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, November 17, 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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| 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 requested to lengthen the report for the year-end financial report (Item 6c) to 15 minutes and he asked that Item 9a for the closed session be removed as it was no longer necessary. 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
Carol Andrews moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of November 3, 2009. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Dr. Cohn said that the WSSDA Annual Conference begins tomorrow. A detailed agenda is available on the WSSDA website. He then reported that the community meetings have had some great turnouts with superb feedback. Next, Dr. Cohn reviewed the 2009 fall post-season athletic results (E:61/10). He announced that the District finance office is assuming responsibility for processing public records requests. A brief photo display of the Veterans Day observance at Evergreen Middle School was shared with the Board and audience. In closing, Dr. Cohn called on Everett High School principal Catherine Matthews who introduced students Josh Ogden, Stephanie Soelling and Jorge Posada. They described the concept of “boom-boom” cards, each of which contains random acts of kindness that the recipient performs, blogs about and then passes the card on to others. | SUPT. COMMENTS | |
| PUBLIC COMMENT
None. | PUBLIC COMMENT
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
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| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented information on how student achievement funds have been used during the 2008-2009 school year and what has been accomplished with the funding (E:62/10). Using a PowerPoint presentation, Associate Superintendent & Chief Academic Officer Terry Edwards reviewed the final report for 2008-2009. The goals of the Student Achievement Funds are to increase student achievement and increase on-time graduation rates for all students. He discussed allowable expenditures, total funds available and how the funds were spent in the areas of class size reduction, professional development, early childhood and extended learning. He reviewed indirect costs. | REPORT— STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT FUNDS (I-728) | |
| The Administration presented an update regarding the plans for the James Monroe Elementary School Replacement (E:63/10). Facilities & Planning Director Hal Beumel showed some drawings and photos of the site. He noted that the District is accelerating the project to take advantage of the current bidding environment. He spoke to green design elements such as rainwater harvesting and air displacement. Staff members plan to bid the project in June, 2010 and begin in the summer of 2010.
| DESIGN PRESENTATION FOR THE JAMES MONROE ELEM. SCHOOL REPLACEMENT
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| Executive Director for Finance and Operations Jeff Moore presented the year-end financial report. Following a PowerPoint presentation, he reviewed the 2008-2009 fiscal year by fund and provided a fiscal outlook which included a review of the 2009 legislative session, challenges of the 2010 legislative session and a review of the 2011-2012 funding cliff (E:64/10).
Before moving to the action items, President Cooper took the opportunity to welcome Board members-elect Jeff Russell and Jessica Olson. | YEAR-END FINANCIAL REPORT 2008-2009
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| ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised consent agenda. Karen Madsen seconded the motion. | CONSENT AGENDA | |
| 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:65/10);
2) Voucher Lists (E:66/10); 3) Amendment No. 1 to Interlocal Agreement between the City of Everett and the Everett School District Regarding the Cooperative Use of Facilities, Equipment and Personnel (E:67/10); 4) Final Acceptance: Memorial Stadium Contaminated Soil Remediation (E:68/10); 5) Resolution 975: 2009 State Study and Survey (Res. 07/10); 6) Resolution 976: James Monroe Elementary School New Construction in Lieu of Modernization (Res. 08/10); 7) Resolution 978: Space Survey – Neighboring Districts (Res. 09/10); 8) Declaration of Surplus Property (E:69/10). The motion carried unanimously. | | |
| The Administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 977: Gateway Middle School Asset Preservation System (Res.10/10). Hal Beumel reported that it replaces the two percent rule. The resolution is required in order to comply with WAC 392-347-023, whereby the Board commits the District to the implementation of an Asset Preservation System (APS) for certain buildings accepted by the Board after January 1, 1994. It is a requirement of state match funding for any future modernization to these facilities. An Asset Preservation System is a system of tasks or projects that are active, reactive or proactive in maintaining the day-to-day health, safety and instructional quality of the school facility and tasks or projects that are proactive, predictive or preventative in maintaining the school facility over its 30-year expected life cycle.
Following discussion, Carol Andrews moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 977. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | RESOLUTION 977: ASSET PRESERVATION SYSTEM – GATEWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL
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| The Administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 979: In Support of a Strategic Plan Renewal Process (Res.11/10).
Board member Petersen said he is pleased to have a well-thought-out plan in front of the Board. It has moved quickly and with clarity. It will be a valuable process for the District and will energize our whole look at the world that our children will be inheriting. President Cooper echoed Mr. Petersen’s comments and said the assistance and perspective of the consultants have been helpful. This is a document that is able to be shared with all of the stakeholders. She is confident that the process will move forward and appreciates Dr. Cohn’s interest and work on it. This document should provide some security for those wondering what the process is and where we will be. Board member Madsen said it captures the things that have been discussed and she is very pleased with it. She appreciates Dr. Cohn’s guidance. Board member Dutton said it will be valuable to go through the renewal process while going through the budgetary process. Board member Andrews said she is excited and curious about what we will end up with as far as the vision. Dr. Cohn said it is significant that the process we engage in coalesces people around a set of priorities. How we will gather input is part of the design work that needs to ensue and it is critical. With no further discussion, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the aforementioned Resolution 979. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | RESOLUTION 979: STRATEGIC PLAN RENEWAL PROCESS
RESOLUTION 979: STRATEGIC PLAN RENEWAL PROCESS (cont’d.) | |
| The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the attached description of the Fiscal Advisory Council (E:70/10). Jeff Moore commented that the purposes of the council are to obtain a higher level of understanding of District fiscal operations; to be informed of the current fiscal status as well as the future fiscal outlook; and to offer recommendations to District leadership and the superintendent regarding future fiscal priorities, operational efficiencies and potential program reductions. The superintendent will establish a Fiscal Advisory Council to include both key staff representation and community members to integrate the community input essential to successful fiscal planning.
President Cooper said it is a good move and she is encouraged that the Administration is comfortable with it. She thanked all who have worked on forming this council. With no further discussion, Karen Madsen moved to approve the aforementioned description of the Fiscal Advisory Council. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | FISCAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
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| The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the attached description of the Equity and Access Advisory Council (E:71/10). Superintendent Cohn said the details of this council are less mature at this time than the Fiscal Advisory Council, but Jeff Turner will talk with Dr. Cohn about the council. Tonight’s recommendation is to approve the proposed direction proposed for this council. The purpose of the council is to provide advice and counsel to the superintendent and the cabinet on the status and direction of district-wide and school efforts to close achievement and graduation rate gaps; to build linkages between the district and various communities of diverse populations within the Everett Public Schools boundaries; and to provide guidance on significant policy matters affecting the district’s success in implementing equity and access components of the strategic plan. The superintendent will develop a detailed description and charge for the council’s work, appoint members representing various constituencies within the district and will periodically provide progress reports to the board.
Board member Petersen said he hopes to see cultural competency incorporated into the council’s purpose. With no further discussion, Kristie Dutton moved to approve the aforementioned description of the Equity & Access Advisory Council. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | EQUITY AND ACCESS ADVISORY COUNCIL
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| BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Petersen said Dr. Cohn and his wife and Mr. Petersen and his wife went to the Hawthorne Elementary School Multicultural Parent Meeting last week. It was a fascinating event. Some of the parents presented. A staff member translated everything during the evening. There were approximately 75 attendees. Board member Dutton said she sees the exciting things going on at Hawthorne every day when she goes to work at her job at the Everett Public Schools Foundation which is located at Hawthorne. The level of engagement at the school has clearly increased. Board member Madsen said the community presentations have been interesting. The information and events go a long way to build community understanding of the fiscal situation. She went on to say that she just returned from Richland where she worked with a group of science teachers on an ongoing three-year project called National Association for Curriculum Leadership (NACL). President Cooper thanked everyone for the wonderful recognition event held on November 5. It meant a lot to her. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve on the Board. She also reported that she just returned from a trip to Morocco where she, among others, met with groups of women and students. It was fascinating to see the progress that has been made. | BOARD
COMMENTS | |
| With no further discussion, President Cooper adjourned the regular meeting at 6:20 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________ Gary Cohn, Secretary Sue Cooper, President |