HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

November 5, 2008

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Vice President Dorsey called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Emeritus Trustee Tom Russell 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

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

Terri LePenske, Executive Director/Student Support Services

Susan Smith Leland, Executive Director/Finance & Business Services

Angus Mairs, Executive Director/Instructional Design & Development

Max Silverman, Executive Director/High Schools

Catherine Carbone Rogers, Director/Communication and Community Engagement

Marianna Goheen, Director/College and Career

Susan Wood-Megrey, Coordinator/K-12 Mathematics and Science

 


 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the October 22, 2008, regular Board meeting minutes as presented; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Susan Goding moved approval of the agenda as presented; seconded by Sili Savusa.

 

The agenda was approved unanimously.

 

 

RECOGNITION

 

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson recognized math teachers that were instrumental in creating the Math K-8 Transition Guides, and those who were influential in identifying important algebra concepts and best practices.

 

Chief Accountability Office Dr. Alan Spicciati and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson recognized staff members for serving on the Panasonic Foundation Accountability Team.

 

 

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

 

Superintendent Welch commented on the leadership and accomplishments of Dr. Joe McGeehan, and then Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence Emeritus Trustee Tom Russell presented Dr. McGeehan with the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to education and the community.

 

Dr. McGeehan thanked Mr. Russell for his generosity, commented that he was blessed to be the superintendent of the Highline School District; expressed his appreciation to the School Board for their leadership over the years; and remarked that the award reflects the spirit of the School Board and the district employees.

 

The Board meeting was recessed at 7:00 p.m. for a brief break to congratulate Dr. McGeehan.  The meeting was reconvened at 7:20 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Highline Council PTSA Vice President Meg Van Wyk referenced the organization’s new directory and calendar; and encouraged the Board and community to visit the organization’s website and view the slide show on the basic education funding initiative.

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

The following individuals spoke on behalf of keeping the Mount Rainier Pool open, and stressed the pool’s importance to the community:

 

1.      Janie Lemley, 444 SW 206th Street, Normandy Park

2.      Mary Zaches, 18134 Brittany Drive SW, Normandy Park

3.      Bill Whisler, 418 SW 185th Place, Normandy Park

4.      Leslie Thomson, 1930 SW Hillcrest Road, Burien

5.      Kelsey Zaches, 18134 Brittany Drive SW, Normandy Park

6.      Faith Callahan, Wesley Home on 216th, Des Moines

7.      Elaine Case, 23008 16th Avenue S, Des Moines

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

Superintendent Welch commented on the Mount Rainier Pool lease agreement with the City of Des Moines; and read a proclamation regarding November 16-22 being American Education Week.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

Bernie Dorsey pulled item #7 - Systemwide Measures of Success - for discussion and asked Chief Accountability Officer Dr. Alan Spicciati for clarification regarding the information.  Mr. Dorsey then agreed to put the item back on the consent agenda for consideration.

 

Susan Goding moved item #8 – Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention from the consent agenda and asked that the item be voted on separately; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

1.                  Resolution No. 2354 – Interlocal Cooperative Agreement Between Bates Technical College and Highline Public Schools for Educational Services and Career and Technical Education Programs to High School Students of the Highline Public Schools.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2354, authorizing an interlocal agreement with Bates Technical College to provide educational services and career and technical education programs to Highline Public Schools high school students, and authorized the superintendent, or designee, to sign the appropriate documents.

 

2.                  Resolution No. 2355 – Acceptance of State Assisted Capital Projects Funds for Design of Aviation High School.  The Board adopted Resolution No. 2355 – Acceptance of State Assisted Capital Projects Funds for design of Aviation High School.

 

3.                  Resolution No. 2356 – Authorized Signatures for State Assisted Capital Projects for Aviation High School.  The Board adopted Resolution 2356, authorizing Superintendent John Welch, Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Geraldine Fain, Executive Director of Business Services Susan Smith Leland, and Executive Director of Facilities Services Andréa Johnson to sign documents related to state-assisted capital projects for Aviation High School, as required by WAC 180-29-120.

 

4.                  Policy 6970 - Naming Facilities.  The Board approved Policy 6970 – Naming Facilities as proposed.

 

5.                  Highline Big Picture High School Associated Student Body Constitution and Bylaws.  The Board approved the Highline Big Picture High School Associated Student Body Constitution and Bylaws.

 

6.                  First Amendment to King County Investment Pool Agreement.  The Board approved the First Amendment to King County Investment Pool Agreement and authorized the superintendent to sign and/or approve any related documents.

 

7.                  Systemwide Measures of Success.  The Board approved the accountability system called Systemwide Measures of Success as proposed.

 

9.         Policy 2422 – Homework - First Reading.  The Board reviewed Policy 2422 – Homework, and will consider for approval at a subsequent date. Briefing only, no action was taken.

 

10.       Donation to Mount View Elementary.  The Board approved the donation of thirty (30) 19” LCD monitors and one (1) 42” Plasma TV to Mount View Elementary School from the Technology Access Foundation.

 

11.       Donation to White Center Heights Elementary.  The Board approved the donation of thirty (30) 19” LCD monitors and one (1) 42” Plasma to White Center Heights Elementary from the Technology Access Foundation.

           

12.       Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $10,000 donation to be used toward the building budget of Aviation High School from the Quest for Truth Foundation.

 

13.       Donation to Aviation High School. The Board approved the $5,000 donation from the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace for Aviation High School’s Robotics Team.

 

14.       Summary of Bid Calendar – Bid No. 08/09-6 Puget Sound Skills Center Emergency Generator.  Briefing only, no action was taken.

 

15.       Summary of Bid Calendar – Bid No. 08/09-1 – McMicken Heights School Demolition — Bid No. 08/09-2 – McMicken Heights Elementary School Replacement Project. Briefing only, no action was taken.

 

16.       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 $69,009.15;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 10/31/2008 for $6,426,526.21;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 10/31/2008 for $2,432,935.13;    

General Fund warrants #212974 through #213115 dated 10/29/2008 for $557,620.77;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #213116 through #213137 dated 10/29/2008 for $814,180.87;

ASB Fund warrants #213138 through #213154 dated 10/29/2008 for $18,903.64;

Transportation Vehicle Fund warrant #213155 dated 10/29/2008 for $523,144.71;

General Fund warrants #213156 through #213238 dated 10/29/2008 for $2,191,594.85;

General Fund warrants #213239 through #213357 dated 11/05/2008 for $392,708.18;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #213358 through #213368 dated 11/05/2008 for $1,485,583.34;

ASB Fund warrants #213369 through #213383 dated 11/05/2008 for $23,678.78;

and Trust Fund warrant #213384 dated 11/05/2008 for $115.84.

                                         

17.       Personnel Matters.  The Board approved two (2) resignations, eight (8) new hires, two (2) special coaches, and five (5) others as listed on the regular agenda; and two (2) new hires, one (1) new hire – retire/rehire, two (2) special coaches, one (1) certificated exception, and two (2) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.

 

Michael Spear moved approval of the revised consent agenda; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

The revised consent agenda was unanimously approved.

 

 

MATTER REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

 

Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention – for Adoption. 

 

Michael Spear moved the Board approve Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention as proposed; Sili Savusa seconded the motion.

 

The Board approved the revisions to Policy 2421 – Promotion and Retention with a vote of three to one, Michael Spear, Sili Savusa, and Bernie Dorsey voting yea, Susan Goding voting nea.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson, Executive Director of K-12 Curriculum Design and Alignment Angus Mairs, and K-12 Math and Science Coordinator Susan Wood-Megrey gave a presentation updating the Board on the progress of the district’s Math Matters Plan.  The plan covered the use of K-8 transition guides, reviewing strategies the district is using concerning algebra, and intervention strategies for students when needed.

 

A Board discussion followed the Math Matters Plan presentation.

 

Executive Director of High Schools Max Silverman and Director of College & Career and Secondary Counseling Marianna Goheen gave a presentation regarding the Office of College & Career’s action plan pertaining to college and career readiness between August 2007 through June 2009.

 

A Board discussion followed the Office of College & Career’s presentation.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATION

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

No report was given.

 

2.  Other Business

Superintendent Welch asked Board members to let him know whether or not they planned to attend the January 30-31, 2009, Leading for Equity workshop.

 

Susan Goding inquired as to the Board’s interest in having Board meetings video taped.   A Board discussion followed.  The Board asked Superintendent Welch to look into the feasibility of taping the meetings.               

   

 

                                                                

3.   Next Steps

Vice President Dorsey announced the Board will hold an executive session regarding a real estate matter on November 17, 2008, from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 6:25 p.m. at the Puget Sound Skills Center.  Following the executive session, from approximately 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. there will be a work/study session in the Yormark Room regarding the High School and Alternative Education Performance Review and Next Steps, and from approximately 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. there will be a work/study session regarding Equivalencies and Credits.

 

Vice President Dorsey also announced that the next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on December 10, 2008, at 6: 30 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Resource and Administrative Building.

                                                                                                                                          

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned; Michael Spear seconded the motion.

 

 

Vice President Bernie Dorsey declared the meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

 

                                                                       

__________________________________

President, Board of Directors

 

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board