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, November 23, 2004, 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. |
| |
|
ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Dutton called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead noted that the Board would be presented with a revised personnel report. With that, Sue Cooper moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Roy Yates seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
|
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Paul Roberts moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of November 12, 2004. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
|
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Dr. Whitehead recalled that at the last Board meeting, a Durham bus driver and a Penny Creek student were recognized for saving the life of a Penny Creek student who began to choke while riding the bus. The student saw her friend choking and alerted the bus driver who stopped the bus and performed the Heimlich maneuver, successfully dislodging the object and re-opening the youngster’s breathing passage. Coincidentally, at tonight’s meeting, two Jackson Elementary School cafeteria workers were recognized for saving the life of a colleague who also choked. They, too, successfully performed the Heimlich maneuver. Supervisor of Food and Nutrition Services Debbie Webber introduced Jeanne Mitchell and Bev Zevenbergen. Jeanne commented, saying she is thankful to have had training on the Heimlich. She also introduced her husband, Phil. Dr. Whitehead said she is pleased that the District continues to make it possible for staff to receive this and other important lifesaving training. On behalf of the Board, President Dutton commended Jeanne and Bev for their heroic efforts. | ||
| Dr. Whitehead called on Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations Jeff Riddle to update the Board on the District facilities plan. As part of the 2002 bond issue, he indicated that the District will be considering parking options for Everett High School, including construction of a new parking lot and preparation of a master plan for the long-term expansion of parking at Everett High School. Cost studies will be conducted. Dr. Whitehead cautioned that the whole topic could be controversial in the neighborhood surrounding Everett High School. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS
| |
|
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION Executive Director for Curriculum Implementation and Alignment Terry Edwards and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mary Ann Stine presented information about the District’s on-time graduation plan. They distributed a copy of their PowerPoint presentation (E:46/05). |
PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
PRESENTATION—On-Time Graduation Plan
| |
|
Terry began by saying the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Act has placed growing
emphasis on increasing graduation rates and reducing dropout rates. However,
he said, graduation rates are not the flip side of the dropout rate. Over the
years, the state’s dropout rate has remained relatively unchanged at three
percent. There is no universally-accepted definition of a “dropout,”
; although they are typically defined as students who leave school before they
graduate from high school with a regular diploma. The new NCLB definition of a
graduate considers those who receive a GED (General Education Development)
certificate or who finish their secondary education with an IEP (individualized
education program) diploma as dropouts. Also, if a student is of an “
unknown” status, they are considered a dropout. With the advent of NCLB,
“cohort” rates (the number of students who drop out from the
beginning of grade 9 through the end of grade 12) have become the more
commonly-used measurement for dropout rates. However, “annual”
dropout rates (the number of students who leave in one year) are also used.
Thus, the national dropout rate varies anywhere from four to 30 percent,
depending upon the method and definition used.
Two years ago, the Manhattan Institute conducted a study and estimated graduation rates in the state at 67 percent. For 2003, that number was at 66 percent while Everett’s graduation rate for 2003 was approximately 53 percent. | PRESENTATION— ON-TIME GRADUATION PLAN (CONT’D.) | |
|
In order to identify and address the obstacles for students to graduate, an
on-time graduation committee, or taskforce, was convened this fall. Its goal
was to ensure each student progresses toward and achieves graduation. It was
led by Karst Brandsma and Mary Ann Stine. Three subcommittees were formed:
Terry Edwards chaired the subcommittee to gather data and seek ways to manage
the data; Jim McNally chaired the communications planning subcommittee; and
Kris McDowell and Lynn Evans co-chaired a subcommittee to design interventions
to assist schools with on-time graduation requirements. Committee members
present tonight were Lance Peters, Sarah Hatfield, Brenda Fuglevand, Greg
Gelderman and Becky Ballbach.
Mary Ann Stine indicated that the taskforce held six meetings between October 18 and November 16. Using a planning template, three groupings of projects were identified and prioritized: 1) immediate projects that can be accomplished by February 1, 2005; 2) short-term projects that will be completed in the summer of 2005; and 3) mid-term projects to be completed during the 2005-2006 school year. During the course of tonight’s presentation, Mary Ann outlined one of the taskforce’s short-term goals as being a revision of the District graduation requirement policy. President Dutton requested clarification, to which Terry said work is being done with the state and the community college to develop a process. A report to the Board will be provided in the spring. When asked about Everett’s chosen method of reporting dropout rates, Terry replied that the state’s method will be used. It is not a matter of counting noses; rather, it is a derived number. Terry also said that establishing timelines has been key to the committee’s work.
Board member Yates recalled that the District has been challenged with meeting budget needs in recent years, so he asked whether there will be money available to address the request for additional staff (Success Coordinator). Terry said that some of the District’s I-728 funds will help, as will re-assessing and re-directing how dollars are spent. Wherever possible, new costs will be addressed with grant dollars. Dr. Whitehead said the Administration hopes that funding can be accomplished by re-claiming dropouts. In any event, said Terry, NCLB has elevated graduation rate from an “ought to do” to a “have to do” priority. When asked whether one Success Coordinator will be assigned for all schools or if there will be one at each school, Terry said one person will be hired, reporting out of Terry’s department and working with Becky Ballbach. Additional staff may be needed in the future.
Board member Roberts said he appreciates the focus on addressing dropouts earlier in a student’s school career. He asked whether data could be compiled that would give a sense of the magnitude of the problem. Terry talked about the complexities of tracking students who “disappear” from the system. Those who disappear, combined with those who overtly say they are dropping out of school, amounts to eight or nine percent each year at 8th and 9th grades, lessens in the junior year and then spikes in the senior year to perhaps 12 percent. Impacting students who disappear from the system is difficult, although Karst has done a great deal of work over the last few years re-connecting with, and bringing back into the system, youngsters who have dropped out. Not only does the District want to retrieve the dropouts, emphasis should also be placed on school success and engagement—that will be the key to success. The District is doing great things to impact these numbers. Dr. Whitehead noted that urban school districts, which includes Everett, have higher dropout rates.
Under the “immediate” priorities, the question was asked about the role of a District “Truancy Officer” and Becca requirements. Terry replied that a person already on staff at the central office will be assigned this role. Currently, District staff members already file Becca petitions.
Board member Yates asked about the challenges of assigning and implementing grades by credits. Terry said the concept is being reviewed, including ramifications relating to preparing state reports. As of next semester, the process would start at 9th grade, thus causing the high school experience to become more like a college to the students. In order to get the benefit for the state report, the plan will need to be implemented for all four grades at the same time rather than beginning with only the incoming ninth graders. Using the process of assigning grade levels based on credits earned will also help when communicating with parents. Dr. Whitehead said it is important that the change not be a punitive measure for the students; rather, it should be positive and reinforcing. In the long term, this change will be easier to understand and will offer a number of benefits. In the short-term, it will be challenging because, for example, there will be some students who will be seniors, yet they do not have the credits to be seniors.
Terry noted that students can fail four semester classes before they will not graduate with their class—however, it is possible for a student to fail four classes in just one semester. He said the idea of building individual student profiles beginning in ninth grade will help identify students now who need to get back on track rather than waiting to identify them when they are juniors or seniors. This strategy can be applied to middle school students as well. Some interventions may include adding a zero, or seventh, period during the day to help students get credits in the school year rather than in the summer. In addition, District online offerings are growing and serve as a method to get credits. Next semester, 300 seats will be available for online courses compared to 120 this semester.
When asked about the role of the counselors in the process for helping students, Terry said it is his belief that the counselor has too few choices to connect a student to an intervention and help the student get back on track. In fact, the counseling function actually happens when the counselor has the student and the data together at the same time; thus, using technology to do a credits check, for example, will expedite providing assistance to the student.
In closing, Dr. Whitehead said a team, composed of committee members, will visit each site to talk about the work of the committee. Dr. Whitehead will be on hand to help set the expectations. The presentations will follow much the same course as when Dr. Whitehead made budget talks to staff.
On behalf of the Board, President Dutton expressed appreciation to the committee for their hard work. It is critical that progress be made in this area. |
PRESENTATION— ON-TIME GRADUATION PLAN (CONT’D.)
PRESENTATION— ON-TIME GRADUATION PLAN (CONT’D.) | |
|
Financial Reports as of October 31, 2004, were provided for the Board of
Directors’ review (E:47/05). The reports include year-to-date information
on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an
investment summary.
Jeff Riddle said non-employee costs are about the same as last year. However, labor costs will increase by approximately $4 million for the year. Revenues are up. For the year, it appears the fund balance will be “spent down” by approximately $1.2 million. |
FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF OCTOBER 31, 2004
| |
|
ACTION ITEMS Roy Yates moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda and Sue Cooper seconded the motion. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
The motion carried unanimously. |
| |
|
BOARD COMMENTS Board member Cooper reported that she and Board member Madsen attended the Board site visit to Madison Elementary School. It was encouraging to hear about the school’s dedication and focus. Board member Madsen said there was no excuse-making; it was clear the school is focusing on its challenges. The site feels they get tremendous support from central staff. When the principal was asked whether there is anything the school is not getting in terms of support, he could not think of anything. Overall, said Ms. Madsen, it was a superb visit.
Board member Madsen reported that the WSSDA Fall Conference was very good and solidly successful. Everett had a strong presence. Dr. Whitehead had a great presentation, and served well on a panel. OSPI Superintendent Terry Bergeson also did a fine job. Dr. Whitehead noted that she had the honor of passing the “crown” of Superintendent of the Year to Art Jarvis, superintendent from Enumclaw. |
BOARD COMMENTS
| |
|
The Board discussed its self-evaluation.
Dr. Whitehead reminded the Board that they recently received documents from
last year’s self-evaluation, which involved using two instruments
(E:57/05). The Board discussed whether they would use both documents again
this year, use just one of the documents or create an instrument that is a
combination of the two evaluations. It was decided to use the self-evaluation
instrument that had been used alone for the few years prior to last year (Item
#1). Board members will complete the document and return it to the
Superintendent’s office by December 1 for compilation and discussion at
the December 14 Board meeting.
|
BOARD SELF-EVALUATION BOARD SELF-EVALUATION (cont’d.) | |
At 5:45 p.m., the Board moved into a study session to discuss development of a
new Board member orientation plan.
Dr. Whitehead reported that Board Procedure 1111P—Candidate Orientation,
is in place for use when working with candidates for the Board (E:58/05). As
soon as candidates file, they are sent a letter along with a packet of
information as outlined in the procedure. In addition, any information that is
public is shared with them, including the District budget, copies of the
schools’ “report cards,” a “Welcome to the District”
packet, and the Strategic Plan. Access to a District computer is provided if
the candidate requests it. In addition, Dr. Whitehead is available to meet
with candidates. This is the same process she has seen used in each district
she has worked.
Regarding orienting new board members, Dr. Whitehead’s experience in
Tacoma and Bremerton was that meetings were arranged for the new board member
with department heads, the superintendent’s cabinet, the superintendent
and a board member. A packet of information was provided and reviewed with the
new board member. The district’s attorney met with the new board member
and reviewed the legalities of being a board member, including discussing
conflicts of interest. Knowledge of the Open Public Meetings Act is important
for the new board member. In fact, it is a good idea for the whole board to
get a “refresher” on some of this information each year.
Dr. Whitehead recommended that the superintendent build a list of items that it
is important to share with a new board member. She noted that as secretary to
the board, it is her responsibility to ensure that the Board has the
information it needs and it is the Board’s responsibility to determine how
they use the information.
The Board made other suggestions for orientation such as reviewing the district
organization chart with the new board member; telling new members about WSSDA
and the services it provides; attending the WSSDA conference; sharing protocols
for labor negotiations; reviewing the board self-evaluation form; and
outlining the do’s and don’ts of being a board member. It was
recommended that the board chair take responsibility for ensuring the new
person has appropriate WSSDA materials and go with that person to the classes.
It was suggested that perhaps a board candidate should have some of this
information (board member expectations from WSSDA and the self-evaluation
document) even before they file for office.
The Board asked Dr. Whitehead to prepare draft policies and procedures for new
board members and board candidates. She will survey other school districts to
determine whether they have any such policies/procedures. The Board will
review the drafts. Board member Madsen will contact WSSDA to obtain a packet
of materials for new board members. | STUDY SESSION— New Board Member Orientation Plan | |
With no further comments, President Dutton adjourned the regular meeting at
6:10 p.m.
___________________________ ________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary
Kristie Dutton, President |