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, May 10, 2005, 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: Board member Roberts arrived at 5:05 p.m .} |
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Yates called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead reported that the Board would be presented with a revised Personnel Report. With that, Karen Madsen moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and 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 April 26, 2005. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead referenced a front-page article in today’s edition of The Herald . It concerned an ongoing investigation at Everett High School regarding a complaint of discrimination. As soon as the District was made aware of the complaint, an outside person was hired to investigate. If there is discrimination, the District wants to know about it and prepare a plan to correct it. Every complaint is taken seriously. It is important that all students and staff are treated in a respectful manner. At this point, regardless of what was said in the article, the results of the investigation are unknown. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
| Next, Dr. Whitehead called on Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma to talk about a review of a program at North Middle School. Recommendations will be presented to the Board. Program reviews are not uncommon and have been conducted in areas such as vocational education, special services and athletics. ASMS (Arts & Sciences in Middle School) is a school-based program housed at North Middle School which promotes a hands-on exploratory approach using arts and sciences. It is completing its seventh year at that site. During that time, the District has experienced new leadership, new federal accountability standards, has continued refining with the Strategic Plan, and experienced changes in staff and emphases at that school. Joan Watt, a retired principal and former interim superintendent in Shoreline, is conducting the review. She has held focus groups; community forums; and discussions with staff, students and the Administration. A report will be forthcoming by the end of the school year and will be shared with the Board. | ||
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In the area of community partners, Dr. Whitehead reported that the District has
received $3,000 in vouchers from The Boeing Company’s surplus store which will be used by the schools to purchase supplies and equipment. In addition, the Assistance League donated $350 per school ($8,750) to purchase library books for school libraries.
Dr. Whitehead noted that the increase in offerings of challenging options at each of the District high schools and middle schools is demonstrated by the fact that last year, 240 students signed up to take advanced placement (AP) examinations. This year, 393 signed up, an impressive increase. This year’s AP tests are in the process of being administered. Each school and each exam has its own schedule, beginning May 2 at Sequoia High School and ending on May 11 at Jackson High School.
Dr. Whitehead called on Eisenhower Middle School principal David Jones to report on a recent honor for that school. Dr. Jones said that Eisenhower is one of four schools (out of a field of 140) in the nation to be selected by the National Middle School Association (NMSA) for their overall efforts to be a healthy school. This is the highest award given to a middle school by the NMSA. Dr. Jones introduced Toy Piekarski and Karen Stolworthy who, along with Lisa Hoffman, have been leaders in the furtherance of these efforts. Eisenhower is being recognized for: increased achievement scores; reduction in HIB (harassment, intimidation and bullying) on campus; increase in staff wellness; and implementing the District’s new nutrition policy. The award will be presented at a conference in Philadelphia next fall. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
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PUBLIC COMMENT President Yates announced that four Public Comment cards were submitted. After outlining the guidelines for comments to the Board, President Yates recognized: 1) Kevin Massengale —parent—spoke about the automated cash receipting system that appears on tonight’s Consent Agenda. His questions about the system dealt with its product life, cost benefits, existing system cost, value of data collection, compatibility with the computer system the District uses, unforeseen costs, and costs of labor. He reported that his wife has asked these questions previously, but did not receive a satisfactory answer. 2) Alyssa Massengale —student at Everett High School—expressed concern about the adoption of certain instructional materials for high school biology. She said even honor students were confused by the subject matter during the one-month pilot. Students were unable to ask questions; therefore, they did not get answers. In her opinion, students did not learn from this book. She recommended keeping the current textbook. 3) Mark Sutton —District employee and member of SEIU—commented about contract negotiations and attempts to merge into one bargaining unit the workers in the information systems technicians group and the grounds, warehouse, food service and custodial members. He urged District management to allow the groups to merge and bargain at one table. 4) Terrie Messick —District employee and member of the information systems technicians group. She urged District management to allow the groups to merge and bargain at one table. | PUBLIC COMMENT | |
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES Director of Communications Gay Campbell reported that three retirees were present tonight: 1) Clint White —is an administrator in the District and was previously at Gateway Middle School—has been in the District for eight years. Gateway Middle School principal Cathy Woods commented about Clint’s assignments at Gateway. Clint said he plans to garden and travel. He appreciates the opportunity to have worked in the District. He introduced his wife Susan (Sid). | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
| 2) Michael Standal —currently at Whittier Elementary—has 32 yrs in education, 19 of them in Everett Public Schools. Whittier principal Mark Toland talked about the many activities Michael has organized and/or participated in while at Whittier, including Jump Rope for Heart, bowling and various gymnastic functions. Michael also took a lead role in the school’s safety program. Michael said he has had a good career and continues to hold firm to the belief that physical fitness in children is important. | ||
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3) Janice Johnson
—administrator in the District—has been in education for 25 years,
three of them in Everett. Terry Edwards commented about Jan’s educational
career that took her from Riverside, California, to Toppenish, Washington, to
Bellevue, Washington, where she worked for 28 years before coming to Everett
three years ago. Her assignments in Everett have involved challenging options,
advanced placement, homeless education and early childhood. She has
approached each assignment with enthusiasm and energy. Jan commented that she
has enjoyed her work and looks forward to begin working with the Bureau of
Education and Research (in Bellevue) to develop educational videos.
President Yates congratulated each of the retirees, thanked them for their many years of service and presented them with crystal memento apples. |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES (cont’d.) | |
| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented a summary of this year’s state-of-the-school reviews (SOSRs). Karst Brandsma introduced Executive Directors for Area 1 Jim McNally and, for Area 2, Lynn Evans. They used a PowerPoint presentation and began by reviewing the supervision/evaluation cycle for schools (E:156/05). Adapting and adjusting is essential to keeping up with this cycle. Lynn and Jim talked about the components of school improvement planning and described the revised configuration for this year’s SOSRs. They showed the outline of the SOSR agenda and commented that the schools were expected to reflect on the data they presented. They were asked to consider areas where they were proficient as well as areas where there were challenges. It was noted that SOSRs were scheduled deliberately in the middle of the school year.
{Board member Roberts arrived at this point in the meeting.}
A sample school improvement plan and SOSR summary were shown. Jim said feedback about the SOSRs was sought from a number of sources including the Superintendent’s Cabinet. Although it was acknowledged that it is challenging to condense a year’s worth of work into one hour, staff also reported that they learned a great deal from one another during the SOSR presentations.
Board member Madsen said it was a pleasure to attend the SOSRs and she appreciates the fact that the Board is included. In her opinion, the school leadership has broadened from the principal to include lead teachers, which clearly helps a school move forward. Dr. Whitehead noted that the schools and administration appreciated having the Board at the SOSRs. Board member Cooper said it is encouraging to see that the focus is on students, both as a group and individually, and using data to determine how to help. | STATE-OF-THE-SCHOOL REVIEWS SUMMARY | |
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The proposed revised Policy 2410—Graduation Requirements, was presented to
the Board of Directors for first reading, with adoption to be requested at a
future Board meeting (E:157/05). Karst Brandsma said the recommended changes
bring the policy in line with the State Board of Education’s changes
effective for this year’s ninth graders (class of 2008). The District may
have additional graduation requirements, but must include all of the State
Board of Education’s requirements. Tonight’s revisions include three
changes: a high school-and-beyond plan; a Certificate of Academic Achievement
(CAA) or a Certificate of Individual Achievement (CIA); and language addressing
a culminating project.
Dr. Whitehead said the policy revisions will appear on the next Board agenda for approval so they can be finalized for graduation this year. | PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 2410—GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS— 1st READING | |
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ACTION ITEMS Prior to action on the Consent Agenda, Board member Madsen requested that Item 3, regarding proposed adoption of new instructional materials in Science, English, World Language and Mathematics, be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed as an action item for discussion. Paul Roberts moved for modification of the Consent Agenda as requested. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. With that, Paul Roberts moved for adoption of the following revised Consent Agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
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Board member Madsen opened the discussion of the proposed adoption of new
instructional materials in Science, English, World Language and Mathematics
(E:167/05). Her questions dealt with the process that was used for examination
of the biology materials. Terry Edwards said that a review of research around
instructional materials in biology was conducted. Next, a short list of
materials was developed and then analyzed across the District for coordination
with State standards. The materials were used as a pilot for a finite unit,
not a full year. K-12 Science Specialist Bob Sotak commented that the limited
pilot included seeking content-rich materials. A teacher team selected two
sets of criteria against which to judge the materials. The first screen
involved 14 different biology books, including that which is being used
currently. A standards trace was completed. One book matched well and one had
gaps. Both programs were inquiry-based and engaged students. The limited
field test only examined particular units. The field test was valuable, but
the results were mixed. Different teachers chose to use different parts of
the books. Some teachers chose not to do some of the hands-on pieces. There
were a variety of teacher responses and some teachers were uncomfortable
because they like what they are doing. There is a different instructional
strategy with this book. Students are in charge of their own learning, and
teachers are not in front of the class as much. It involves a shift of student
expectations as well. Bob noted that he had not previously heard the kind of
comments such as were brought forth during today’s Public Comment period.
With no further discussion, Karen Madsen moved for adoption of the aforementioned instructional materials. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
| PROPOSED ADOPTION OF NEW INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN SCIENCE, ENGLISH, WORLD LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICS | |
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BOARD COMMENTS Board member Madsen thanked her Board colleagues for their support of her attendance at the recent Washington State PTA convention. Dr. Whitehead was a conference presenter and did an excellent job. She commended Dr. Whitehead and Gay Campbell for their work in preparing the presentation. Board member Madsen then reported that she was the Board representative on a site visit to Jackson High School. Jackson’s new principal, Terry Cheshire, is appreciative of the immense support he has received. The new area at Jackson High School is open and is very nice.
Board member Dutton commented that she drove by Emerson Elementary and saw the portable that is in place for the new office. Things appear to be progressing. | BOARD COMMENTS | |
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BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION A study session was held concerning the future review process and update of the District’s graduation requirements (E:169/05). Using a PowerPoint presentation, Terry Edwards showed the District’s current graduation requirements. Next, he shared the minimum four-year college entrance requirements followed by the proposed changes to these requirements by the Higher Education Board. He outlined the issues and concerns for establishing District graduation requirements including having a minimum core of classes vs. a maximum load; addressing the whole range of learners; and adequate yearly progress (AYP) and graduation. He provided an overview of the ten-step review process: select Executive Committee; explore issues; gather community input; draft changes; gather community comments; revise draft; present to Board of Directors for first reading; gather input; recommend Board action; and implement the plan. He reviewed the timeline for accomplishing this work and said implementation would take place in the Fall of 2006 for the graduating class of 2010.
Dr. Whitehead said this undertaking will be a difficult task which will generate controversy.
When asked whether there are school districts who have followed a similar process and from whom information can be gathered, Terry replied that Snohomish and Bellevue are two examples. However, the District needs to ask itself, “Where do we want to move as a community?”
Karst called for questions, comments and/or concerns. Board member Madsen noted that the timeline is brisk but appropriate. |
STUDY SESSION— FUTURE REVIEW PROCESS & UPDATE OF DISTRICT GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
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With no further comments, President Yates adjourned the regular meeting at
6:15 p.m.
___________________________ ________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary
Roy Yates, President |