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 6, 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: Kristie Dutton, Ed Petersen and Jeff Russell.
    Board member Olson attended the Board meeting by telephone. Director Carol
    Andrews’ absence was excused.
    ADOPTION OF AGENDA
    President Petersen shared two changes to this evening’s agenda. The Eastmont Nature
    Park Neighborhood Group has asked to defer their presentation to a future Board
    meeting and Mr. Petersen noted the revised Personnel Report. With that, Kristie Dutton
    moved to adopt the revised agenda. Jeff Russell seconded the motion and the motion
    carried unanimously.
    ADOPTION OF
    AGENDA
    CONSENT AGENDA
    Jeff Russell moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the
    mo tion.
    a. Approval of Minutes (E:245/10);
    b. Personnel Report – REVISED (E:246/10);
    c. Voucher Lists (E:247/10);
    d. Monetary Gift of $6,000 from View Ridge PTA to View Ridge Elementary School
    to Pay for School Field Trips (E:248/10)
    The Consent Agenda was approved unanimously.
    CONSENT AGENDA
    RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
    None.
    RECOGNITION OF
    RETIREES
    PUBLIC COMMENT
    President Petersen called on the two individuals who asked to make public comment.
    Audience Comments Regarding Items Not on the Agenda:
    None.
    Audience Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda:
    1) Jenifer Tuttle
    – Jackson Elementary School parent and outgoing PTA president at
    Jackson Elementary. As she understands it, the proposed transportation changes are
    unacceptable.
    2) Galen Rainwater
    – daughter starting kindergarten next year at Jackson Elementary.
    She is very concerned with the proposed transportation changes.
    PUBLIC COMMENT
    SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
    Dr. Cohn called on Mike Gunn, Executive Director of Facilities & Operations to
    provide an update on the work surrounding the Reduced Educational Program. During
    this four-month process, a thorough examination and evaluation of the district’s
    finances and potential reduction measures was performed. The 18-member committee
    held several meetings, culminating in a series of three public meetings. The
    recommendation from this committee to the Board of Directors was to change our
    SUPT’S
    COMMENTS
    current transportation policy to be consistent with the funding model provided by the
    State of Washington. In addition, our proposal is to continue to provide transportation
    for students who face hazardous walking conditions. Mike also shared slides of
    upcoming tasks that will help communicate these changes with families throughout the
    summer (E:249/10).
    ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
    President Petersen deferred item 6a. as requested by the Eastmont Nature Park
    Neighborhood Group.
    Associate Superintendent Terry Edwards shared the progress report on the District
    Improvement Plan and a copy of tonight’s PowerPoint presentation. (E:250/10) The
    district has been required to create a three-year plan by the state. This is the end-of-year
    plan (although it is not complete since we have not received all data from the last round
    of testing). Mr. Edwards reviewed the activities and the status of the strategies that were
    implemented with the District Improvement Plan and shared the five strategies outlined
    in the PowerPoint presentation. The Board packet contains the full text of the
    District
    Improvement Plan Progress Report, July 6, 2010
    which is very similar to the Strategic
    Plan improvement report provided at the last board meeting – most of this material is
    included in the Strategic Plan as part of the district’s efforts of improvement.
    Mr. Edwards also reported on various programs, strategies and professional
    development. The AVID effort is led by JoAnne Fabian. AVID began at Everett High
    School and North Middle School; last year it was expanded to Sequoia and Cascade
    High Schools. Next year we will expand again to Jackson High School and Eisenhower
    Middle School.
    Other professional development strategies include: GLAD training; OEL (Observing
    Evidence of Learning – science teachers observe other classrooms to examine student
    behaviors and teacher behaviors to determine evidence of student learning); HQT
    (Highly Qualified Teachers) which is part of NCLB; the new reading adoption and
    associated reading assessments; and DRA (Developmental Reading Assessments) in
    which training for all elementary staff is scheduled to take place in August. In addition,
    we continue to have a reduced instructional facilitator team that works with staff
    throughout the district. We also have been working on academic achievement through
    extended day and extended year programs.
    Director Olson asked if we are using an ineffective teaching methodology for math.
    Mr. Edwards stated that the changes in the state performance expectations and our
    adopted district elementary curriculum have mismatches where materials are presented
    and where the state performance expectations and assessments are being tested. Part of
    next year’s Strategic Plan is to take an in-depth look at instructional materials to see if
    there are more effective materials available that are better aligned.
    Vice-President Dutton shared her observations, saying that in looking at this report there
    are many items under pressure due to budget decline and she appreciates the efforts to
    minimize that pressure and realizes that with the budget reductions, this work becomes
    even more difficult. The Board appreciates the fine efforts of Terry’s office.
    President Petersen asked if we have any data that helps us know the impact AVID is
    having on our students? Mr. Edwards responded that we have reports from the schools
    of AVID cohort groups and those groups are sticking together and they are not having a
    lot of attrition. We do not yet have a graduating class for AVID.
    President Petersen commented it is closely aligned with our Strategic Plan and closely
    linked to our budget. Noting that we have had cuts the last two years, he asked if Mr.
    Edwards could identify where the significant tension points are as we make budget
    decisions and get this District Improvement Plan implemented. Mr. Edwards responded
    that the pressure points are in Professional Development with drastic reductions in
    facilitators and in support classes at schools. Extended year programs are funded
    EASTMONT NATURE
    PARK NEIGHBORHOOD
    GROUP
    – Deferred
    DISTRICT
    IMPROVEMENT
    PLAN UPDATE FOR
    2009-10
    through this year with remaining categorical grants and carryover monies. This year is
    the biggest summer school, including free admission for those students who are behind
    in credits or in danger of not graduating with their class. Dr. Cohn asked about the
    status of summer school enrollment. Mr. Edwards stated that summer school
    enrollment is staggering—between 600 and 800 students.
    DISTRICT
    IMPROVEMENT
    PLAN UPDATE FOR
    2009-10
    (cont’d.)
    Financial reports as of May 31, 2010 were provided for the Board of Directors’ review
    (E:251/10). Jeff Moore summarized the quarterly financial report. A discussion
    regarding revenue contingencies offsetting expenditure contingencies followed.
    FINANCIAL
    REPORT AS OF
    MAY 31, 2010
    ACTION ITEMS
    The attached proposed revised Policy 8100 – Transportation, was provided for the
    Board of Directors for second reading and adoption (E:252/10). Discussion followed.
    Director Olson asked if the Board would be reviewing individual route reductions under
    the revised policy. The policy revision is designed to rely upon a different state
    definition of safe walking zones; the administrative implementation will follow
    procedure. Board member Dutton moved to adopt the aforementioned revised Policy
    8100. Jeff Russell seconded the motion and the motion passed three to one, with Board
    member Olson voting against.
    The attached 2010-2011 Strategic Plan was presented to the Board of Directors for
    second reading and adoption (E:253/10) Associate Superintendent Matt McCauley
    shared the changes to the Strategic Plan document. Discussion ensued regarding the cost
    of the new student information system and how it affects student achievement.
    President Petersen also requested clarifying changes to the Strategic Plan document as
    well as conversation on the good work put into developing and updating the Strategic
    Plan document. Board member Olson stated that the Strategic Plans are a waste of time.
    Board member Russell moved to adopt the aforementioned 2010-2011 Strategic Plan.
    Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. The motion carried three to one, with Board
    member Olson voting against.
    The administration recommended the Board of Directors adopt Resolution 1003 for the
    attached fiscal year 2010-2011 operating budget for all district funds (Res.34/10).
    Discussion followed. President Petersen recessed the regular board meeting to hold a
    public hearing on the fiscal year 2010-11 budget. No public comments were offered.
    President Petersen closed the public hearing and immediately re-convened the regular
    board meeting. Board member Dutton moved to adopt Resolution 1003 – Fiscal Year
    2010-2011 Budget. Jeff Russell seconded the budget as presented. The motion carried
    unanimously. The Board and Superintendent Cohn thanked the staff and community for
    their hard work during this process.
    The administration presented the
    BoardDocs
    Paperless Agenda Solutions. George
    Amend, from
    BoardDocs
    , provided the Board an interactive, online presentation and
    addressed numerous questions (E:254/10). The Board was excited to hear that their
    home computers would be free of Board documents and that this would be such a great
    time-saving tool along with the other abilities this system offers. Board member Olson
    moved to accept the
    BoardDocs
    Paperless Agenda Solutions system. Jeff Russell
    seconded. Dr. Cohn asked if that meant the Board would authorize the superintendent
    to enter into a contract with
    BoardDocs
    to effect the implementation of the system as
    early as possible, hopefully in September, possibly October. President Petersen
    determined that was the intent of the motion, and agreed. The motion passed
    unanimously .
    PROPOSED
    REVISED POLICY
    8100 –
    TRANSPORTATION
    (regarding walking distance
    and clarifying definition of
    hazardous walking
    conditions – 2
    nd
    reading/adoption)
    2010-2011
    STRATEGIC PLAN
    (2
    nd
    reading/ adoption)
    PUBLIC HEARING
    & ADOPTION:
    RESOLUTION 1003
    – FISCAL YEAR
    2010-2011 BUDGET
    BOARDDOCS
    PAPERLESS
    AGENDA
    SOLUTIONS
    BOARD COMMENTS
    President Petersen called for comments. Board member Olson shared that the Board
    violated the Open Public Meetings Act during their June 22, 2010 executive session to
    discuss the performance of a public employee. During this meeting, preliminary
    scores/data from OSPI were discussed as part of the superintendent’s performance.
    Board member Olson suggested the Board receive training on the OPMA.
    Board member Dutton shared her appreciation for the budget reduction work, including
    the public process. The decisions are quite transparent and quite accountable to our
    public. The budget pressures are very real and more difficult choices will need to be
    made. The strategic planning process will help us maintain and increase student
    achievement, which is our directive. It will also help us identify and prioritize other
    important processes as we move forward.
    Jeff Russell thanked those involved with the soccer camp held last week at Walter E.
    Hall Park. The layout was impressive and the eagerness of those involved was even
    better. This was a prime example of community engagement with young people and
    their families.
    President Petersen spoke of the very arduous process the Board has gone through since
    December as they all got to know each other. Transparency issues were addressed, our
    current Strategic Plan has been updated and we have embarked on a whole series of
    community engagement activities. The commitment to the work by all Board members
    has been impressive. It has been arduous and beyond what any of the Board members
    signed up for. President Petersen thanked the Board for their hard work and for keeping
    the issues of student achievement at the heart of all conversations.
    President Petersen adjourned the regular Board meeting at 7:20 pm. for a 10-minute
    recess.
    BOARD
    COMMENTS
    WORK/STUDY SESSION
    President Petersen re-convened the regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. to discuss Strategic
    Plan Study Session #4: Social Pressure and Student Success (E:255/10).
    STRATEGIC PLAN
    STUDY SESSION #4:
    SOCIAL PRESSURE
    & STUDENT
    SUCCESS
    EXECUTIVE/CLOSED SESSION
    None.
    President Petersen adjourned the regular meeting at 9:40 p.m.
    _____________________________
    ________________________________
    Gary Cohn, Secretary
    Ed Petersen, President

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