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, December 8, 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 Ed Petersen. Board member Madsen was unable to be present in person due to a family illness necessitating her being out of town, but she listened in via telephone.
| | |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ed Petersen moved to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of November 17, 2009 and of the special meetings of November 19 and 30, 2009. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| | APPROVAL OF MINUTES
|
RECOGNITION
PTA representatives Christa Pederson and Louise Uriu presented President Cooper and Board member Madsen with cyclamen plants and spoke of the many contributions Ms. Cooper and Ms. Madsen have made to the work of the PTA. Their efforts have been tireless. President Cooper and Board member Madsen expressed their appreciation.
| | RECOGNITION
|
Representatives of the Everett Association of Paraeducators (EAP) Victoria Bosket and Jean Sarcletti complimented Ms. Cooper and Ms. Madsen for their efforts to look to the welfare of all staff and students. They announced that the EAP is making a donation to the Everett Public Schools Foundation in the names of President Cooper and Board member Madsen in the amount of $200. President Cooper thanked the EAP for their work and expressed appreciation for the donation. Ms. Madsen echoed the comments.
Representatives of the Everett Association of School Administrators (EASA) Cathy Woods and Mark Toland expressed their appreciation for the work of both Board members. It has been an honor to work with them. Indeed, their work will live on. Ms. Madsen and Ms. Cooper thanked Cathy and Mark and said the appreciation is mutual.
Area Executive Directors Jim McNally and Molly Ringo spoke to the leadership of both Board members. Each has worn many hats, all for the betterment of the students, staff and families of Everett Public Schools. Ms. Cooper and Ms. Madsen expressed their thanks.
| | |
Superintendent Cohn commented and presented President Cooper with a plaque expressing “grateful appreciation for 25 years of outstanding leadership, devotion, support and advocacy on behalf of the students, staff, parents and community
of Everett Public Schools.” At a future time, a similar plaque will be presented to Ms. Madsen for her 12 years of service. Both Board members commented. In closing, Ed Petersen commented about the fine work of Ms. Madsen and Ms. Cooper. He feels fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve with them.
| | |
ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
In accordance with Board Policy 1114—Oath of Office, each new member shall take an oath to support the constitutions of the United States and the State of Washington and to promote the interests of education and to faithfully discharge the duties of his/her office to the best of his/her ability. Secretary to the Board Gary Cohn administered the oath of office to newly-elected Board members Jessica Olson and Jeff Russell (E:73/10).
| |
OATHS OF OFFICE
|
Ms. Madsen hung up and Ms. Cooper left the meeting. Vice President Petersen took the gavel. Board members Olson and Russell took their seats.
| |
|
Everett Public Schools Policy 1120—Organization of the Board, states, in part, that at the first regular meeting in December, the Board shall elect a president and vice-president to serve one-year terms. Kristie Dutton nominated Ed Petersen to the position of president. Carol Andrews seconded the nomination. By roll call vote, the nomination passed unanimously. Carol Andrews nominated Kristie Dutton to the position of vice president. Jessica Olson seconded the nomination. By roll call vote, the nomination passed unanimously.
| | ELECTION OF OFFICERS
|
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Petersen called for any changes to the agenda. Superintendent Gary Cohn indicated 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
|
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Dr. Cohn reported that board members were real “troopers” at the WSSDA annual conference held in Seattle. Next is the WASA/WSSDA legislative conference in February. This year, in addition to board members, students from District high schools will attend. Next, Dr. Cohn said tentative plans are underway to bring Alan Burke, OSPI’s Deputy Superintendent for K-12 Education, to a March Board meeting to talk about the Race to the Top program, but his presentation will not be finalized until the conclusion of the legislative session. Dr. Cohn has completed 12 of 16 community meetings, plus he met with the Council of Neighborhoods, the Leadership Team, and held three internal meetings. Another series will be planned for the springtime, after February 9. Dr. Cohn noted that there are two mitigation agreements on tonight’s Consent Agenda, which is significant because it is an indication that building is happening and the local housing market is showing some signs of improvement.
This is the season of giving and numerous charitable activities have been occurring throughout the District. Among them are the Transportation Department’s silent auction, which benefits the Domestic Violence Center and Christmas House; and food and toy drives at many of the District schools and sites.
Dr. Cohn reported that the District now has 89 National Board Certified staff. That is approximately eight percent of the 1125 certificated staff in the District and represents a significant accomplishment. It is hoped that OSPI will release the embargo on graduation rates by the end of December. The last published rate for the District for on-time graduation was 76.8 percent. The extended graduation rate was 81.5 percent. Some District middle and elementary students have been competing and excelling in robotics activities. They are to be congratulated.
| | SUPT. COMMENTS
|
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
| | PUBLIC COMMENT
|
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None.
| | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
|
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented an overview and status report on the GEAR-UP program, now in its fifth year at Everett High School (E:74/10). Staff, students and parents provided information and shared their experiences over the last five years. Director of District Improvement and On-Time Graduation JoAnne Fabian reviewed a PowerPoint presentation. Currently, there are 47 students in GEAR-UP. The goal of the program is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. It begins in 7th grade and follows the same group of students through high school. These are students with a GPA from 2.0 to 3.5 and are part of an under-represented population. JoAnne reviewed demographic information, talked about activities in years 1-6, reviewed expectations, and outlined scholarship eligibility. Graduation Success Coordinator Gretchen Stiger talked about her experiences in the program. She said all of the GEAR-UP students are also AVID students, but not all AVID students are GEAR-UP students. Present tonight were four students in the GEAR-UP program. Each student spoke of their experiences.
President Petersen commended the students for being able to tell their stories in front of a group. Board member Dutton congratulated the students on their fine presentations. Board member Andrews congratulated the students for the courage they showed in speaking tonight. Board member Russell also congratulated the students for their courage. They helped make tonight a great first meeting for him as a school board member. Superintendent Cohn agreed that the presentations were excellent.
| |
GEAR-UP PROGRAM: MY DREAM. MY PLAN.
|
Financial reports as of September 30 and October 31, 2009 were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:75/10). The reports included year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Executive Director for Finance & Operations Jeff Moore said the ending fund balance for September and October was $9.48 million. Expenditures have been customary.
| | FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30 & OCTOBER 31, 2009
|
ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised consent agenda. Jeff Russell seconded the motion.
| |
CONSENT AGENDA
|
1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:76/10);
2) Voucher Lists (E:77/10);
3) Interagency Agreement Between Everett Public Schools and Overlake Hospital Medical Center Specialty School (E:78/10);
4) Approval of Mitigation Agreement between Everett School District and Gordon P. Reykdal (File # 05-119918SD – Thomas Lake Court) (E:79/10);
5) Approval of Mitigation Agreement Between Everett School District and William & Judy Baker (SEPA # 09-020) (E:80/20);
6) Architect Selection—Jackson High School Cafeteria Expansion Project (E:81/10);
7) Final Acceptance: Everett High School Cafeteria and Commercial Building Seismic Upgrades (E:82/10);
8) Final Acceptance: Jefferson Elementary School Site Development (E:83/10);
9) Monetary Gift from the Blue & Gold Club, Inc., to the Everett Public Schools Private Purpose Trust Fund in the Amount of $7376.27 (E:84/10);
10) Tentative Agreement Between Everett School District and Northwest Washington Building Construction and Trades Council (E:85/10).
The motion carried unanimously.
| |
|
BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Dutton reminded the group of Everett High School’s upcoming 100-year celebration on January 30. She then reported on the outcome of this year’s United Way campaign. The EPSF helps coordinate the giving. This year broke all records and saw increases in participation of 28 percent and 15 percent in giving. She attributed much of the success of this year’s campaign to Dr. Cohn’s leadership. Ms. Dutton then reported that the EPSF is giving over $32,000 back to the schools in the form of classroom grants. She thanked the teachers for taking the time and effort to apply and for the EPSF board for reviewing the applications and making the decisions.
Board member Andrews said she enjoyed attending the WSSDA conference very much. Donna Beegle in particular raised her awareness about poverty.
President Petersen welcomed the new Board members and said this board has many talents and good experience. It is the Board’s job to determine how to be a team, work together and tap the energies and ideas of each member. He is interested in having open and transparent processes and is excited to be a part of this team.
With no further comments, President Petersen recessed the meeting for a rest break at 6:15 p.m. It was at this time that the meeting was moved to Conference Room C3 across the hall from conference rooms C1 & C2.
| | BOARD
COMMENTS
|
BOARD ACTION &/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
At 6:30 p.m., President Petersen re-convened the regular meeting and Board members held a study session to debrief and discuss their experiences at the WSSDA Annual Conference, held November 18-21, 2009.
| |
STUDY SESSION—WSSDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
|
At 7 p.m., Board members held a study session to discuss potential community engagement and study session topics (E:86/10).
| | STUDY SESSION—COMM. ENGAGEMENT & STUDY SESSION TOPICS
|
At 7:50 p.m., the Board members held a study session to discuss the upcoming Board workshop to be held January 8, 2010 (E:87/10). At 8:10 p.m., the study session concluded and President Petersen recessed the meeting to move to Conference Room A within the Educational Service Center to hold the executive session.
| | STUDY SESSION—JANUARY BOARD WORKSHOP
|
President Petersen re-convened the meeting at 8:15 p.m. in Conference Room A and immediately moved into executive session for the purpose of discussing with legal counsel representing the District litigation or potential litigation. Before going into executive session, it was announced the executive session would be of approximately 20 minutes’ duration. At 8:35 p.m., Dr. Cohn opened the door and announced the executive session would extend for another ten minutes.
At 8:45 p.m., President Petersen re-convened the regular meeting and adjourned immediately.
| | EXEC. SESSION—DISCUSS w/LEGAL COUNSEL REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION
|
_____________________________ ________________________________
Gary Cohn, Secretary Ed Petersen, President
| |
|