overview of the arts recognition and achievement program called Reflections. Superintendent Welch and Ms. Thoma then recognized Mount Rainier High School students Ellen Van Wyk (for receiving the Washington State PTA Award for Outstanding Interpretation Award for Visual Arts IN THE Senior Division) and Benjamin Niu (for receiving the Washington State PTA Award of Excellence for Visual Arts in the Senior Division), and Nichole Mays from Sylvester Middle School (for receiving the Washington State PTA Award of Excellence for Literature in the Junior Division).
Highline Council PTSA President Jill Wunch both commended and thanked Debbie Thoma for her work and dedication regarding the Reflections program.
Superintendent Welch thanked Mount Rainier High School Principal Heidi Geise and Sylvester Middle School Principal Vicki Fisher for supporting and encouraging the students.
Superintendent Welch and President Dorsey both thanked Ms. Thoma and all those that support the arts.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports
Highline Council PTSA Vice President Meg Van Wyk reported that the Washington State PTA is petitioning legislators regarding the education reform bill ESHB 2261, and encouraged the Board and community to participate in the campaign. She also referenced the public hearings that legislators in the 11th, 33rd, and 34th district recently held, and encouraged the Board to contact district legislators iN support of the bill.
Scheduled Communication
Sandra Locklear, 15607 18th Avenue SW, Burien, commented on the importance of the fine arts program; listed information available at various school districts regarding arts for all; asked where she could find a comprehensive overview of the district’s fine arts program; thanked the Board for their willingness to review the fine arts program; and remarked that bands and choirs needed to be reinstated, during the school day, in the secondary schools.
Brian Jacobson, 27010 8th Avenue S, Des Moines, commented on the difference Assistant Principal Susan Hegeberg has made at Mount Rainier High School; gave the Board petitions supporting his comments; and asked that Ms. Hegeberg be allowed to retain her position as assistant principal at the school.
Tom Coraggio was not able to attend the meeting.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch commented on the state’s financial situation regarding the released economic forecast; stated the impact on the district is estimated at approximately $8 million; stated that the shortfall will not be off-set by the federal stimulus package; mentioned that the district’s reserve fund fell below policy levels last year and needs to be corrected; referenced the administrative and managerial positions that have already been cut; announced upcoming community forums on April 23 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Pacific Middle School, and April 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Evergreen Campus where the public will be able to comment on budget cuts, and said he was working on providing childcare during the forums; reported on a meeting that he and New Futures Executive Director Karma Kreizenbeck had with Congressman Adam Smith; and mentioned the latest Working Together staff meetings that Board members, Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins, and he attended.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION
Consent Agenda
Julie Burr Spani pulled item number 2 – Revised Policy 3240 (Student Conduct) for discussion and suggested changes concerning the wording in the policy. A Board discussion followed.
The item was placed back on the consent agenda.
1. New Policy – 3124 (Removal/Release of Student During School Hours) - for First Reading. The Board considered the new policy 3124 (Removal/Release of Student During School Hours) for first reading with adoption at a subsequent board meeting. No action was taken.
2. Revised Policy 3240 (Student Conduct) – for First Reading. The Board considered revised policy 3240 (Student Conduct) for first reading with adoption at a subsequent meeting. No action was taken.
3. White Center Heights Elementary School – Parking Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District. The Board accepted the White Center Heights Elementary School – Parking Agreement with Puget Sound Educational Service District and authorized the superintendent to sign all appropriate documents pursuant to the parking agreement.
4. Donation to Parkside Elementary School. The Board approved the $5500 donation from the Parkside PTA to be used to cover the cost of transportation for student field trips.
5. Approval of Vouchers and Warrants (voucher review for March 25 & 26, and April 1, 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:
Payroll warrants as listed totaling $18,210.80;
Payroll automatic deposits dated 3/31/2009 for $6,612,497.49;
Payroll wire tax transfer dated 3/31/2009 for $2,287,973.74;
General Fund warrants #217104 through #217252 dated 3/25/2009 for $412,441.44;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #217253 through #217267 dated 3/25/2009 for $588,821.64;
ASB Fund warrants #217268 through #217291 dated 3/25/2009 for $28,636.14;
Trust Fund warrant #217292 dated 3/25/2009 for $30.00;
General Fund warrants #217293 through #217360 dated 3/26/2009 for $2,178,691.40;
ASB warrant #217361 dated 3/26/2009 for $280.79;
General Fund warrants #217362 through #217506 dated 4/01/2009 for $455,142.96;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #217507 through #217510 dated 4/01/2009 for $54,582.15;
and ASB Fund warrants #217511 through #217538 dated 4/01/2009 for $32,005.07.
6. Personnel Matters. The Board approved two (2) resignations, and one (1) other as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) resignations; three (3) new hires; eleven (11) supplemental contracts; and one (1) other as listed on the supplemental agenda.
Sili Savusa moved approval of the consent agenda; Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.
The consent agenda was unanimously approved.
The following individuals commented regarding the district’s music program; remarked on the importance of offering music to all students; referenced state and federal laws concerning educating students in the arts; and asked the Board to adopt May as Arts Education Month:
Edward Santos, 12230 48th Avenue S, Tukwila
Jeffrey Steen, 5014 Puget Boulevard SW, Seattle
The following individuals spoke on behalf of retaining Susan Hegeberg as the assistant principal at Mount Rainier High School:
Allyson Kemp, 8652 13th Avenue SW, Seattle
Doug Urner, 6158 Partosa Lane, Port Orchard
Robert Akhtar, 3049 S. 200th Street, SeaTac, thanked those Board members that were instrumental in assisting him with a recent incident; commended the Board for changing the policy pertaining to student conduct; and remarked that extortion is taking place in schools and remarked that he is concerned that the school district does not have a policy referencing the matter.
1. Legislative Report
Susan Goding commented briefly regarding state appropriation funds.
2. Board and Superintendent Business and Updates
Michael Spear volunteered to help with childcare for the community forums, if necessary.
Superintendent Welch asked Executive Director of Finance & Business Services Susan Smith Leland to comment on the Budget Status Report, and to particularly address tools being used regarding the monitoring of our cash flow, our expenditures, and our fund balance.
3. Next Steps
President Dorsey announced that on April 20, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Tyee Educational Complex there will be a regularly scheduled Board meeting and a Public Hearing regarding I-728 Funding. Preceding the Board meeting, from approximately 5:30 p.m. – 5:55 p.m. there will be an executive session regarding a potential litigation matter. Following the Board meeting there will be a work/study session regarding the 2009-10 Resource Allocation & I-728 Plan.
ADJOURNMENT
Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned; Michael Spear seconded the motion.
President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.
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President, Board of Directors
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Secretary to the Board