EVERETT PUBLIC SCHOOLS
EVERETT, WASHINGTON Regular Meeting | ||
| The Board of Directors of Everett Public Schools, Snohomish County, Washington, held a regular Board meeting on October 10, 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, Ed Petersen and Roy Yates. Absent: Sue Cooper, Karen Madsen.
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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. In addition, because Board member Dutton was absent from the September 26, 2006, Board meeting, she will not be able to participate in the vote for the approval of these minutes. Therefore, with the absence of Board members Cooper and Madsen, there is not a quorum on hand tonight to take action on this agenda item and so the minutes will be held over for approval to the next Board meeting. With that, Ed Petersen moved to adopt the revised agenda. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As noted above, the approval of the minutes of the September 26, 2006, Board meeting were held over to the next Board meeting. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Dr. Whitehead reported that on October 13 the District will be switching to Outlook, a new e-mail and calendaring system. In preparation for this change, staff members have been provided written updates, and are attending training sessions and watching educational videos. District administrators and counselors will soon be attending Section 504 training. Section 504 relates to students who have challenges due to life experiences, such as having a broken leg or needing to take medication on a regular basis, to name a few. Plans must be in place for those students. Hiring of teachers for elementary school #17 is underway. The school’s “core” team of five staff members was hired recently and will work with the principal to conduct interviews for the remainder of the school’s teaching staff. Recently, a film crew visited Jackson High School and filmed the JHS Teens Against Tobacco Use student group. The segment is entitled, “Clearing the Air: A Healthlink Special with Jean Enerson,” and airs Saturday, October 28, at 9 p.m. on KING-5 TV. It will also air on KONG-TV on October 28 at 7 p.m. and on Northwest Cable News Network on October 31 at 10 p.m. The Everett Public Schools Foundation (EPSF) is partnering with local restaurants in a “Dine Out for Kids” event whereby restaurants will donate part of their profits to the Everett Public Schools Foundation from meals served on November 14. Dr. Whitehead suggested that the Board may want to visit the participating restaurants on the 14th. On Tuesday, October 17, at 4:30 p.m., a public hearing with the Board will be held regarding elementary school boundary adjustments. During this hearing, District parents will have the opportunity to speak to Board members and voice their opinions about the recommended boundary changes. Board members will be seated at separate tables and tapes will be made of each conversation and shared with all Board members. Parents will also be able to submit their written opinions. District representatives, such as Supervisor of Transportation Terrie DeBolt and Director of Facilities and Planning Mike Gunn, will be on hand to answer questions. Middle school principals will serve as facilitators. PTA volunteers will help with child care. Refreshments will be served. | SUPT’S COMMENTS
SUPT’S COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
| PUBLIC COMMENT
None. RECOGNITION OF RETIREES None. | PUBLIC COMMENT
RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented a report on the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) Program and GEAR-Up grant at Everett High School and North Middle School. Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma reminded the Board that the Administration provided a description of these programs to the Board during the last school year. AVID and GEAR-UP focus on students who are historically underrepresented among those interested in attending college. Everett High principal Catherine Matthews, assistant principal Jack Roy and North Middle School principal Kelly Shepherd described the programs. Catherine said research shows the following: 1) A college education is the number one strategy for improving socio-economic status. 2) Students who have an occupational expectation for their future will do better in school. 3) Academic performance hinges on whether a student believes their ability can change with effort. AVID teaches them how to apply the right amount of time and effort to go to college. |
PRESENTATION-AVID PROGRAM & GEAR-UP GRANT | |
| Kelly talked about the GEAR-UP program (E:20/07). Its goal is to increase the number of students who are prepared to enter and succeed in college. A sub-goal is to increase the number of students who graduate on time and are prepared to succeed in college. Eighty-five students signed up for the program and the enrollment has been maintained at 80 since last spring. GEAR-UP provides academic, experiential and financial support. Kelly discussed the parent/guardian component as well as the five partners who are helping to shape the program: Everett Community College, University of Washington-Bothell, Durham School Services, Refugee and Immigrant Services and the Everett Public Schools Foundation. She talked about the benefits of GEAR-UP; provided an overview of the program during its first two years at North Middle School, then Years 3 and 4, followed by Years 5 and 6. Kelly also described the GEAR-UP summer program
Next, Jack Roy outlined the AVID program and its focus (attached). He listed the Everett High School AVID site team and talked about the impacts of AVID at EHS as well as its future at that school. Kelly provided a list of AVID’s North Middle School site team and its impacts at that school. Currently, 57 students compose two class of AVID. Board member Petersen asked about literature on the success of the program, student journaling of their activities and staffing of the programs. He sought clarification of the differences between GEAR-UP and AVID. Executive Director for Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards said students enrolled in the GEAR-UP program receive scholarship money while those in the AVID program do not, although there is scholarship assistance available. Mr. Petersen said these sound like marvelous programs. The college incentive is a powerful tool. President Yates asked about bringing these programs to other schools and Terry said the District is working on growth possibilities, but there is a great deal of professional development involved. |
PRESENTATION-AVID PROGRAM & GEAR-UP GRANT (cont’d.) | |
| The Administration presented a report on implementation of the new athletic code. Director of Athletics Robert Polk distributed a summary of the code (E:21/07). He reported that an increasing number of school districts are adopting similar codes and Everett’s is not the first. Robert outlined the athletic code revision timeline which began in May 2003. He talked about the philosophy and pertinent points of the code.
When Board member Petersen asked how long the reference to tobacco use has been a part of the code, Robert said it has always been included. Board member Dutton sought clarification of suspensions and when they are applied. President Yates asked about the extent of support for the new code and Robert replied that it has a received a very positive reaction. Board member Petersen asked about the number of suspensions since implementation of the new code, to which Robert replied that there have been three suspensions for drug/alcohol violations and these are in-season. President Yates said the new code and the handbook are significant steps forward. | PRESENTATION—IMPLEMENTA-TION OF NEW ATHLETIC CODE | |
| The attached proposed revised Policy 1311—Policy Manuals, was provided for first reading, with adoption to be recommended at a future Board meeting (E:22/07). The revision pertains to the availability of the policies and procedures manual on the District web site. Director of Communications Mary Waggoner mentioned the cost and time savings that will come as a result of the implementation of the revised policy. In addition, District administration will be able to guarantee that the policies/procedures on the web site are current and accurate. Board member Dutton complimented the Administration, saying she sees this as a very good idea.
| PROPOSED REVISED POLICY 1311—POLICY MANUALS
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first reading—(regarding availability of policies and procedures manual on the District web site)
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| ACTION ITEMS
Ed Petersen moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda items. Kristie Dutton seconded the motion. 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:23/07); 2) Voucher Lists (E:24/07); 3) Proposed Adoption of Instructional Materials for Middle School World Geography (E:25/07); 4) 2006-2007 OSPI Drug Omnibus Grant Between Everett School District & Lakewood School District to Provide Interventionist Services (E:26/07); 5) Collective Bargaining Agreement Between Everett School District and Northwest Washington Building Construction & Trades Council (NWBCTC) (E:27/07); 6) Approval of Addendum to the Capital Facilities Plan 2006-2011 (E:28/07); 7) Final Acceptance—Emerson Elementary School Modernization (E:29/07); 8) Resolution 866: Approval of the State Study & Survey (Res. 05/07); 9) Monetary Gift of $9,086 From Everett Public Schools Foundation to Madison Elementary School (E:30/07). The motion carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
| BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Petersen reported that he attended today’s Diversity Summit at the Everett Events Center where Seattle’s mayor Greg Nickels presented that city’s Race and Social Justice Initiative and what they have done to further diversity and inclusion within city government. A number of District staff attended as did staff from other school districts. Mr. Petersen said a comment was made about looking at cultural complexity as an asset to enrich everyone. He noted that living in a global community is a positive idea. President Yates spoke briefly about the book, The World is Flat, and its relation to real-life situations. | BOARD COMMENTS
BOARD COMMENTS (cont’d.) | |
| President Yates adjourned the regular meeting at 5:50 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Roy Yates, President |