HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

DISTRICT NO. 401 – KING COUNTY

 

Minutes of Regular School Board Meeting

 

November 7, 2007

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

President Pina called the meeting to order at 8:04 p.m. in the Board Room of the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

Community led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

 

Board members present:

      Matt Pina, President

      Julie Burr Spani, Vice President

      Phyllis Byers          

      Susan Goding

      Tom Slattery

     

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

Don Waring, Executive Director/Human Resources

Tony Zeman, Director/Security and Safety

Susan Wood-Megrey, Interim Director/Curriculum

Kim O’Neil, Assistant Director/Employee Services and Labor Relations

Michael Sita, Coordinator/Secondary Alternative Programs

Rexanne Forbes, Manager/Communication and Community Engagement


 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the executive session and board meeting minutes for October 24, 2007, the executive session minutes for October 30, 2007, and the executive session minutes for November 6, 2007, as presented; Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

The minutes were approved as presented.

 

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Julie Burr Spani moved approval of the agenda as presented, seconded by Susan Goding.

 

The agenda was approved unanimously.

 

 

PUBLIC HEARING

 

At 8:05 p.m., President Pina recessed the Board meeting to a Public Hearing regarding the proposed Debt Service Fund & Budget Extension.

 

Executive Director of Finance & Business Services Susan Smith Leland presented the proposed Debt Service Fund & Budget Extension plan in a Public Hearing.

 

President Pina closed the Public Hearing portion of the meeting and reconvened the regular Board meeting at 8:13 p.m.

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

Executive Director of Finance & Business Services Susan Smith Leland introduced Seattle-Northwest Securities Corporation Senior Vice President Trevor Carlson, who gave an update on the bond sale results of November 6, and explained the tax-rate projections and the bond process.

 

Financial Advisor Bob Yeasting of Yeasting Associates recommended the Board approve the Issuance and Sale of $59,000,000 Par Value of Unlimited General Obligation Bonds, 2007, and commended Seattle Northwest Securities for their handling of the sale of the bonds.

 

Attorney Jim McNeill of Foster Pepper PLLC addressed Resolution No. 2309 explaining how the resolution authorized the Board to sell, issue, and deliver $59,000,000 principle amount of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds; remarked regarding the district’s pledge to repay the bonds; and noted how the proceeds of the bonds would be used to finish projects.

 

 

COMMUNICATION

 

Community/Staff Organizations and Committee Reports

 

Teachers Beth Carter, Christy Brown, and Irene Palmer from the Valley View Early Learning Center thanked Board members for their support and for approving the Valley View site for the program, and thanked the Facilities Department employees for the excellent service they provided when moving the learning center personnel into the building.

 

 

Scheduled Communication

 

Ray Prentice, 18974 Marine View Dr. SW, Normandy Park, gave an update on the status of the Jim Kennett Track Project at Mount Rainier High School; and thanked the Board for their leadership and support of the track project.

 

Julie Burr Spani congratulated Mr. Prentice regarding his son Ryan winning the State’s Class 3A cross county meet in Pasco.  

 

Matt Pina thanked Ray Prentice for his vision and tenacity regarding getting a new track at the Mount Rainier site, and remarked it has been a pleasure working with Mr. Prentice.

 

Barry Ladenburg, 19317 46th Avenue S., SeaTac, remarked on the music program at Global Connections; thanked Mr. Welch for listening and responding to his concerns regarding a music budget; and expressed he would like to receive something in writing so the music program could receive the money needed from the Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment, Odyssey—The Essential School, and Aviation High School.

 

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

 

There was no superintendent report given.

 

 

MATTERS REQUIRING BOARD ACTION

Consent Agenda

 

1.                  Resolution No. 2307 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Camp Waskowitz Kitchen and Dining Hall Rehabilitation Project – Electric Service Agreement and Utility Easement with Tanner Electrical Cooperative.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2307 – Capital Facilities Improvement Plan – Camp Waskowitz Kitchen and Dining Hall Rehabilitation Project – Electric Service Agreement and Utility Easement with Tanner Electric Cooperative to provide electrical service to Camp Waskowitz, and authorized the superintendent or designee to sign and deliver any and all necessary related documents.

 

2.                  Resolution No. 2309 Issuance and Sale of $59,000,000 Par Value of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2007, of the Highline School District No. 401.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2309 – Issuance and Sale of $59,000,000 Par Value Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds, 2007, of the Highline School District.

 

3.                  Resolution No. 2310 2007/2008 Debt Service Fund Budget Extension Adoption.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2310 – 2007/2008 Debt Service Fund Budget Extension Adoption setting the expenditure authorization at $23,209,291, and the levy collection for 2008 at $25,808,000.

 

4.                  Resolution No. 2311 2007/2008 General and Debt Service Fund Levy Recertification.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2311 – General and Debt Service Fund Levy Recertification setting the levy collection for 2008 for the General Fund at $32,289,653, and setting the levy collection for 2008 for the Debt Service Fund at $25,808,000.

 

5.                  Resolution No. 2312 – Out of Endorsement Assignment Waiver.  The Board approved Resolution No. 2312 – Out of Endorsement Assignment Waiver that finds it necessary to assign out-of-endorsement to the teacher listed.

 

6.                  Third Party Administration for Tax Sheltered Annuities and Deferred Compensation Plans.  The Board approved the recommendation to pursue a third-party administrator on a temporary basis and to contract the services out to a third-party administrator through January 1, 2009.

 

7.                  Approval of 2007-2008 Addendum to Contractual Agreement for Financing and Operation of Puget Sound Skills Center.  The Board approved the 2007-2008 Addendum to the Contractual Agreement for the Financing and Operation of Puget Sound Skills Center between the Highline School District and the Federal Way, Tukwila, and Tahoma School Districts.

 

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 $182,350.05;

Payroll automatic deposits dated 10/31/2007 for $6,039,160.10;

Payroll wire tax transfer dated 10/31/2007 for $2,325,609.30;

General Fund warrants #200011 through #200105 dated 10/26/2007 for $3,129,852.62;

General Fund warrants #200106 through #200345 dated 10/31/2007 for $726,862.84;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #200346 through #200385 dated 10/31/2007 for $4,521,492.43;

ASB Fund warrants #200386 through #200422 dated 10/31/2007 for $34,635.42;

Trust Fund warrants #200423 through #200424 dated 10/31/2007 for $1,373.00;

General Fund warrants #200425 through #200650 dated 11/2/2007 for $615,650.55;

Capital Projects Fund warrants #200651 through #200668 dated 11/7/2007 for $1,371,046.93;

and ASB warrants #200669 through #200698 dated 11/7/2007 for $25,528.56.

                                          

9.                  Personnel Matters.  The Board approved six (6) new hires, five (5) special coaches, and three (3) others as listed on the regular agenda; and three (3) resignations, twelve (12) new hires, four (4) special coaches, and three (3) others as listed on the supplemental agenda.

 

10.              Donation to Aviation High School.  The Board approved the $2,894 donation from Galvin Flying Service to support Aviation High School’s Engineering Program for the school year 2007-2008.

 

Jim McNeill commended the Highline School District staff for their work regarding the bond sale.

 

Phyllis Byers moved approval of the consent agenda as presented; Susan Goding seconded the motion.

 

The consent agenda was unanimously approved as presented.

 

PRESENTATION

 

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Carla Jackson introduced Secondary Alternative Programs Coordinator Michael Sita, who gave an overview regarding the district’s Alternative Education Programs; talked about how the various programs meet the needs of students with more flexible schedules and rigorous independent study; and mentioned how parents are being engaged in the learning process.

 

A Board discussion followed Mr. Sita’s presentation.

 

Dr. Jackson, Interim Curriculum Director Susan Wood-Megrey, and 9-12 Math & Science Coordinator Sharon Hegewald presented the district’s science plan; explained how the plan meets the district’s goals; referenced the scheduling of time for science in the elementary schools; remarked how the plan meets the vision for college, career, and citizenship; and pointed out how the plan goes beyond standards.

 

A Board discussion followed the presentation.

 

 

UNSCHEDULED COMMUNICATIONS

 

There was no unscheduled communication.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

1.  Legislative Report

 

There was a Board discussion regarding the November 6 early election results regarding the Simple Majority Initiative; and tonight’s work/study regarding the legislative agenda.

 

2.  Other Business

         

Phyllis Byers gave a report regarding the new YMCA facility being built in SeaTac.

 

Susan Burr Spani remarked on the various requests the Highline Schools Foundation for Excellence receives; commented on the schools’ newsletters; and talked about the Dual Language Program. Matt Pina recommended a work/study be scheduled for the new Board members regarding the Dual Language Program. 

 

Julie Burr Spani mentioned she would like to see conference rooms at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center renamed in honor of Board members.

 

Matt Pina read a letter explaining the Board’s support of the Dream Act legislation.

 

                                                         

3.   Next Steps

A work/study session regarding High School Evaluation is scheduled for November 13, 2007, at 5 p.m. in the North Classroom at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.  A work/study session regarding Board Transition Planning is scheduled for December 4, 2007, at 5 p.m. in the Yormark Room at the Puget Sound Skills Center.

 

The next regularly scheduled Board meeting will be held on December 12, 2007, at 6 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Resource and Administrative Center.

 

                                                                                                                                                

ADJOURNMENT

 

Susan Goding moved the meeting be adjourned; Julie Burr Spani seconded the motion.

 

 

President Pina declared the meeting adjourned at 9:54 p.m.

 

                                                                       

                                                                                    __________________________________

                                                                                    President, Board of Directors

 

 

____________________________

 Secretary to the Board