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, July 8, 2003, beginning at 4:30 p.m.,
in the Board Room of the Educational Service Center, 4730 Colby Avenue,
Everett, Washington. Those in attendance were Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton,
Karen Madsen, Paul Roberts and Roy Yates. (Note: Mr. Yates arrived
immediately following approval of the minutes.) In the absence of
Superintendent Whitehead, Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations
Jeff Riddle served as Secretary Pro Tem. |
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Madsen called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Associate
Superintendent Riddle announced that the Board would be presented with a
revised Personnel Report and requested that Item 6c—Presentation:
Energy/Indoor Air Quality, be added to the agenda. With no further changes,
Paul Roberts moved to adopt the Board’s agenda, as revised, and Sue Cooper
seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. |
ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Sue Cooper moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of June 24,
2003. Paul Roberts seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Jeff Riddle introduced Karen Crowley, of United Way, who presented the District
with that organization’s Best of Trade award, an honor the District has
received for the last two years. She commended the District for its stellar
leadership and thanked Susan Auchterlonie and Lisa Parkinson, of the Everett
Public Schools Foundation, for their work in coordinating the District’s
United Way campaign. Karen acknowledged the District as one of United Way’
;s most supportive partners.
The Board thanked United Way for this special honor. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Madsen reported that two Public Comment cards were submitted:
1)
Tim Austin—referred to meetings that have been, and will be, held at
Jackson High School regarding its culminating exhibition (CE) program and the
school’s commencement exercises. Although both are serious issues,
concerns about JHS are much broader and complex, said he. He referenced “
experiments” that have been conducted at JHS, some dating back to the
opening of the school, such as the 4x4 schedule, modified grading policy, CE,
requiring participation in the University of Washington English curriculum of
all seniors at JHS, and integrated math (a failed experiment, in his opinion,
that was abolished). Regarding integrated math, Mr. Austin said he is not
aware of remediation efforts to fix that failed experiment. Of more concern to
Mr. Austin is the senior humanities curriculum which requires all seniors to
participate in the University of Washington English curriculum—anecdotal
evidence shows this is a failed experiment with no opportunity for remediation
since it is a requirement being directed at seniors. It is Mr. Austin’s
plan to request the following information relativ
e to experiments that have been conducted over the last few months: a copy of
the plan by which the experiment was conducted, including the hypothesis;
conditions of the experiment; the empirical data gathered during the course of
the experiment; and the remediation plan. Mr. Austin wants proof that these
experiments are working and, if they are not working, he wants them terminated
and remediated. |
PUBLIC COMMENTS | |
2)
Carey Hamilton (mother) and Michael Hamilton (son)—They are unhappy about
the elimination of middle school basketball. Mrs. Hamilton wanted her
daughter, a North Middle School student, to be able to play basketball. She
feels her opinion was not heard when making the decision to eliminate middle
school basketball. Her son supports her position.
President Madsen thanked the speakers for sharing their thoughts.
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PUBLIC COMMENTS (cont’d.)
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
Director of Communications Gay Campbell reported that no retirees were present
at tonight’s meeting. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented an overview of the preliminary 2003-2004 General
Fund Budget. The Administration will recommend formal adoption of budgets for
all funds at the August 26, 2003, Board meeting.
Director of Finance Jeff Moore opened the presentation by thanking the Board
and administration for the strong collaborative working relationship that
exists between the District’s business and instructional divisions, a
partnership that contributes greatly to the fiscal stability of the District.
He thanked Jeff Riddle for his support and leadership, and he acknowledged the
yeoman efforts of Karen Buchmann and Shirley Rochon, District budget analysts.
Jeff noted that tonight’s presentation represents only a draft of the
District budget due to the state’s delayed approval of a formal budget.
In fact, it was just last week that District staff members were able to access
the budget to begin inputting data. Nevertheless, Everett’s budget,
although adjusted to reflect state funding reductions, continues to fund
District priorities and uses the Strategic Plan to help guide allocations.
Flat enrollments are projected, and expenditures are expected to exceed
revenues. However, revenues are estimated conservatively, while expenditures
are estimated liberally. A list of proposed reductions are accessible on the
District website. Jeff listed the major changes in revenues and expenditures
(E:174/03). He also provided a history of the budget committee that convened
last spring to set priorities and formulate the budget.
Jeff said the total available resources equal $137.6 million and the estimated
expenditures equal $144.6 million. Using a beginning fund balance of $10.8
million, adding revenue of $139.4 million, and subtracting expenditures of
$144.6 million, the ending funding balance equals $5.6 million.
Among the unknowns are the final form of the OSPI budget structure, the amount
of the actual special ed reduction, enrollment figures, future levy authority,
and the outcome of negotiations.
President Madsen thanked Jeff for his thorough report. Board member Roberts
noted that the Board appreciates the lateness of the state’s projections
and thanked Jeff for his department’s efforts to develop a budget.
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PRESENTATION—PRELIMINARY GENERAL FUND BUDGET FOR FY 2003-2004 | |
Financial Reports were provided for the Board of Directors’ review
(E:175/03). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and
expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment
summary. Jeff Riddle reported that expenditures are holding more
conservatively than anticipated.
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FINANCIAL REPORTS
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Director of Maintenance & Operations Gary Jefferis presented a report on
the District’s energy and indoor environment program. He shared a copy of
the District Indoor Environment Manual (E:176/03). The program began in 1994
as a result of the need to close a District middle school to address indoor
environment issues. Among the issues associated with the middle school in
question were that it was an extremely “tight” building, its relative
humidity, and its carbon dioxide levels. At the time, there was no baseline
data in existence for comparison purposes, and no standards or established
criteria for children. With the approval of his supervisor (Jeff Riddle), Gary
set about developing a plan. The plan contains a management structure; a
communications process; standard/performance criteria; and preventive measures.
Gary described the District’s positive relationship with the PUD. He
stressed the need for energy conservation and cited potential dollar savings
through staff awareness, system improvements and modifying operational
procedures.
President Madsen thanked Gary for his informative presentation. Board member
Cooper noted that during Board visits to sites, they often hear about the
positive responsiveness of the Maintenance department. |
PRESENTATION—ENERGY/INDOOR AIR QUALITY
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ACTION ITEMS
Roy Yates moved for adoption of the following Consent Agenda items and Paul
Roberts seconded the motion:
| CONSENT AGENDA | |
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the selection of
Wittco Systems, Inc., to provide copiers, duplicators and related services, and
authorize the Administration to negotiate and enter into an agreement with
Wittco Systems, Inc. (E:185/03). Awarding this contract will serve to
consolidate copier and duplicator services across the District. In the event
the District is not successful in negotiating an agreement with Wittco Systems,
Inc., the Administration will recommend an alternate firm.
Jeff Moore introduced Supervisor of Procurement Jennifer Farmer who described
the RFP (request for proposal) process. Among the reasons for pursuing a
single contractor arrangement were to bring consistency of service, supplies
and training to District equipment. In addition, the District wants to
streamline its purchase order management procedure. It also has as its goal to
bring machines on line over a five-year time span so that all agreements would
eventually have the same termination date.
A representative committee reviewed the seven RFPs that were received and
Wittco Systems was the company of choice. Present at tonight’s meeting
were Bill Witt and Shawn O’Connell of Wittco Systems.
When asked about the evaluative process that will be followed, Jennifer said
District staff will be monitoring the contract on a monthly basis. In
addition, Jennifer will work with the schools and solicit feedback on an
ongoing basis.
With no further discussion, Sue Cooper moved to approve the aforementioned
selection of Wittco Systems to provide copiers, duplicators and related
services, and authorize the Administration to negotiate and enter into an
agreement with Wittco Systems, Inc. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the
motion carried unanimously. |
AWARD OF CONTRACT: COPIERS, DUPLICATORS & RELATED SVCS.
AWARD OF CONTRACT: COPIERS, DUPLICATORS & RELATED SVCS. (cont’d.) |
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The Administration recommended approval of Resolution 772 authorizing the sale,
issuance and delivery of $22,600,000 of the District’s Unlimited Tax
General Obligation Bonds, 2003, to provide money for the purpose of providing
the funds necessary to refund certain of the outstanding unlimited tax general
obligation bonds of the District; providing unlimited tax general obligation
bonds of the District; providing and authorizing the purchase of certain
obligations with the proceeds of the sale of such refunding bonds, and for the
use and application of the monies to be derived from such investments;
providing for the redemption of the outstanding bonds to be refunded; providing
the date, form, terms and maturities of said refunding bonds and for unlimited
tax levies to pay the principal thereof and interest thereon; and approving
the sale of such bonds (Res.16/03).
Jeff Riddle reported that representatives went to market this morning and got
very good interest rates. By using the District’s A+ rating along with
the state’s rating, the District was able to sell the bonds without
insurance. The bonds will close in September. Jeff introduced Jack Eaton, of
Citigroup, and Jay Rich, an attorney with Preston Gates and Ellis.
With no further discussion, Roy Yates moved to adopt the aforementioned
Resolution 772. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried
unanimously. | RESOLUTION 772: UNLIMITED TAX GENERAL OBLIGATION REFUNDING BONDS, 2003 |
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BOARD COMMENTS
President Madsen welcomed four students from the University of Washington,
Bothell campus, who were in attendance at tonight’s meeting. They are
part of that university’s teacher certification program.
With no further comments, President Madsen adjourned the regular meeting at
5:55 p.m. |
BOARD COMMENTS
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_________________________ ________________________________
Jeff Riddle, Secretary Pro Tem Karen Madsen, President
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