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, October 26, 2004, 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, Karen Madsen, Paul Roberts and Roy Yates. Absent: Sue Cooper. |
| |
ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Dutton called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead noted that the Board would be presented with a revised personnel report. With that, Roy Yates moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Paul Roberts seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Karen Madsen moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of October 12, 2004. Paul Roberts seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Dr. Whitehead introduced reporter Melissa Slager, who is new to the Everett Herald and has been assigned to the education beat. The Board welcomed Melissa.
Next, Dr. Whitehead called on Lynn Evans, Executive Director for Area 2, to introduce Lou Cenname, who is the new interim principal at Penny Creek Elementary School. Mr. Cenname resides in Michigan, but has consented to come out of retirement. His work experience includes 24 years as a classroom teacher in Clark County (Las Vegas) and Lake Washington School Districts as well as ten years in Lake Washington as an elementary school principal and assistant principal. He then served as interim principal in both the Mukilteo and Lake Washington School Districts. Mr. Cenname’s most recent experience has been as a student teacher supervisor for Washington State University. Mr. Cenname received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nevada (Las Vegas) and his Master’s (of Education) from Western Washington University. Mr. Cenname said he is delighted to have the opportunity to work in Everett and expects to have a good year. The Board welcomed Mr. Cenname. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma discussed the formation
of a District on-time graduation rate task force. On-time graduation has
become a central focus of the current school reform process. After years of
reporting annual “dropout” statistics, the federal and state agencies
have shifted to the measurement of the on-time (four-year) graduation rate as
a primary measure of high school success. With the passage of NCLB/ESEA
reauthorization, it is urgent to adopt a four-year on-time graduation model.
The U.S. Department of Education has set on-time as the “Other”
measure of AYP (adequate yearly progress) and has approved Washington
State’s goal of an 85 percent on-time graduation rate by 2014. In
Everett, this has become a major concern because one high school and the
District overall are currently identified as not meeting AYP. Realizing the
impact of not making AYP in the on-time graduation rate “Other”
category, a District committee has been formed representing a cross-section of
the secondary schools and Central Office support staff. The committee held its
first meeting last Thursday and will meet again this Thursday. Part of the
day will be devoted to hearing from Pete Bylsma, OSPI’s Director of
Research/Evaluation/ Accountability, about how on-time graduation rates are
calculated by OSPI along with other issues concerning the ways school districts
collect data and report that data to OSPI for AYP. Three subcommittees were
formed: Terry Edwards will lead a group exploring data and data management;
Jim McNally will lead a communications subcommittee; and Kris McDowell and Lynn
Evans will lead an interventions committee. The task force will bring a
report to the Board at the last Board meeting in November.
Superintendent Whitehead provided a draft timeline for selection of the new Everett High School principal to replace retiring principal Pat Sullivan. Finding a qualified high school principal is very challenging and takes a great deal of time and energy. In early November, a pre-announcement will be made via letter to Everett High School parents and staff, including the elementary and feeder schools for EHS. Next, a forum will be held with Everett High staff to review the selection process and timeline, and to elicit characteristics they feel are important for a principal to possess. Staff will also be asked to provide recommendations for membership on the interview team. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.)
| |
Two community forums will be held. During the first forum in early December, invited guests will have the opportunity to talk with Karst Brandsma, Jim McNally, Molly Ringo and Dr. Whitehead, who will outline the mission and vision of the District regarding school leadership, discuss why the superintendent makes the final decision about the selection of the principal, provide an overview of the selection process and timelines as well as key characteristics of an effective principal, and they will solicit parent/community thoughts and interests regarding the next principal as well thoughts about the needs of Everett High School. In early January, the vacancy announcement will be posted and will close in early February. In mid-January, a parent/community forum, open to anyone who is interested, will be held at which Karst, Jim, Molly and Carol will present the same agenda as was presented at the December forum. | ||
During the first half of March, two levels (Level 1 and Level 2) of interviews will be held that will include formal interviews, student interviews and tours of EHS, a written exercise, a debriefing of the interviews and student impressions. The Level 1 interview team will recommend no less than two candidates to Dr. Whitehead. Reference checks will be conducted at both the Level 1 and Level 2 stages. A recommendation will be made to the Board in early April, 2005. | ||
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None. |
PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Associate Superintendent of Instruction Karst Brandsma introduced Executive Director of Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards who opened tonight’s presentation about assessment plans for the future. During a presentation at a previous Board meeting, the Administration outlined assessment plans for 2004-2005. Tonight’s presentation addressed plans beyond 2004-2005. | PRESENTATION—Assessment Plans for the future | |
Terry provided a handout entitled “The Changing Landscape of
Assessment,” replicating tonight’s PowerPoint presentation (E:28/05).
During the presentation, Mr. Edwards and Ric Williams, Director of Curriculum
and Assessment, outlined the changes in the state assessment program; changes
in federal requirements (No Child Left Behind—NCLB); changes in the
District assessment program; the seasons of assessment; and changing
priorities/needs.
| ||
Terry began by reporting how the District has moved from an input-driven to an
output-driven model for assessments. Being output-driven is one of the
strengths of a standards-based system. Staff members need to have clear data
about what students are learning and they need to be able to gather evidence of
student learning.
Terry showed charts depicting how the number of students tested has changed radically, going from approximately 100 in 1976 to a projected 14,000 in 2007. The estimated number of teachers involved in administering the tests has moved from approximately 50 in 1976 to an estimated 875 in 2007-2008. The number of test booklets expected to be processed will be just under 40,000 tests (including re-takes) in 2007-2008, compared to approximately 1,000 in 1976. | PRESENTATION—Assessment Plans for the future (CONT’D.) | |
Ric spoke about the changing priorities for the District assessment program. The District has gone from assessing one grade to assessing nine. A balanced assessment model is needed, with three primary types of data available— before, during and after instruction. He then discussed the decrease in District large-scale standardized assessments, and increased emphasis on curriculum-driven classroom-based assessments. Next, Ric spoke about the seasonality of the assessment process which has grown to be year-round. | ||
Terry reviewed changing needs relative to materials handling, storage and
staging, as well as increased security mandated from the federal level, and
increased staffing needs. Additional resources will be needed.
When asked whether technology could be a source of assistance in terms of testing delivery, Ric said the state advisory board would welcome movement in that direction, but the inequities that exist across the state, as well as mandated security measures, do not make it possible. In fact, the Gates schools tried to develop a model, but there have been many challenges. When asked about in-house development of common assessments, Terry said work is being done to find a way for teachers to have similarly-designed assessments embedded in their instruction, thus helping provide better feedback to parents. These assessments remain in the classroom. Teachers conduct the test, do the scoring and enter results into the IMS (Instructional Management System), thus establishing a history of how students have progressed.
Board member Roberts asked whether there is a way of tracking the assessments that are required as a result of NCLB vs. without NCLB. Terry said a quantitative figure could be derived via the number of tests. However, the number of tests is just the tip of the iceberg; everything else also increases such as the numbers of staff and students, the professional development pieces, and the management of data. Terry went on to say it is important not to lose sight of why testing happens and how the data should be used. The state provides funds for the mechanics of testing, but they do not provide the dollars to help with data manipulation, professional development, etc. In conclusion, Mr. Roberts commented that tracking of costs could help build the basis for the case that may eventually be raised such as has happened with the school districts’ lawsuit against the state for its failure to provide adequate funding for special education programs. To a question from Board member Roberts about alternative assessments, Terry replied that alternative assessments are provided for special education students in the form of a portfolio built around the student’s IEP. If other students do not meet mastery at tenth grade, they are offered a re-take. If they do not pass the re-take, they will be offered an alternative pathway to graduation involving a portfolio that will be as rigorous as the WASL, but in a different format.
The Board thanked Terry and Ric for their informative presentations.
|
| |
ACTION ITEMS Paul Roberts moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda and Sue Cooper seconded the motion.
| CONSENT AGENDA | |
The motion carried unanimously. |
| |
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the value engineering study for the Emerson Elementary School modernization project (E:34/05). Districts are responsible for ensuring that a value engineering study is completed during the design process for eligible state match projects, in accordance with WAC 180-27-080. Value engineering is an organized approach to optimize both cost and performance in a facility or to identify items that add cost without contributing to the required function of the facility. In evaluating the quality, use, life, appearance and required features of a facility, the value engineering team attempts to achieve value without reducing quality below required levels while maximizing function, cost and value in design. | APPROVAL OF VALUE ENGINEERING STUDY FOR THE EMERSON E.S. MODERNIZATION PROJECT | |
Director of Construction Hal Beumel reported that a team from MENG Analysis, an independent value engineering firm, conducted the study. They presented 17 proposals to the District and architect—eight were accepted, four were modified and five were rejected. Hal reviewed each of the proposals, which are included in the attachment. The proposals that were accepted and/or design modifications resulting from the value engineering process have resulted in an estimated cost savings of $679,452. | ||
With no further discussion, Paul Roberts moved to approve the value engineering study for the Emerson Elementary School modernization project. Roy Yates seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ||
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the value engineering study for the Eisenhower Middle School modernization project (E:35/05). Districts are responsible for ensuring that a value engineering study is completed during the design process for eligible state match projects, in accordance with WAC 180-27-080. Value engineering is an organized approach to optimize both cost and performance in a facility or to identify items that add cost without contributing to the required function of the facility. In evaluating the quality, use, life, appearance and required features of a facility, the value engineering team attempts to achieve value without reducing quality below required levels while maximizing function, cost and value in design. | APPROVAL OF VALUE ENGINEERING STUDY FOR THE EISENHOWER M.S. MODERNI-ZATION PROJECT | |
Director of Construction Hal Beumel reported that a team from MENG Analysis, an
independent value engineering firm, conducted the study. They presented 33
proposals to the District and architect—13 were accepted, seven were
modified and 13 were rejected. Hal reviewed each of the proposals, which are
included in the attachment. The proposals that were accepted and/or design
modifications resulting from the value engineering process have resulted in an
estimated cost savings of $439,000. With no further discussion, Karen Madsen
moved to approve the value engineering study for the Eisenhower Middle School
modernization project. Roy Yates seconded the motion and the motion carried
unanimously. President Dutton commended all who have worked on these important studies. Their efforts help ensure that the voters get their money’s worth from each project and that students have ideal surroundings in which to learn. |
APPROVAL OF VALUE ENGINEERING STUDY FOR THE EISEN-HOWER M.S. PROJECT (cont’d.) | |
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement transferring the license agreement for use of the baseball facility at Everett Memorial Stadium from Farm Club Sports, Inc., to Famiglia II, L.L.C. (E:36/05). Farm Club Sports, Inc., has a non-exclusive license to use the baseball facilities at Everett Memorial Stadium through the 2010 Northwest League baseball season. The license prevents Farm Club Sports from assigning or transferring rights without written consent of the District. Farm Club Sports wants to assign its license to Famiglia II and is seeking District consent. This action would authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement which transfers the license. The District entered into a license agreement with Farm Club Sports, Inc., dated October 30, 1995. That license has been amended four times, the last time being January 27, 2004. | AUTHORIZATION TO ASSIGN AND TRANSFER LICENSE AGREEMENT TO FAMIGLIA II, LLC | |
Jeff Riddle introduced the current owner of the AquaSox, Mark Sperandio, and
the pending owner Pete Carfaghna. Mr. Sperandio commented that he, his wife
and employees took great pride in being able to use Everett Memorial Stadium.
When the Sperandios determined that they would be returning to their roots on
the East Coast, they also realized they could not be absentee owners. They
looked for, and found in the Carfaghna family, people who know the baseball
industry, are great employers, and are a family who work with their baseball
team in Cleveland the same way the Sperandios have worked with the AquaSox.
Pete Carfaghna spoke briefly. He said his family is excited to become part of the AquaSox team and the Everett community. Pete has re-located to Everett, while his mother and father will remain in Cleveland, but will be in frequent contact with Pete. The Carfaghna family, said Pete, prides itself in being good citizens and appreciates the sense of community among the AquaSox fans. Pete said the Carfaghnas pledge to be cooperative in their relationship with the District. They also intend to continue their reading program for students.
Board member Yates extended his thanks to the Sperandios for their many contributions to the Everett community. Everett is a place that greatly appreciates that level of involvement and he looks forward to the Carfaghnas’ entry into the community.
Jeff went on to say there are some technical aspects to the license changeover that need to be addressed. He also commented that the Sperandios have been a superb group with whom to work. Mark said it is his goal not to change the license, only to change the name. In fact, he said, he believes the Carfaghnas will go above and beyond the scope of the contract.
With no further discussion, Paul Roberts moved to authorize the Superintendent or designee to enter into an agreement transferring the license agreement for use of the baseball facility at Everett Memorial Stadium from Farm Club Sports, Inc., to Famiglia II, L.L.C. Roy Yates seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. |
| |
BOARD COMMENTS Board member Madsen commented about the very interesting student forum she recently attended at Cascade High School.
President Dutton recessed the regular meeting at 6:25 p.m. for a ten-minute rest break. |
BOARD COMMENTS
| |
BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
President Dutton re-convened the regular meeting at 6:35 p.m. and moved
immediately into executive session for discussion of legal. It was estimated
the executive session would be of 45 minutes’ duration.
At 7:20 p.m., the Board Room door was opened to announce that the executive
session would extend for another ten minutes. No one was in the lobby.
At 7:30 p.m., President Dutton re-convened the regular meeting and adjourned
immediately. | EXECUTIVE SESSION—LEGAL | |
___________________________ ________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary
Kristie Dutton, President |