EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EVERETT, WASHINGTON
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The Board of Directors of Everett Public Schools, Snohomish County, Washington, held a regular Board meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 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.
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
Prior to the regular meeting, the Board held a closed session at 3:30 p.m. concerning a request for a student variance for out-of-district placement. All Board members were present.
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CLOSED SESSION—REQUEST FOR STUDENT VARIANCE FOR OUT-OF-DISTRICT PLACEMENT
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Cooper called the regular meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
President Cooper called for any changes to the agenda. Interim Superintendent Karst Brandsma reported that there would be a revised Personnel Report. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| | ADOPTION OF AGENDA
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Karen Madsen moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of March 24, 2009. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| | APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Mr. Brandsma called on Everett High School principal Catherine Matthews who introduced Officer Meg Nelson and Sgt. Robert Goetz, both of the Everett Police Department and who work in partnership with the District. Officer Nelson is the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Everett High School. During spring break, the SROs from Everett and Cascade High Schools, and Evergreen and Eisenhower Middle Schools converged at Eisenhower Middle School to hold a Junior Police Academy for approximately 24 students. In its second year, the academy, which is sponsored by the Everett Police Department, gives students an idea of what it is like to be a police officer while helping bridge the gap between youngsters in the community and law enforcement. In addition to hearing from members of a bomb squad, a SWAT team and the FBI, the students learned how to make a traffic stop and patrol the streets. Principal Matthews showed a film clip from KING-5 TV news in which EHS student Kea Drummond talked about her involvement in the Junior Police Academy. The piece showed the positive relationship of one student with Officer Nelson.
Next, principal Matthews talked about a very successful event at which members of the EHS Torch Honor Society held a prom for the EHS special education students. Included in the event was a ‘day of beauty’ for the girls during which they did each other’s hair, makeup and nails. The students then joined in a lasagna dinner in the cafeteria and introduced themselves to one another. Next came a dance which included dance-offs, dance spotlights and conga lines. The event was under the leadership of advisor Cindy McIntyre and assistant principal Jack Roy.
| | SUPT’S COMMENTS
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Executive Director for Area Two Molly Ringo introduced Betty Cobbs who will be the new principal at Woodside Elementary School. Molly provided a recap of Betty’s work history. Betty introduced her husband Zeb and their close friend Carl Gipson. She said she is looking forward to this new opportunity. Mr. Brandsma then announced Betty’s recent appointment to the Everett Community College Board of Trustees.
Mr. Brandsma reported that efforts to pass SB 5327 to make technical corrections to re-affirm the six-year school director terms in Everett, Tacoma and Spokane have been successful. Special thanks go to Karen Madsen and Bob Collard for their work. Mr. Brandsma also circulated samples of thank-you letters going to WSSDA staff Martharose Laffey, Dan Steele and Marilee Scarbrough, and to Katie Blinn in the State’s Office of the Secretary of State, all of whom have been instrumental in the passage of this bill (E:165/09).
Director of Information Systems and Technology Ken Toyn introduced Student Systems Support Analyst Linda Holtorf and Operations and Development Manager Newel Rice, both of whom have been named to receive the Washington State Classified Employee Award. President Cooper congratulated Linda and Newel and said, thanks to their efforts, what has been accomplished has made a significant difference in student achievement. She commended them for their dedication to their work.
Deputy Superintendent Matt McCauley called on Director of Athletics Robert Polk who acknowledged Karst Brandsma as the recipient of the WIAA Gareth Giles Award. Karst commented. Robert also announced that Cascade High alumnus Chris Henderson is being inducted into the WIAA Hall of Fame. Chris was a stellar soccer player who went on to play professionally & is now the technical director for the Seattle Sounders.
Matt shared handouts of a process timeline for development of the 2009-2010 Strategic Plan, results of a recent Zoomerang survey and feedback from the Leadership Team meeting of April 9 (attached).
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SUPT’S COMMENTS
(cont’d)
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PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
| | PUBLIC COMMENT
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
Director of Construction Mike Gunn introduced Construction Manager Bob Crafts who joined the District in 2006 following many years leading construction projects. During his brief time in Everett, Bob has managed numerous projects. Bob is soft spoken and very deliberate. He gets projects in on time and on budget. He will be moving to LaPine, Oregon, where he plans to build wooden toys. Bob commented, saying he has enjoyed his time here and wished he could have come to the District years before. President Cooper congratulated Bob and said he will be missed.
| | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
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ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration provided a budget update. Karst said the Senate and House budgets have been presented. Although the numbers have been fairly fluid, the Senate budget contains the biggest cuts to K-12 funding, with more than $10 million from Everett’s general fund budget. He distributed the April 6 edition of the District’s NewsLinks which provides more detail about each budget (E:166/09). The Senate budget is devastating to public education and hits hard in I-728, with a 93 percent reduction. The District uses it to fund approximately 78 staff. The House budget is better, but not much. At the April 28 Board meeting, more information will be available. Karst then distributed a memo from Northwest ESD 189 providing administrative staffing comparisons for 11 districts, a three-year comparison of Washington’s 20 largest school districts showing total administrative costs and teaching expenditures, a District flyer entitled, “Do you know how your public schools are funded?,” and a copy of the questions offered on a recent online survey (attached). The first of three community budget meetings was held last night. Approximately 30 people attended. Karst reviewed the budget information on the District website and went through the slide show and survey results from last night’s meeting. Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations Bob Collard said it will be important for the Legislature to finish on time so districts have time to make adjustments. President Cooper thanked Karst and the Administration for being so proactive in helping to prepare people. She said things will turn around and, until then, we will deal with the issues as they arise.
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BUDGET UPDATE/ CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS TO REDUCE STAFF
BUDGET UPDATE/ CONTRACT REQUIRE- MENTS TO REDUCE STAFF
(cont’d.)
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Financial reports as of February 28, 2009 were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:167/09). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary.
Director of Finance Jeff Moore commented briefly, saying that the fund balance has decreased slightly, from $9 million to $8.7 million. The projected ending fund balance is 4.8 percent. Bob Collard complimented Jeff’s ability to address the ‘what-ifs’ of the budget and the accompanying scenarios.
| | FINANCIAL REPORTS
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ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Ed Petersen seconded the motion.
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CONSENT AGENDA
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1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:168/09);
2) Voucher Lists (E:169/09);
3) Proposed Revised Policy 4140—Distribution of Information (regarding clarification of distribution qualifications) (E:170/09);
4) Authorization to Call for Bids: Everett High School Cafeteria and Commercial Building Seismic Upgrades (E:171/09);
5) Final Acceptance of Building Network Infrastructure Modernization Data—
Package 3 (Jackson High & Heatherwood Middle Schools) (E:172/09);
6) Agreement Between Everett Public Schools & Northwest ESD 189 for a One-on-One Assistant for a Court-Adjudicated Student (A.R.) at Northwest Regional Learning Center (E:173/09).
The motion carried unanimously.
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BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Dutton thanked those who participated in the Everett Public Schools Foundation breakfast on Thursday. This year’s total, although down slightly, is at $75,000 and counting. She thanked Karst for his presentation. President Cooper said the event was well done. Board member Madsen said she is a member of a 20-person Core 24 Implementation task force concerning bringing students up to speed regarding the new 24-credit graduation requirement that the State Board proposed be put in place when and if there is funding for it. So far, their recommendations are preliminary. She asked that Board member input be sent to her concerning the content of the next five meetings. President Cooper said four of the Board members attended the NSBA conference in San Diego but, due to the length of tonight’s Board meeting, she will hold her comments for next time.
| | BOARD
COMMENTS
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
The Administration presented an update and held a work session with the Board of Directors regarding facilities projects in various phases of planning, design and construction (E:174/09). Mike Gunn and Hal Beumel presented. Although the Central Administration Facility project is on hold due to the economy, project architects were on hand to bring to closure some design questions relating to the configuration of the new Board Room. Because of the need for some of the Board members to attend tonight’s high school art show awards ceremony being held down the hall at 6:30, the discussion was ended for the time being and will be resumed at a later date.
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UPDATE—FACILITIES
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President Cooper adjourned the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________
Karst Brandsma, Secretary Sue Cooper, President
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