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, January 12, 2010, 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, Kristie Dutton, Jessica Olson, Ed Petersen and Jeff Russell.
| | |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Prior to action on the minutes of the regular meeting of December 8, 2009, errors were noted on page 2, paragraphs 1 and 2. In the first paragraph, the reference to “Vice President Dutton” should be “Vice President Petersen.” In the second paragraph, the third-to-the-last sentence needs to be deleted. With that, Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the corrected minutes of the regular meeting of December 8, 2009. Carol Andrews seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| | APPROVAL OF MINUTES
|
ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Petersen called for any changes to the agenda. Superintendent Gary Cohn indicated that there would be a revised Personnel Report. President Petersen requested that Item 7b be added to the agenda for discussion of the Board’s website. With that, Carol Andrews moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Jessica Olson seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| | ADOPTION OF AGENDA
|
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Cohn read a proclamation from Governor Christine Gregoire declaring January as School Board Appreciation Month (E:88/10). He presented each Board member with informational placemats and certificates of appreciation. EASA (Everett Association of School Administrators) co-presidents Mark Toland and Cathy Woods spoke on behalf of that organization. They thanked the Board for all of the hours they invest. On behalf of the EASA, a $100 donation has been made to the Everett Public Schools Foundation. On behalf of his Board colleagues, President Petersen thanked the speakers for their kind words and expressed his appreciation for the donation to the Foundation, saying it is a pleasure to work collaboratively with them.
Dr. Cohn said the Board’s winter workshop was held on January 8. He thanked the Board members for their diligence throughout the day. Among the topics requiring further discussion: the Board operating protocol, the Board web page and e-mail structure, Policy 1712 (conflicts of interest), Board meeting agenda structure, public records, I-grants, the Lighthouse project and training on the principal portal program.
| | SUPT. COMMENTS
|
The WASA/WSSDA Conference will take place in Olympia in early February. So far, ASB presidents from Jackson, Everett and Cascade High Schools have committed to attend the conference. Next, Dr. Cohn described one of the Martin Luther King, Jr., events he attended today (attached).
In closing, Dr. Cohn said the District’s United Way campaign pledge rates for this year rose 19 percent and there was a 30 percent change in participation. Board member Dutton, who is also Executive Director of the EPSF, which organizes the District’s campaign, commented during Board Comments about the campaign results.
PUBLIC COMMENT
None.
| |
PUBLIC COMMENT
|
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
None.
| | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
|
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
A District administrative team presented information about the school improvement planning process and adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements, sanctions and responses (E:89/10). As noted, the presentation is an evolving communication tool that will change depending upon the work of the agencies tasked with interpreting federal rules and legislation from the current legislative session. Associate Superintendents Matt McCauley and Terry Edwards, and Area One Executive Director Jim McNally presented. Using a PowerPoint presentation, they gave an overview and described components of the District’s work in school improvement. They provided information about the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) “No Child Left Behind,” explained the elements of AYP, and described the State Uniform Bar. Next, they talked about District Title I schools in AYP improvement steps. Terry noted that, with a few exceptions, all districts with enrollments over 5,000 are in Needs Improvement.
Discussion followed about the morale of the staff in schools that are in AYP, the role of poverty in AYP, and managing change and the pace of change.
President Petersen thanked the presenters for their comprehensive report. This is important data. Superintendent Cohn concurred and said the group has worked hard, as have the principals and the Cabinet. Board member Dutton asked Dr. Cohn to convey the Board’s appreciation. She noted, as was said more than once during tonight’s report, “We are all in this together.”
| |
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLANNING PROCESS REVIEW & ADEQUATE YEARLY PROGRESS (AYP)
|
Financial reports as of November 30, 2009 were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:90/10). 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 November’s report resembles October’s. There are no significant anomalies related to expenditures or revenues.
| | FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2009
|
ACTION ITEMS
Prior to action on the Consent Agenda, Board member Olson requested that Item 7a(4) be set aside for discussion. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised consent agenda, absent Item 7a(4) [which became Action Item 7c]. Carol Andrews seconded the motion.
| |
CONSENT AGENDA
|
1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:91/10);
2) Voucher Lists (E:92/10);
3) Monetary Gift from Silver Firs Elementary PTA to Silver Firs Elementary School in the Amount of $28,545.02 for the Purchase of Parts & Equipment for a New Playground Structure (E:93/10);
4) Authorization to Contract with Little Red Schoolhouse, Inc., for Early Childhood Intervention Services (ATTACHMENT); and
5) Declaration of Surplus Property (E:94/10).
The motion carried unanimously with no abstentions.
| |
|
President Petersen reported that during the Board’s winter workshop, there was discussion about revising the Board’s website to add e-mail addresses of the Board members using their District e-mail addresses and/or personal phone numbers. He reported that, following a review of several districts’ web sites, he determined that there is variation. Discussion followed.
Board member Dutton said she can support the proposal as long as it is ensured that the Board members use the District-based e-mail system to protect Board members in the event of a public records request that all the information that flows to and from the Board is kept and registered on the District server. She further recommended continuing the use of the Board’s current e-mail address—sboard. Board member Olson said she could support the proposal but sought clarification about whether, once an e-mail is deleted, it disappears from the server, to which Dr. Cohn said that is no longer the case. Ms. Dutton recommended including some of the information that is shown on the placemat distributed tonight as well as the Board’s operating protocol. Dr. Cohn suggested including the Board work plan and information about the Board’s roles and duties. President Petersen said it is important to communicate a message of welcoming to the public and an interest in being responsive. Board member Andrews concurred with President Petersen. Board member Russell agreed that access is paramount and these modifications accomplish that.
With that, President Petersen called for a motion to adjust the Board web pages to include the Board members’ District e-mail addresses, retain the sboard address, include a preferred telephone number (to be designated by individual Board members) and include other information as specified earlier in the discussion. Board member Olson placed the motion, Board member Dutton seconded the aforementioned motion and the motion carried unanimously, with no abstentions.
| | BOARD WEBSITE
BOARD WEBSITE
(cont’d.)
|
The Administration recommended that the Board of Directors authorize a contract in the amount of $290,000 (plus tax as applicable) with Little Red Schoolhouse, Inc., to provide early intervention services for the period September 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010 (E:95/10). Board member Olson sought clarification about the numbers and designations of the children that are in the program. Executive Director for Special Education Kris McDowell replied.
Following a brief discussion, Kristie Dutton moved to authorize the aforementioned contract with Little Red Schoolhouse, Inc., for early childhood intervention services. Jeff Russell seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously, with no abstentions.
| | AUTHORIZATION TO CONTRACT WITH LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE, INC., FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD INTERVENTION SERVICES
|
BOARD COMMENTS
President Petersen reminded the group of the NSBA conference in May in Chicago. He encouraged some pre-planning. Three workshops are intriguing: Ensuring Capable Student Representation—Mr. Petersen asked Board member Russell to do some research on what other districts are doing regarding student involvement with the board. The second suggested workshop is entitled, “Proven Intervention to Increase Achievement of Poor and Minority Students.” Thirdly, a workshop called, “Meeting the Needs of Our Special Education and English Language Learners” is germane to the work of the District. Other relevant workshops will deal with community engagement and standards and assessment. He asked Board member Andrews to do some research into the dashboard reporting question, including learning what other districts are doing, so that she can go to the convention equipped to interact with other districts on this subject. Next, President Petersen reported that he will review with Dr. Cohn the Reports to the Board for the year in relation to some of the items that came up at Friday’s Board winter workshop and that need to be addressed.
President Petersen asked Board member Andrews to join with him to represent the Board at the upcoming audit entrance conference with the state auditors.
President Petersen asked for volunteers to attend the Students of Color Career Conference, to which Board member Olson said she will go.
Board member Dutton talked about this year’s United Way campaign, which was very successful. The kickoff Superintendent’s Leadership Team meeting was very impressive. She congratulated Dr. Cohn who helped put the wheels in motion and she offered kudos to staff who gave so generously.
Next, Board member Dutton read from a prepared text concerning her reflections from Friday’s Board workshop and the standards she values as part of a Board team (E:96/10). She read from the WSSDA standards and said it should be adopted formally and put on the website as should the Board operating protocol. She encouraged using fierce conversations and referenced the book of the same name. President Petersen thanked Board member Dutton for her comments. The Board needs to set high standards for ourselves as we do for the staff. He asked her to work with Mary Waggoner and Dr. Cohn to develop something for the Board website within the context of what has been discussed. Board member Olson concurred with the idea and recommended including the pertinent RCWs as well.
Board member Russell thanked Dr. Cohn and staff for the orientations they attended in November. The volume and the quality of the meetings was excellent. Board member Olson echoed those comments.
With no further comments, President Petersen recessed the meeting at 6:50 p.m. for a ten-minute rest break to be followed immediately by an executive session to evaluate the performance of a public employee. It was at this time that the meeting was moved to Conference Room A adjacent to the superintendent’s office.
| | BOARD
COMMENTS
BOARD
COMMENTS
(cont’d.)
|
BOARD ACTION &/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
At 7 p.m., President Petersen re-convened the regular meeting and moved immediately into executive session to evaluate the performance of a public employee. It was announced that the executive session would be of approximately 60 minutes’ duration and there would be no action taken afterwards.
At 8:05 p.m., Dr. Cohn opened the door and announced the executive session would extend for approximately 20 minutes.
At 8:25 p.m., Dr. Cohn opened the door and announced the executive session would extend for approximately 20 minutes.
| |
EXECUTIVE SESSION—REVIEW THE PERFORMANCE OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE
|
At 8:45 p.m., President Petersen re-convened the regular meeting and adjourned immediately.
| | |
_____________________________ ________________________________
Gary Cohn, Secretary Ed Petersen, President
| | |