BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE 

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

November 20, 2003 

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., November 20, 2003, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, there was executive session at 6:30 p.m. The purpose of the executive session was negotiations.

Present: Directors Jeff Haggen, Elaine Lynch, Steve Schoenfeld, Ann Whitmyer, President Ken Gass, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Nancy Merry.

At 6:30 p.m. Ann Whitmyer moved to begin executive session; Steve Schoenfeld seconded. At 7:15 p.m. Ken Gass moved to regular session; Elaine Lynch seconded.

At 7:30 p.m. President Ken Gass called the regular meeting to order.  

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Elaine Lynch moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded approval of the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of the October 23, 2003 Executive Session and the October 23, 2003 School Board meeting; and the October 30, 2003 Study Session.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

                  GENERAL FUND

                  CAPITAL PROJECTS

                  DEBT SERVICE

                  ASB FUND

Expenditures and Payroll

Action on expenditures and payroll as approved by the Auditing Committee.

Personal Services Contract

•  Carol Arvin, Heera (Helen) Chandani, Maricela Elias-Nunez, Tuyen Le, Marion Dawn Lewis, Galina Mazurets, and Cristina Reyes to serve as foreign language interpreters on an as-needed basis during the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Yolanda Haynes to serve as bilingual/bicultural co-facilitator for LINKS Grant Program during the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Lynn Zimmerman to provide art instruction for students at the Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Facility during the 2003 – 2004 school year (up to 100 hours). Revised

•  Susan Lingbloom to present a 4 th /5 th grade math enrichment program at Roosevelt Elementary School beginning January 2004, and continuing through the remainder of the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Terri Pauli to facilitate an after-school Spanish enrichment program at Roosevelt Elementary School, beginning November 25, 2003, and continuing through the remainder of the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Johanna deVries to present an after-school art enrichment program at Northern Heights Elementary School, beginning January 5, 2004, and continuing through May 28, 2004.

•  Cindy Minkler to serve as the choir accompanist during the 2003 – 2004 school year; and to tune and repair autoharps during September 2003.

•  Cara Heiner to serve as Concessions Stand Supervisor at Sehome High School between November 1, 2003, and March 15, 2004.

•  Heather Korbmacher to provide reading strategy presentations to Squalicum High School staff beginning in December 2003 and continuing through May 2004.

•  Arlene Harding to provide school nursing services effective November 14 and continuing one day per week until her ESA certification is received or until the end of the 2003 – 2004 school year.

Out of State Travel

•  Dale Kinsley to attend the American Association of School Administrators Annual Conference and Exposition in San Francisco, California, February 19 – 22, 2004.

•  Nancy Wilmot to attend the American Culinary Federation Regional Conference in Colorado Springs, Colorado, February 25 – 29, 2004.

•  Pete Frey to attend the 2004 Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 19 – 23, 2004.

•  Jocelyn Roger to attend as a co-presenter the National Science Teachers' Association Convention in Reno, Nevada, December 5 – 7, 2003.

•  Shawn Doan to attend the national Science Teachers' Association Convention in Reno, Nevada, December 5 – 7, 2003.

•  John Hoffman and Kimberly Davis to attend the National Science Teachers' Association Convention in Reno, Nevada, December 5 – 7, 2003.

•  Pat Buhl to attend the 2004 Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Professional Development Session at California State University in Fresno, California, March 4 – 5, 2004; and to attend the Annual Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Institute in Orlando, Florida, June 9 – 12, 2004.

Contracts

•  Interdistrict Agreement with Oak Harbor School District to provide educational services for one student for the remainder of the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Interdistrict Agreement with Ferndale School District to provide educational services for three visually impaired students for the 2003 – 2004 school year.

•  Interdistrict Agreement with Burlington-Edison School District for Reading Recovery continuing contact sessions, school visits, and teacher leader consultation for the 2003 – 2004 school year.

Other

•  Minimum Basic Education Requirement Compliance for 2003 – 2004 School Year.

•  Surplus Materials  

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

All Board Members reported on attending the Study Session No Child Left Behind; the Washington State School Directors Association Annual Conference held in SeaTac, Washington November 13 – 15; the League of Education Voters meeting on November 10; and a Board visit to Roosevelt Elementary School on November 7.

In addition, Jeff Haggen attended a Kulshan Middle School choir concert and participated in the Citizens' Advisory Committee meetings. Other activities Steve Schoenfeld participated in included a Sehome High School Career Day; the Citizens' Advisory Committee meetings; coaching Sehome High School mock trial team; and football games.

Superintendent's Announcements/Report

Superintendent Dale Kinsley announced that What Kids Can Do, Inc. , a competitive grant funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has awarded Kelly Staves, a 9 th grade student at Sehome High School a grant for $3,550 as part of a unique effort to promote “powerful learning with public purpose” among our nation's adolescents. Staves grant proposal is Teens Helping Teens Struggle with Eating Disorders.

We Share A Story 2003: A Pacific Rim Literacy Connection is an international reading project originating in Bellingham through the cooperative efforts of the Bellingham Children's Library, the Bellingham School District, and the Bellingham Sister City Committee. District library media specialists were instrumental in organizing this project which offers a venue for teachers and students in Bellingham and the Sister Cities of Port Stephens (Australia), Punta Arenas (Chile), Tateyama (Japan), and Nakhodka (Russia) to meet, connect, and share.

Dr. Kinsley shared a thank you note with the Board from an employee and noted the week of November 17 through 22 is American Education Week. Other upcoming dates include the next School Board meeting on December 4; and the Board visit to Sehome High School on December 5 at 7:00 a.m.

Audience

Carletta Vanderbilt, 915 Hiline Road, Bellingham Washington 98229 regarding waivers from physical education for student musicians involved in athletic programs.

Jo Kaas, 4176 Malachite Road, Bellingham Washington 98226, addressed the Board regarding PTA sponsored enhancement programs. 

REPORTS:

Fred Hutchinson High School Smoking Study

Squalicum High School Principal Becky Elmendorf reported that the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center is in the third year of a research study aimed at teenagers and the use of tobacco products. From 1984 – 2000, the Hutchinson Center conducted a study of 8,000 students in 40 school districts. Based on the results of this study, the Center began an intervention, rather than prevention, study. Squalicum High School has been chosen to participate in the final phase of this study. Researchers from the Center will survey juniors after contacting parents by mail. Both parents and students must approve before a student is included in the study. Fifty-percent of the high schools in the study will serve as the control group. Smoking students in the schools in the test group are provided with telephone counseling during their senior year. These students are followed up after they leave high school to learn whether, after counseling, they have been able to quit.

Elementary and Middle School Extended Day

Executive Director Ann Marie Hanel and Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller reviewed the extended day programs for elementary and middle school for the 2002 – 2003 school year. This program was funded from I-728. Hanel reported that at the elementary level, the extended day program was initiated to provide support to students who are not yet at standard in reading, writing, and/or math based on District and state standards. Instruction was provided to 257 students in before- or after-school programs at all elementary schools. Zoller reviewed the middle school extended day program, which was offered at all four middle schools. At the middle school level, 239 students participated in programs providing literacy, math, and homework support. The programs varied at each middle school location, making it difficult to compare the effectiveness. In general, it appeared that shorter, more focused instructional programs were more effective than long-term programs offering general support for homework completion. Focused programs required staff to conduct more assessments to identify students, monitor performance, and create appropriate lessons and learning experiences.

Citizens' Advisory Committee Recommendations

Co-Chairs Tom and Karen Stuen presented the recommendations from the Citizens' Advisory Committee. After four meetings during which the committee members learned about school finance, district budget, maintenance and operations levies, and technology needs, the Committee is recommending that the School Board place two proposals before the voters at a special election on February 3, 2004. The Committee recommends four (4) one-year maintenance and operations levies in the following amounts—$16,250,000 in 2005; $17,250,000 in 2006; $18,000,000 in 2007; and $18,750,000 in 2008. This levy will replace the current one which is expiring. The second proposal is for four (4) one-year capital levies for technology—$1,500,000 in 2005; $1,500,000 in 2006; $1,500,000 in 2007; and $1,500,000 in 2008. If both ballot issues pass, the impact on the combined tax rate per thousand is expected to stay at similar levels due to the declining debt on capital project bonds and increasing property values.  

ACTION ITEMS:

Resolution 9 – 03, Maintenance and Operations Levy

Elaine Lynch moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion to approve Resolution 9 – 03, Maintenance and Operations Levy for four (4) one-year levies to maintain general school district operations and support basic education. This levy replaces the current levy which is expiring. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 10 – 03, Capital Levy for Technology

Steve Schoenfeld moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve Resolution 10 – 03, Capital Levy for Technology for four (4) one-year capital levies for technology. The motion carried unanimously.

Policy 2160, Grant Policy

Ann Whitmyer moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion to approve Policy 2160, Grants . The policy and procedure were modified to address changes in grant availability and impact. The motion carried unanimously.

Policy 4311, Non-Student Visitors to District Schools

Jeff Haggen moved and Elaine Lynch seconded the motion to approve Policy 4311, Non-Student Visitors to District Schools . The policy and procedure have been updated to welcome and encourage parent involvement in their child's education while maintaining safety and security measures. The motion carried unanimously.

Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers

The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers . The policy and procedure regarding in-district transfers for all grade levels has been revised to include language required by a change in state law that allows students of full-time District staff to attend a school of the parent's choice. The policy also includes language required by the federal No Child Left Behind Act 2001 that allows parents to transfer their students from a school in a school improvement status to another school in the District that is not so identified. Additionally, a provision consistent with WIAA rules has been included stating that transferred students may not participate in athletics at the varsity level for one year following the transfer.

Partnership Agreement with Woodring College of Education

Stephanie Salzman, Dean of Woodring College of Education, and Professor Sheila Fox addressed the Board on the importance of this Agreement. The Bellingham School District and the Woodring College of Education received a three-year grant from the Gates Foundation to build a partnership to develop and support high quality teaching in a standards-based school environment. This Agreement sets forth the specific components and plans for this partnership, including the joint placement and supervision of interns, collaboration on the professional certification program for new teachers, and joint in-service activities for university faculty and staff with District teachers and administrative leaders. BEA President Shirley Potter thanked those who worked to develop this Agreement. Steve Schoenfeld moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion to approve the Partnership Agreement with Woodring College of Education. The motion carried unanimously.

Policy/Procedure 5440, Teaching and Administrative Interns

The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedure 5440, Teaching and Administrative Interns . The policy and procedure has been revised to include administrative and specialist interns as well as teachers. The revised policy is more general than the current policy.

Intern Agreement with Western Washington University

Elaine Lynch moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve the Intern Agreement with Western Washington University. This Agreement allows the District to accept and place teachers and administrative and specialist interns into District schools. The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of Memorandum of Understanding for Professional Certificate Program between Woodring College of Education and Bellingham School District

Jeff Haggen moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for Professional Certificate Program between Woodring College of Education and Bellingham School District. The Memorandum of Understanding will enable Woodring College of Education to affirm candidate completion of Professional Certificate requirements as required by new state teacher certification requirements. The motion carried unanimously.

Agreement between Bellingham School District/Whatcom County Tech Prep Consortium and St. Joseph Hospital

Director of Vocational Programs Katherine Crandall and Karen Moren, Health Care teacher, explained the Health Care Services Program which serves approximately 40 students from all high schools in the County. Students enrolled in classes in the Health Care Services program learn about health care professions, take courses relating to health care, and have access to a variety of St. Joseph Hospital facilities during their training. Ann Whitmyer moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion to approve the Agreement between Bellingham School District/Whatcom County Tech Prep Consortium and St. Joseph Hospital. The motion carried unanimously.

Contract for Education Services with Timber Ridge Center

Director or Student Services Kenn Robinson explained the difficulty of placing some special education and general education students with unusual needs in an appropriate program within the District and of the importance of having an alternative option available. Ann Whitmyer moved and Elaine Lynch seconded the motion to approve the Contract for Education Services with Timber Ridge Center. The motion carried unanimously.

Contract for Medicaid Administrative Match Services with DSHS of Washington

Ann Whitmyer moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion to approve the Contract for Medicaid Administrative Match Services with DSHS of Washington. Director of Student Services Kenn Robinson explained that this Contract allows the District to continue providing information and services to students and parents and be reimbursed for that time by DSHS. The motion carried unanimously.

Student Trips

Elaine Lynch moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion approving the following student trips, in concept:

•  Qualifying student(s) from Bellingham, Sehome, and/or Squalicum High Schools to attend the National Bridge Building Contest in Baltimore, Maryland, April 22 – 25, 2004.

•  Sehome High School choir to travel to Spokane, Washington and Couer D'Alene, Idaho on March 12 – 15, 2004 to perform at Central Washington University, Washington State University, and several area schools.

•  Sehome High School baseball team to travel to Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona on March 17 – 21, 2004 to participate in the Amphitheatre High School Spring Invitational Classic.

•  Five Sehome High School students to travel to Washington, D.C. to attend the Coastal America's Student Ocean Conference, January 14 – 16, 2004.

The motion carried unanimously.

Personnel recommendations

Jeff Haggen moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve the personnel recommendations as presented. Dr. Kinsley noted the retirement of long-time employee Paul Garrison, a mechanic in the Transportation Department. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.