BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

April 27, 2000

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., April 27, 2000, in the Board Room of the Administration Building.

Present:  Directors Don Leu, Elaine Lynch, and Ann Whitmyer; Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp. Excused:  President David Blair and Director Ken Gass.

At 7:30 p.m. Vice President Ann Whitmyer called the meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Lynch moved and Leu seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of April 6, 2000 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

                  GENERAL FUND

                                          $   328,000.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 7, 2000

                                          $   165,500.00                        LGIP, investment, April 13, 2000

                  CAPITAL PROJECTS

                                          $   562,300.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 6, 2000

                                          $          900.00                        LGIP, investment, April 13, 2000

                                          $       2,000.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 13, 2000

                                          $1,525,800.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 13, 2000

                  DEBT SERVICE

                                         $    176,000.00                        LGIP, investment, April 13, 2000

                  ASB FUND

                                         $        2,500.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 7, 2000

                                         $           300.00                        LGIP, investment, April 13, 2000

                                         $        3,900.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 13, 2000

                                         $           600.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 13, 2000

                                         $        7,500.00                        LGIP, investment, April 13, 2000

                  TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE

                                         $      70,800.00                        LGIP, withdrawal, April 5, 2000

Personal Services Contract:

• Rachelle Kieesser to serve a sign language interpreter for Craig Nicholes during the 2000-2001 school year.

Out-of-State Travel:

• Ruby Salsbury to attend Learning Network facilitator training in Lawrence, Kansas for four days in June 2000.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Lynch and Whitmyer commented on the Board’s visit to Columbia Elementary School. Lynch also gave an update on the final day of the legislative special session. She outlined the major components of the budget relating to education.

Superintendent’s Announcements/Reports

Dr. Kinsley attended the WASA Leadership Conference on April 26-27 where one item of discussion was the state budget. Kinsley also reported on a video teleconference held in the Board Room earlier today between six Shuksan Middle School students and Senator Slade Gorton. The Senator initiated the conference after he saw their website on student mediation.

Superintendent Kinsley attended a school-to-work meeting last Friday in Nooksack. State Superintendent Terry Bergeson also attended that meeting.

Kinsley announced the following:

• WASL testing began this week
• Board visit to Fairhaven Middle School on Friday, May 5, beginning at 7:15 a.m.
• Celebrate Achievement recognition event for County schools will be held on May 15.  State Superintendent Bergeson will be a presenter.
• The District submitted a proposal for a $4 million Gates District Grant on Monday. Applicants will be notified next week of the results.
• Joan Beardsley, Squalicum High School science teacher received a $9,000 grant from the American Association of University Woman to be used by that department for gender equity training and to purchase supplies.
• Kara Allen, Sehome student, and Sofia Mariona, Squalicum student, were recipients of the Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE). Both are students in the Health Care Services Program.

Dr. Kinsley expressed his thanks and appreciation to the District Mobile Response Team and to Karen Reed, principal, for their handling of the recent tragedy involving a Whatcom Middle School student.

Kinsley shared some “thank-you” letters he received after he was a guest reader for a 3rd grade class at Roosevelt Elementary School.

REPORTS:

Middle School Extended Day Program

Middle school principals Sherrie Brown, Deirdre O’Neill, Karen Reed, and Chris Stevens spoke to the Board about the extended day programs at their individual schools. Each school compiled a report about their program. The reports provided a summary, a description of the students involved, a description of the activities done in the programs, and an evaluation of how well the program has supported students and what was learned in the process.

Bellingham High School Reopening Celebration

Director of School Information and Communications Lavelle Freudenberg reported on the community celebration that is being planned for the reopening of Bellingham High School. The event will be held on Saturday, August 19. The program and dedication will begin at 11 a.m. BHS alumnus and former astronaut Steve Oswald will be a keynote speaker. The BHS Alumni Band will provide music. Following the program, the public will be invited to student-led tours.

ACTION ITEMS:

Baseline Classified Staffing Approved for 2000-2001

Leu moved and Lynch seconded the motion to approved baseline classified staffing for the 2000-2001 school year. The motion carried unanimously. The establishment of baseline staffing for budget development is based on student enrollment projections and program needs. This proposal is for secretarial and instructional assistant staff. Requests that exceed baseline staffing numbers must by considered by the District Budget Advisory Committee.

Kindergarten Schedules

Lynch moved and Leu seconded the motion to approve the kindergarten schedules for the 2000-2001 school year. The motion carried unanimously. Superintendent Kinsley suggested that a kindergarten planning group be established next year to analyze program/facility needs, options, and future plans.

Early Release/Late Arrival Schedule

Leu moved and Lynch seconded approval of the early release/late arrival schedule for 2000-2001. The motion carried unanimously. Schools may select up to eight of the designated Early Release or Late Arrival Days. They may also request permission for two additional days.  This time is to be used by school staff for joint planning and training activities in support of school improvement goals. Dr. Kinsley stated this is an area that he would like administrators, teachers, and parents to review and discuss next year.

Summer School Program

Deputy Superintendent Susan Zoller outlined the programs that will be available this year. They will consist of the following: literacy support classes will be offered for students entering grades 2,3,6, and 9; math for students entering grades 6 and 9; and technology enrichment for students entering grades 4 and 5. Extended School Year (ESY) services will be provided for some special education students through the BestSELF program. The FACES program will provide ESY support for autistic students. Students who qualify for free and reduced lunches are able to receive financial assistance in paying fees. Costs for special education offerings will be paid from special education funds. Lynch moved and Leu seconded approval of the summer school program offerings. The motion carried unanimously.

High School Shuttle Bus

Lynch moved and Leu seconded the proposal for a mid-day high school shuttle bus. The motion carried unanimously. The plan outlines mid-day transportation among the three high schools. It will involve two District buses and the incorporation of a WTA bus/route. This service will provide equal opportunities for students to enroll in a specialized class at another high school in the afternoon.

Out-of-District Travel

Leu moved and Lynch seconded the motion to approve travel for Sehome student, Josh Anderson, and his debate coach to participate in the 29th Annual National High School Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky, May 6-8. The motion carried unanimously.

Personnel Recommendations Approved

Lynch moved and Leu seconded the motion to approve the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Dr. Kinsley announced the retirements of Bob Jones, Squalicum High School principal; Mike Pooleon, social studies teacher at Squalicum; Helen Roberts, third grade teacher at Sunnyland Elementary; and Don Sheppard, utility driver.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.