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, August 25, 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 & Ed Petersen.
| ||
| ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Cooper called for any changes to the agenda. Superintendent Gary Cohn reported that there would be a revised Personnel Report. He also requested that the Board Comments section of the agenda be moved to the end of the meeting. With that, Karen Madsen moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of July 7, 2009. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Karen Madsen moved to adopt the minutes of the special meeting of July 30, 2009. Ed Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Cohn thanked the board and cabinet members for their work on preparing for the board workshop. Having completed 1½ days of the 2½-day workshop, much valuable information has been shared and more is to come. Dr. Cohn distributed materials relating to the various leadership groups in the district (E:288/09). The cabinet and other administrative staff re-thought how they spent their time and the attachment depicts the result of their work. Also being reviewed is the AYP status and how the district might capture more state resources. In closing, Dr. Cohn reported that staff members have been working with the Snohomish County Health Department concerning planning and training to help prepare for the flu. In addition, maintenance staff members have been thoroughly cleaning the schools and ensuring that appropriate supplies are on hand. | SUPT’S COMMENTS
| |
| PUBLIC COMMENT
None. | PUBLIC COMMENT
| |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
| |
| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The administration provided an update on staffing activities. Executive Director of Human Resources Lynn Evans reported that approximately 40 teachers were in surplus status, but most have been re-assigned. Twelve teachers returned from their leaves of absence, 22 staff departed and just six apples were distributed to retirees. There have been very few separations from status compared to normal years. Leaves for 27 staff have been approved. Overall, there have been very few openings. RIFs accounted for 25.1 FTE, but all have been offered recalls—fifteen were returned to their original positions. Every effort was made to help staff feel respected and treat them appropriately during the process. President Cooper complimented Lynn, saying she is aware it took many meetings and hours to work through the process and she also knows the extremes to which staff went to be respectful and thoughtful of those being impacted. Lynn said an excellent team worked on it. |
STAFFING UPDATE STAFFING UPDATE (cont’d.) | |
| Financial reports as of June 30 and July 31, 2009 were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:289/09). The reports included year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, general fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Executive Director of Finance & Operations Jeff Moore reported that the district projected a $9.2 million ending fund balance in June and $9.4 million in July. He attributed the increases primarily to vacancies as a result of the budget reduction process and to other cost-saving measures that are becoming more apparent.
| FINANCIAL REPORTS
| |
| ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised consent agenda. Carol Andrews seconded the motion. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
| 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:290/09);
2) Voucher Lists (E:291/09); 3) Bid Award: Jefferson Elementary School Modernization (E:292/09); 4) Final Acceptance: Building Network Infrastructure Data – Package #4 (Gateway & North Middle Schools, Lowell & Madison Elementary Schools) (E:293/09); 5) Approval of Lessee Parking Lot Lease for Property Adjacent to Everett Memorial Stadium, between Everett School District and CEP – Stadium 08, LLC (E:294/09); 6) Working Agreement Between Everett School District and the YMCA of Snohomish County (E:295/09); 7) Amendment to Contract for Transportation of Students (E:296/09); 8) 2009-2010 Bid List (E:297/09); 9) Resolution 963—Intergovernmental Purchasing Agreement for the Purpose of Establishing an Interlocal Agreement with Shoreline School District No. 412 (Res. 44/09); 10) Resolution 964—Intergovernmental Purchasing Agreement for the Purpose of Establishing an Interlocal Agreement with the Puget Sound Joint Purchasing Cooperative (Res. 45/09); and 11) Resolution 966—Administration of Imprest Accounts, Change Funds and Meter Funds (Res. 46/09). The motion carried unanimously. |
| |
| The administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the architect selection of Dykeman Architects for the James Monroe Elementary School Modernization; NAC Architecture for the View Ridge Elementary School Modernization; and Botesch, Nash & Hall Architects for the Everett High School Gymnasium Modernization, and authorize the administration to negotiate and enter into agreements with these firms for architectural services (E:298/09). Director of Construction Hal Beumel reviewed the process for reviewing the submissions.
With no further discussion, Ed Petersen moved to approve the aforementioned architect selections for the named projects. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ARCHITECT SELECTION FOR 2006 BOND PHASE III: MONROE & VIEW RIDGE ELEM. MODERNIZATIONS, & EHS GYM MODERNIZATION | |
| The administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the attached agreement between Everett School District No. 2 and Everett Public Schools Foundation (EPSF) for the period September 1, 2009 – August 31, 2010 (E:299/09). This agreement is renewed annually. Four revisions were proposed for the 2009-2010 agreement.
Prior to discussion of this item, Board member Dutton said, because of her position as Executive Director with the Everett Public Schools Foundation, she would recuse herself from voting on the aforementioned Action Item 7c concerning the contract between Everett School District and Everett Public Schools Foundation. In the past, legal counsel was consulted and confirmed that, with the exception of this one item, there is no conflict of interest between Ms. Dutton’s position as a school Board member and her job with the Foundation. Associate Superintendent for Instruction Matt McCauley reviewed the revisions: 1) Removed the language of building endowment funds separately for summer school and all-day kindergarten and create one program endowment in order to create flexibility of endowment use. 2) Changed the titles of summer school and all-day kindergarten program bullets to remove endowment language. 3) Balanced the allocation between summer school and all-day kindergarten tuition assistance to reflect actual program funding by the EPSF. 4) Added language to the welcome/reception item to provide flexibility to hold events in light of the current budget environment and potential lack of new teachers this year. With no further discussion, Karen Madsen moved to approve the aforementioned agreement between the Everett School District and the EPSF. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried, with Board member Dutton abstaining. | AGREEMENT BETWEEN EPS # 2 & EPSF FOR THE PERIOD SEPT. 1, 2009-AUG. 31, 2010
AGREEMENT BETWEEN EPS # 2 & EPSF FOR THE PERIOD SEPT. 1, 2009-AUG. 31, 2010 (cont’d.) | |
| The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 967 authorizing the issuance and sale of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007, of the district in the aggregate principal amount of $48,900,000 and delegate authority to the superintendent for the bond sale (Res. 47/09). The purpose of the request is to provide funds to construct, equip, acquire and make certain capital improvements to the facilities of the district as authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors, and approved by the qualified electors of the district at a special election held on February 7, 2006; providing for unlimited tax levies to pay the principal and interest; authorizing a preliminary official statement; and authorizing the superintendent of the district to determine the structure of the bonds, approve the interest rates, maturity dates and principal maturities for the bonds under the terms and conditions set forth.
Jeff Moore introduced Jack Eaton, Bob Yeasting, Chad Cowan and Cynthia Weed. He noted that the district has had dual underwriters in the past. For this sale, the district is using a financial advisor and an underwriter. Following brief comments by Mr. Yeasting during which he talked about his role in the process and shared a copy of the Municipal Bond Market Newsletter (attached), Mr. Eaton followed with a PowerPoint presentation (attached) in which he covered topics that included the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Build America Bonds, Qualified School Construction Bonds, Expanded Bank Qualification and American Recovery & Reinvestment Act and financing timelines. Following questions from the board, Cynthia Weed, attorney from K&L Preston Gates Ellis talked about Resolution 967, noting that it does not include all of the final pricing information as yet. With no further discussion, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 967 authorizing the issuance and sale of Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds, Series 2007, and delegating authority to the superintendent for the bond sale. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | RES. 967—AUTHORIZING SALE OF UNLIMITED GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, SERIES 2007, AND DELEGATING AUTHORITY TO THE SUPT FOR THE BOND SALE
| |
| The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 968 authorizing the Executive Director of Finance & Operations to submit an application to OSPI for an allocation of qualified school construction bonds (Res. 48/09). The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides three specific new or expanding financing options that are being evaluated as the district prepares to issue its remaining bond authorization from 2006. This resolution authorizes the Executive Director of Finance & Operations to apply to OSPI to access a portion of the QSCB tax credit bonds where buyers/investors receive a tax credit rather than interest. The district is obligated to pay back the principal only, significantly reducing the total cost of the bonds. The ARRA includes a maximum amount of QSCBs and it is likely that only a portion of the district’s request will be accepted. Jeff Moore commented briefly.
Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 968 authorizing the Executive Director of Finance & Operations to submit an application to OSPI for an allocation of qualified school construction bonds. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. President Cooper called for a 25-minute rest break at 5:40 p.m. President Cooper re-convened the regular meeting at 6:05 p.m. | RES. 968—AUTHORIZING EXEC. DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO OSPI FOR ALLOCATION OF QUALIFIED SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BONDS
| |
| BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
At 6:05 p.m., President Cooper recessed the regular board meeting to hold a public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 budget (E:300/09). She indicated that, following a presentation from the administration, members of the audience would be given an opportunity to comment. With that, Jeff Moore reviewed changes that have occurred since the July presentation. Board members commented. President Cooper asked whether there were any comments from the audience. There were none. With that, President Cooper closed the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. and immediately re-convened the regular meeting. |
PUBLIC HEARING—FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 BUDGET | |
| ACTION ITEMS
The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 965 for the attached fiscal year 2009-2010 operating budget for all district funds (Res. 49/09). Previous presentations were provided at the May 26 and July 7, 2009 Board meetings. RCW 28A.505.050 requires adoption of the 2009-2010 budgets for the General, Transportation Vehicle, Capital Projects, Debt Services and Associated Student Body funds by August 31, 2009. Following board comments, Karen Madsen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 965 for the fiscal year 2009-2010 operating budget for all district funds. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. |
RESOLUTION 965: ADOPTION OF FISCAL YEAR 2009-2010 BUDGET | |
| BOARD COMMENTS
President Cooper commended Superintendent Cohn for the extensive preparation for this year’s board workshop. It has been a very productive session. She thanked the superintendent, the facilitators and her board colleagues for committing this time to the workshop. Board member Dutton also thanked Kathy Mahan and Beres Shorter for their logistical assistance. President Cooper adjourned the regular meeting at 6:30 p.m. | BOARD
COMMENTS | |
|
_____________________________ ________________________________ Gary Cohn, Secretary Sue Cooper, President |