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, October 20, 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 and Karen Madsen. Absent: Ed Petersen.

          		  
    ADOPTION OF AGENDA

    President Cooper called for any changes to the agenda. Superintendent Gary Cohn indicated that there would be a revised Personnel Report. He also asked that 30 minutes be added to the executive sessions to make them a total of 60 minutes. 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

    Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of October 6, 2009. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

          		 APPROVAL OF MINUTES
    SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS

    Dr. Cohn announced that Cynthia Gaub, of North Middle School, has been named the WAEA (Washington Association of Educators of Art) Middle School Art Educator of the Year. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend tonight’s meeting.

     

    Diane Kinch, of Sequoia High School, is the GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Dual-Role Skills) Teacher of the Year award winner. Executive Director for Area One Jim McNally introduced Diane and commented that she joined Everett Public Schools in 1976. Her job is to oversee the childcare center at Sequoia and she helps teen mothers navigate the system. She also helped developed the school’s SIP (School Improvement Plan). President Cooper and her Board colleagues congratulated Diane.

     
         		SUPT. COMMENTS
    Executive Director for Area Two Molly Ringo introduced Rick Wigre, who is Jackson High School’s TSA (Technology Student Association) advisor. He was recently honored with the Advisor of the Year award for the state of Washington for 2008-2009 at the TSA National Conference held in Denver, Colorado. It was at this conference that seven JHS students competed, and placed well, against over 2,000 students from middle and high schools across the United States and Germany. President Cooper and her Board colleagues congratulated Rick.

     

    The District’s Food and Nutrition Department earned a “Gold Star” rating from the Children’s Alliance and their partners in End Childhood Hunger Washington in recognition of the department’s work to serve meals for over 40 days this summer while school was not in session. Executive Director for Finance & Operations Jeff Moore commended Debbie Webber, Nancy Thomson and Joanna Eickhoff, who were present tonight, for their efforts. For more than 15 years, the department has participated in a voluntary USDA program to serve summer lunches to the area’s needy students who are between two and 18 years old. Many partnerships are necessary in order for this program to be successful. Among them are the Everett Parks and Recreation, Everett Housing Authority, Snohomish County Housing Authority, Everett Boys and Girls Club, local churches and local apartment complexes.

     

     

    Lillian Ortiz-Self, counselor at Everett High School, has recently been named the Chair of the Washington State Commission of Hispanic Affairs.

     

    The Everett Symphony will perform twice this Thursday to all 4th and 5th graders in the District, representing two audiences of approximately 1,500 students each. The location of the performances is the Civic Auditorium and the District will bus the students to and from their schools.

     

    In closing, Dr. Cohn reported that he will be visiting some District schools tomorrow with Sheriff John Lovick. They are Woodside and Cedar Wood Elementaries and Gateway Middle School.

          		  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    SUPT. COMMENTS

    (cont’d.)
    PUBLIC COMMENT

    None.

          		 PUBLIC COMMENT

     
    RECOGNITION OF RETIREES

    None.
    		 RECOGNITION OF RETIREES

     
    ITEMS FOR INFORMATION

    The Administration provided an introduction to the new Curriculum & Technology Plan for Student Learning, currently under development (E:42/10). The District’s Curriculum & Technology Plan for Student Learning is a framework for effectively using technology to enhance student learning. It establishes flexible solutions that maximize current inventories and identifies and addresses gaps in technology that enable the teaching and learning of 21st Century skills across all curriculum areas. The plan will enable the District to apply for full approval from OSPI and eligibility for state and federal grants. The deadline for submission of the District’s plan to Northwest ESD 189 is April 2010.

     

    Director for Information Systems Ken Toyn introduced Jeanne Willard and Scott Jenkins who reviewed the plan and indicated that they were on hand tonight to gather feedback from the Board concerning this plan. They reviewed a PowerPoint presentation and talked about the District vision, and the history, beginning with the 1992 technology levy, of using technology to enhance student learning. They discussed the goals of the Curriculum & Technology Plan for Student Learning. The 2010-2013 Curriculum & Technology Plan for Student Learning reflects OSPI’s expectation for technology implementation. Jeanne and Scott reviewed the move to online state testing. Beginning in spring 2010, the Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) will be available online in grades 6-8 in reading and math. The rest of the grades, including high school, will be phased in over the next few years. Next Jeanne and Scott discussed incorporating the Curriculum & Technology Plan for Student Learning into the schools’ School Improvement Plans. In closing, they invited the Board to the 12th Annual Student Technology & Learning Celebration to be held January 20, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cascade High School.

     

    Ken noted that there was a great deal of teaming involved with curriculum and instruction staff to develop this plan. Currently, the plan is unfunded and it is hoped a capital levy will be on a future ballot.

     

    President Cooper said she admires the caution that has been used in adopting technology. She appreciates that the new and remodeled District facilities have been kept up to speed in terms of technology.

     

     

           		  

    CURRICULUM & TECHNOLOGY PLAN FOR STUDENT LEARNING

     
    The Administration provided an update on the projected 2008-2009 ending fund balance and an outlook for the upcoming legislative session. Jeff Moore said the Finance office is in the process of closing the books for 2008-2009. It appears the ending fund balance for August will be $10.7 million, which is up $1.1 million from the July projection. Expenditures in August were oddly low. There were also timing issues with tax collections, which worked in our favor and put us in a good position. Dr. Cohn noted that the bond rating firms expected us to improve slightly and that is what happened. President Cooper commended staff for the thoughtful proactive planning that led to being in a good position at this time.

          		 FISCAL OUTLOOK

     

     
    ACTION ITEMS

    Carol Andrews moved for approval of the revised consent agenda. Karen Madsen seconded the motion.     		  


    CONSENT AGENDA
    1)  Personnel Report (revised) (E:43/10);

    2)  Voucher Lists (E:44/10);

    3)  Washington State Certification/Endorsement Requirements (E:45/10);

    4)  Final Acceptance: Memorial Stadium Restroom & Concessions (E:46/10);

    5)  Minimum Basic Education Requirement Compliance Report (E:47/10);

    6)  College in the High School Agreement Between Everett Public Schools and Bellevue College (E:48/10); and

    7)  Surplus Instructional and Library Materials (E:49/10); and

    8)  Disciplinary Appeal Council Members for the 2009-2010 School Year (E:50/10).

    The motion carried unanimously.

          		  

     

       
    The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the educational specifications for the View Ridge Elementary School modernization (E:51/10). These educational specifications were prepared by Dykeman Architects and District staff. A committee was formed of staff from View Ridge Elementary School and other District staff to assist in the creation of these educational specifications. This document will be used by NAC Architecture in designing the View Ridge Elementary School modernization project. Approval of the educational specifications is part of the process to establish eligibility for state matching funds. Director of Construction Hal Beumel said the educational specifications for View Ridge and Monroe are similar to one another, but there are dramatic physical changes that will happen at each school. The Monroe project is in the early design phases, while the View Ridge design will begin next year. Monroe will complete by the fall of 2011 and View Ridge will complete by the fall of 2012. Both will be staged projects. To a question from Board member Andrews, Hal replied that the construction budget amounts were arrived at before the recession, but they have been adjusted for inflation.

     

    With no further discussion, Karen Madsen moved for approval of the educational specifications for the View Ridge Elementary School modernization. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

          		 APPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR VIEW RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

     

     
    The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the educational specifications for the James Monroe Elementary School modernization (E:52/10). These educational specifications were prepared by Dykeman Architects and District staff. A committee was formed of staff from James Monroe Elementary School and other District staff to assist in the creation of these educational specifications. This document will be used by Dykeman Architects in designing the James Monroe Elementary School modernization project. Approval of the educational specifications is part of the process to establish eligibility for state matching funds. Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the educational specifications for the Monroe Elementary School modernization. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

          		 APPROVAL OF EDUCATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR JAMES MONROE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MODERNIZATION

     
    The Administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 971—Resolution Opposing Initiative 1033 (Res.03/10). President Cooper asked whether there were any audience members who wished to speak to the resolution. There were none.

     

    President Cooper called for a motion. Karen Madsen moved for the adoption of Resolution 971 in opposition to I-1033. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.

     

    Board member Madsen said I-1033 is not a good thing for kids, teachers, staff or the District. She is pleased the Board is crafting this resolution in partnership with the Everett Education Association. President Cooper thanked Superintendent Cohn for his work on the resolution. It is nice to be able to support this effort with the EEA. It is important to have this resolution opposing I-1033; the Initiative would create a hardship.

          		 RESOLUTION 971—RESOLUTION OPPOSING INITIATIVE 1033
    BOARD COMMENTS

    President Cooper referred to a recent letter from WSSDA asking for a contribution to the annual auction. In the past, Everett’s board has donated $25 apiece and then a Board member assembles a basket that is auctioned off at the annual conference. Board member Madsen will coordinate with her colleagues.

     

    With no further comments, President Cooper recessed the meeting at 5:40 p.m. for ten minutes to move to Conference Room A, which is also in the Educational Service Center, to hold the executive sessions.

          		 BOARD

    COMMENTS

     
    BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION

    President Cooper re-convened the regular meeting at 5:50 p.m. and recessed immediately into executive session to review the performance of a public employee followed by a discussion with legal counsel representing the District concerning litigation. Before going into executive session, it was announced the executive sessions would be of approximately 60 minutes’ duration in total, after which no action would follow.

     

    At 6:50 p.m., the door was opened and it was announced the executive session would extend for 30 minutes.

     

    At 7:20 p.m., President Cooper re-convened the regular meeting and adjourned immediately.

           		  

    EXECUTIVE SESSION— REVIEW PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE  

    and

    EXECUTIVE SESSION—DISCUSS WITH LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT LITIGATION

     
    With no further discussion, President Cooper adjourned the regular meeting at 7:20 p.m.

     

     

    _____________________________ ________________________________

    Gary Cohn, Secretary       Sue Cooper, President      		    


     

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