HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

September 10, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

President Burr Spani called the meeting to order at 6:32 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Coordinator of Student Advancement Cherrie Smith 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

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/K-12 Curriculum Design and Alignment

Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources

Nancy Pappas Barnhart, Director/Recruiting and Retention

Mark Finstrom, Director/Technology Services

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

Susan Wood-Megrey, Interim Director/Curriculum

Bernard Koontz, Coordinator/K-12 ELL

Branden Mitchell, K-12 Literacy

Cherrie Smith, Coordinator/Student Advancement

Rick Mahoney, Manager/Retention Programs

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the August 27, 2008, regular Board meeting and executive sessions as presented; Bernie Dorsey seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were 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.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

No community/staff organizations or committee reports were given.

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Marvin Jahnke, 12112 26th Avenue SW, Burien, asked the Board to reject Westmark/Emerald Point’s request to buy surplus district property and reject the request to defer until a later date.

 

Peter Arends, 13442 1st Avenue SW, Burien, commented concerning the “zero hour” band program at the Evergreen Campus and transportation issues.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch remarked about Midway Elementary School’s grand opening; mentioned Shorewood Elementary School’s grand opening September 18; referenced on the upcoming work/study session scheduled regarding Big Picture, and asked Board members to get back to him regarding their availability; commented the Westmark Development project listed on the consent agenda; and asked for a moment of silence for Global High School senior Andrew Skagen who was killed in a traffic accident.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

Director of Recruiting and Retention Nancy Pappas Barnhart gave an overview of the City of Burien’s Teacher Housing Incentive Grant Program that assists the district in recruiting and retaining professionals in Burien, and introduced those teachers, in the audience, who have benefited from the grant.  Ms. Pappas Barnhart then introduced Deputy Mayor Rose Clark and Management Analyst Jenn Ramierz Robson from the City of Burien. Deputy Mayor Rose Clark commented on the city’s partnership pertaining to the grant.

 

Due to a number of community members present who were interested in the Burien Heights Elementary School Site – Westmark Development-Withdrawal of Request for Potential Sale/Easement action item, President Burr Spani moved the agenda be modified to have the consent agenda items addressed before the presentation regarding WASL & AYP Results & Next Steps.  The motion was seconded by Michael Spear.  The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Susan Goding, Sili Savusa, and Michael Spear all requested item #10 – Burien Heights Elementary School Site – Westmark Development – Withdrawal of Request for Potential Sale/Easement be pulled from the consent agenda for discussion.  Following a Board discussion, Board members agreed to reinstate the item back on the consent agenda.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

1.         Resolution No. 2345 - Capital Facilities Improvement Plan - Parkside Elementary School Replacement Project – Native Growth Protection Easement for the City of Des Moines.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2345, and authorized the superintendent, or his designee, to sign and deliver all necessary documents to carry out the actions authorized by the resolution.

 

2.         Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Highline School District and the Highline Education Association.  The Board approved the 2008-2009 school calendar and the contract changes to the 2007-2009 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Highline School District and the Highline Education Association.

 

3.         Policy Series 1000 – Board of Directors (excluding Policy 1732—Board Member Insurance).  The Board approved the revised 1000 Policy Series as presented, excluding policy 1732.

 

4.         The City of Burien Teacher Housing Incentive Grant Program.  The Board approved the City of Burien Teacher Housing Incentive Grant program, to be set-up as a trust, for granting twenty eligible teachers a housing supplement through the district’s payroll system.  The Human Resources Department will be responsible for reviewing and approving the teacher grants.

 

5.         Disposal of Surplus Equipment Vehicles.  The Board approved the agreement with the Department of General Administration, which permits the Department of General Administration to sell, as agents for the Highline School District, vehicles, equipment, and property that are declared surplus and turned over to the state for disposal. 

 

6.         Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $18,269.60 donation from the Aviation High School PTSA to be used as follows:  $2,000 for the Rita Creighton Scholarship, $5,000 for the Dan Hartley Scholarship, and $11,269.60 in support of building-based needs.

 

7.         Donation from Costco of Backpacks to Indian Education, English Language Learner Students, and Others.  The Board approved the donation of 100 backpacks from Costco, with an estimated value of $1500, to be given to students in the district’s Indian Education program, English Language Learner program, and other students, as appropriate.

 

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 $51,852.89;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 8/29/2008 for $6,061,321.50;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 8/29/2008 for $2,300,380.06;

General Fund warrants #211461 through #211547 dated 9/03/2008 for $299,074.29;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #211548 through #211566 dated 9/03/2008 for $366,110.02;

ASB Fund warrants #211567 through #211576 dated 9/03/2008 for $8,654.71;

Trust Fund warrants #211577 through #211578 dated 9/03/2008 for $2,000.00;

General Fund warrants #211579 through #211684 dated 9/10/2008 for $1,611,103.18;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #211685 through #211704 dated 9/10/2008 for $1,444,917.25;

and ASB Fund warrants #211705 through #211709 dated 9/10/2008 for $1,818.41.

                                                  

9.         Personnel Matters.  The Board approved four (4) resignations, eleven (11) new hires, and one (1) new hire-retire/rehire on the regular agenda; and eight (8) resignations, two (2) new hires, two (2) new hires – retire/rehires, twenty-six (26) supplemental contracts, twenty (20) special coaches, and eighteen (18) other as listed on the supplemental agenda.                      

 

10.       Burien Heights Elementary School Site – Westmark Development – Withdrawal of Request for Potential Sale/Easement.  The Board accepted Westmark Development’s withdrawal of their request for the potential sale/easement of a portion of the Burien Heights Elementary School site.

 

Bernie Dorsey 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 and Chief Accountability Officer Alan Spicciati gave a update regarding WASL & AYP Results & Next Steps. A Board discussion followed the presentation.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Legislative Report

No legislative report was given.

 

Other Business

Susan Goding commented on the Midway grand opening on September 9; and noted that information regarding the grand opening was not on the district website. Superintendent Welch asked Director of Communication and Community Engagement Catherine Carbone Rogers to comment on how the community was invited and how the district uses the website. 

 

Ms. Carbone described the various avenues the district uses for getting information to the community regarding grand openings, etc.

 

Michael Spear remarked he would like to see information regarding school openings, etc., posted on the district website; commented on Midway Elementary’s grand opening; expressed his concerned regarding what the district has to pay for building fees, and stated he would like to see a discussion with cities in the community regarding their measuring metrics­­ and how the cities decide the building permit charges.  Superintendent Welch asked Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain to comment on the construction fee costs. A discussion followed.

 

Mr. Spear invited everyone to the upcoming Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Oktoberfest event on October 18.

 

Bernie Dorsey referenced the Board’s conversation with the Seattle School District Board of Directors pertaining to an interlocal agreement regarding Aviation High School being located at the Museum of Flight (which is within the Seattle School District’s boundary); and commended Superintendent Welch for his efforts in attempting to obtain an agreement.

 

President Burr Span had questions regarding college required credits pertaining to world languages.  It was agreed that the topic would be included on the agenda of the November 17 work/study on equivalencies and credits.

 

President Burr Span reminded Board members of the upcoming Board evaluation work/study.

 

                                                                                        

Next Steps

President Burr Spani announced the following next steps:

·        possible work/study session regarding Big Picture Competencies at 6:30 p.m. on September 17, 2008, in the North Classroom at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.  Board members will confirm their availability.

 

·        the next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on September 24, 2008, at Hilltop Elementary School, beginning at 6:30 p.m.  Preceding the Board meeting, there will be a work/study session from 5:30 p.m. – 6:20 p.m. regarding Board Evaluation (2007-2008).  Following the Board meeting, there will be a work/study session regarding Accountability & District Measures of Success.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Bernie Dorsey moved the meeting be adjourned; Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

At 8:20 p.m. President Burr Spani pronounced the meeting adjourned.

 

 

____________________________

President, Board of Directors

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board