BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

 OF THE

 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

January 27, 2005

 The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., January 27, 2005, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, there was an Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the executive session was negotiations.

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

At 7:00 p.m. Steve Schoenfeld moved to begin executive session; Ann Whitmyer seconded. At 7:25 p.m. Whitmyer moved to regular session; Schoenfeld seconded.

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

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Steve Schoenfeld moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded approval of the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of the January 13, 2005 Executive Session and the January 13, 2005 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

  GENERAL FUND

  CAPITAL PROJECTS

  DEBT SERVICE

  ASB FUND

Personal Services Contract

• Jody Cohlene to plan and deliver drama instruction for middle school students in the Highly Capable Learners' Program.
• Lisa Christensen to serve as a consultant to train and support the Columbia Elementary School Library/Media Specialist in the development of the Columbia Elementary School website.
• •Melanie Rieck to serve as a choir accompanist at Roosevelt Elementary School.

Out of State Travel

• Dale Kinsley to attend the American Association of School Administrators National Conference in San Antonio, Texas, February 17–20, 2005.
• Maria Griggs and Jodi Coffing to attend the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Conference in Anaheim, California, April 6–9, 2005.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Ann Whitmyer attended an informational meeting for Strategic Planning and described the format used for the approximately 200 people who will participate in the focus groups.

Superintendent's Announcements/Report

Superintendent Dale Kinsley reported that three new courses have been approved for the high schools. Squalicum High School is adding two courses—multicultural studies and psychology. Each high school is also adding a course to support students in their work on their culminating project.

Kinsley updated the Board on the informational sessions held for participants in the strategic planning process. At this time, eight focus groups have been held with the remaining five scheduled to be completed by February 8.

Kinsley called the Board's attention to the most recent issue of the BSD Staff Update which had articles about instructional strategies for powerful teaching and learning. On January 27, central staff and Board members from Seattle Public School visited the District to learn more about our coaching model and the strategies for powerful teaching and learning.

Kinsley noted the Board will visit Silver Beach Elementary School on February 4 at 7:30 a.m.

School Board meetings for February and March have been changed to February 10, March 3, and March 17.

Audience

Johnny Grames, 624 N State Street, Bellingham addressed the Board regarding time restrictions on public comments.

REPORTS:

National Council on Economic Education — Christy Johnson

Bellingham High School teacher Christy Johnson reported on her trip to St. Petersburg, Russia in October 2004. Johnson traveled to Russia at the invitation of the Department of Education in order to participate in the National Council on Economic Education Training of Writers program. Johnson cited several benefits from her participation in the workshop including training in improved writing skills, acquiring a substantial amount of materials, connecting with other teachers worldwide, and gaining a better understanding of other cultures and the global economy.

Implementation of the Culminating Project

Executive Director Sherrie Brown and CHESP Grant/Culminating Project Coordinator Becky Elmendorf reported on the progress toward implementation of the culminating project. Since the Board adopted Policy 2410 establishing a culminating project as a graduation requirement for all students beginning with the Class of 2006, much has been accomplished. Major focus has been on developing informational materials to inform families and community advisors; establishing an outreach program to reach community advisors, arranging for the necessary security checks for advisors, and developing a curriculum for the elective class.

Revised Budget Model for 2005–2006 School Year

Business and Finance Manager Stewart Mhyre explained the process for developing the 2005–2006 District budget. Mhyre indicated the process used in the past has worked well and only minor modifications for the 2005–2006 budget year have been made, primarily reflecting administrative changes on the District Budget Advisory Committee. The Committee will present their recommendations to the Board in June 2005.

ACTION ITEMS:

Approval of School Calendars for 2005–2006 and 2006–2007.

Ann Whitmyer moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion to approve the school year calendar for 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 subject to modifications that may be necessary based on finalizing of state funding for Learning Improvement Days, BEA/District negotiations, and joint work on teacher planning time, additional workdays, and parent/teacher conferencing schedules. Both calendars maintain the current schedule with school starting after Labor Day and ending in the third week of June (without added snow days). The current schedule of breaks is also maintained, with a two-week winter break and two one-week breaks—one each in February and April. The motion carried unanimously.

Student Trips

Ann Whitmyer moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion approving the following student trips:

• Squalicum High School Jazz Band to perform the Lionel Hampton Jazz workshop in Moscow, Idaho, February 25–27, 2005 (in concept).
• Squalicum High School Jazz Band to perform at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, April 7–16, 2005 (in concept).
• Sehome High School Debate Team to participate in a Tournament of Champions in Lexington, Kentucky, April 20–May 2, 2005.
• Sehome High School Debate Team to participate in the National Forensic League Speech Nationals in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 12–17, 2005.
• Students from Larrabee Elementary School's 3 rd , 4 th , and 5 th grades to participate in an overnight field trip to Cornet Bay, Deception Pass State Park, June 15–17, 2005.
• The motion carried unanimously.

Approval of the following student trip was tabled until the next Board meeting due to a lack of quorum available to vote.

• Four students, two from Bellingham High School, one each from Sehome and Squalicum high schools to attend the National Service Learning Conference in Long Beach, California, March 16–19, 2005.

Personnel Recommendations

Steve Schoenfeld moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion approving the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Kinsley noted the retirement of Janice Frank, Geneva Library Media Specialist.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.