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, March 9 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.
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| ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Petersen called for any revisions to the agenda. Superintendent Cohn said that there would be an amended corrected set of minutes for the February 9, 2010 Board meeting. He requested the agenda be adjusted by five minutes to allow for the presence of a retiree and that Items 8d (Adoption of Revision to Board Regular Order of Business) and 8e (Posting Regular Board Meeting Recordings) be added. Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the agenda, Jeff Russell seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA
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| APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Jeff Russell moved to approve the amended corrected minutes of the regular meeting of February 9, 2010, Kristie Dutton seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Kristie Dutton moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 23, 2010, Jessica Olson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| CONSENT AGENDA
Jessica Olson requested the minutes be removed from the consent agenda. Kristie Dutton moved approval of the amended Consent Agenda, Jessica Olson seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. a. Personnel Report (E:131/10); b. Voucher Lists (E:132/10). | CONSENT AGENDA | |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
Emerson Elementary principal Cynthia Jones introduced retiree Laura Aito who is retiring after more than 12 years in the District. Cynthia spoke of Laura’s skills as a music teacher and then as a math teacher. President Petersen thanked Laura for her years of service and the passion she brought to her work, and presented her a memento crystal apple. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
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| PUBLIC COMMENT
Following a review of the public comment guidelines, President Petersen called on the one individual who requested to make public comment: 1) John Crawford—longtime resident of Eastmont—He and his wife are enjoying watching Jefferson be re-built, but there is concern that too little consideration is being given to the quality of life in that area or the preservation of open space. He recommended considering turning the space into a nature park. President Petersen thanked Mr. Crawford for his insights, noting the District is studying the topic. | PUBLIC COMMENT
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| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Superintendent Cohn thanked Jeff Moore and Mary Waggoner for setting up the budget meetings. A lot of work has gone into every detail of these events. Dr. Cohn congratulated the Jackson High School boys’ basketball team for placing second in the state 4A tournament. The conduct of District players and fans was superb. Dr. Cohn called on Cedar Wood Elementary principal David Jones who described the solar power project in which that school is involved. Dr. Jones introduced PUD Commissioner Toni Olson who presented the Board with a plaque in recognition of the partnership between Cedar Wood and PUD whereby a 2.04-kilowatt solar electric system was installed at the school. The solar array was funded through a grant by the PUD’s Planet Power participants with the goal being to raise awareness of the many benefits renewable energy resources offer. She emphasized the importance of the PUD’s partnership with Everett Public Schools. President Petersen accepted the plaque on behalf of the District and said the marriage of conservation and energy is very valuable. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
| Dr. Cohn called on Jeanne Willard and Scott Jenkins to provide an update for the 2010-2013 technology plan, reminding the Board that an update about the plan was provided at the October 20, 2009, Board meeting (E:133/10). Jeanne also distributed an additional packet of information (attached). The administrative staff will request adoption of the plan at the March 23, 2010 Board meeting, followed by submission to OSPI by April 5, 2010, for their approval.
Bob Sotak introduced staff members Tonya Neisinger, Shirley Maynard and Debbie Hickman who were recently nominated for classified staff of the year in the state. They work in the District’s Science Resource Center, housed at Hawthorne Elementary, and they do an incredible job. President Petersen presented Tonya, Shirley and Debbie with certificates of appreciation and congratulated and commended them for their accomplishments. | ||
| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The administration recommended the Board of Directors approve a tuition fee of $116 per month per student for non-special education preschool students for the 2010-2011 school year (E:134/10). This information was provided for first reading by the Board, with adoption to be recommended at a future Board meeting. Board member Olson sought clarification about whether it is preschool or kindergarten, the pre-schoolers are served at all of the developmental kindergartens, and whether there are preschools in several of the District elementary schools? Terry responded it is developmental preschool (3-5 year olds), funded by the IDEA special education grant. | PROPOSED TUITION FOR PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM (first reading) | |
| The administration provided an update on the fiscal outlook and budget development process based upon legislative budgets, progress of the Fiscal Advisory Council and format for the March 30, 2010 Board carousel meeting. Jeff Moore said it is possible that the legislative session will be extended. He distributed a packet from last night’s community meeting which describes the process (E:135/10). The next community meeting will be on March 11 at Eisenhower Middle from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The third of the series of community meetings will take place at the Longfellow annex on March 18 followed by the presentation of a draft recommendation to the Board on March 23 and then a budget “carousel” with the community on March 30 so that community members can meet one-to-one with Board members. Board members asked several questions, and Mr. Moore responded. President Petersen extended kudos to Jeff, Mary and others who have worked so diligently to help make these meetings a success.
| FISCAL OUTLOOK & BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS UPDATE
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| The Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for 2008-2009 was presented for the Board of Directors’ information (E:136/10). Jeff thanked Kim Walker, Gina Zeutenhorst and Jennifer Farmer for their work to prepare the CAFR. Gina talked about the history this report and circulated the plaques the District receives for recognition.
| COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FIN-ANCIAL REPORT FOR 2008-2009
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| The ASBO (Association of School Business Officials) and GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) awards were presented for the Board of Directors’ information (E:137/10) for the 2007-2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report. The District is one of eight school districts in the state to receive the ASBO award; this is the 22nd consecutive year Everett has received the award. The District is one of five school districts in the state to receive the GFOA award. | (ASBO) CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING & GFOA CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING FOR EPS 2007-2008 CAFR
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| Financial reports as of January 31, 2010, were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:138/10). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Jeff Moore said the picture is relatively unchanged in all funds and reflects a projected ending fund balance of $9,561,316.
| FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF JANUARY 31, 2010
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| Matt McCauley provided an update on the annual Strategic Plan progress (E:139/10), and reviewed a handout (attached). President Petersen sought clarification of the role of counselors, while Board member Andrews asked about state environmental standards. Board member Dutton requested a future presentation about GLAD training. Board member Olson said she would appreciate a presentation on Right Response training.
| 2009-2010 STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE
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| ACTION ITEMS
Proposed revised Policy 1450—Minutes, was provided for second reading and adoption (E:140/10). The second revision, presented to the Board at the February 23, 2010, Board meeting replaced the word “record” in the first sentence with the word “keep” so that the sentence would say, “The secretary of the Board or designee shall keep the minutes of all Board meetings.” Following brief discussion, Jeff Russell moved adoption of the revised Policy 1450—Minutes, Carol Andrews seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. | PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 1450—MINUTES (second reading) | |
| The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt the attached Resolution 984: Classified School Employee Week – March 8-12, 2010, in honor of the approximately 800 classified employees working with and helping children in the Everett School District (Res. 16/10). Jessica Olson moved adoption of Resolution 984, Kristie Dutton seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
| RES. 984: CLASSIFIED SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WEEK 3/8-12/10
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| The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 985: School Retirees Appreciation Week – March 15-21, 2010, in honor of school employees who have retired from active teaching, administration or a specialized field of the teaching profession (Res.17/10). Kristie Dutton moved adoption of Resolution 985, Carol Andrews seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
| RES. 985: SCHOOL RETIREES APPRECIATION WEEK 3/15-21/10
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| The Board of Directors was provided an addendum to tonight’s agenda in the form of a recommendation to revise the Board order of business so that Approval of Minutes moves to the Consent Agenda and Items 4a and 4b are added, thus setting forth more clearly that public comment is taken on items listed and not listed on the agenda (E:141/10). Board member Russell asked whether there would be a different process for adopting the agenda, to which Dr. Cohn said that will not change. When the question was asked whether a commenter can speak at this time and at Public Comment time, the answer was yes. Jeff Russell moved to adopt the revised Board order of business, Kristie Dutton seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
| ADDENDUM-- REVISION TO BOARD ORDER OF BUSINESS | |
| The Board of Directors was provided an addendum to tonight’s agenda in the form of a recommendation to post recordings of Board meetings to the District website following the approval of the regular meeting minutes for which that recording was prepared (E:142/10). Board member Olson asked why the recordings would not be posted within 24 or 48 hours. Dr. Cohn answered the Board should approve the minutes from which the recordings were drawn before both are placed on the website. Board members Dutton and Andrews agreed with posting the recording at the same time that the approved minutes are posted. Board member Olson commented that the audio-recording is a public record and there shouldn't be a delay in posting the recordings. Kristie Dutton moved to post recordings of Board meetings to the District website following the approval of the regular meeting minutes from which that recording was prepared, Jeff Russell seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.
| ADDENDUM—POSTING OF RECORDINGS TO WEBSITE
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| BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Dutton congratulated the team that assembled the first community engagement session. Board member Russell said as he has attended the SOSRs, he often hears the need for more collaboration time. The days of the individual teacher isolated in their individual classroom are over. The best instruction is done by groups of teachers who work as a team and mentor for each other. Board member Olson returned to the subject of legal invoices. It is her opinion that the Board needs to know what is being spent on attorney fees. She moved that the Board be shown copies of legal invoices. President Petersen said the subject will be discussed at a future agenda setting and taken up as a topic for consideration at a future time. President Petersen called for a ten-minute recess at 6:35 p.m. to have a rest break and adjourn to C3 to a closed session for the purpose of discussing collective bargaining, after which there would be no action. The estimated duration of the closed session was announced at 120 minutes. He noted that Board member Russell would sit in on the closed session, but cannot influence the discussion or vote on the issues. | BOARD
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| WORK/STUDY SESSION
None. | WORK/STUDY SESSION
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| EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION
At 6:45 p.m., President Petersen concluded the recess and moved into closed session concerning collective bargaining. At 8:45 p.m., the door was opened and it was announced the closed session would extend for another 60 minutes. | CLOSED SESSION—COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
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| At 9:45 p.m., President Petersen concluded the closed session, returned to the regular meeting and adjourned the meeting immediately.
_____________________________ ________________________________ Gary Cohn, Secretary Ed Petersen, President |