BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellingham, Washington
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 12, 1998
The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., March 12, 1998, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the meeting, the Board toured Squalicum High School at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Directors, David Blair, Mary Stender, and Ann Whitmyer, President Elaine M. Lynch, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp. Excused: Director Becky Diaz.
At 7:35 p.m. President Elaine Lynch called the meeting to order.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Stender moved and Whitmyer seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes
Action on the minutes of the February 26, 1998 School Board meeting.
Investments
Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.
GENERAL FUND:
$254,000.00 LGIP, withdrawal, February 20, 1998
$76,500.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$934,400.00 LGIP, withdrawal, February 26, 1998
$67,400.00 LGIP, withdrawal, February 26, 1998
$400.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
DEBT SERVICE
$15,500.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
ASB FUND
$18,000.00 LGIP, withdrawal, February 26, 1998
$400.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
$300.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
$400.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
$34,400.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE
$2,200.00 LGIP, investment, February 27, 1998
Expenses and Payroll
Action on expenditures and payroll as approved by the Auditing Committee.
GENERAL FUND
ACCTS PAY 2/02/98 $373,866.34
2/20/98 261,837.97
2/26/98 565.76
Total General Fund $636,270.07
CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
ACCTS PAY: 2/13/98 $80,124.82
2/26/98 1,005,951.31
Total Capital Projects Fund $1,086,076.31
ASB FUND
ACCTS PAY: 2/13/98 $58,858.25
2/26/98 36,663.29
Total ASB Fund $95,521.54
BELLINGHAM $47,747.66
SEHOME $42,870.28
FAIRHAVEN $442.11
KULSHAN $1,276.66
SHUKSAN $345.04
WHATCOM $839.49
EXPENDABLE TRUST FUND
ACCTS PAY: 2/13/98 $137.18
PAYROLL $4,059,869.68
Out-of-State Travel:
Personal Service Contracts:
Surplus Items:
School Board Reports
Whitmyer reported that the K-12 Budget passed by the legislature received an additional $17.7 million in funding. The Governor’s tutor plan will receive $8 million and the other $9.7 million will be budgeted for inservice training for teachers in the use of phonics. SB 1746 was passed by the legislature. This bill’s focus is on possession of tobacco by minors. In addition, a resolution was passed to form a legislative task force to study school construction issues.
Whitmyer attended the Kulshan Middle School site visit on Friday, March 6 and a reception at the Whatcom Museum on Thursday, March 5, for high school students displaying art at the Museum.
Stender also reported on the visit to Kulsan and stated that she especially appreciated the report by 7th grade teachers on preparation for the 7th grade assessment. She reported on the Board’s tour of Squalicum High School. Stender and Whitmyer will attend a meeting of the strategic planning committee March 13-14.
Lynch reported on the Squalicum visit and the display of art by Whatcom County students at the Whatcom Museum of History and Art.
Superintendent’s Announcements/Report
Dr. Kinsley commented on the high caliber of the student art at the Museum and encouraged others to view the exhibit.
Kinsley announced his recommendation of Wendy Barrett for reappointment as Curriculum Director. He congratulated Wendy for the work she is doing.
Dr. Kinsley shared changes in Procedure 8360P – Fixed Assets. The changes will eliminate reference to furniture and fixtures. Kinsley also reported on a business partnership program sponsored by Junior Achievement at Roosevelt Elementary School. The Meridian Haggen’s store will fund the materials for the program and release their employees to work in the classroom.
Superintendent Kinsley commended the District Maintenance Department for their work on the remodel of the Roeder building. He also stated that he appreciated the display of student art in the building and the openness of the front entry. Kinsley also recognized Nancy Messmer, Director of Library, Media, and Technology for an article she wrote that was published in Education School News.
Two high school science teachers were honored for technology awards that they recently received. Mike Gallagher, of Sehome, was one of five Washington teachers who received a $2,000 Innovations in Teaching Award. The award was given for Gallagher’s integration of network technology in teaching science. In addition, Gallagher and John Hoffman, of Bellingham High, received a grant from ESD 189 to assist with the use of ArcView GIS software in their classrooms. The software will provide students the latest information in mapping, demographic, and topographic data. Dr. Kinsley presented Hoffman and Gallagher with Bellingham School District pins in recognition of their achievements.
REPORTS:
State Assessment Schedule
Curriculum Director Wendy Barrett reported on preparation and timelines for the upcoming fourth, seventh, and tenth grade state assessments. This spring, all District fourth, and seventh graders will be tested in reading, writing, math, and listening. The results will be reported in the fall. The tenth grade assessment will be to “test the test” with no scores reported. Two parent information nights are scheduled prior to administration of the tests. The first is on March 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Roosevelt, and the second is on April 7 at 7:00 p.m. at Kulshan. Barrett showed a video released by the Commission on Student Learning entitled Understanding the New 4th and 7th Grade Tests. The video featured Alderwood teacher Roxann Rose-Duckworth.
Proposed Counseling and Guidance Plan
Director of Student Services Bill Attebery reported on the history and the content of the Counseling and Guidance Plan for Grades 6-12. A committee of counselors, teachers, administrators, parents, and students worked to develop the plan from September 1996-February 1998. The document clarifies the roles of the counseling and guidance program and articulates both the outcomes and benchmarks to be used by students. The Board requested a special study session to explore the plan in greater depth or an opportunity to present a list of questions, prior to taking any further action.
Family Information Centers
District social worker Lurinda Ford and development and implementation team members Patty Hoff, Lisa Hall, and Yolanda Haynes provided an update on the District’s Family Information Centers. The Family Information Centers provide families with information in order to access community services. The centers also assist English as second language parents with access to information in their first language. There are currently five Family Information Centers in operation. The centers are staffed by WWU Human Services Interns and parent volunteers. By the year 2000 the goal is to have a center in each of the District’s elementary schools. The Family Information Centers are funded as part of a two-year Washington State Readiness to Learn Grant.
ACTION ITEMS:
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 8:58 p.m.