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 22, 2008, beginning at 4:30 p.m., in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue, Everett, Washington. Those in attendance were: Carol Andrews, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen and Ed Petersen. Absent: Sue Cooper.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Madsen called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead reported that there would be a revised personnel report. With that, Ed Petersen moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		ADOPTION OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the minutes from the January 8, 2008 Board meeting. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead distributed copies of District vacancy announcements for the position of Gateway Middle School principal, high school assistant principal and middle school assistant principal (E:97/08).   Two students from Jackson High School, Benjamin Todd and Christopher Uyeda, have been selected as Washington Aerospace Scholars for 2007-2008. They are among 225 juniors from across the state who have been accepted into the first phase of this program. Phase One involves distance learning with a NASA-designed curriculum. Phase Two is a six-day summer residency for 160 of the 225 students. Selection is competitive and centers on performance in Phase One. Certificated teachers have the opportunity to earn $500 stipends and clock hours by working with students during the summer residencies.		SUPT’S COMMENTS
Among the activities celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr., Day was the Students of Color Career Fair co-sponsored by Everett Community College and Everett Public Schools. Approximately 220 students from the District attended and two District students received scholarships. In addition, a march was held. Approximately 125-135 students and staff from Everett and Cascade High Schools participated in the march which featured Julian Bond as the speaker. Attendees from Everett High marched from EHS to the courthouse.   The District’s annual state-of-the school reviews (SOSRs) will begin on February 7. Each school follows a template that provides a data analysis of the school’s achievements, WASL scores and challenges. The school also shares a mid-year progress report on its School Improvement Plan (SIP) and ways in which central support can help the school reach its SIP goals.   Each high school recently held their culminating exhibition (CE) presentations. Dr. Whitehead reported that the students did an outstanding job and behaved very professionally.   The District’s annual Technology Fair will be held on February 5, 6 p.m., at Cascade High School. This event offers the community the opportunity to see ways in which students are using technology. The Superintendent’s Scholar awards event will be held May 20, 6 p.m., at the Everett Golf & Country Club. This event is a wonderful way to honor scholars and provide these students the opportunity to recognize the teacher that has had a significant impact on their lives.   The OSPI Winter Conference will be held January 29-31 in Spokane. OSPI solicits applications for presenters and receives many applications, more than they have time to place on the agenda, so it is an honor that Everett has numerous presenters: Jeanne Bauer, Terry Edwards, Patsy Gremminger, Peter Hendrickson, Robert Sotak, Mary Ann Stine and Joanne Buiteweg.   United Way will once again offer its tax preparation and electronic filing program in our community. The service will be held in four locales, one of which is North Middle School. It is a great way for people to get help with their taxes when they cannot afford it. Much of the money the parents receive actually comes right back to the District.   Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch has been invited to speak to all staff at an opening day event on August 27. She is a renowned motivational speaker who talks about her life and the ways in which she has been able to move forward and achieve (attached). Negotiations are also in progress for her to work with groups of District staff and perhaps some District parents at another time.   Dr. Whitehead reminded the Board that the District is in the process of purchasing some land in the south end of the District. She called on Director of Facilities and Planning Mike Gunn to provide more details. Three maps of land in the south end were distributed showing different views of the same geographic area (attached). A preliminary evaluation of properties has been completed and narrowed down to two sites (labeled 1, 2 & 3 on the attachment) that are located east of Sunset Road between 164th Street S.E. and 180th Street S.E., just outside the Snohomish County urban growth boundary. Based on growth projections, it has been determined that the District will need three more elementary schools, and the equivalent of two-thirds of a middle school and two-thirds of a high school over the next 20 years. It is in the southeastern portion of the District that it is anticipated that most of the housing growth, in terms of undeveloped land, will occur in the District. The District is working with a property broker, Craig Fullerton, who is representing the District in these negotiations and, so far, he has contacted all but one of the 16 property owners. Mike reminded the Board that an elementary school site needs about 12 useable acres, a middle school needs about 24 useable acres and a high school needs about 40 to 50 useable acres. The District’s offers to purchase are structured along legal requirements established by the State of Washington including property valuations prepared by market value appraisals conducted by a certified appraiser. Mike said that as these negotia tions proceed, they are confidential and will not be discussed in open session. Updates will be provided. When negotiations with an owner have concluded successfully, the Administration will seek the Board’s approval during open session.   Dr. Whitehead invited North Middle School principal Kelly Shepherd and Director of Finance Jeff Moore to the podium. In recognition of School Board Appreciation Month and speaking on behalf of the Everett Association of School Administrators (EASA) they thanked the Board for their work to help improve student achievement. The Board clearly has students’ best interests at heart. It was then announced that EASA has made a donation to the Everett Public Schools Foundation in honor of the Board. President Madsen expressed the Board’s appreciation for this recognition and they are deeply grateful to be a Board for and with the staff in Everett Public Schools.		SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.)
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)  Dawnelle Thompson —paraeducator—She introduced fellow paraeducators Ann Kuck and Jean Sarcletti and distributed a written message to the Board in four languages reflecting the diversity of the students that the District serves (E:98/08). The statement said, “From the playgrounds into the lunchrooms and into the classrooms where paraeducators support the Everett Schools community, please note that the Everett Association of Paraeducators appreciates your time and your services that you provide.” She presented the Board with a basket of candy and individual mugs filled with candy. On behalf of her fellow Board members, President Madsen thanked the paraeducators for their thoughtfulness.		PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None.		RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The Administration provided an update on the status of construction currently underway at Garfield and Silver Lake Elementary Schools and at North Middle School (E:99/08). Director of Construction Hal Beumel showed photos of each of the projects. Phase One of the Silver Lake Elementary project is slightly behind schedule due to some structural steel delays but, once the materials arrived, the contractor (Ebenal General, Inc.) has been able to move at a fast pace. Phase One has been divided into two parts to take advantage the portion of the project that is complete, thus making it possible for Phase Two to be started slightly ahead of schedule. Overall, the completion of the project will come very close to the original schedule. The District’s phasing process on its construction projects is being modified so that moving will be accomplished within a timeframe of completion of a phase, thus having less of an impact on the educational program and relieving some of the stress on staff to be ready to move at a set date. Moneywise, the project is going very well with about one percent in change orders.   On the Garfield project, Spee West Construction is slightly ahead of the contractor at Silver Lake and will be completed very near the projected final completion date. There have been approximately one percent in change orders. Things are going well and the electrical infrastructure went in early in this project.   The North Middle School project is on schedule with less than one percent in change orders. The contractor (Saxas Construction) has done a fine job and there has been a great deal of progress. All of these projects are within budget and staff members are comfortable that all is going well.   President Madsen said seeing the progress is extremely exciting.		REPORT—PROJECT UPDATES ON NORTH M.S. AUXILIARY GYM, GARFIELD E.S. MODERNIZATION & SILVER LAKE E.S. MODERNIZATION
ACTION ITEMS Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Ed Petersen seconded the motion.		CONSENT AGENDA
1)  Personnel Report (revised) (E:100/08); 2)  Voucher Lists (E:101/08); 3)   Authorization to Call for Bids: Generators (E:102/08); 4)   Authorization to Call for Bids: Cedar Wood Elementary and Mill Creek   Elementary HVAC Upgrades (E:103/08); 5)   Authorization to Call for Bids: Evergreen Middle School Exterior Wall Weather  Protection (E:104/08); and 6)   Revision to 2007-2008 Professional & Technical Salary Schedule (E:105/08). The motion carried unanimously.
Prior to consideration and action on Resolutions 894 and 895, Board member Petersen recommended that the order of the two items, Resolutions 894 and 895, be reversed.   The Administration recommended that the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 895: Declaring Portions of District Property at 2911 California Avenue, Everett, Washington, as surplus real property and authorizing the lease of this property to the City of Everett (Res.04/08). This lease allows the City of Everett to use approximately two-thirds of the District’s old bus facility for Everett Transit operations, including a yard area for busses and paratransit vehicles, office space and warehouse space. The District will retain use of approximately one-third of the site and building area. The lease term is three years with two one-year extensions, and may be cancelled upon 180-day notice by the District. The lease rate for the first year will be $11,940 per month, plus expenses, for utilities and maintenance, and will be increased annually. Mike Gunn, Director of Facilities and Planning, said this is a market rate rent from the City for this aged facility.   Board member Petersen asked about the cost of services to use Coast Management, to which Mike replied that Coast gets the greatest of either five percent of the gross receipts or $1,000 per month, and a flat fee commission for negotiating the lease which, as a point of clarification, is not a part of this agenda item. What the District pays Coast is also a market rate, and we are well served by using this company.   With no further discussion, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 895. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		RESOLUTION 895: DECLARING PORTIONS OF DISTRICT PROPERTY AT 2911 CALIFORNIA AVE., EVERETT, AS SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY AND AUTHORIZING LEASE OF THIS PROPERTY TO CITY OF EVERETT
The Administration recommended that the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 894: Authorization to Establish a Trust Account with an initial deposit of $1,000 for the purpose of managing a property lease at 2911 California, Everett, Washington (Res.05/08). The District has contracted with Coast Management Services for property management services, and this trust account will be used by Coast Management Services for the purpose of depositing rent and other payments and paying operating expenses such as utilities and maintenance costs associated with this lease. Mike Gunn said that he and the District’s accountant can view all transactions relating to the lease online via a web-based accounting system.   When asked about the nature and amount of expenses that will be generated, Mike said utilities and maintenance costs will be among the operating expenses, with utilities being the most. Net income per month will probably be between $8,000 and $9,000; that number will be clearer after the first few months of the lease.   With no further discussion, Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 894. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		RESOLUTION 894: AUTHORIZATION TO ESTABLISH A TRUST ACCOUNT WITH AN INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $1,000 FOR THE PURPOSE OF MANAGING A PROPERTY LEASE
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors accept the new bus facility as final and complete (E:106/08). Klappenbach Architects has informed the District that Anda Construction, Inc., has met all of their obligations for final completion of the new bus facility. The bid was awarded to Anda Construction, Inc., in the amount of $4,220,000 (plus WSST) by the Board of Directors on November 28, 2006. Hal Beumel said the new facility is centrally located, thus saving the District in ongoing transportation costs. Furthermore, the new facility allows all of the District fleet to be housed at one location and provides for future expansion; adds 12,000 square feet to District storage facility capabilities at the site; and the project came in under budget despite a very wet and windy winter. The overall project budget was $5.8 million (with design costs, construction costs, taxes and permits), but the final project figure ended at $5.5 million. Anda Construction was a pleasure to work with. They were very responsive, completed the project on time and handled every adversity that came their way. It was a highly successful undertaking. President Madsen said it is a beautiful project. Kudos to all.   With no further discussion, Ed Petersen moved to accept the new bus facility as final and complete. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		FINAL ACCEPTANCE: NEW BUS FACILITY                 FINAL ACCEPTANCE: NEW BUS FACILITY (cont’d.)
BOARD COMMENTS Board member Dutton said tonight’s meeting offered an amazing array of reports on construction projects in the District. It is gratifying to know that the support of the community is coming to fruition. It is also assuring to know that the District has the high caliber of professionals on staff that does outstanding work to keep things on track and spend funds wisely.   Board member Petersen said he enjoyed seeing the 220 District students at the Students of Color Career Fair. There was a great deal of interest and enthusiasm. He also enjoyed taking part in the culminating exhibitions at Everett High School last week. He was impressed with the poise with which the students presented. It is clear that a lot of work and practice went into their work. The rigor was also obvious. Thirdly, Mr. Petersen reported that he and Jeff Moore went to the Everett High School Interact Club meeting on behalf of Rotary. This youth club is an affiliate of Rotary. Clearly, there are many amazing activities and projects going on in Everett schools.   Board member Andrews said she too enjoyed the career fair and she commented on the high energy level. President Madsen reported that she met with Dr. Bergeson, Governor Gregoire and Secretary of Education Spellings about NCLB so, unfortunately, her calendar did not permit her to attend the event.   President Madsen said part of the agenda for the upcoming Board study session will be to discuss the 1000 series of the Board policies, so it will be important for Board members to read through the policies in advance. She then referred to the draft bill, recently distributed to the Board, concerning oversight of community college and school district newspapers. Dr. Whitehead said the Senate bill is almost the same one that was in the House last year, and did not pass, and now it is in the Senate sponsored by the same legislator who was in the House last year and is now in the Senate. The numbering of the bill is different. The Administration has many issues with this bill. In particular, if this bill passes, it is highly likely that school districts will be in violation of the FERPA law, which is a Federal law, and requires school districts to not publish the name or photograph of a student if asked by the student’s parents not to do it. Districts would not be allowed to give to students, regardless of whether they are the editor of the school newspaper, the names of students who must be omitted. Therefore, if a law was passed that said no school official could review the newspaper prior to it being printed, it is likely that we would be in violation of FERPA. Attorneys have told us that the state cannot supersede the FERPA law, so if this bill passed, school districts would likely be at a point of having to eliminate all journalism classes and student publications that the school district paid for because the school district would be in violation of the FERPA law . Even though the draft bill says school districts or boards would not be held responsible for what is put in the school newspaper, our attorney tells us that that does not stop litigation, and the argument would be whether the school district had reviewed the document. Another point—HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) regulations have come from our State legislators recently, and a great deal of effort has been put into that arena establishing a policy, among other things, but there is no mention of HIB in this bill. It would be important to point out to all of our legislators the risks that come with this bill.   In response to a question from Board member Petersen about the position other organizations and school districts have taken, Dr. Whitehead replied that WASA. WSSDA and AWSP testified against last year’s bill and are going to testify against this bill as well. He then asked about Everett’s interpretation regarding FERPA, to which Dr. Whitehead said the District is certain that something must be published giving parents the right to indicate that their children’s names and faces cannot be published.   Board member Dutton suggested that the letter to legislators should come from the Administration. President Madsen concurred. Dr. Whitehead said she could add to a new letter that the Board has had a conversation and then reiterate the points from last year. The Board concurred.   Board member Petersen said he would like to talk more about freedom of speech. President Madsen asked Dr. Whitehead to include these policies in the Board’s Friday packet. Dr. Whitehead said the Federal Supreme Court has ruled about the distinction between a class where students get credit in the class and then when a student brings something from outside to the school and a student’s right to speak freely. All of these situations are distinctly different in the way that we would treat them in a public institution. This information is outlined clearly in the District’s policies.   President Madsen reminded her colleagues of the upcoming WSSDA/WASA Legislative Conference. Board member Andrews and President Madsen will be attending. In addition, on February 12, the Everett PTSA Council is going to hold a Founders’ Day celebration at Washington Oakes. Lastly, Board member Andrews will be having her first District orientation meeting this Friday. Dr. Whitehead will provide appropriate background information to all Board members.   To a question from Board member Petersen about the dates of middle school CE presentations, Karst Brandsma said the middle school student-led conferences are typically in the spring. Invitations will be sent to Board members.   At 5:55 p.m., President Madsen called for a short five-minute rest break to be followed immediately by an executive session to consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase.		BOARD COMMENTS                                                                                             BOARD COMMENTS (cont’d.)
BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION At 6 p.m., President Madsen moved into executive session to consider the selection of a site or the acquisition of real estate by lease or purchase. Prior to going into executive session, it was announced the executive session would be of approximately 60 minutes’ duration.		EXEC. SESSION— TO CONSIDER SELECTION OF SITE OR ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE BY LEASE OR PURCHASE
At 7 p.m., President Madsen re-convened the regular meeting and adjourned immediately.     _________________________ __________________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Karen Madsen, President

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