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, January 8, 2008, beginning at 2 p.m., in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue, Everett, Washington. Those in attendance were: Carol Andrews, Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen and Ed Petersen. | CALL TO ORDER | |
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION President Madsen called the meeting to order at 2 p.m. and immediately opened the study session for the Board member orientation. Superintendent Carol Whitehead introduced Buzz Porter, attorney with the law firm of Dionne & Rorick, who was on hand to remind the group of Board member responsibilities. Among the topics Buzz covered were the authority and responsibility of a Board member, ethics, governing, practical application of the laws (Board member e-mail), contractual conflicts of interest, improper pursuit of personal interests, confidentiality, and use of public facilities for political purposes (E:86/08). Discussion followed. With no further comments, President Madsen concluded the study session at 3:40 p.m. and immediately called for a five-minute break before moving into executive session. |
STUDY SESSION—BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION | |
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An executive session was held at 3:45 p.m. to discuss with legal counsel
representing the District potential litigation. Before going into executive
session, it was announced the executive session would be of approximately 45
minutes’ duration.
At 4:30 p.m., President Madsen concluded the executive session and immediately re-convened the regular meeting. | EXECUTIVE SESSION—DISCUSS w/LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT POTENTIAL LITIGATION | |
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Madsen wished everyone a happy New Year and called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead reported that there would be a revised personnel report. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES Sue Cooper moved for adoption of the minutes from the December 11, 2007 Board meeting. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead reported that enrollment, at 18373, is about where it is expected to be at this time of year. She then referred to the last Board meeting when the Board reviewed their self-evaluation and there were questions about the superintendent’s evaluation cycle and the Board’s evaluation cycle. Dr. Whitehead distributed that section of the Superintendent’s contract which specifies timing for the Superintendent’s evaluation (E:87/08). She also shared copies of Board Policy 1821 which says the Board will evaluate its performance annually (attached).
It is anticipated there will be a positive article in The Herald tomorrow or thereabouts about the growth District students have made in mathematics over the past few years, particularly showcasing how more middle school students are completing algebra prior to exiting grade 8. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
| Cascade High School teacher Scott Shafer and two of his students were involved in a recent learning experience in which they videotaped attorney Mike Patterson for a short piece that will be used as part of the orientation for all District staff. The project was coordinated through the District Human Resources Department. The students are also producing the video. In addition, they video’d Dr. Whitehead for a segment in support of the Everett High School Blue and Gold Club endowment campaign. The Cascade High School video production class is offered for CTE credit. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
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Next, Dr. Whitehead reminded the Board of the District’s partnership with
City University to help us “grow our own” teachers whereby District
paraprofessional staff had the opportunity to go through a certification
program to become special education teachers. City University has obtained a
grant to re-institute that program and Everett is once again their partner of
choice. Participants can obtain a $16,000 forgivable loan to pay their tuition
for their degree.
Dr. Whitehead said the bond from 2006 has been a real boon to the District. It includes funds for the purchase of property for future construction of a middle school and an elementary school. The anticipation of growth is based on forecasts by the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) and indicates growth in our district over the next 20 years to be between 15 percent and 20 percent. Translated into educational facilities, this means there will be a need for approximately three new elementary schools and the equivalent of two-thirds of a middle school and two-thirds of a high school over that period of time. Although finding available property is a challenge, District staff have been identifying and evaluating properties in the District for potential purchase. An important consideration is that these properties be located near the anticipated housing growth, which is in the southern portion of the District. Other important considerations are environmental issues and the future availability of utilities. The evaluation of properties is almost complete and initial contacts with the owners will be made soon. Director of Facilities and Planning Mike Gunn talked about getting permission to access the sites to be able to go beyond the analyses that have been made from the public roadways and via research with our consultants.
Dr. Whitehead displayed the recently-published issue of “Everett Schools.” It showcases District on-time graduation. Dr. Whitehead complimented Director of Communications Mary Waggoner and the Communications Department team for the fine layout. Dr. Whitehead also expressed kudos to the Board for supporting District staff in their efforts to improve on-time graduation.
Dr. Whitehead read from the attached proclamation from Governor Gregoire concerning Board Appreciation Month (attached). She thanked the Board for all they do to help make Everett a stellar district for students to attend. She then distributed certificates signed by the governor. |
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PUBLIC COMMENT After President Madsen outlined the guidelines for public comment, she called on the following individual who had submitted a Public Comment card: 1) Ross Rettenmeier —parent—announced that Everett High School’s Blue & Gold Club has launched a $2 million endowment campaign. He thanked Dr. Whitehead for taping an introductory piece to the video outlining the campaign, which will take place over about a four-year period. As of now, $250,000 has been pledged. He thanked the superintendent, Board, administration, and the Everett Public Schools Foundation for their help. He also complimented the superb staff and administration at Everett High School. | PUBLIC COMMENT | |
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
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ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The District is beginning a review of ELL program offerings with program update recommendations to come at a future Board meeting. Tonight’s presentation, led by Dr. Sue Dedrick, Director of the District’s Categorical Programs, provided baseline information about the District’s current ELL population, funding sources and student achievement (E:88/08). Information was also presented about the process the District is using to conduct this review and make program recommendations.
Dr. Dedrick talked about identification of ELL students, how they are doing, how the District is funding ELL services, the services ELL students receive, and how the District will improve ELL achievement. Currently 1,579 students are in the program and they speak 53 languages. An increasing number of refugees are coming from Africa. Dr. Dedrick said language proficiency is categorized by BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) and CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency). She talked about the WASL as an indicator of ELL student progress, the District’s ELL staffing model and ways to improve ELL student achievement. A comprehensive 3-5 year plan is being developed which will include a pre-kindergarten through grade 12 model, professional development and a curriculum review plan. It will be recommended this year.
Board member Petersen thanked Dr. Dedrick for her excellent presentation which helped take the mystery out of this subject. It is a marvelous analytic document and he applauds the idea of developing a comprehensive plan. He said he would be interested in hearing about trends. When President Madsen asked about the average tenure of kids in the program, Dr. Dedrick responded that there isn’t really an average although the state asks districts to examine the students if they do not make it out of the ELL program in three years, but 5-7 years is probably a true average.
Mr. Petersen said he grew up in an ELL family and it has been unfortunate that our country does not value the language of origin which actually can help children feel better about themselves. Dr. Dedrick noted that part of the District’s GLAD training is to value the child’s background. |
REPORT—ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER (ELL) PROGRAM UPDATE | |
| Financial reports were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:89/08). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Associate Superintendent for Instruction Bob Collard said the District fund balance has grown by a few hundred thousand dollars. Overall, the District is in good shape and progressing as planned. | FINANCIAL REPORTS | |
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ACTION ITEMS Ed Petersen moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
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Personnel Report (revised) (E:90/08); 2) Voucher Lists (E:91/08); 3) Monetary Gift in the Amount of $5,000 from Mill Creek Elementary PTA to Mill Creek Elementary School to Purchase a New Sound System (E:92/08); 4) Interdistrict Cooperative Agreement for the Financing & Operation of Sno-Isle Technical Skills Center (E:93/08); and 5) Declaration of Surplus Property (E:94/08). The motion carried unanimously.
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The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the educational
specifications for the Everett High School Little Theater modernization
(E:95/08). The educational specifications were prepared by Dykeman Architects
and District staff. A committee was formed of Everett High School and other
District staff to assist in the creation of these educational specifications.
This document will be used by project architect, Dykeman Architects, in
designing the Everett High School Little Theater modernization project.
Approval of the educational specifications is part of the process to establish
eligibility for state matching funds.
Director of Construction Hal Beumel described the educational specifications as a guide for the architects as they design the project. It is planned that the project will begin this summer and finish in 2009. President Madsen asked about the scope of the activities that are currently happening in the building, to which Everett High School principal Catherine Matthews said staff activities, drama, and some large group presentations take place, all of which will continue. Two computer labs are in the basement. The modernization will provide more much-needed classroom space. Board member Petersen asked about community uses of the facility, especially cultural education, to which Ms. Matthews said it is used for a variety of activities, including parent and cultural activities related to school. In terms of other cultural activities, those events usually occur in the large auditorium because of limited space at the Little Theater. The new configuration of the Little Theater will be much improved and will enhance what can be done there. When asked whether it is used to capacity, Ms. Matthews said it is probably not completely at capacity although the drama department uses it, as does the band and choir. Dr. Whitehead noted that the facility may not be at capacity, primarily because it is in great need of being remodeled. Bob Collard said, when the project is complete, the theater will be open to community use like just about every site in the District
With no further discussion, Kristie Dutton moved to approve the educational specifications for the Everett High School Little Theater modernization. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| APPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR EVERETT HIGH SCHOOL LITTLE THEATER MODERNIZATION | |
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BOARD COMMENTS None | BOARD COMMENTS |
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
The Board considered for adoption their work plan (E:96/08). President Madsen reviewed the plan and the Board discussed it. After discussion, the following work plan was derived:
Area of concernWork plan
Join with fellow members on the Board, the staff, the community and the
students in a continuing study of the nature, value and direction of
contemporary education in society in order to facilitate needed change in our
schools.Request reports on:
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ADOPTION OF BOARD WORK PLAN | |
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President Madsen adjourned the regular meeting at 6:45 p.m.
_________________________ __________________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Karen Madsen, President |