HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

October 22, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Vice President Bernie Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria at Pacific Middle School.

 

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Teamster III Representative David Cremeens led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

      Bernie Dorsey, Vice President       

      Susan Goding

      Sili Savusa

      Michael Spear

 

      Julie Burr Spani had an excused absence.

     

Central office members present:

John Welch, Superintendent

Carla Jackson, Deputy Superintendent

Geri Fain, Assistant Superintendent/Support Services

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/K-12 Curriculum Design and Alignment

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

 

 

 

 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the minutes of the October 8, 2008, regular Board meeting and executive session as presented; Michael Spear 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 approved unanimously.

 

 

HOST PRINCIPAL

 

Pacific Middle School Principal Cecilia Beaman welcomed the Board and community;  introduced staff members that were present; gave an overall report regarding the school; commented on the  staff’s experience and education; mentioned the school’s improvement plan; introduced Assistant Principal, Marci Stadiem, who gave an overview of the school’s strategies for improvement; Ms. Stadiem introduced Activities Coordinator, ASB Advisor, and Social Studies and Leadership Teacher, Jen Christenson, who introduced eighth-grade students Ben Clayton, Joslynn Denton, Lahana Eliysares, and Shukri Salad who remarked on the various programs available to students.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

Superintendent Welch recognized Aviation High School CEO/Principal Reba Gilman for receiving The Museum of Flight’s Pathfinder Award for 2008.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

There were no community/staff organizations or committee reports given.

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Mysty Beal, 22628 16th Avenue S, Des Moines, commented on the Highline Arts Advocacy Coalition and reported on the group’s progress to retain and enhance arts education across the district.

 

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch commented on the national and statewide financial crisis and looming shortfall; noted that the current construction projects were not affected by the shortfall; remarked on the performance audit being conducted by the state regarding the district’s construction management; announced that the Stuart Foundation (a big supporter of the Highline School District) will be visiting the district next week; shared that Board Member Michael Spear, Director of Security and Safety Tony Zeman, and he attended a meeting with the City of Des Moines regarding student safety; mentioned the Senior Leadership Team will be serving breakfast to the middle school staffs to thank them for their work in getting students engaged in the College Bound Scholarship program; noted this week was National Transportation Week; reminded Board members of the upcoming Technology and Learning Conference; announced Health Science & Human Services High School was selected as one of four schools to participate in the Washington Global Health Alliance Ambassadors Program, and commended Principal Paula Montgomery for her work in seeing that Health Science & Human Services was the first school selected; recognized the Teamster III representatives that were present for their work on their contract; and commented on the success of Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence’s Oktoberfest event.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Consent Agenda

Susan Goding pulled item #2 – Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention – First Reading from the Consent Agenda and asked that the item be voted on separately.

 

1.      Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Highline School District and Public, Professional and Office-Clerical Employees and Drivers, Local Union No. 763 (Teamsters III).  The Board approved the contract changes to the September 1, 2008, through August 31, 2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Highline School District and Public, Professional and Office-Clerical Employees and Drivers, Local Union No. 763 Teamsters III (representing instructional and administrative support employees) as presented.

 

3.   Yearly Bid Calendar for the 2008/2009 School Year.  The Board approved the list of potential bids for the year 2008-2009 to assist in coordinating the bidding process to maximize lead time and efficiencies.

 

4.      Approval of Vouchers and Warrants (dates reviewing – October 15 and October 22, 2008).  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 $76,404.66;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 9/30/2008 for $6,378,615.16;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 9/30/2008 for $2,459,562.02;

General Fund warrants #212563 through #212708 dated 10/15/2008 for $429,900.51;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #212709 through #212713 dated 10/15/2008 for $250,774.27;

ASB Fund warrants #212714 through #212730 dated 10/15/2008 for $28,141.09;

Trust Fund warrants #212731 through #212733 dated 10/15/2008 for $1,705.50;

General Fund warrants #212734 through #212917 dated 10/22/2008 for $635,135.87;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #212918 through #212956 dated 10/22/2008 for $2,502,399.69;

and ASB Fund warrants #212957 through #212973 dated 10/22/2008 for $21,949.01.

 

5.      Personnel Matters.  The Board approved one (1) resignation and four (4) others as listed on the regular agenda; and three (3) new hires, and four (4) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.

        

The revised consent agenda was unanimously approved.

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention – First Reading. 

 

After a Board discussion, Michael Spear moved Policy 2421 be accepted for first reading, and adoption at a subsequent date.  The vote was three yeas and one nay: Michael Spear, Sili Savusa, and Bernie Dorsey voted to accept the first reading; Susan Goding voted against.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

New Futures Director Karma Kreizenbeck, Para Los Niños Executive Director Mauricio Ayōn, and Public Health Seattle & King County Epidemiologist II Molly McNees gave a presentation regarding the Burien Early Learning Collaborative’s goals to reach out to the district’s diverse community to establish best practices for early childhood education and increase school readiness.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

Susan Goding remarked on WSSDA’s top 10 legislative priorities.

 

2.  Board and Superintendent Business and Updates

Sili Savusa reported on the site visit and tour she and Bernie Dorsey were given at the Valley View Early Learning Center; addressed the PSESD’s workshop “Eliminating the Achievement Gap” on November 6 for Board members and superintendents; and remarked on money appropriated specifically to ethnic communities to study the achievement gap; and noted that in dealing with OSPI she noticed that Asian and Pacific Islander student data was missing from the information.

 

Michael Spear commented on the safety meeting with the City of Des Moines and the Des Moines Police Department; talked about meeting times and asked Board members to look at adjusting times for starting the Board meetings or eliminate work/study sessions before the Board meetings.  A Board discussion followed.  Sili Savusa suggested that some of the work/study topics could be presented during the Board meeting, to consolidate time. Superintendent Welch mentioned the option of starting the meetings at 6 p.m. and having the work/study sessions after the Board meeting.  The Board agreed to discuss the issue further at the December 10 Board meeting. 

 

Mr. Spear also thanked the Highline Arts Advocacy Coalition for coming and sharing with the Board their concerns regarding the arts; and reported on the success of the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Oktoberfest event.

 

Superintendent Welch asked Board members to let him know their interest in attending the Leading for Equity workshop—January 30-31, 2009.

 

Bernie Dorsey commented on his visit at the Valley View Early Learning Center.

 

                                                                        

3.   Next Steps

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on November 5, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.  Preceding the Board meeting, there will be a work/study session regarding the 2009 Legislative Agenda.  Following the Board meeting, there will be a work/study session regarding the Math Plan.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

 

The following individuals expressed their concerns regarding the district’s north and south music programs, and the lack of accessibility for students to take music:

 

Julie Crassweller, 404 SW 180th Street, Normandy Park

Sandra Locklear, P.O. Box 286, Seahurst

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

 

Vice President Bernie Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

 

                                                                       

__________________________________

President, Board of Directors

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board