HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DISTRICT NO. 401 –
Minutes of
October
8, 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Highline Council PTSA President Jill Wunch led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Bernie
Dorsey, Vice President
Susan
Goding
Sili
Savusa
Michael
Spear
Central office members present:
John Welch, Superintendent
Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services
Andréa Johnson, Executive Director/Facilities
Services
Susan Smith Leland, Executive Director/Finance &
Business Services
Terri LePenske, Executive Director/Student Support
Services
Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools
Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources
Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and
Community Engagement
Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative
Programs
Jackie Martinez-Vasquez, Manager/Family and
Community Partnerships
Rod Sheffer/Project Manager/Facilities Services
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sili Savusa moved approval of the September 24, 2008, regular Board
meeting 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 Bernie Dorsey.
The agenda was unanimously approved as presented.
RECOGNITION
Superintendent Welch read a proclamation declaring October as Family
Involvement in Education Month, and urged all citizens to join him in creating
strong partnerships between families, schools, and community.
COMMUNICATION
Community/Staff
Organizations and Committee Reports
Highline Education Association President Stacie Hawkins reported on the
organization’s member meeting in September; commented that a resolution needs
to be reached regarding the workload for elementary school librarians; and
commended the Board for asking for input on homework before making a policy regarding
the matter.
Highline Council PTSA President Jill Wunch mentioned the input
pertaining to homework; reported on the Washington State PTA legislative agenda
and its five legislative priorities for the year; and remarked on the council’s
general membership meeting held this week.
Scheduled Communication
John Mannion, 16015 16th SW, Burien, remarked on the noise
level on the northeast corner of Gregory Heights Elementary due to the HVAC chiller
system.
SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
Superintendent Welch reported on the Greenbridge Early Learning
groundbreaking event; referenced on the Microsoft Math Initiative Kick-off
meeting; mentioned the meeting with Marvista Elementary School’s staff
regarding the vision to prepare all students for college, career, and
citizenship; noted the Mount Rainier track dedication and acceptance of donations
on the consent agenda, and thanked Mr. Ray Prentice for his work on the
project; and shared his plans to send an email to all staff regarding the
upcoming elections and stated he is asking staff to be respectful and refrain
from comments that may alienate or offend others. A Board discussion followed.
MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD
ACTION
Consent Agenda
1.
2.
Final Acceptance of Purchase Order No. P075667 Belfor
USA Group, Inc. Bid No. 06/07-11
3.
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:
General Fund warrants #211710 through #211840
dated 9/17/2008 for $776,978.84;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #211841
through #211861 dated 9/17/2008 for $1,180,849.37;
ASB Fund warrants #211862 through #211875 dated
9/17/2008 for $14,513.58;
Trust Fund warrants #211876 through #211877
dated 9/17/2008 for $7,500.00;
General Fund warrants #211878 through #212036
dated 9/24/2008 for $715,360.39;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #212037
through #212076 dated 9/24/2008 for $530,873.21;
ASB Fund warrants #212077 through #212100
dated 9/24/2008 for $34,834.12;
Trust Fund warrants #212101 through #212105 dated
9/24/2008 for $6,779.49;
General Fund warrants #212106 through #212190
dated 9/25/2008 for $2,146,782.25;
General Fund warrants #212191 through #212325
dated 10/01/2008 for $479,864.77;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #212326
through #212342 dated 10/01/2008 for
$2,839,769.82
ASB Fund warrants #212343 through #212359
dated 10/01/2008 for $12,857.30;
Trust Fund warrants #212360 through #212361
dated 10/01/2008 for $1,354.50;
General Fund warrants #212362 through #212493
dated 10/08/2008 for $727,219.60;
Capital Projects Fund warrants #212494
through #212540 dated 10/08/2008 for
$639,541.44;
ASB Fund warrants #212541 through #212560
dated 10/08/2008 for $14,866.82;
and Trust Fund warrants #212561 through
#212562 dated 10/08/2008 for $5,500.00.
4.
Personnel Matter. The Board approved one (1)
resignation, two (2) new hires, three (3) new hires-retire/rehire, one (1) new
assignment, ten (10) supplemental contracts, one (1) certificated exception,
and seventeen (17) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.
5.
Donation to
Bernie Dorsey moved
approval of the consent agenda as presented; Michael Spear seconded the motion.
The consent agenda
was unanimously approved as presented.
Yusuf
Egal and Asha Mohamed, 414 SW 112th Place, Seattle, expressed
concern regarding the disconnect between schools and the parents of immigrant
children, the lack of text books, and their children’s schools not making AYP.
President
Burr Spani asked Mr. Egal and Mrs. Mohamed to talk with Executive Director of
High Schools Max Silverman regarding their concerns.
1. Legislative Report
Michael Spear and Susan Goding reported on the
legislative assembly they attended on September 26 and 27 in
2. Board
and Superintendent Business and Updates
Bernie Dorsey remarked on the purpose of the school
visits with staff members regarding working together; and referenced on the
Highline Council PTSA meeting he attended. A Board discussion followed.
Michael Spear commented on the importance of quality
customer service at schools and referenced a letter he received from a
community member. A Board discussion followed.
Bernie Dorsey commended Mr. Prentice for his work on
behalf of the
Julie Burr Spani reported on
Superintendent Welch reminded the Board that at the
December meeting the Board will elect new officers.
3. Next Steps
President Burr Spani
announced:
·
Following the Board meeting there would be a work/study regarding the
2008-09 Community Engagement & Cultural Competency Plan.
·
There will be a work/study session on October 15, 2008, at the
Educational Resource and
·
The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on October 22,
2008, at 6:30 p.m. at
ADJOURNMENT
Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned; Sili Savusa seconded the
motion.
President Burr Spani declared the meeting adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
__________________________________
President,
____________________________
Secretary to the