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, October 25, 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 Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen, Sue Cooper, Paul Roberts and Roy Yates. |
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ADOPTION OF AGENDA President Yates called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Carol Whitehead reported that there would be a revised personnel report. With that, Sue Cooper moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Paul Roberts seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
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SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead opened her comments by calling on Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma who introduced the interim director for the Everett Public Schools Foundation (EPSF), Dick Haines. Mr. Haines will serve in an interim capacity while the search for a new executive director continues. He said he is excited to be offered this opportunity and looks forward to acquainting more of the community with the good works of the EPSF. On behalf of the school Board, President Yates welcomed Mr. Haines. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
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Next, Executive Director for Area One Jim McNally talked about recent events
organized by Everett High School and North Middle School to improve the climate
and involve the community. He called on the schools’ principals,
Catherine Matthews and Kelly Shepherd, to describe the activities. Catherine
said that, at the recommendation of Van Kuno, of Refugee and Immigrant Services
Northwest, a series of parent meetings were held, with interpreters on hand
(Vietnamese, Spanish, Arabic and Ukrainian), during which the two schools
presented information about how the schools operate. In addition, hands-on
training was provided in accessing the District’s Instructional Management
System so that parents can literally gather information about their child’
;s progress and communicate with the school via e-mail. The Student Rights and
Responsibilities Handbook was also distributed in the various languages.
Director of Categorical Programs Sue Dedrick, Director of Information Services
Ken Toyn and Karst Brandsma created an invitation that went to ELL (English
Language Learners) and non-English speaking families. In addition, Van
followed up by personally inviting the families. Refugee and Immigrant
Services Northwest arranged e-mail accounts for the families. Kelly said the
meetings were very positive, powerful and empowering. Parents learned how to
access their child’s information and they gained a greater understanding
of the grading and credit system. Many parents went away with plans to h
ave very specific conversations with their student(s). Information Systems
specialists Phil Biggs and Terry Carlson offered a great deal of assistance on
the last night of the forums. Possible plans for the future include creating
parent centers and conducting more training, perhaps at Longfellow. The Board
commended the group for their fine work and said this is exciting information.
Dr. Whitehead asked Director of Facilities and Planning Mike Gunn to provide a summary of activities leading to tonight’s agenda item concerning final acceptance of the H.M. Jackson High School classroom addition (Item 6a.4). Mike said the District terminated its contract with Stoneridge Construction in October 2004—among other problems, the company was significantly late on the project. Ohio Casualty, the bonding company, “stepped up to the plate” and assigned Korsmo Construction to finish the job. The end product is outstanding and both the bonding company and Korsmo Construction were marvelous. Legally, the District pursued damages against Stoneridge, and Stoneridge made claims against the District. The District prevailed and received a summary judgment against Stoneridge dismissing all of their claims and approving all of the District’s claims. The District is working with legal counsel to establish a damage award amount, but the net result will probably be that Stoneridge has no assets. The company has gone out of business. However, the bonding company paid the District for work the District did to repair water damage incurred during the month-and-a-half between when Stoneridge was terminated and Korsmo re-started the project. In fact, the insurance company and the bonding company reimbursed the District fully for the water damage. In addition, Ohio Casualty reimbursed the District for costs incurred to prepare the facility for the beginning of school as well as additional architectural fees incurred while the District was monitoring Stoneridge and transitioning to Korsmo. Overall, there was a net deduction from the original construction contract of $64,000 (minus 2.4 percent), so the District got money back in the final result. The original contract was for $2.67 million and Stoneridge was $400,000 lower than the next low bidder. A claim is being compiled with the District attorney to establish a figure for liquidated damages; that is, those hard-to-calculate impacts to the District’s operations. Mike noted that the District was well prepared at the outset of the contract in anticipation of the legal issues that might arise. The District is in line behind numerous claimants, including Lakewood School District (who also terminated a construction contract with Stoneridge) and a host of sub-contractors, suppliers and insurance companies. Board member Roberts said he is proud of the work the District did on this project. Staff members were conscientious about monitoring Stoneridge and, when the contract was terminated, the District went one step further to ensure Stoneridge would not be able to perpetuate their actions against other school districts.
Karst Brandsma provided an update about the District’s P.E.P. (Public Education Participation) Club. Membership in the P.E.P. Club is open to District residents who are 60 years of age or older and enables them to attend certain District activities and sporting events free of charge. He shared copies of the club’s first newsletter and complimented the District’s communications department for coordinating its writing and publication (E:38/06).
Dr. Whitehead distributed copies of the newsletter published by Northwest ESD 189 (attached). Called Northwest Express , the newsletter is now accessible on the web. The current issue contains several articles about Everett Public Schools.
In closing, Dr. Whitehead spoke of an e-mail message she received from one of the District’s curriculum and assessment specialists, Peter Hendrickson, in which he cited some excellent assessment news for the nation, Washington state and Everett Public Schools. Last spring, Everett Public Schools participated in a sample of NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) which is a national evaluation of how schools are doing, how students are learning and whether there is progress. The NAEP was done in reading and mathematics at grades 4 and 8. Only state and national results are provided, not district or school results. Looking solely at students scoring at or above “proficient,” a standard higher than the WASL’s “meets standard,” Washington was outscored at a statistically significant level only by Massachusetts in reading at grades 4 and 8. In mathematics, only four states (at grade 4) and two states (at grade 8) scored significantly higher in the nation. This is further testament to the rigor of the WASL and to the increasing effectiveness of instruction in Washington state. As a reminder, Everett scored above the state in WASL in reading in grades, 4, 7 and 10 and in mathematics in grades 4 and 7. It is useful to have the NAEP national data against which to compare District scores. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
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PUBLIC COMMENT President Yates called on the following individual who had submitted a Public Comment card: 1) Leanne Roe —parent of student at Everett High School—Speaking from a prepared text, Ms. Roe discussed her son’s placement at Everett High School vs. Dartmoor School (E:39/06). |
PUBLIC COMMENT
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RECOGNITION OF RETIREES Partnerships Coordinator Lauren Hadley introduced retiree Judy Little. Her principal, Patty Gauksheim, of Silver Firs Elementary School, spoke of Judy’s many activities at Silver Firs. She served on the educational specifications committee when the school was being planned. She has been the school’s math specialist, a looping teacher and a founding member of Silver Firs’ management committee. Judy is well-loved by her students and is a valued colleague and mentor. Judy commented, saying she has enjoyed working in Everett. She introduced her husband Dave, daughter Suzy and grandson Jacob. President Yates congratulated Judy and thanked her for her service to Everett Public Schools. He presented her with a memento crystal apple. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
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ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The attached proposed revised Policy 1400 – Board of Directors, was presented to the Board for first reading with adoption to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:40/06). The recommended change pertains to the State Legislature having passed a law allowing school districts to deliver notices of special meetings via facsimile or electronic mail. The WSSDA policy service provided the recommended wording for the change. Partnerships Coordinator Lauren Hadley was available to answer questions. |
PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 1400 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS – re delivery of notices of special meetings via facsimile or electronic mail – 1st reading | |
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Supervisor of Transportation Terrie DeBolt provided a report on District
transportation activities. She used a PowerPoint presentation in which she
shared information for the past three years, including the number of students
transported and the number of miles driven (E:41/06). “Parkouts”
were added at the Silver Lake Elementary and Cascade High School sites which
lowered the number of miles driven and resulted in a savings of $85,000 in
“deadhead” costs. Next, Terrie outlined the District’s homeless
students transportation program, which is part of the McKinley-Vento Homeless
Education Act. Terrie said staff members and drivers are very proud of the
work that has been accomplished in this program. In 2003, transportation for
368 students to 11 school districts was provided by school buses and eight
vans. In 2004, that number grew to 618 students being transported to 15
districts by school buses and 18 vans. So far in the 2005-2006 school year,
128 students have been transported to 13 districts by school buses and 15 vans.
The District realized a savings of $1,952 per day (after expenses) due to the
use of vans instead of school buses. Many of the drivers have other
employment in the District. Their knowledge of activities and programs in the
District helps to “link” families with the District. Student
attendance has improved as well.
Board member Madsen extended kudos to Terrie and her team and asked for information about how much is spent transporting the homeless. Dr. Whitehead said she will provide that information, but clarified that not every homeless student is transported, only those who request it. Board member Roberts echoed Ms. Madsen’s compliments and said this is a good program even though funding is not provided. Dr. Whitehead took this opportunity to compliment the work of the Transportation Department. She noted, for example, that Terrie and her team were always at the ready when elementary boundary changes were being considered a few years ago. They were able to report whether a suggestion would be more or less costly in terms of transportation. Indeed, Terrie continually seeks ways to save money in transportation that can go back into the classroom. |
TRANSPORTA-TION REPORT
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Executive Director for Curriculum and Alignment Terry Edwards said the District
is in the second year of a three-year phase-in of its K-8 science program and
in the first year of the grades 9-10 science program. Among the challenges
have been to build science supply centers and provide science materials to
teachers so they can teach science. Terry introduced Dr. Bob Sotak, the
District’s K-12 Science Specialist. Bob said the purpose of the Inquiry
Science Program is to ensure quality science experiences for all students so
that students learn by doing science. Bob noted that students who had access
to the science kits longer had higher WASL scores which is just one indication
the District is heading in the right direction. Six key elements for a quality
program include having a standards-based curriculum, professional development,
assessment, coordination with other subjects, administrative and community support, and environmental education. He discussed the tasks ahead which include addressing issues such as handling next year’s 50 percent increase in modules, curriculum support and coordinating use of the Lively Environmental Center.
President Yates asked whether there is a great deal of grant money available for science education, Bob said most of the money is for professional development, not to purchase “stuff.” Mr. Yates then asked whether the Gates Foundation provides money to support science, to which Bob said he is not aware of them supporting science as yet.
Board member Madsen talked about a science conference she attended in Pittsburgh with Bob Sotak, Jack McLeod, Anna Williamson, and Shirley Maynard. It was evident that Everett is unique in its high level of support of science. She also encouraged her Board colleagues to visit the science supply center housed at Hawthorne Elementary School. | SCIENCE UPDATE
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ACTION ITEMS Paul Roberts moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda items. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
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Personnel Report (revised) (E:42/06); 2) Voucher Lists (E:43/06); 3) Minimum Basic Education Requirement Compliance Assurance Form (E:44/06); 4) Final Acceptance of H.M. Jackson High School Classroom Addition (E:45/06); 5) Letter of Understanding Concerning Teen Court Between Everett Public Schools and the City of Everett (E:46/06);
The motion carried unanimously. |
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BOARD COMMENTS Board member Cooper commented that she attended the finals of the recent high school band competition. It was very interesting and obviously requires extensive time and effort to coordinate the event.
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BOARD COMMENTS | |
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The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the use of
District-owned vehicles for the purpose of transporting students along 15
routes and that the superintendent be authorized to file the required reports
with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) (E:51/06).
RCW 28A.160.180 requires the Board of Directors review the use of vehicles
other than school buses for the transportation of students. To be considered
in the review is the safety of the students as well as operating costs. A
report indicating the completion of this review is to be sent to OSPI. The
District has determined that 15 routes are better served through the use of
District-owned passenger vehicles. These routes transport small numbers of
students (between one and four) to out-of-district or in-district programs
where it is not economical to use a school bus. Bob Collard and Terrie DeBolt
were on hand to provide clarification.
Paul Roberts moved to approve the use of District-owned vehicles for the purpose of transporting students along 15 routes and that the superintendent be authorized to file the required reports with OSPI. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS IN DISTRICT-OWNED VEHICLES | |
With no further comments, President Yates adjourned the regular meeting at 5:45
p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________
Carol Whitehead, Secretary Roy Yates, President
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