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, January 24, 2006, 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 and Roy Yates. Absent: Sue Cooper. |
| |
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. She also requested that Action Items 7a and 7b be moved on tonight’s agenda to follow Item 5 (Recognition of Retirees). With that, Kristie Dutton moved to adopt the revised agenda. Karen Madsen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Karen Madsen moved for approval of the minutes of the regular meeting of January 10, 2006. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS Superintendent Whitehead opened her comments by inviting Cascade High School principal Jim Dean to approach the lectern. Speaking on behalf of the EASA (Everett Association of School Administrators), Mr. Dean thanked the Board for their many contributions to the District. As an example of the Board’s commitment to excellence, new administrators have commented about the Board’s professionalism and listening skills. They also feel that Board members are in tune with the District. In recognition of January as School Board Appreciation Month, Jim announced that the EASA is donating $100 to the Everett Public Schools Foundation. He complimented the Board for helping make the Administration’s job easier by working so well together. On behalf of his Board colleagues, President Yates thanked the EASA for their donation and said the Board is fortunate to work with such outstanding individuals as those found in Everett Public Schools. | SUPT’S COMMENTS | |
Dr. Whitehead called on the District’s Manager of Food and Nutrition
Services Debbie Webber who then introduced Silver Firs Elementary School
employees Debbie Mayer (Food Service Worker) and Dorothy Jorgenson (Food
Service Manager). Silver Firs was recently notified that the school’s
food services team has been honored with the Snohomish Health District’s
Annual Excellence Award for 2005 in the “school” category. Ms. Mayer
and Ms. Jorgenson are examples of the many food services’ employees who
do an exemplary job at Silver Firs and throughout the District. Both commented
that the award is the result of a team endeavor. The Board commended the
efforts of this fine school and the Food and Nutrition Services department.
Dr. Whitehead reported that the District’s 10th Annual Student Technology Exhibition was held on January 18 at Cascade High School and this year’s event was the best yet. Approximately 3,000 attended and all 25 of the District’s schools were represented as well as the Online High School, Homeschool Alternative, Special Services, and the Information Systems & Technology departments. Approximately 210 teachers and over 250 students were involved in the presentations. As the host site, Cascade High School involved several of its students and staff in planning and finalizing the logistics of the event, including the school’s leadership class. All 32 members of the class helped set up and disassemble tables for the event. The District’s maintenance department provided two electricians and a reliable power source, a crew to help transport equipment as well as workers to tarp the floors, set up tables and chairs, and then go back that evening to return the space to a cafeteria set-up. The entire Information Systems and Technology Department helped in innumerable ways, including working at the exhibition as well as assuming others’ responsibilities so they could be at Cascade. Dr. Whitehead said that a primary goal in arranging the exhibition is to disrupt the host school as little as possible. Set-up does not begin until noon on the day of the exhibition so that only two periods of physical education are displaced and then the floor is ready for use as instructional space the next morning. She further noted that moving the date of the event to January was well received by the schools and everyone is looking forward to next year’s exhibition.
Next, Dr. Whitehead reported on WASL planning this year. Statewide, 6,100 pre-takes are scheduled with over 900 of those being in Everett (E:89/06). Dr. Whitehead also shared the WASL test administration schedule in the District (attached). A great deal of effort and people-power is involved in transporting and securely storing the test materials, and the Maintenance Department is hard at work making the appropriate arrangements. The Human Resources Department is in the process of hiring proctors, and high school principals have been working with the Assessment Department to establish a schedule for assessing. Collectively, the many pieces of WASL planning involve extensive teamwork.
In closing, Dr. Whitehead reported that the District’s Executive Director for Human Resources Molly Ringo recently suffered a broken leg in a skiing accident. However, her condition is good and she has been at work for the last couple of days. |
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
PUBLIC COMMENT None. | PUBLIC COMMENT | |
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
{As noted above, tonight’s agenda was modified so that the Action Items segment appears before Items for Information.} | ||
ACTION ITEMS Karen Madsen moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda items. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:90/06); 2) Voucher Lists (E:91/06); 3) Resolution 844: Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement for the Purpose of Establishing an Interlocal Agreement with Northshore School District #417 (Res. 07/06); and 4) College in the High School Affiliation Agreement Between Everett School District and Everett Community College (E:92/06). The motion carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the proposed
international field trip for the Cascade High School Band and Color Guard students to participate in a concert tour of China in June 2007 (E:93/06). The trip will provide the opportunity for the students to meet and exchange views with those from a culture far older than ours as well as giving them the privilege of representing our country. The trip will also provide students with the educational opportunity to see, in person, such historic and well-known sights as the Forbidden City, Xian, and the Great Wall of China. The exact date has not been determined at this time, but would be for approximately 11 days after the end of the school year. Approximately 165 students and 40 adult supervisors would travel to China by commercial transportation. The tour will be funded (at a cost of approximately $2,800 per traveler) by the students, their families and fundraising activities. The tour will be handled by Heritage Festivals, a well-known and respected organizer of youth music events.
On hand to comment were Cascade High School Principal Jim Dean and Music/Band Instructor Patty Baugh, both of whom have met with District administrators Lynn Evans, Karst Brandsma and Dr. Whitehead to review the details of the trip. Although this is an educational trip, the group will also be performing at sites such as the Great Wall. Patty said it will be a very controlled trip; activities will be conducted as a group and with experienced chaperones. Meals are included in the cost of the trip. Patty reported that she has checked with others about past experiences with Heritage Festivals and consistently heard good reports. Cascade High School’s seniors have indicated that they will help one person financially. Scholarships will also be available and no student will be denied the opportunity to attend because of lack of funds. |
INTERNATIONAL FIELD TRIP TO CHINA—CHS BAND & COLOR GUARD
INTERNATIONAL FIELD TRIP TO CHINA—CHS BAND & COLOR GUARD (cont’d.)
| |
Dr. Whitehead reminded the group that Board policy requires Board approval of international field trips one year in advance. She further noted that all literature about the trip will emphasize that the Board has the authority to rescind a trip if necessary. With that, Karen Madsen moved to approve the proposed international field trip for the Cascade High School Band and Color Guard students to participate in a concert tour of China in June 2007. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. Board member Madsen commended Ms. Baugh and all teachers like her for conducting travel such as this. Although challenging, it offers a broadening experience for the students. | ||
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION The following proposed revised policies were presented to the Board for first reading with adoption to be requested at a future Board meeting (E:94/06): Policy 2410 —High School Graduation Requirements (aligning with state guidelines and discussions at prior study sessions); Policy 5310 —Compensation, Payroll Deductions & Benefits (re-naming Teachers’ Retirement System to Public Employees’ Retirement System); Policy 5340—Attendance Incentive Program (description of conversion of sick leave upon separation); Policy 5350—Holidays (regarding holidays that fall on a weekend); Policy 5360 —Vacation Cashout (specifying non-represented employees); and Policy 5520 —Employee Assistance Program (reflecting current provisions of the program). |
PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES —first reading | |
Director of Communications Gay Campbell commented on each policy. Relative to
Policy 2410, Executive Director of Curriculum & Alignment Terry Edwards
introduced members of the Graduation Requirements Committee in attendance
tonight: JoAnne Fabian, Lynn Evans, Becky Ballbach, Sarah Hatfield, Terry
Cheshire, Jim Dean and Catherine Matthews. Terry said the committee has been
collecting input about the changes to the graduation requirements off of the
website. In addition, JoAnne and Terry have returned to each of the high
schools and middle schools, the Leadership Team and the PTA Council, to name a
few, to gather feedback. There is no general theme to the reactions, but the
general consensus is that the math change is appropriate. Karst noted that, as
a result of an article in The Herald
, members of the Mukilteo and Edmonds School Districts provided questions and
sought clarification of certain pieces of the policy.
| ||
Board member Madsen thanked the members of the committee for their efforts, noting that the Board has been thoroughly informed on multiple occasions about the proposed changes to the graduation requirements, including Board study sessions and during meetings with the community. This is an impressive piece of work. Board member Dutton echoed Ms. Madsen’s comments. | PROPOSED POLICY CHANGES —first reading (cont’d.) | |
Director of Athletics Robert Polk presented information about the District’
;s athletics, activities and health & fitness programs. He used a
PowerPoint presentation and described the numerous activities that are
occurring (E:95/06). He reported that a Healthy School Leadership grant was
recently awarded for Everett High School, Evergreen Middle School and North
Middle School. District staff are working with ESD 189, Western Washington
University and Eisenhower Middle School on a PEP (Physical Education Program)
grant that will support changes in health and fitness at Eisenhower, Cascade,
Jefferson, Monroe and Emerson schools. Robert went on to say that the District
is moving closer to a health curriculum adoption. He talked about District
participation in the Seattle Kids Marathon as well as the fourth grade Bike
Safety Program involving the Everett Fire Department and Monroe, Lowell and
Hawthorne schools. Next, Robert talked about the sports medicine course
offerings in the District. He then outlined recent athletics honors for
District students and noted that Jackson High School will be hosting the Region
1 wrestling tournament on February 10 and 11. Robert showed a chart comparing
GPAs (grade point averages) for District high school athletes vs. non-athletes
for 2004-2005. Of approximately 1,100 male and female students, GPAs for
athletes were consistently higher than non-athletes at each of the three
comprehensive high schools.
In closing, Robert listed activities at each of the high schools, including Cascade High School’s food drive, Everett High School’s senior citizen dinner and Jackson High School’s blood drive, to name a few. | PRESENTATION—ATHLETICS/ ACTIVITIES/ HEALTH & FITNESS | |
Director of Information Systems and Technology Ken Toyn presented information about the Wide Area Network (WAN) project (E:96/06). He followed a PowerPoint presentation and showed the bandwidth upgrade project, including the conceptual network design (Phase I) and the detailed design (Phase II). | PRESENTATION—WIDE AREA NETWORK (WAN) | |
Next, Ken presented information about the District’s technology plan. He
shared the features of the plan and provided a summary of technology projects
from 2002-2005. He then invited Director of Curriculum and Instruction Mary
Ann Stine to introduce the evening’s special guests. Everett High School
instructor Heather Burglund talked about the positive experiences she has had
with a program called Cognitive Tutor. One of her students, Abby Roth, talked
about how she once struggled and frequently asked for help. With Cognitive
Tutor, she is a B+ student and believes she will be able to conquer geometry as
well. Next, Eisenhower Middle School instructor Shannon Depew described the
highly-successful Bridge to Algebra program. One of her students, Ashley
DeBolt, commented that this class has helped her immensely. Friends who have
been in the class have also improved.
Ken said that the current Technology and Learning Plan is in place until 2007. An updated plan will be presented to the Board in the spring of 2007.
In closing, Ken expressed his appreciation to all who helped with the recent Student Technology Exhibition. He shared photos of the event. Board member Dutton said it is wonderful to see the consistency and cohesiveness of the exhibition. Karst Brandsma complimented Ken and Instructional Technology Specialist Phil Biggs for their “can-do” attitudes and their fine work.
{It was necessary for President Yates to excuse himself from the meeting at this time to keep another appointment. Before leaving, he passed the gavel to Vice President Dutton.} | PRESENTATION—TECHNOLOGY PLAN | |
Financial Reports were provided for the Board of Directors’ review (E:97/06). The reports include year-to-date information on revenues and expenditures, General Fund projections, a cash report and an investment summary. Associate Superintendent for Finance and Operations Bob Collard said District revenues, expenditures and the fund balance are “tracking” as planned. | FINANCIAL REPORTS AS OF 12/30/05 | |
BOARD COMMENTS None. | BOARD COMMENTS | |
With no further comments, Vice President Dutton adjourned the regular meeting
at 6:05 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Roy Yates, President
________________________________ Kristie Dutton, Vice President |