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, December 12, 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 Sue Cooper, Kristie Dutton, Karen Madsen, Ed Petersen and Roy Yates.
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| ADOPTION OF AGENDA
President Yates called for any recommended changes to the agenda. Superintendent Whitehead said there would be a revised personnel report. With that, Kristie Dutton moved for adoption of the revised agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | ADOPTION OF AGENDA | |
| APPROVAL OF MINUTES
President Yates called for a motion to adopt the minutes of the regular meeting of November 28, 2006. Ed Petersen noted that there was a typographical error on page 3, fourth paragraph, first sentence, of the minutes of November 28, 2006. The word “ward” should be “award.” With that, Karen Madsen moved for adoption of the corrected minutes of the November 28, 2006, Board meeting. Mr. Petersen seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | APPROVAL OF MINUTES | |
| ORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
Everett Public Schools Policy 1120—Organization of the Board, states, in part, that at the first regular meeting in December, the Board shall elect a president and vice-president to serve one-year terms. In even-numbered years, a legislative representative shall be elected who shall serve a two-year term. Said elections took place as follows: Sue Cooper nominated Karen Madsen to the office of president. Ed Petersen seconded the motion. By roll call vote, the election of Karen Madsen to the office of president was approved unanimously. Mr. Yates passed the gavel to Ms. Madsen and Ms. Madsen assumed leadership of the meeting. Next, Roy Yates nominated Kristie Dutton to the office of vice-president. Ed Petersen seconded the nomination. By roll call vote, the election of Kristie Dutton to the office of vice-president carried unanimously. Finally, Roy Yates nominated Sue Cooper to the position of legislative representative. Ed Petersen seconded the motion. By roll call vote, the election of Sue Cooper to the position of legislative representative carried unanimously. | ELECTION OF OFFICERS
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| SUPERINTENDENT’S COMMENTS
Dr. Whitehead congratulated the new officers of the Board and said each Board member is an excellent representative of the community. The annual staff retiree brunch, sponsored by the Everett Public Schools Foundation, was held recently. Today, Cascade High School students bagged up the food and toys they collected during this year’s food and toy drive. Their efforts, which are always amazing, result in the gymnasium being filled from floor to ceiling. Using shopping carts, the students assemble baskets for as many as 100 families and 30 students. In addition, a number of other sites also hold food and toy drives. All are to be commended. | SUPT’S COMMENTS
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| PUBLIC COMMENT
None. | PUBLIC COMMENT
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| RECOGNITION OF RETIREES
Director of Communications Mary Waggoner reported that two retirees were present tonight: 1) Mary Jane Job—works as a facilitator in the Special Services Department. Kim Durkin (Special Services) and Joyce Stewart (principal at Evergreen Middle School) commented. They thanked her for sharing the gift of listening, laughter, knowledge and skills, encouragement, hope and time. She has touched the lives of many students. Mary Jane thanked everyone and said the children are the most important part of her job. Next to that have been the teachers she mentored. Her future plans are to work for City University to help bring good teachers to Everett. She introduced her husband Denny and her daughter Mary. President Madsen congratulated Mary Jane and presented her with a memento crystal apple. | RECOGNITION OF RETIREES | |
| 2) Paul Lawrence—has worked as a coach and teacher at Everett and Cascade High Schools. Associate Superintendent for Instruction Karst Brandsma outlined Mr. Lawrence’s educational and military career and said he is called the “cornerstone” of high school football in Everett Public Schools. He possesses a strong work ethic and excellent organizational skills. He exercises great attention to detail and treats staff, students and players with dignity and respect. He is regarded as a leader among coaches in the state. He is an organizer of the annual East/West football game. Paul commented, saying he has loved his job, and it is a big decision to leave. He has been fortunate to have the opportunity to teach a number of different classes. He will continue to be involved in the Washington State Coaches Association and will help with the East/West game. He will miss being in Everett Public Schools which is a frontrunning district in the state. Paul introduced his mother-in-law Marge Bissell and his wife Dawn. President Madsen congratulated Paul and presented him with a crystal apple.
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| ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
The Administration presented information about the District’s challenging options program. Executive Director for Curriculum Alignment and Implementation Terry Edwards provided a copy of the evening’s PowerPoint presentation (E:64/07). He talked about the aspects of the elementary highly capable program, the middle school challenge program and high school challenging options. Terry also discussed the SAT results and distributed a trends report for SAT results from 2000 to 2006 (attached). |
PRESENTATION—CHALLENGING OPTIONS | |
| Board member Petersen sought clarification of funding for the highly capable programs. He also requested information about the rate of participation by high school in the highly capable program.
Board member Dutton talked about parity at the high schools and ensuring that a child at Everett High, for example, gets the same offerings for AP as a child at Jackson High. Terry replied that students at EHS do not have as many options, but they do have a large, aggressive College in the High School program. His belief is that the offerings are different, but not inequitable. Indeed, if a student knows they are remaining in-state and will attend a state school, then College in the High School may be a more rational choice. In terms of the rigor of the classes, the student is judged on an even playing field. The decision point by the higher education institutions is, “Has the student taken the most challenging courses offered at this school?” Ms. Dutton said she is thrilled to see the number of students taking algebra and then geometry. President Madsen spoke to the costs of taking AP and SAT tests and the cost to “buy” college credit via College in the High School. She asked whether the District has approached the Everett Public Schools Foundation for assistance. Terry said there is a buydown from the state for AP testing costs, but the District has not approached the foundation about the College in the High School piece. In fact, the District’s emphasis is to get a child to even think about attending college. President Madsen also asked about expanding the AVID program, to which Terry replied that the District is considering increasing the numbers of students in the program as well as involving more schools. |
PRESENTATION—CHALLENGING OPTIONS (cont’d.) | |
| ACTION ITEMS
Kristie Dutton moved for approval of the revised Consent Agenda. Sue Cooper seconded the motion. 1) Personnel Report (revised) (E:65/07); 2) Voucher Lists (E:66/07); 3) Proposed Revised Policy 7260—Gifts (regarding monetary donations and verbal/written thanks/commendations)(E:67/07); and 4) Declaration of Surplus Property (E:68/07). The motion carried unanimously. |
CONSENT AGENDA | |
| The Administration recommended the Board of Directors approve the selection of IBI Group for the Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) project and authorize the Administration to negotiate and enter into an agreement with IBI Group for engineering and design services. The construction of the MAN will be funded under the 2002 capital projects bond issue. The IBI Group will provide engineering, design and construction administration services for this project. In the event the District is not successful in negotiating an agreement with the IBI Group, the Administration will recommend an alternate engineering firm to the Board of Directors at a later date. Director of Information Systems and Technology Ken Toyn commented briefly.
With no further comments, Sue Cooper moved to approve the aforementioned selection of IBI Group for the MAN project and authorize the Administration to negotiate and enter into an agreement with IBI Group for engineering and design services. Roy Yates seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously. | SELECTION OF ENGINEER FOR METROPOLITAN AREA NETWORK (MAN)
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| BOARD COMMENTS
Board member Petersen expressed his appreciation to Board member Yates for his leadership and help in acquainting Mr. Petersen with his role as a new Board member. | BOARD COMMENTS
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| BOARD ACTION AND/OR BOARD DISCUSSION
The Board discussed the process for its self-evaluation. President Madsen talked about how the Board conducts its self-evaluation which then results in a workplan. Last year’s workplan was to transition the new Board member. Board member Cooper concurred that the evaluation document is a starting point for the Board. It was determined that the Board members will complete the self-evaluation document and review the results at the next Board meeting. | BOARD SELF-EVALUATION
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| President Madsen adjourned the regular meeting at 6 p.m.
_____________________________ ________________________________ Carol Whitehead, Secretary Karen Madsen, President |