5-8-01 Board Meeting

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, February 26, 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, Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen and Ed Petersen.
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. In addition, she requested the addition of Resolution 896 in support of fair and equitable funding for schools. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sue Cooper moved for adoption of the minutes from the February 12, 2008 Board meeting. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Whitehead called on the Associate Superintendent for Finance & Operations Bob Collard who introduced the District’s Supervisor of Transportation Terrie DeBolt who has been named for the Washington State Classified Employee Excellence Award. This new award was established to recognize and honor the work of school and district classified staff that have made a positive difference in their profession. He talked about Terrie’s efforts on behalf of students, both during her employment at Durham School Services from 1981-1991 and then in Everett School District beginning in 1991. He called Terrie a true master at meeting the needs of students and abiding by unfunded mandates, yet saving money to support classroom needs. Terrie will be honored at a ceremony in Olympia in April and she will receive $1,000 and a certificate of appreciation. Terrie commented briefly and thanked the Board for the opportunity to work in Everett Public Schools.
SUPT’S COMMENTS
EHS 10^th grader Kaitlin McKinnon has been honored with one of the Awards for Aspirations in Computing by the National Center for Women and Information Technology. She will also receive $500. Kaitlin is among only eight other Seattle area young women who were recognized. She plans to study computer science, business administration and/or communications. Next, Dr. Whitehead referred to an article that appeared on the front page of the February 20, 2008, edition of The Everett Tribune showing photos of one of the metal panels that students in the Sno-Isle Skills Center welding program fabricated for the gateway arches at Garfield Park in north Everett (E:127/08). Also pictured are students from Everett, Kamiak, Arlington and Edmonds-Woodway High Schools who helped build the panels. Students from Garfield Elementary and North Middle Schools worked with the artist, Don Cautrell, to develop the designs for the panels.
The cover of the February 26 edition of The Mill Creek Enterprise was all about Jackson High School students who have begun The Floating Forward Balloon Shop (attached). It is operated by special needs students in Emily Sisson’s class and was made possible by a $500 grant from the Everett Public Schools Foundation (EPSF). Students gain job skills while learning how to use equipment and cooperate with one another. They also see firsthand how using mathematics, reading and writing can be put to use in a moneymaking venture.
Kristie Dutton, Executive Director of the EPSF, has been nominated to be the Employee Campaign Manager of the Year for her work in the United Way campaign. The winner of this award will be announced at the Community Caring Celebration on March 12. Kristie’s efforts resulted in the raising of $105,010.

Director of Athletics Robert Polk showed a video clip of the Jim Morris story. Mr. Morris attended the last Leadership Team retreat and told his motivational story of becoming a major league player at the age of 35. His message is about pursuing dreams and setting goals. Mr. Morris’ video was shown to middle school students who, it has been reported, “actually sat and listened to his message.” So impressed was Mr. Morris with Everett Public Schools and its students that he will return in the spring to present some of his sports memorabilia to two or three middle school students who have greatly improved.

Robert continued by reporting on District sports activities in which Everett students have excelled. The Everett High School wrestling team placed 8^th in state. In bowling, Cascade High School sent two individual bowlers. One of the competitors, Sara Elliott, bowled a perfect score of 300 at the district tournament to qualify for state. Brianne Matson won the state singles title by bowling a 190 average. Jackson High School’s girls’ basketball team won the district tournament and is going to state this week.

SUPT’S COMMENTS
(cont’d.)
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None.
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented information on the development and implementation of staff professional development activities in the District (E:128/08). Everett Public Schools provides professional development for classified, certificated and administrative staff which addresses compliance issues such as blood-borne pathogen training as well as curriculum and instructional activities designed to enhance staff knowledge and skills. The ultimate outcome of all professional development is improved student achievement.

Executive Director for Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards reviewed a previously-distributed PowerPoint presentation on tonight’s subject. He discussed some of the many professional development activities that are happening in the District, including online offerings.

President Madsen sought clarification of the meaning of the term “clock hours,” to which Terry said it is used to describe continuing education hours one needs to be able to renew their teaching license. The training must be provided by a state-approved clock hour provider and Everett Public Schools is a certified clock hour provider. Four clock hours equal one college credit. President Madsen asked what percent of professional development dollars actually go into the pockets of teachers, to which Terry replied the number is over 75 percent and perhaps up to 90 percent.

Board member Cooper asked about “embedded FTEs” and how it is determined which staff members get to participate. Terry replied that most coaches are usually defined in terms of NCLB categories such as math, literacy, reading or writing coaches. They work with everyone in the school, including the principal. Student achievement is their focus and professional development is a means of attaining student achievement. The facilitators report to central office staff such as Ric Williams and Mary Ann Stine. Examples of their work include leading the PLC (professional learning communities) groups in their schools, doing a staff development activity during a staff meeting, and helping develop the common assessments that are being used across the district. Individuals apply for the positions. In terms of online staff development offerings, Board member Cooper asked whether there is a menu from which to choose, to which Terry said yes. If there is something else the person wants that the District does not offer, then there are other options such as going to the ESD or going to a college or university, for which there would be a cost.

Board member Petersen asked about funding and growing the staff development program. Terry said I-728 funds, grants, Federal dollars and math/science dollars from the Legislature are used for staff development, but finding enough funding is always a challenge. Board member Petersen asked about moving from individual teaching to working as a team, to which Terry said many challenges have been met in terms of getting people to share, among them being adopting common curriculum and working on common assessments. Some release time is being used for review-of-evidence days which involve doing common assessments, scoring the papers and then coming together to share and compare how their students performed and determine what should be done differently.

REPORT— DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL

REPORT— DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL (cont’d.)
ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion.

CONSENT AGENDA
1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:129/08);
2) Voucher Lists (E:130/08);
3) All-Day Kindergarten Tuition (E:131/08);
4) Agreement Between Everett School District and Gentiva Rehab Without Walls LLC, for the Continuation of Rehabilitation Specialist Services for Specific Special Education Students in Accordance with the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) (E:132/08);
5) Agreement Between Everett School District and Supplemental Health Care for the Continuation of Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and Other Services for Specific Special Education Students in Accordance with the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) (E:133/08);
6) Agreement Between Everett School District and Northwest School of Innovative Learning for Education Services to Specific Students of the Everett School District (E:134/08);
7) Authorization to Call for Bids: Everett Memorial Stadium Synthetic Turf Replacement (E:135/08); and
8) Monetary Gift to Everett Public Schools from Fred Meyer Stores in the Amount of $7,520 (E:136/08).
The motion carried unanimously.

Dr. Whitehead presented the addendum to tonight’s agenda which is Resolution 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools (Res.06/08). She referenced attorney Buzz Porter’s presentation (April, 2007) about Federal Way School District’s lawsuit on the subject. They won in court, but legislators need to be convinced to change the method of funding to institute fair and equitable funding for teaching, administrative and classified staff. The adoption of tonight’s resolution would reinforce Everett’s support of Substitute Senate Bill 5135 and House Bill 2642, which would equalize salary allocations over five or six years and therefore remedy the constitutional deficiency identified by the judge who ruled in favor of Federal Way. If the Board adopts the resolution, copies of the resolution will be sent to the Governor, legislators, the media and the Federal Way School District.

With that, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 896 supporting fair and equitable state funding for schools. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

President Madsen noted that Board member Cooper worked with Dr. Whitehead and WSSDA to present a resolution to the legislative assembly last year and it was endorsed all across the state.
ADDENDUM—Res. 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools

ADDENDUM—Res. 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools (cont’d.)
BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Petersen said he enjoyed watching the Jackson High Schools girls’ basketball team compete against Lake Stevens in a packed stadium.
BOARD
COMMENTS

With no further comments, President Madsen adjourned the regular meeting at 5:35 p.m.

_________________________ ____________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary Karen Madsen, President

EVERETT, WASHINGTON Regular Meeting
The Board of Directors of Everett Public Schools, Snohomish County, Washington, held a regular Board meeting on Tuesday, February 26, 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, Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen and Ed Petersen.
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. In addition, she requested the addition of Resolution 896 in support of fair and equitable funding for schools. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		ADOPTION OF AGENDA
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Sue Cooper moved for adoption of the minutes from the February 12, 2008 Board meeting. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.		APPROVAL OF MINUTES
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead called on the Associate Superintendent for Finance & Operations Bob Collard who introduced the District’s Supervisor of Transportation Terrie DeBolt who has been named for the Washington State Classified Employee Excellence Award. This new award was established to recognize and honor the work of school and district classified staff that have made a positive difference in their profession. He talked about Terrie’s efforts on behalf of students, both during her employment at Durham School Services from 1981-1991 and then in Everett School District beginning in 1991. He called Terrie a true master at meeting the needs of students and abiding by unfunded mandates, yet saving money to support classroom needs. Terrie will be honored at a ceremony in Olympia in April and she will receive $1,000 and a certificate of appreciation. Terrie commented briefly and thanked the Board for the opportunity to work in Everett Public Schools.		SUPT’S COMMENTS
EHS 10^th grader Kaitlin McKinnon has been honored with one of the Awards for Aspirations in Computing by the National Center for Women and Information Technology. She will also receive $500. Kaitlin is among only eight other Seattle area young women who were recognized. She plans to study computer science, business administration and/or communications. Next, Dr. Whitehead referred to an article that appeared on the front page of the February 20, 2008, edition of The Everett Tribune showing photos of one of the metal panels that students in the Sno-Isle Skills Center welding program fabricated for the gateway arches at Garfield Park in north Everett (E:127/08). Also pictured are students from Everett, Kamiak, Arlington and Edmonds-Woodway High Schools who helped build the panels. Students from Garfield Elementary and North Middle Schools worked with the artist, Don Cautrell, to develop the designs for the panels.
The cover of the February 26 edition of The Mill Creek Enterprise was all about Jackson High School students who have begun The Floating Forward Balloon Shop (attached). It is operated by special needs students in Emily Sisson’s class and was made possible by a $500 grant from the Everett Public Schools Foundation (EPSF). Students gain job skills while learning how to use equipment and cooperate with one another. They also see firsthand how using mathematics, reading and writing can be put to use in a moneymaking venture. Kristie Dutton, Executive Director of the EPSF, has been nominated to be the Employee Campaign Manager of the Year for her work in the United Way campaign. The winner of this award will be announced at the Community Caring Celebration on March 12. Kristie’s efforts resulted in the raising of $105,010. Director of Athletics Robert Polk showed a video clip of the Jim Morris story. Mr. Morris attended the last Leadership Team retreat and told his motivational story of becoming a major league player at the age of 35. His message is about pursuing dreams and setting goals. Mr. Morris’ video was shown to middle school students who, it has been reported, “actually sat and listened to his message.” So impressed was Mr. Morris with Everett Public Schools and its students that he will return in the spring to present some of his sports memorabilia to two or three middle school students who have greatly improved. Robert continued by reporting on District sports activities in which Everett students have excelled. The Everett High School wrestling team placed 8^th in state. In bowling, Cascade High School sent two individual bowlers. One of the competitors, Sara Elliott, bowled a perfect score of 300 at the district tournament to qualify for state. Brianne Matson won the state singles title by bowling a 190 average. Jackson High School’s girls’ basketball team won the district tournament and is going to state this week.		SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.)
PUBLIC COMMENT None		PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None.		RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The Administration presented information on the development and implementation of staff professional development activities in the District (E:128/08). Everett Public Schools provides professional development for classified, certificated and administrative staff which addresses compliance issues such as blood-borne pathogen training as well as curriculum and instructional activities designed to enhance staff knowledge and skills. The ultimate outcome of all professional development is improved student achievement. Executive Director for Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards reviewed a previously-distributed PowerPoint presentation on tonight’s subject. He discussed some of the many professional development activities that are happening in the District, including online offerings. President Madsen sought clarification of the meaning of the term “clock hours,” to which Terry said it is used to describe continuing education hours one needs to be able to renew their teaching license. The training must be provided by a state-approved clock hour provider and Everett Public Schools is a certified clock hour provider. Four clock hours equal one college credit. President Madsen asked what percent of professional development dollars actually go into the pockets of teachers, to which Terry replied the number is over 75 percent and perhaps up to 90 percent. Board member Cooper asked about “embedded FTEs” and how it is determined which staff members get to participate. Terry replied that most coaches are usually defined in terms of NCLB categories such as math, literacy, reading or writing coaches. They work with everyone in the school, including the principal. Student achievement is their focus and professional development is a means of attaining student achievement. The facilitators report to central office staff such as Ric Williams and Mary Ann Stine. Examples of their work include leading the PLC (professional learning communities) groups in their schools, doing a staff development activity during a staff meeting, and helping develop the common assessments that are being used across the district. Individuals apply for the positions. In terms of online staff development offerings, Board member Cooper asked whether there is a menu from which to choose, to which Terry said yes. If there is something else the person wants that the District does not offer, then there are other options such as going to the ESD or going to a college or university, for which there would be a cost. Board member Petersen asked about funding and growing the staff development program. Terry said I-728 funds, grants, Federal dollars and math/science dollars from the Legislature are used for staff development, but finding enough funding is always a challenge. Board member Petersen asked about moving from individual teaching to working as a team, to which Terry said many challenges have been met in terms of getting people to share, among them being adopting common curriculum and working on common assessments. Some release time is being used for review-of-evidence days which involve doing common assessments, scoring the papers and then coming together to share and compare how their students performed and determine what should be done differently.		REPORT— DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL REPORT— DISTRICT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL (cont’d.)
ACTION ITEMS Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion.		CONSENT AGENDA
1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:129/08); 2) Voucher Lists (E:130/08); 3) All-Day Kindergarten Tuition (E:131/08); 4) Agreement Between Everett School District and Gentiva Rehab Without Walls LLC, for the Continuation of Rehabilitation Specialist Services for Specific Special Education Students in Accordance with the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) (E:132/08); 5) Agreement Between Everett School District and Supplemental Health Care for the Continuation of Occupational Therapist (OT), Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) and Other Services for Specific Special Education Students in Accordance with the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) (E:133/08); 6) Agreement Between Everett School District and Northwest School of Innovative Learning for Education Services to Specific Students of the Everett School District (E:134/08); 7) Authorization to Call for Bids: Everett Memorial Stadium Synthetic Turf Replacement (E:135/08); and 8) Monetary Gift to Everett Public Schools from Fred Meyer Stores in the Amount of $7,520 (E:136/08). The motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Whitehead presented the addendum to tonight’s agenda which is Resolution 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools (Res.06/08). She referenced attorney Buzz Porter’s presentation (April, 2007) about Federal Way School District’s lawsuit on the subject. They won in court, but legislators need to be convinced to change the method of funding to institute fair and equitable funding for teaching, administrative and classified staff. The adoption of tonight’s resolution would reinforce Everett’s support of Substitute Senate Bill 5135 and House Bill 2642, which would equalize salary allocations over five or six years and therefore remedy the constitutional deficiency identified by the judge who ruled in favor of Federal Way. If the Board adopts the resolution, copies of the resolution will be sent to the Governor, legislators, the media and the Federal Way School District. With that, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 896 supporting fair and equitable state funding for schools. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. President Madsen noted that Board member Cooper worked with Dr. Whitehead and WSSDA to present a resolution to the legislative assembly last year and it was endorsed all across the state.		ADDENDUM—Res. 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools ADDENDUM—Res. 896—In Support of Fair and Equitable State Funding for Schools (cont’d.)
BOARD COMMENTS Board member Petersen said he enjoyed watching the Jackson High Schools girls’ basketball team compete against Lake Stevens in a packed stadium.		BOARD COMMENTS
With no further comments, President Madsen adjourned the regular meeting at 5:35 p.m. _________________________ ____________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Karen Madsen, President