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 10, 2009, 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 Cooper called for any changes to the agenda. Interim Superintendent Karst Brandsma requested the addition of Item 6e—Stadium Video Board Proposal. With that, Karen Madsen moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ed Petersen moved for adoption of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 27, 2009. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Mr. Brandsma opened his comments by talking about this year’s state-of-the-school review presentations. Eight sites are doing the customary comprehensive presentation this year. The remainder have the choice of using one of five options for their SOSR. Next year, another group of sites will do the comprehensive SOSR presentation, while the others will choose from one of the five options. Karst distributed a draft list of the alternate SOSR presentations (E:124/09). A complete list will be provided by the end of the month. Mr. Brandsma distributed a copy of the District’s recipe for pizza, which appeared in a recent edition of The Herald (attached). He then called on Associate Superintendent for Finance & Operations Bob Collard who introduced the District’s Director of Food & Nutrition Services Debbie Webber and Gateway Middle School Assistant Principal Elizabeth Nunes. Debbie reported that the Gateway lunchroom staff members are the 2008 recipients of the Snohomish Health District’s Food Program Annual Excellence Award. Debbie introduced Lurlene Grannan, Wendy Mayer, Jan Whitcomb and Patsy Mezzulo. They were officially honored with the award earlier today at a board meeting of the Health District. This is the fourth time Everett schools have been honored—only one school in the entire county is recognized each year. Elizabeth read five of the many wonderful letters received from Gateway students. President Cooper thanked these amazing “lunch ladies” for all that they do. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
| Next, Mr. Brandsma announced that United Way of Snohomish County 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 an ideal way for people to get help with their taxes. The service usually provides increased tax refunds which is then spent locally, and provides much-needed additional revenue to many District families.
On another United Way topic, Board member Kristie Dutton, who is also the Executive Director of the Everett Public Schools Foundation, has been nominated as the United Way of Snohomish County Employee Campaign Manager of the Year (attached). The winner of this award will be announced at the Community Caring Celebration on March 12. Kristie’s efforts resulted in the raising of $95,086.08. Executive Director for Area One Jim McNally introduced Evergreen Middle School principal Joyce Stewart who has been selected by the Association of Washington Middle Level Principals as the Sno-Isle Region Principal of the Year for 2008-2009 (attached). She and the other regional principal honorees will be recognized at the 2009 AWSP Principals’ Conference in October in Yakima. Jim read from a nomination letter for Joyce from Peter Scott, Principal of Gateway Middle School (formerly assistant principal at Evergreen). Joyce commented briefly. President Cooper congratulated Joyce and said the Board appreciates all that she does. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
| PUBLIC COMMENT
None. | PUBLIC COMMENT
| |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
| |
| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The attached proposed tuition fee for the District’s pre-school program was presented to the Board of Directors for first reading, with approval to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:125/09). The recommended fee is $116 per month per student for non-special education pre-school students for the 2009-2010 school year. A requirement of the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is that the District provide a continuum of services for students, including those of a pre-school age of three- to five-years-old. A requirement of the state and federal government is that this continuum of services includes an inclusive pre-school classroom environment for those students who have been identified as needing such an environment. An inclusive pre-school model would include non-special education students in the classroom. The Administration proposed that the cost of providing a pre-school program for the non-special education students be covered with I-728 funds and student tuition. The District’s Executive Director for Special Services Kris McDowell spoke briefly. |
PROPOSED TUITION FOR PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM (first reading) | |
| The attached proposed tuition fee for the District’s all-day kindergarten program was presented to the Board of Directors for first reading, with approval to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:126/09). The recommended tuition is $2,936 for the 2009-2010 school year and represents a 4.5 percent increase ($126) over the 2008-2009 fee. The annual calculation of this rate is based upon current year salaries and benefits as well as the state-allocated salary and non-salary data projected forward based upon the Governor’s budget. Bob Collard commented briefly. Although it is unknown whether the fee increase, in light of the current economic conditions, will affect enrollment in the program, Karst said he continues to hear that it is an excellent value. Over time, the program has grown, but flattened out. Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards noted that the tuition is cost-competitive with daycare.
| PROPOSED TUITION FOR ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN (first reading)
| |
| The Administration reported on District efforts to meet the mathematics challenge (E:127/09). The District has been engaged in reviewing and implementing the new mathematics standards and math instructional materials for several years. Tonight’s report provided a history of District efforts and the results being seen in improving student achievement. Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards and Director of Curriculum & Instruction Mary Ann Stine reviewed the evening’s PowerPoint presentation. Mary Ann talked about ways in which the District is preparing students for tomorrow’s mathematical world and the value of offering challenging math in high school. She shared 16 CTE (career and technical education) career clusters for which math courses are recommended. She discussed standards, course offerings, instructional resources and professional development for the mathematics program. She listed the District goals for K-12 mathematics and talked about instructional materials adoptions. Terry outlined student achievement relative to the WASL results and increased rigor. He shared graphs depicting math trends at grades 4, 7 & 10 at the District and state levels. Two of the most positive steps taken over the last few years to implement new programs to help students take algebra sooner and move forward in rigor was the Board taking action to increase the math requirement to three years and, secondly, the Legislature saying that a student must continue to take math every year until they pass the WASL—both actions have required students to stay in math longer. He shared charts showing WASL mastery history for the Class of 2009, numbers of students not at math mastery based on class trajectory and grade 9 scores by math course. In terms of rigor, more students are taking additional math courses and enrolling in more advanced math. The District’s goal is that by 2012, 85 percent of 8th graders will successfully complete Algebra I. As of 2008, close to 60 percent of all 8th graders successfully completed Algebra I and earned a high school mathematics credit. He charted the enrollment in middle school algebra and geometry from 2004 to 2009. He talked about middle school course offerings, algebra growth at middle schools, and current algebra and geometry enrollment at middle school. He marveled at the growth in high school enrollment in basic (regular) math during the period 2004-2009 as well as in advanced math for the same period. He talked about 9th graders who have been taking the WASL. He reviewed District enrollment in middle school algebra and geometry during the period 2004-2009. In conclusion, Terry said that each student in the District has accepted the challenge of rigorous mathematics as evidenced by increased enrollment in higher level math classes in grades 6-12; there are a greater number of higher level course offerings; 75 percent of students due to graduate in 2010 have completed or are enrolled in Algebra II/trigonometry; and the number of students who are meeting standard in mathematics continues to increase as they move through the system—for the class of 2009, 75 percent of students on track to graduate have met standard on the math WASL.
President Cooper said it is exciting to see the progression of a higher-level math and that it is starting at an earlier grade level, but she wondered what is happening to those students who need remediation. Mary Ann said the District is doing pre-teaching and mirroring. Students are being supported without being assigned to a class. There are also math hotlines available 24/7, thanks to the technology. Board member Petersen complimented Mary Ann and Terry for a wonderful presentation—it is good to see how the program has evolved. He referenced an article from OSPI which did not rate Investigations at the top of a study evaluating curriculums. Mary Ann replied. Karst commended Mary Ann for fostering Professional Learning Communities (per the Strategic Plan), hiring excellent math educators and getting them talking with one another. Board member Madsen asked about end-of-course assessments, to which Mary Ann said they are great. President Cooper thanked Terry and Mary Ann for a very thorough and informative report. | REPORT—MEETING THE MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE
REPORT—MEETING THE MATHEMATICS CHALLENGE (cont’d.) | |
| The Administration reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the Communications Department as it supports the District’s mission, enhances student safety and safeguards public resources. Director of Communications Mary Waggoner said that strategic communications support the District’s mission and build community understanding and support for the mission. She distributed a revised PowerPoint presentation and then reviewed it (E:128/09). She talked about the structure and purpose of the department; discussed school communications; formal and informal research; community attitudes surveys; partnerships, including volunteering; using on-line, subscriber-initiated e-mail systems; and keeping the District students, families, staff and community informed about changing WASL and graduation requirements and how bond/levy dollars are spent, to name a few. She described the ConnectED and InTouch communication systems and reviewed some of the myriad ways in which the Communications Department helps leaders lead. She distributed a copy of an ad alerting teens and parents to the dangers of prescription drug abuse (attached). Ads like this will soon be appearing on the back pages of high school newspapers and are an example of a partnership initiative between the District and the Office of Community Mobilization. Mary then described the many hours the department spends overseeing public records requests as well as policy monitoring/revision/trend analysis. Board member Madsen complimented Mary on the work of the department. President Cooper echoed those statements and said she and Ms. Madsen have an even greater appreciation for the department not only as a result of tonight’s presentation, but as a result of their work with Mary on the superintendent search.
| REPORT—COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
REPORT—COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT (cont’d.) | |
| Director of Facilities & Planning Mike Gunn reported that the new owners of the Everett AquaSox (7th Inning Stretch) have requested to install a full-motion video board in left field above the existing outfield fence for their use during their baseball season (E:129/09). The estimated cost will be $50,000 to $80,000. It will be 40 feet wide and between 25 and 30 feet in height above the fence, inclusive of the advertising panels surrounding it. The AquaSox will purchase, install, maintain and repair the sign—and take it down when the time comes. The two footings (posts) supporting the sign will be nine feet in diameter and ten feet deep. The AquaSox would have exclusive rights to use the board. If the District or other groups want to use it, arrangements would need to be made with the AquaSox. Any use of the Stadium beyond the timeframe the AquaSox have per their existing agreement with the District would need to be negotiated with the District. They will arrange for the advertising that appears on the sign and get the revenues from that advertising. The nature of the advertising will conform to the agreement the team already has with the District. Permitting would be the responsibility of the AquaSox. The team wants to have the board up and running for their first game this season on June 23. Liability insurance and indemnification language that would protect the District is already included in the existing agreement that the District has with the AquaSox to use our facility.
President Cooper suggested incorporating language in the agreement to protect the District if something happens to the sign during some other athletic function (or other event) by another group, for example. Board member Madsen suggested that if the board goes unused for a period of time, perhaps there needs to be language in the agreement that the AquaSox will remove it. Mike said talks will be continuing. | ADDENDUM—STADIUM VIDEO BOARD PROPOSAL | |
| ACTION ITEMS
Karen Madsen moved for approval of the Consent Agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
| 1) Personnel Report (E:130/09);
2) Voucher Lists (E:131/09); 3) Resolution 935: Certification of Racial Balance for Jefferson Elementary School Modernization (Res.17/09); 4) Resolution 936: Certification of Racial Balance for Whittier Elementary School Modernization (Res.18/09); and 5) Change Order No. 3: Grease Trap Upgrades (E:132/09). The motion carried unanimously. |
| |
| BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Madsen said she had a delightful visit to Lowell Elementary. Board member Petersen said he attended a meeting of the Hawthorne Ambassadors group. They are talking about collaborating with the school to have a “Hawk Hustle” 5K walk/stroll/etc., to help instill pride in the neighborhood and community. They also hope to raise money to install a reader board at the school that will be in multiple languages. President Cooper said the District Technology Fair was great fun and interesting. The students, staff and parents seemed delighted to be there. She commended the organizers. Board member Madsen said, thanks to WSSDA, she has been in Washington, D.C. and Olympia over the past two weeks doing lobbying; she received a warm reception while there. President Cooper said she attended the state-of-the-school review at Hawthorne Elementary and was impressed with the professionalism of the presentation as well as the progress that has been made—it was a detailed, student achievement-oriented report. Board member Dutton said she attended Jefferson Elementary’s SOSR which was also superb. They personalized their report and highlighted how every person on that campus works toward student achievement. President Cooper said she and Board member Madsen, Bob Collard and Karst Brandsma attended the WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference. Among the presentations was when State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn listed his goals and plans (changing and shortening the WASL; addressing school funding, CTE, dropouts, and early childhood education; and the intent to better manage the organization). A panel of legislators (with Ms. Madsen as the moderator) provided an outlook in terms of what to expect regarding funding. At 7:10 p.m., President Cooper recessed the regular meeting for a 20-minute rest break. | BOARD
COMMENTS BOARD COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
| BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
At 7:30 p.m., President Cooper re-convened the regular meeting and immediately recessed into executive session for the Board to review the qualifications of an applicant for public employment. Before going into executive session, President Cooper announced the executive session would be of approximately 30 minutes’ duration. At 8 p.m., President Cooper checked the foyer to notify anyone in the foyer that the executive session would extend for approximately 30 more minutes. No one was in the foyer. At 8:30 p.m., President Cooper checked the foyer to notify anyone in the foyer that the executive session would extend for approximately 30 more minutes. No one was in the foyer. | EXEC. SESSION—
REVIEW THE QUALIFICATIONS OF AN APPLICANT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT | |
| President Cooper re-convened the regular meeting at 9 p.m. and adjourned immediately.
_______________________________ ________________________________ Karst Brandsma, Secretary Sue Cooper, President |