BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellingham, Washington
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
April 22, 1999
The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., April 22, 1999, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, the Board met in Executive Session at 6:30 p.m. Purpose of the Executive Session – negotiations.
Present: Directors Ken Gass, Elaine M. Lynch, and Ann Whitmyer, President David Blair, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp.
At 7:03 p.m. Whitmyer moved to begin Executive Session; Lynch seconded. At 7:29 p.m. Gass made the motion to move to regular session; Lynch seconded.
At 7:34 p.m. President David Blair called the meeting to order. Blair read a statement regarding the shooting tragedy on Tuesday, which resulted in the deaths of a teacher and several students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. He paused for a moment of silence to reflect on “our commitment to know our children, our children’s friends, and our friends’ children, our community’s children…”
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Gass moved and Lynch seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes
Action on the minutes of the April 8, 1999 School Board meeting and the April 12, 1999 special meeting on the bid award for the Bellingham High School renovation.
Investments
Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.
GENERAL FUND:
$295,500.00 LGIP, withdrawal, April 8, 1999.
DEBT SERVICE
$99,5000.00 LGIP, investment, April 8, 1999.
Out-of-State Travel:
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
School Board Reports
Lynch reported that she had been communicating by email with state legislators daily on the status of issues relating to education.
Whitmyer gave a legislative report on the status of the state budget.
President David Blair announced a special Board meeting next Tuesday, April 27, at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room to interview the finalists for the Director vacancy. The two finalists are Cheryl Macpherson and Dr. Donald Leu. The Board will appoint a new Director at the May 13 meeting.
Superintendent’s Announcements/Reports
Dr. Kinsley read a joint press release from the Bellingham Police Department and the Bellingham School District regarding their efforts in response to the incident at Columbine High School. District and Police administrators met to review school safety and coordinate follow-up activities. Chief Pierce and Dr. Kinsley stressed the importance of discussing tolerance and problem solving through mediation. They emphasized the importance of “taking unusual or violent behavior or threats by young people seriously and reporting them to school, police, or community health professionals.” Kinsley stated that there were deep ties to the Jefferson County District. Many Bellingham School District employees are acquainted with Superintendent Jane Hammond and other Jefferson County District staff members.
The end of this week the District and the Police Department will be submitting a COPS Grant, which would provide added funding to research high school safety concerns.
Kinsley announced the Economic Development Council luncheon on Friday, April 30, at 11:30. The topic will be workforce training. He also announced the Board visit to Sunnyland on Friday, May 7, at 7:30 a.m.
Dr. Kinsley will attend the Annual Superintendent’s Conference in Lake Chelan, May 2-3. On May 3-4, he will attend the ASCD Conference on Assessment at Semiahmoo. State Superintendent Terry Bergeson will speak at the ASCD conference.
Audience
REPORTS:
Feasibility Studies for Britton Loop Property
The Board heard the results of feasibility studies on a 17-acre parcel on Britton Loop Road, which they have been considering for an elementary school site. Dr. Bruce Kelman of Global Tox summarized the findings of the Electro Magnetic Field (EMF) Assessment. The EMF studies indicated that the emissions from the power lines at the site were no higher than average readings in a home or office. Kelman concluded that the site did not pose any health risk. Larry Wellman of Intergroup Development Corporation and Jim Wiggins of Aqua-Terr Systems conducted the wetlands, geotechnical, and infrastructure studies. Wellman gave a brief overview of the geotechnical/infrastructure information, which indicated the property is a safe, suitable, and appealing site.
President David Blair announced that while the Board believes the site is safe and suitable they will not be purchasing the property. Efforts will continue to locate an alternative site for a new elementary school. Blair expressed the Board’s concern that no amount of information will allay the fears of some members of the community.
Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) Update
Director of Curriculum Wendy Barrett on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) assessment. The tests will be administered in April and May to students in grades 4, 7, and 10. This year the test is required for all 4th grade students. Participation is voluntary in grades 7 and 10. The WASL measures student performance in the areas of reading, listening, writing, and mathematics. Barrett noted some changes in the Writing Test this year, which could alter the test scores as compared to last year.
English as a Second Language Program
Federal/Special Programs Director Margo Montague and English as a Second Language (ESL) staff members Marie Little, Bethany Johnson, Lori French, and Elizabeth Tanner provided an update to the Board on the ESL program. Since the program began nine years ago, it has grown from 97 to 370 students. The program serves students in 20 different language groups. The Board heard information about various ESL program offerings, which included an after-school-tutoring program at Roosevelt Elementary School called Primer Paso. Squalicum teacher Lori French demonstrated how a high school ESL English and Social Studies class is taught using the sheltered English technique.
ACTION ITEMS:
Approval of Policy #5314 – Tax-Deferred Annuities
Gass moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve Policy #5314. The motion carried unanimously. There were no changes since the first reading.
Approval of Policy #2240 – Summer School Programs
Lynch moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve Policy #2240 – Summer School Programs. The motion carried unanimously. No changes were made since the first reading.
Health and Fitness Curriculum Adopted
Gass moved and Whitmyer seconded approval of the K-12 Health and Fitness Curriculum. Two committees will be formed to review the current physical education and health programs. The programs will be revised to align with the State Essential Learnings.
Elementary Report Card
Whitmyer moved and Lynch seconded approval of the new elementary report card. The motion carried unanimously. Teachers Roxann Rose, Pam Pottle, and Kristi Champagne reported on the two-year development process. The report card was developed by a committee representing all schools. Their goal was to create an improved reporting form that was easily understood by parents and efficient for teachers to use. The new report card for Grades 1-5 is directly tied to State requirements, and the marking key is the same one that is used for State assessment grading.
Baseline Classified Staffing Approved for 1999-2000 School Year
Gass moved and Lynch seconded the motion to approve the recommendation for baseline classified staffing (secretarial/instructional assistant) for the 1999-2000 school year. The motion carried unanimously. The recommendations were developed with focus on equity of services and special needs.
Personnel Recommendations Approved
Gass moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion for approval of the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Kinsley announced the appointment of Kenn Robinson as Director of Student Services. He also noted the upcoming retirements of Curt Byrnes, assistant principal at Squalicum High School. and Marcie Waite, art teacher at Kulshan Middle School.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.