HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
May
27, 2009
CALL TO ORDER
President Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in the gymnasium
at Southern Heights Elementary School.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Southern Heights fifth-grade students Lizeth Rosas and Monica Dinh 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
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
Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources
Mark Finstrom, Director/Technology Services
Marianna Goheen, Director/College and Career and
Secondary Counseling
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety
Rexanne Forbes, Assistant Director/Communication
Cherrie Smith, Coordinator/Student Advancement
Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, Manager/Family and
Community Partnerships
Fa’izah Bradford, Specialist/Community Engagement
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Susan Goding moved approval of the regular Board meeting minutes for
May 13, 2009, and the special meeting and executive session minutes for May 20,
2009, as presented; Michael Spear seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Michael Spear moved approval of
the agenda as presented; seconded by Sili Savusa.
The agenda was approved unanimously.
HOST PRINCIPALS
Southern Heights Elementary Principal Anne Coxon welcomed everyone; thanked
Mr. Nelson and the steel drum band for entertaining the audience before the
meeting; gave an overview of the students and programs at Southern Heights
Elementary; introduced Nazareth Gibson
who recited a poem; commented on the challenges of the school and collaboration
of staff to improve student achievement; remarked on the school’s parent
involvement; invited Latino parent Yolanda Haro to comment regarding the
workshops with staff and parents (Esperansa Solis translated); introduced Mrs.
Dawn Holbrook and her extended-day
kindergarten class who sang for the group; introduced teacher Catherine Foss who asked
fifth-grade students Leslie Martinez and Lizeth Rosas to comment on their
experience at Southern Heights Elementary; recognized Southern Heights
Elementary PTA board members who were present; recognized Sherry Williams and Jenn
Johnson from the Technology Access Foundation; mentioned a few of the school’s
accomplishments; and closed by asking the Board and community to come back and
visit again.
RECOGNITION
Superintendent Welch recognized district students who participated at
the Washington State Solo and Ensemble Contest. From Global Connections High
School Carolyn Floodeen took 1st place in the tuba solo division,
Ashley Hale & Carolyn Floodeen took 2nd place in the small brass
ensemble division, and Sean Ching took 3rd place in the snare drum
division; also participating from the school were Brandon Chow, Kelly Marlow,
Taylor Marlow, and Eric Strauss. Mount
Rainier High School’s Matt Perry took 1st place in the French horn
solo division; other students from Mount Rainier that participated at the state
level were Hope Bales, Sam Kenney,
Stacey Luong, and Courtney Smith.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
No community/staff organizations or committee reports were given.
Scheduled Communication
Marnie Sevores was not present.
Angelica Alvarez, 204 SW 156th Street, Burien, announced her
candidacy for the school board position for District 2 on the November ballot.
Mysty Beal 22628 16th Avenue S, Des Moines, reported on
Pacific Middle School’s band trip to Disneyland and commented on how well the
students performed.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch reported on his meeting with the secondary principals
regarding the College Bound Scholarship program; mentioned the work/study session
following the meeting regarding the 2009-2010 Budget; and commented on his
meetings with those teachers that received reduction-in-force notices, stating
a few have already been called back.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
1. Resolution
No. 2374 – Joining the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS)
Coalition to Persuade the State of Washington to Properly Fund the State’s
Education System. The Board approved
the one-time payment of $10,000 to join the Network for Excellence in
Washington Schools in support of the lawsuit to require the state to live up to
its paramount constitutional duty to make ample provision for the education of
all Washington children.
2. Revised
Graduation Policy 2410 – for Adoption.
The Board adopted Policy 2410, by adding a .5 credit of language arts to
the graduation requirements for the incoming freshman class (class of 2013).
3. Donation
to Highline High School. The Board
approved the $2,612.38 donation from the Highline High School Booster Club to
be used to help offset the cost of Highline High School Cheer Team uniforms.
4. Bid
Award for Bid No. 08/09-3 Security Upgrades and Improvements: Fencing at Secondary
Schools. The Board awarded the
contract for Bid No. 08/09-3 Security Upgrades and Improvements: Fencing at
Secondary Schools for Highline School District No. 401 to Commercial Fence
Corporation in the amount of $107,309, plus Washington State sales tax. The award was based on the lowest responsive
bid received.
5. Disposal
of Surplus Equipment. The Board
approved the items listed to be surplused through the General Administration,
State of Washington Surplus Agreement.
6. Approval
of Vouchers and Warrants (voucher review for May 13 through May 29, 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 $16,713.40;
Payroll automatic deposits dated 5/29/2009
for $6,630,709.25;
Payroll wire tax transfer dated 5/29/2009 for
$2,292,661.33;
General Fund warrants #218612 through #218763
dated 5/13/2009 for $451,724.36;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #218764 through
#218785 dated 5/13/2009 for $3,324,150.61;
ASB Fund warrants #218786 through #218807 dated
5/13/2009 for $17,971.38;
Trust warrant #218808 dated 5/13/2009 for
$49.22;
General Fund warrants #218809 through #218993
dated 5/18/2009 for $1,089,349.23;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #218994
through #219000 dated 5/18/2009 for $124,584.09;
ASB warrants #219001 through #219024
dated 5/18/2009 for $15,033.97;
and Trust Fund warrant #219025 dated 5/18/2009
for $41.42.
7. Personnel Matters. The Board approved three (3) resignations, and one (1) other as listed on the regular
agenda; and eleven (11) resignations, two (2) new hires, and four (4) others as
listed on the supplemental agenda.
8. Donation to Aviation High School. The Board approved the $5000 donation from
Weyerhauser for computers described on the attachment for classroom use.
Michael Spear moved
approval of the consent agenda as presented; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved as presented.
PRESENTATION
Deputy
Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson commented concerning the Highly Capable
program and the progress being made with our diverse student population, mentioned
the pathways used by the students, and introduced Student Advancement
Coordinator Cherrie Smith who gave an overview of the district’s Highly Capable
Programs and gave an in-depth review on the history and success of the Explorer
Program.
A Board discussion
followed the presentation.
1. Legislative Report
Susan Goding gave an update regarding the
legislature’s redefinitions of basic education.
2. Board and
Superintendent Business and Updates
Michael Spear reported on
the May 21 parent meeting he attended regarding the proposed math curriculum,
and reminded the community that the next parent meeting will be at Evergreen on
May 28.
Bernie Dorsey reported on
the final Working Together staff meeting at Pacific Middle School, and noted
that the process has been very beneficial for everyone involved; and reminded
everyone of the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Gold Star Award
Luncheon on Friday, May 29.
3. Next Steps
President Dorsey announced that following the Board
meeting there will be a work/study session regarding the 2009-2010 Budget.
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be
held on June 10, 2009, at 6 p.m. at the Educational Resource and Administrative
Center. Following the Board meeting,
there will be a work/study session regarding the 3000 Policy Series.
Nancy
Gilbert, 12711 20th Avenue NE, Seattle commented on the proposed
reduction of a four-day week experience at Camp Waskowitz (versus a five-day
week), and how the reduced time will negatively affect students pertaining to
their hands-on knowledge of science.
ADJOURNMENT
Sili Savusa moved the meeting be adjourned; Julie Burr Spani seconded
the motion.
President Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 7:12 p.m.
__________________________________
President,
____________________________
Secretary to the