BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

February 12, 1998

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., February 12, 1998, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, there was an Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. Purpose of the Executive Session – negotiations.

Present: Directors, David Blair, Becky Diaz, and Ann Whitmyer, President Elaine M. Lynch, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp. Excused: Director Mary Stender

At 7:05 Blair made a motion to move into Executive Session; Whitmyer seconded. At 7:35 p.m. Blair made a motion to move to regular session; Whitmyer seconded.

At 7:37 p.m. President Elaine Lynch called the meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Whitmyer moved and Diaz seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of the January 29, 1998 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

                                GENERAL FUND:

                                        $330,000.00               LGIP, withdrawal, February 2, 1998

                  CAPITAL PROJECTS

                                        $357,700.00               LGIP, withdrawal, January 30, 1998

                                          $65,600.00               LGIP, withdrawal, January 30, 1998

                                               $600.00               LGIP, investment, February 2, 1998

                                     $9,919,400.00               LGIP, investment, February 2, 1998

                  DEBT SERVICE

                                            $4,400.00               LGIP, withdrawal, February 2, 1998

                  ASB FUND

                                              $600.00                LGIP, investment, February 2, 1998

                                           $8,500.00                LGIP, investment, February 2, 1998

                                         $10,000.00                LGIP, investment, February 2, 1998

Expenses and Payroll

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

              GENERAL FUND

                  ACCTS PAY              1/08/98                  $279,867.05

                                                       1/23/98                    356,195.96

                                                       1/30/98                        3,102.80

                                 Total General Fund                   $639,165.81

             CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND

                  ACCTS PAY:             1/15/98                  $863,804.82

                                                       1/30/98                    424,621.31

                   Total Capital Projects Fund               $1,288,426.13

             ASB FUND

                  ACCTS PAY:             1/15/98                    $45,819.02

                                                       1/30/98                       28,804.01

                                       Total ASB Fund                     $74,623.03

                                         BELLINGHAM                     $51,760.81

                                                   SEHOME                     $20,594.55

                                            FAIRHAVEN                            $16.53

                                                KULSHAN                          $453.04

                                             WHATCOM                       $1,798.10

             EXPENDABLE TRUST FUND

                  ACCTS PAY:             1/23/98                          $417.02

             TRANSPORTATION FUND

                  ACCTS PAY              1/20/98                     $80,715.90

             PAYROLL                                                    $4,023,074.52

Warrant Reissues:

• Warrant #511753, issued on November 27, 1997, in the sum of $72.97 to Miona Elizabeth Jansen.
• Warrant #512706, issued on January 30, 1998, in the sum of $96.25 to Lissa M. Herrick.

Out-of-State Travel:

• Pat Buhl to attend the Reading Recovery Teacher Institute, June 3-6, 1998, in Dallas, Texas.

• Robbie Whitlock to attend the national AAHPERD Convention in Reno, Nevada,, April 5-9, 1998.
• Chuck Ayres to attend a national PE conference in Reno, Nevada, April 4-7, 1998.
• Nola Ayres to attend the Gymnastics College Nationals in Connecticut, April 9-11, 1998.

• Karen Grant to attend the International Reading Association Conference in Orlando, Florida, May 3-7, 1998.
• Elizabeth Martindale to attend the National Council for Exceptional Children Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 14-18, 1998.
• Nancy Messmer to attend the American Education Research Association in San Diego, April 13-17, 1998.
• Dale Kinsley to attend the AASA National Conference on Education in San Diego, California, February 27-March 2, 1998.

Personal Service Contracts:

• Svetlana Cuello to serve as a Russian/English interpreter on as-needed basis during the 1997-98 school year.
• Helen Lastovica, to serve as Key Club Advisor for first semester at Bellingham High School.
• Karen Neubauer to serve as Key Club Advisor for second semester at Bellingham High School.
• Beth Crissy to serve as Key Club Advisor for first semester at Sehome High School.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Diaz reported on the Board visit to Sehome High School on Friday, February 6.

Whitmyer reported on the strategic planning committee session on January 30-31, highlighting some of the comments of the speaker, Sherryl Gunnels. Whitmyer also attended the DARE graduation at Roosevelt, the Superintendent Parent Advisory meeting, and Fairhaven Middle School PTSA meeting and the principal’s coffee. Whitmyer also reported on some of the legislative issues from the Legislative Conference in Olympia, which she attended with Dr. Kinsley and Elaine Lynch. There is a proposal in the Senate and House for reading grants for teacher phonics training. It is possible a Charter Schools proposal may pass. Also there is a proposed bill (SB6714) which would give districts some options for the use of impact fees.

Lynch attended the Parent Advisory Committee meeting. She also attended a meeting of the City of Bellingham’s Substance Abuse Task Force. There will be an educational event to help parents in dealing with substance abuse issues on March 24, and an Energy ’98 meeting for children to avoid substance abuse in May.

Superintendent’s Announcements/Report

Dr. Kinsley reported on the Legislative Conference and the State Superintendent’s Advisory meeting where the main topic of discussion was shrinking State budget for education. Since 1992 K-12 education has lost $242.00 per student (adjusted for inflation). There have been some agreements by the legislature to set up a State study commission to look at State formulas. Also discussed at the State Superintendent’s meeting was the next assessment in the spring and the continued importance of reform efforts, and provision of staff support.

The final levy election results will be certified February 13. There were 14,247 voters, approximately 2,000 more than the last elections. Sixty-five percent (65%) were absentee voters. The overall yes vote was 71.2%. Dr. Kinsley stated he was “proud of the support from the community.”

Kinsley announced that the retirement dinner is scheduled for on May 21.

Dr. Kinsley also presented appreciation plaques to Board members in recognition of their service and dedication to the children of the community as part of School Board Recognition Month.

Recognition of Citizens’ Advisory Committee

The Board recognized the many efforts of the parents and community members that served on the committee for the levy campaign. Dr. Kinsley introduced co-chairs Tim and Leslie Farris and committee members Judy Garrison, Margot Wilson, Skip Williams, and Tommy Thomson, who were present at the meeting. The committee members were presented with the “Teamwork Makes a Difference” award and Bellingham School District pins. Tim Farris thanked and recognized the Board and District administration for their help and professionalism.

Recognition of Teachers

Superintendent Kinsley and the Board of Directors recognized teachers Lynn Torpey and Ann Babcock-Williamson, recipients of the 1997 Presidential Award for Math and Sciences. Torpey, a math teacher at Whatcom Middle School, received the award for secondary math. Babcock-Williamson received the award for elementary science. She is a teacher at Carl Cozier. Both teachers will travel to Washington D.C. to receive their awards and will be given $7,500.00 for each of their schools.

REPORTS:

Budget Process for 1998-99

Business Manager Jim Stevens reported on the budget model for the 1998-99 school year. The District will continue the efforts to strengthen the connection between District goals and objections and the allocation of resources. No significant changes are being suggested this year.

ACTION ITEMS:

Approval of Revised Policy 3420 – Physical Safety of School Children

Blair moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion for approval of Policy 3420. There were some minor editing changes since the first reading. The motion carried unanimously.

Progress Report for 1992-1997 Affirmative Action Plan

Personnel Administrator Nora Klewiada reported on the District Affirmative Action plan for 1992-1997. The plan provided goals for hiring females and minorities in underutilized job categories. Klewiada outlined the goals and accomplishments during the five years of the plan. The District exceeded all the hiring goals that were set for this five-year period.

First Reading of Proposed Affirmative Action Plan for 1998-2003

Klewiada also outlined the Affirmative Action Plan for the next five years. The plan is required by law and Board policy. The plan was developed with and was reviewed by legal counsel. The plan will be presented for approval at the February 26 Board meeting.

Design Development Phase for Sehome Traffic Improvements and Parking Approved

Blair moved and Diaz seconded the motion to approve the design development phase for Sehome traffic improvements and parking. The motion carried unanimously. Manuel Babayan, Facilities Project Manager, outlined the proposed design. A traffic study was conducted as part of the project . It showed a lack of parking spaces, lack of directional signage and routing, which contributed to traffic congestion on Bill McDonald Parkway. The new design will address these concerns. The projected budget for this project is $600,000.00. Funding comes from the 1996 bond authorization. The bidding process is scheduled to being in April-May, with construction to begin this summer.

Approval of Design Development Phase for Bellingham High School Renovation

Blair moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve the design development phase for the renovation of Bellingham High School. The motion carried unanimously. Roger Axelson of ARA Architects, and Assistant Superintendent Greg Cowan gave an overview of the first phase of design development. They also presented sketches of interior and exterior designs. Pending Board approval of the Value Engineering report in April, bids are scheduled to open in August and construction to begin in October of 1998. The building will be approximately 166,700 sq. ft.

Approval of Contract for Architectural/Engineering Services for New Maintenance Facility

Blair moved and Diaz seconded the motion to approve a contract with Ross and McClure Architects for the architectural and engineering services for the new maintenance facility. The motion carried unanimously. Architect Bob Ross gave information about his firm and the timeline and costs for constructing the metal building, which will be located on East Bakerview. Construction bids are scheduled for May.

Bid Awards:

Blair moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion to award bids for Squalicum High School technology education equipment. The total amount of the bid award was $121,500.88. The motion carried unanimously.

Whitmyer moved and Blair seconded the motion to award the bid for Squalicum High School band/concert uniforms to Stanbury Company for $52,551.15. The motion carried unanimously.

Personnel Recommendations Approved

Blair moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion for approval of the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.