EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
Regular Meeting |
| The Board of Directors of Everett Public Schools, Snohomish County, Washington, held a regular Board meeting on Tuesday, July 11, 2006, beginning at 4:30 p.m., in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue, Everett, Washington. Those in attendance were Kristie Dutton, Ed Petersen and Roy Yates. Absent: Sue Cooper and Karen Madsen. |
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Yates called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead reported that there would be a revised personnel report. Dr. Whitehead also recommended the addition of two Consent Agenda items: 7a(9)—Classified Non-Represented Non-Exempt Technical Employees Salary Schedule, and 7a(10)—Professional and Technical 2006-2007 Salary Schedule. Thirdly, Dr. Whitehead asked that tonight’s executive session be held at 5:45 p.m. so that the Board can speak with an attorney via telephone. At the conclusion of the executive session, the regular meeting will resume. With that, Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the revised agenda. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES Ed Petersen moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 20, 2006. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Dr. Whitehead complimented those who helped arrange the groundbreaking event for Elementary #17 which was held yesterday at the site. Kudos to members of the Facilities and Planning Department as well as staff in the Communications Department. She also thanked the Board for attending the ceremonies. A number of community members, staff, parents and students also attended the groundbreaking.
Next, Dr. Whitehead reported that the District has been notified of four District students who have been recognized by the Center for Talented Youth at Johns Hopkins University for receiving high marks on the ACT, SAT or SCAT (School and College Ability Test) standardized tests. The students are: Renee Geck (North Middle School), Joshua Lim (Heatherwood Middle School), Berit Reisenauer (North Middle School), and Wenda Chen (Mill Creek Elementary School).
The recent Washington State Patrol annual inspection of the District bus fleet was extremely favorable. Dr. Whitehead read from a letter from OSPI Superintendent Terry Bergeson and Washington State Patrol Chief John R. Batiste which reported that the District once again completed the inspection of school buses with exceptional results (E:201/06).
Dr. Whitehead called on Executive Director of Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards who talked about summer school offerings for students to help them prepare to re-take the WASL (August 7-10). The State has provided PASS (Promoting Academic Student Success) dollars to help students better prepare to re-take the WASL. To date, 623 students are enrolled in summer school, taking 970 different classes. Within those classes, there are 175 students who are 10th graders who failed the WASL and qualify for PASS money. Of the 175 students, 77 have signed up for the WASL-prep reading, writing and math classes. 140 students are signed up to re-take the WASL in August. Re-take data will be received in late October or early November. The next re-take opportunity will be Spring, 2007. When asked about the percentage of students who failed the WASL and are signing up to re-take the WASL, Terry estimated the number at approximately 25 percent.
Next, Terry described two conferences to be hosted by the District this summer to provide professional development for teachers. The Middle Level Math Conference—Bridging the Gap, will take place on July 25 & 26 at Everett High School (attached). Approximately 400 teachers have signed up from the District, across the state and other countries (Nigeria) and the United States. The Professional Learning Communities at Work Institute will also be held at Everett High School and is expected to draw up to 1,300 participants from around the country, among them 300 Everett Public Schools teachers and administrators (attachment). Dates for the conference are August 10-12.
The Standard & Poor’s School Evaluation Services has announced that Eisenhower and Evergreen Middle Schools are among 42 schools in Washington State that have been identified for narrowing the achievement gap between economically-disadvantaged students and all students.
Dr. Whitehead reported that the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool— which provides risk management advice and legal services to school districts across the state, purchases secondary insurance and provides a financial pool through which districts can cover liability costs—will be issuing a rebate, or dividend, to a number of participating school districts. Everett’s dividend is $71,816 and has been factored into the budget which will be presented later in the Board meeting. The dividend comes as a result of lower-than-expected losses by members of the Pool during the 2005-2006 school year, and better-than-expected insurance costs. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
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PUBLIC COMMENT None.
| PUBLIC COMMENT | |
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
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ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The attached proposed Policy 2123—Instruction (Health and Fitness Curriculum), was provided to the Board of Directors at this time for first reading, with adoption to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:202/06). The policy has been developed in accordance with state and federal laws and, among its requirements, includes wording concerning the involvement of parents, students, staff and others in the development of a nutrition and physical fitness policy. Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma reported that a committee composed of staff, students, parents and others from around the District and co-chaired by Director of Athletics Robert Polk and Supervisor of Food & Nutrition Services Debbie Webber, used the same process as when the nutritional standards were established. The committee asked that the Board ensure that the areas of health and wellness are emphasized in concert with reading, writing and math. A health and fitness classroom assessment will be piloted this fall and will eventually become mandatory. |
PROPOSED POLICY 2123—INSTRUCTION (HEALTH AND FITNESS CURRICULUM)— 1st reading | |
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The attached K-6 supplemental interactive math program materials were provided
to the Board of Directors at this time for first reading, with adoption to be
recommended at a future Board meeting (E:203/06). The program, Whizz
Education, will include interactive exercises using the District’s
network, and is a valuable teacher/student tool that is aligned to the GLEs
(grade level expectations) for Washington State’s Academic Learning
requirements.
Karst Brandsma called on Terry Edwards who described the Whizz Education program. It is a K-7 supplemental math computer-based program with high student engagement and interaction. It involves both computer time and group instruction. The lessons are based on standards and are searchable based on standards. Instruction is tied to the student’s ability level and tracks their ability as they work through the program. The program has WASL-like assessments embedded in it and maintains a database of individual student achievement. It is being proposed to field test the program at Garfield and Hawthorne Elementaries and with the special education classes at Silver Lake Elementary School
In response to a question from Board member Petersen about whether the program is in use in any other schools in this area, Terry said the home office for the program is in Seattle and is in use in some other districts, but it does not have a long track record in this country; most of its history is in Great Britain. Mr. Petersen said the program sounds like an excellent concept. When asked by President Yates whether the District has adequate computer support, Terry said yes, coordination with the Information Technology department has been done. |
PROPOSED ADOPTION OF K-6 SUPPLEMENTAL INTERACTIVE MATH PROGRAM—
1st reading
PROPOSED ADOPTION OF K-6 SUPPLEMENTAL INTERACTIVE MATH PROGRAM— 1st reading (cont’d.) | |
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The Administration provided a report on the District’s special education
program. Karst Brandsma introduced Executive Director for Special Services
Kris McDowell who began by saying special education is a service, not a place.
She provided the demographics of the program, talked about trends in preschool
and developmental kindergarten enrollments, resource rooms, behavioral
support, self-contained and life skills. She discussed programs available at
the elementary, middle and high school levels; displayed the organizational
chart for the department; talked about partnerships with District departments;
and listed future projects.
Board member Petersen asked whether there is a common definition for those who qualify for special education, to which Kris said there are approximately ten handicapping conditions and the State is also considering adopting a “ non-categorical” response to intervention. To a question from Mr. Petersen about Sequoia High School, Kris responded that resource services are available at that school; they receive all services that the other schools do. Karst noted the high level of assistive technology that is available. President Yates asked about parental involvement, to which Kris indicated that not only is it an important component but, by law, parental involvement is required for the child’s IEP development. Parents choose to participate at different levels. When Board member Dutton asked about the time involved in paperwork, Kris said the online IEP development has been helpful as far as paperwork requirements. Parents in the special education program receive progress reports at the same rate as other students. Karst noted that the paperwork storage system at Special Services has been greatly improved. In closing, President Yates asked the administration to extend the Board’s kudos to all those who work in the Special Services department. Theirs is a challenging job. | SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REPORT | |
| The attached Strategic Plan for 2006-2007 was provided to the Board of Directors at this time for first reading, with adoption to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:204/06). Karst Brandsma reviewed the changes requested by the Board—added wording to Strategy 1.1; added Strategic Action 1.1h; and added Strategic Action 1.2g. In addition, Strategic Action 1.4a has been deleted as language that is no longer necessary because it is within the system and is no longer strategic. This plan will become the workplan for the year. Dr. Whitehead indicated that updates will come to the Board throughout the year and then an end-of-the-year report will be provided next summer. Board member Petersen sought clarification of the duration of the District’s overall Strategic Plan; Mr. Brandsma and Dr. Whitehead reviewed the history of the Strategic Plan. | STRATEGIC PLAN 2006-2007— 1st reading | |
| Financial reports were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:205/06). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations Bob Collard said the projected fund balance is $7.6 million and has remained that way for a number of months, at tribute to the fine work of the budget and finance staff. He said that the District’s reserve fund balance is at five percent, a fact that has impressed the bond rating agencies—it says the District has a strong commitment and the wherewithal to withstand unforeseen circumstances. | FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF MAY 31, 2006 | |
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ACTION ITEMS Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda items. Ed Petersen seconded the motion. 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:206/06); 2) Voucher Lists (E:207/06); 3) Proposed Adoption of Instructional Materials for High School Chemistry (E:208/06); 4) Award of Contract: Custodial Paper and Supplies (E:209/06); 5) Award of Bid: Longfellow Building Data Center Modernization (E:210/06); 6) Res. 858: Amendment of Easement for the Seattle Hill Road Property (Res.21/06); 7) Agreement Between Everett School District and the City of Everett to Provide School Resource Officers at Everett and Cascade High Schools for the 2006-2007, 2007-2008 & 2008-2009 School Years (E:211/06); 8) Monetary Gift of $12,000 from James Monroe Elementary School PTA to James Monroe Elementary School for the Purchase of Document Cameras (E:212/06); 9) ADDENDUM—Classified Non-Represented Non-Exempt Technical Employees Salary Schedule for 2006-2007 (E:213/06); and (10)ADDENDUM—Professional and Technical 2006-2007 Salary Schedule (E:214/06). The motion carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
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The Administration recommended the Board of Directors authorize a call for bids
for the Everett Memorial Stadium baseball field drainage improvements
(E:215/06). The estimated construction cost is $475,000, plus Washington State
sales tax, and will provide a complete replacement for the drainage and
irrigation systems in the outfield of the baseball field, including removal and
replacement of 12 inches of soil, installation of a new natural grass field
surface and other drainage improvements in the infield area. The project will
be funded through a $750,000 allocation for minor league baseball facilities
improvements provided to the District by the State of Washington in their 2006
supplemental operating budget. The work is scheduled to be completed prior to
the beginning of the Spring 2007 high school baseball practices.
Director of Facilities and Planning Mike Gunn introduced Brian Sloan, general manager and director of corporate sales for the Everett Aquasox. Mike began by outlining the history of the Memorial Stadium facility. The District owns the facility, but leases it to the Aquasox. The stadium opened in 1947. The site, amounting to 20 acres, was donated by the Everett Elks Lodge #479. Since then, the District has added approximately five acres, bringing the total to slightly less than 25 acres, and includes the area which contains the Athletics building, football stadium, baseball stadium, practice field, a large parking lot and some undeveloped property. The Longfellow Building is not included. Over the years, many of the improvements have been in the form of donations, materials, labor and services. The City of Everett has provided funding for improvements, including 1984 and 1986. In 1986, over $6 million was provided by funding, either directly or indirectly, from the hotel/motel tax and resulted in the expansion of the entire baseball stadium. The facility is equivalent to what one sees in a 3A facility even though the Aquasox are a 1A team. Approximately 25 percent of the outfield drainage issue was solved in 1986 with the installation of a new underground drainage system, replacement of t he sod and installation of a new irrigation system. Not tackled in 1986 was the most expensive drainage issue which would have involved removing the top 12 inches of soil to create a more consistent and porous system. Tonight’s request will address this issue—the top 12 inches of soil would be replaced in the outfield, new drainage and irrigation systems would be installed and sod would be replaced as well as minor improvements to the drainage in the infield. The estimated construction cost of the project is $475,000 and would begin as soon as the Aquasox season is over. The work would need to be done by mid-October to take advantage of the dormancy of grass during the winter.
Everett Public Schools will “front-fund” the project working with the State Department of Community Trade and Economic Development. The dollars must be spent between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2007, and cannot be spent on operating expenses, salaries or project management. The Aquasox have agreed to cover any costs expended by the District that the State ultimately ends up not covering. Also, since the monies cannot be used for operating costs, the Aquasox will share the District’s costs equally, up to a total of $30,000. With any monies left over from the $750,000, the District will replace the electronic scoreboard on the left field fence, replace and expand the protective netting, and replace lamps in the field lights of the facility. If funds remain, additional projects will be addressed.
Mike talked about the District’s exceptional relationship with the Aquasox. When invited to comment, Brian said Everett is one of the finer facilities, but improvements are needed.
Board member Petersen sought clarification of the relationship with the Aquasox. Mike responded. With no further comments, Ed Petersen moved to authorize the aforementioned call for bids. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. |
AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS: EVERETT MEMORIAL STADIUM BASEBALL FIELD
DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS
AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS: EVERETT MEMORIAL STADIUM BASEBALL FIELD DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS (cont’d.) | |
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION President Yates recessed the regular meeting at 5:45 p.m. to conduct an executive session for discussion of potential litigation. It was estimated the executive session would be of 25 minutes’ duration.
President Yates re-convened the regular meeting at 6:10 p.m. and moved immediately into the public hearing. | EXECUTIVE SESSION—DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL LITIGATION | |
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At 6:10 p.m., President Yates opened a public hearing concerning the
District’s Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget (E:216/06). Director of Finance
Jeff Moore distributed a copy of a PowerPoint presentation for tonight’s
hearing (attached). He acknowledged Shirley Rochon and Karen Buchmann,
District budget analysts, for their stellar work in researching and preparing
the budget. Jeff talked about the strong voter support for the District. He
discussed the dependency of the General Fund on the Maintenance and Operations
levy. Next, he reviewed the process for the development of the 2006-2007
budget and outlined the need for expenditure reductions in the amount of $2.6
million. He compared last year’s and this year’s budgets. Among the
reasons for the needed expenditure reductions are the unfunded impact of COLA
(cost-of-living allowances), unfunded increases in operational costs, costs
associated with the opening of the new elementary school #17, and the
District’s multi-year budgeting model. In closing, Jeff reviewed the
other budgets including the Associated Student Body, Debt Service, Capital
Projects and Transportation Vehicle Funds.
Board members sought clarification about COLA and realignment of funds.
Superintendent Whitehead said it was very challenging to derive the $2.6 million in cuts, but a lot of people worked very hard to make it happen. This is a good budget.
President Yates called for public comment. There was none. With that, President Yates closed the public hearing and resumed the regular meeting. |
PUBLIC HEARING—FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 BUDGET
PUBLIC HEARING—FISCAL YEAR 2006-2007 BUDGET (cont’d.) | |
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ACTION ITEMS The Administration recommended adoption of Resolution 859, regarding the District’s Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Budget (Res. 22/06).
Kristie Dutton recommended adoption of the aforementioned Resolution 859. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. |
RES. 859—ADOPTION OF FY 06-07 BUDGET | |
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BOARD COMMENTS President Yates reported that he attended the recent All-Star football game. It was held in Everett and was very enjoyable.
With no further comments, President Yates adjourned the regular meeting at 7 p.m. |
BOARD COMMENTS
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_____________________________ ________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Roy Yates, President |