BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

 OF THE

 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

February 10, 2005

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., February 10, 2005, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, there was executive session at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the executive session was personnel.

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

At 7:00 p.m. Ken Gass moved to begin executive session; Ann Whitmyer seconded. At 7:25 p.m. Steve Schoenfeld moved to regular session; Jeff Haggen 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 27, 2005 Executive Session and the January 27, 2005 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

  CAPITAL PROJECTS

  DEBT SERVICE

  ASB FUND

Expenditures and Payroll

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

Personal Services Contract

• Nancy Fayram to plan and deliver an art enrichment program for elementary and middle school students in the Highly Capable Learners' Program.
• Yolanda Haynes to serve as a home-school liaison for Bellingham District immigrant families.
• Robert Kim and Anna Kravchenko to serve as foreign language interpreters on an as-needed basis during the 2004–2005 school year.
• Kelly Walters to serve as the choir director at Lowell Elementary School between February and April 2005.
• Erin Power to provide an art enrichment program at Lowell Elementary School beginning February 16, 2005 through May 31, 2005.
• Calista Shelkin to serve as a Math Club advisor at Whatcom Middle School between January 12 and April 6, 2005.
• Jeff Mildner to serve as the Math Olympiad coach at Geneva Elementary School beginning February 1, 2005 and continuing through May 7, 2005.

Out of State Travel

• John Glenn to attend the California Transcribers and Educators of Visually Handicapped Conference in Burlingame, California, March 3–6, 2005.
• Gaye Lynn MacDonald to attend the School Nutrition Association Legislative Action Conference in Washington D.C., March 14–16, 2005.
• Dale Kinsley to participate in a visit and seminar at the Norfolk (Virginia) School District sponsored by the Stupski Foundation, February 23–25, 2005.

Surplus Materials

Donations

• Carl Cozier Elementary School PTA donation of playground equipment
• Fred Meyer Stores donation

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

All Board members reported on their school visit to Silver Beach Elementary School. The Board members noted how much the Silver Beach staff is focused on their strategic plan.

Ann Whitmyer also participated in the District Budget Advisory Meeting and attended a basketball game between cross-town rivals Bellingham High School and Sehome High School. Whitmyer complimented the principals and staff of the two high schools for the good sportsmanship she witnessed, not only between the athletes, but also with the audience.

In addition to visiting Silver Beach Elementary School, Jeff Haggen also observed a second grade class at Carl Cozier that was doing research on foreign countries and attended an open house at Bellingham High School.

Steve Schoenfeld announced the Mock Trial Competition will be held February 12 at the Whatcom County Courthouse and extended an invitation to attend. Schoenfeld also attended the District Budget Advisory Meeting, participated in the Silver Beach Elementary School visit, and gave a legislative report.

Ken Gass also attended the Silver Beach Elementary School visit with the other Board members.

Superintendent's Announcements/Report

Dale Kinsley gave the Board an update on the progress of the Alliance for Adequate Funding of Special Education.

Upcoming dates include the Board's attendance at the Legislative Conference in Olympia on February 27 and 28.

Audience

John Grames, 624 A North State Street, addressed the Board regarding District policies.

REPORTS:

Family Engagement

Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller reported on the District's commitment to involve families in a wide variety of activities. Research reflects that when schools engage families in ways that are linked to improving learning, students make greater gains. Over the years, the District has shown support to families by encouraging Parent Teacher Associations, providing time for parent-teacher conferences, providing access to student information through Parent Connect, sending home newsletters, and including parents on District committees and task groups. Based on research by Dr. Joyce Epstein, the District is using a framework of six types of parent involvement to expand family engagement. The six types of parent involvement are parenting; communicating; supporting schools; learning at home; decision making; and collaborating with community. Director of Federal Programs Susan Peterson reviewed Title I and Title III, both of which require parent involvement and Director of Student Services Kenn Robinson reviewed Family Information Centers, which act as a resource and referral program for families. Robinson also explained how prevention specialists are working with families of elementary students to promote healthy relationships and decision-making.

Getting Students “College Ready”

Superintendent Dale Kinsley reported on the discussion and debate centered on the purpose, structure, and future of the comprehensive high school. In Washington, high schools are being asked to prepare all students to much higher standards academically; to remediate students who are lacking in skills; to offer more diverse levels of advanced study; to connect with technical and career programs; and to keep all students in school and help them graduate in four years. Kinsley reviewed the components of being college ready—being eligible, being prepared, and being aware. He also reviewed high school and District data on the number of students who currently meet college admission requirements. Squalicum High School Principal David Engle updated the Board on misconceptions families and students often have regarding college attendance. Engle also shared information from the Bridge Report, a Stanford study of K – 16 education. Engle and Kinsley responded to questions and comments from the Board.

State and District Assessment Schedule

Assessment and Evaluation Specialist Brian Rick provided an overview of the types of assessments, the assessment schedule, and the uses of assessments. Beginning this year, Bellingham will participate in a pilot WASL in reading and math for grades five and eight but with no results returned. Also this year, students in 11 th grade may retest with the high school WASL (grade 10) in any or all subjects. The highest scale score will be included on their high school transcript beginning next year. Beginning in 2006, the retest option will be available for students in the 11 th and 12 th grades, with a fee charged for students retesting in any area in which they have already met standard.

ACTION ITEMS:

Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers

The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers. Revisions are reflected primarily in the Procedure and include a more clear definition of “resident student” status; a more clear definition of “at will” transfer status; and a procedure for requesting a waiver to the high school varsity eligibility status due to “hardship or unusual circumstances.” High school principals Jim Kistner and Steve Clarke and Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller responded to questions from the Board clarifying the suggested modifications.

District Mathematics Assessment for Grades 5 and 8

Executive Director for School Administration Ann Marie Hanel reported the recommendations from the Elementary and Middle School Math Assessment Committee. This committee was established for the purpose of recommending a Districtwide test for assessing math skills in grades five and eight to help teachers identify and support students not yet at standard in math. The committee is recommending adoption of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test for grades five and eight beginning with the 2004–2005 school year. This assessment aligns with the state's Essential Academic Learning Requirements. Debbie Hanson, Lowell teacher, explained the reasons for selecting the MAP test; Robert Knickrehm, Whatcom teacher, reviewed the criteria used to select a math assessment test; and Sunnyland Principal Jean Prochaska showed an example of the MAP test. Ann Whitmyer moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion approving the adoption of Measures of Academic Progress test and to allocate the funds from the 2004–2005 budget to purchase the assessment.

Student Trips

Ann Whitmyer moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion approving a student trip for 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. The motion carried with Ken Gass abstaining.

Personnel Recommendations

Jeff Haggen moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion approving the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Kinsley noted the retirements of several employees: Jim Kistner is retiring as Sehome High School Principal; Jim Stevens is retiring from his position as Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations; Michael Webb is retiring as a third/fourth grade teacher at Roosevelt Elementary School; and Tana Honeycutt is retiring from her position as a bus driver. Kinsley expressed his appreciation for their long-time dedication to students and staff.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.