HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
September
24, 2008
CALL TO ORDER
President Burr Spani called the meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. in the gymnasium
at
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Hilltop Elementary fourth-grade student Zion Merrill led the Pledge of
Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Susan
Goding
Sili
Savusa
Michael
Spear
Vice President Bernie Dorsey
had an excused absence.
Central office members present:
John Welch, Superintendent
Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services
Alan Spicciati, Chief Accountability Officer
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/K-12 Curriculum
Design and Alignment
Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools
Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Courtney Vollan, Assistant Director/Title I, LAP,
ELL, & Indian Education
Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, Manager/Family and
Community Partnerships
Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative
Programs
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Susan Goding moved approval of the September 10, 2008, regular Board
meeting as presented; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved as presented.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Sili Savusa moved approval of
the agenda as presented; seconded by Michael Spear.
The agenda was approved unanimously.
HOST PRINCIPAL
Hilltop Elementary School Principal Rick Wisen welcomed Board, staff,
and community members; gave an overview of Hilltop Elementary School’s diversity;
referenced the schools’ WASL scores; commented on what staff is doing to
improve academics; remarked on community involvement; referenced various
community partnerships; asked students and teachers to illustrate the school’s
dual language program; invited a couple of parents to speak on behalf of the
school’s dual language program; and introduced staff members that were present.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
There were no community/staff organizations or committee reports given.
Scheduled Communication
Peter Arends,
Superintendent Welch responded to Mr. Arends comments and told him the
district would get back to him regarding his questions.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch commented on efforts to improve our community
engagement and partnership work; remarked on the volunteer parent group at
Midway Elementary; invited Board members to the faith-based leaders breakfast
on October 1 from 8 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., and noted city managers within the
district have also been invited to the event; reported he is working on a
summit with city leaders to take place in the spring; announced that the Southwest
King County Chamber of Commerce is staffing a table at our Life After High
School Fair to assist students with creating resumes, interview coaching, and
more; remarked that September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage month,
and observed that Cascade Middle School’s Latino Club won the Creative Award for
their parade entry at the recent Fiesta Patrais celebration; remarked Prince of
Peace Lutheran Church has indicated an interested in helping families in need;
announced that Puget Sound Energy recently recognized the district for its
efforts in energy conservation; gave a brief update regarding the proposed interlocal
agreement with Seattle Public Schools; stated he is asking the Highline Schools
Foundation for Excellence to be the district’s fiscal agent for the upcoming capital
campaign; invited Board members to the upcoming workshop for Undoing Racism TM on December 3 and 4; reminded Board members of the
University of Washington Center for Educational Leadership’s Leading for Equity
workshop on January 30 and 31; and mentioned that the film The Day My Parents Became Cool will be shown at the October 18 Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence
Oktoberfest event.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
Michael Spear
pulled Resolution No. 2352 for discussion.
Assistant Superintendent Geri Fain addressed Mr. Spear’s questions regarding
the walking path. Mr. Spear agreed to
reinstate the resolution back on the consent agenda.
Mr. Spear moved that
Approval of Vouchers and Warrants be pulled from the consent agenda until the backup
documentation could be reviewed. The
Board unanimously approved his motion.
1.
Resolution No. 2352 -
Replacing Resolution No. 2330 - Interlocal Agreement with the City of
2.
Resolution No. 2353 – Request
for Waiver from Standard Graduation Requirements for Big
4.
Personnel Matters. The Board approved three (3) resignations,
one (1) new assignment, and three (3) new hires as listed on the regular
agenda; and one (1) resignation, three (3) new hires, three (3) supplemental
contracts, one (1) special coach, and five (5) others as listed on the
supplemental agenda.
5.
Donation to
Susan Goding moved
approval of the consent agenda as revised; Michael Spear seconded the motion.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved as revised.
MATTERS FOR BOARD ACTION
Item #3 - Approval
of Vouchers and Warrants.
Approval of Vouchers and Warrants was pulled from the
consent agenda. The documentation will
be reviewed by designated Board members and presented for approval at the
October 8 Board meeting.
PRESENTATION
Chief
Accountability Office Dr. Alan Spicciati gave an overview presentation
regarding Accountability & District Measures of Success. In the presentation, Dr. Spicciati applauded staff
for their success in getting students to apply for scholarships for low-income
families, and explained what the district is doing to encourage students to
apply for those scholarships.
1. Legislative
Report
No report was given.
2. Board and Superintendent Business and
Updates
Michael Spear mentioned he
was selling tickets for the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Oktoberfest;
commented on the waiver for Big Picture; and remarked on a conference he
attended on youth suicide prevention.
Julie Burr Spani remarked on
the use of apprenticeships in building projects. A Board discussion followed. Superintendent Welch said he would review
previous information regarding the apprenticeship program.
Julie Burr Spani expressed
concern on how suspensions are implemented and wants to look at alternate
methods of discipline. Superintendent
Welch addressed her concerns and stated that the 3000 Policy Series will be
discussed in a December 10 work/study session and the suspension policy is part
of that discussion.
Sili Savuasa reminded Board
members of the ground-breaking ceremony for the
Susan Goding lead a
discussion regarding goals and accountability standards to place district
students at the center of educational competitiveness and presented a suggested
action plan. A Board discussion followed.
3. Next Steps
President Burr Spani
announced:
·
that following the board meeting there would be a work/study session, in
the library, regarding Accountability & District Measures of Success.
·
that the next regularly scheduled board meeting will be held on October
8, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Resource and
Hilltop
Elementary Teacher Mary-Jo Popich commented that SAT testing information should
be available to all students. Executive Director of High Schools Max Silverman
addressed Ms. Popich’s comment and said it is now a major effort in all of our
schools to make sure students are informed regarding dates and locations for
SAT testing, and also prep opportunities for taking the test.
ADJOURNMENT
Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned, Sili Savusa seconded the
motion.
President Burr Spani declared the meeting adjourned at 8:16 p.m.
__________________________________
President,
__________________________________
Secretary to the