BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

 OF THE

 BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

March 3, 2005

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., March 3, 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 negotiations.

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

At 7:00 p.m. Steve Schoenfeld moved to begin executive session; Ann Whitmyer seconded. At 7:20 p.m. Elaine Lynch moved to regular session.

At 7:30 p.m. President Elaine Lynch called the regular meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Ken Gass moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded approval of the consent agenda. The motion carried with Jeff Haggen abstaining.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of the February 10, 2005 Executive Session and the February 10, 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

• Mike D'Hondt and Eric Sellereit to plan and deliver a Lego Logo enrichment program for elementary students in the Highly Capable Learners' Program.
• Dora Larsen to serve as a foreign language interpreter on an as-needed basis during the 2004–2005 school year.
• Susan Lingbloom to present a math enrichment program at Roosevelt Elementary School.
• Darcy Fusch to review deaf/hard of hearing issues and need for accommodation for Bellingham School District staff with documented hearing loss.

Out of State Travel

• John Getchell, Betty Miller, and Jason King to attend the Zangle National Users Group in Riverside, California, May 2–5, 2005.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Ann Whitmyer, Steve Schoenfeld, Jeff Haggen, and Ken Gass all reported on attending the 2005 WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference in Olympia, Washington on February 27 and 28, 2005. During the Conference, Board members had the opportunity to meet with senators and representatives from the 40 th and 42 nd Legislative Districts.

Whitmyer also participated in a District Budget Advisory Committee meeting.

Schoenfeld gave a legislative update and reported that the Sehome High School Mock Trial team placed first in the district competition and will advance to the state competition in Olympia. Schoenfeld also participated in the District Budget Advisory Committee meeting.

Superintendent's Announcements/Report

Dale Kinsley reported on two recent trips. He attended the American Association of School Administrators 137 th National Conference on Education in San Antonio, Texas, February17–20, 2005. Kinsley has served on the Governing Board of the Association.

Kinsley was also invited by the Stupski Foundation to participate in a site visit to Norfolk (Virginia) School District, February 23–27, 2005. Kinsley reviewed the similarities and differences between Norfolk School District and Bellingham School District.

Kinsley also attended the WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference in Olympia.

The Board will visit Bellingham High School Friday, March 4, 2005 at 7:00 a.m.

Kinsley noted that the Bellingham High School swim team and the Bellingham High School girls' basketball team were recognized as having the highest grade point average of any 3A team in the state in their sport.

Audience

Raeanne Thon, 3720 D'Linda, Bellingham, Washington addressed the Board regarding Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers .

REPORTS:

Instructional Coaching

Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller reported on instructional coaching in the District. The District is committed to professional development, including large group, small group, and one-to-one coaching. Currently, the District has 96 trained instructional coaches, representing most content areas, working in all 21 schools. This year science coaches have been added at each school. The percent of 4 th grade students at standard in reading on WASL has increased, a factor attributed to the effectiveness of instructional coaching. Zoller reviewed the process used to select instructional coaches and described how their skills are developed. Zoller also reviewed recommendation for coaching beyond 2005. Bellingham High School Principal Steve Clarke, and Bellingham High School Teachers and Coaches Judy Bishop and Scott Smartt addressed the Board regarding how instructional coaching has impacted the school and them personally. Clarke spoke of the effect small group and one-on-one coaching has made in the teaching staff and expressed his appreciation for the work of Chris Hoyos, Teacher on Special Assignment. Bishop explained the process of coaching and Smartt described how coaching emphasizes learning, not teaching.

ACTION ITEMS:

Policy/Procedure 2182, Traffic Safety Education

The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedure 2182, Traffic Safety Education, which are being revised to reflect the fact that a state-provided subsidy that reduced the cost of the program to students is no longer available. Changes have been made in the procedure to clarify the cost/ reimbursement process and to set guidelines for driving after sunset. Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller responded to questions from the Board.

Policy/Procedure 3111, Entrance Age

The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedure 3111, Entrance Age. The policy, originally written in 1980, never included procedures. Procedures have now been written to identify the steps needed to implement the policy. For children with September birthdays, the policy and procedure continue the practice of permitting early admittance to kindergarten or first grade after appropriate assessments have been done.

Policy/Procedure 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers

Ann Whitmyer moved and Ken Gass seconded the motion to have Policy 3131, Student Attendance Area Transfers reconsidered at a later date without the provision regarding athletic eligibility. Discussion followed with each Board member expressing concerns about the policy as submitted. The motion carried unanimously.

Student Trips

Jeff Haggen moved and Steve Schoenfeld seconded the motion approving the following student trips with the provision that with regard to Bellingham High School's participation in the Arcadia Track Meet it be determined if the meet is limited to invited students only.

• Eleven DECA students from Bellingham High School to participate in the DECA state competition in Seattle, Washington, March 3–5, 2005.
• Bellingham High School track students to participate in the Arcadia Track Meet in Arcadia, California, April 8–10, 2005.
• Happy Valley Elementary School 4 th grade students to participate in a field trip on the Island Mariner Cruises through the San Juan Islands on May 19, 2005.

The motion carried unanimously with the added provision.

Personnel Recommendations

Ken Gass moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion approving the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Kinsley noted the retirements of three long-time employees, Silver Beach Elementary teacher Mary Foltz, Silver Beach paraeducator Ingrid Dossa, and Squalicum High School ASB Bookkeeper Virginia Parker. Kinsley expressed his appreciation for their long-time service to students and staff.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.