BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL HEARING

ON HIGH SCHOOL BOUNDARDIES

OF THE

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

May 11, 1998

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met for a special hearing at 5:00 p.m., May 11, 1998, in the Sehome High School cafeteria. The purpose was to present and discuss new boundaries for three high schools beginning in the fall of 2000.

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

At 5:05 p.m. President Elaine Lynch called the meeting to order.

Superintendent Kinsley provided the background for the establishment of the High School Boundaries Committee and explained the format for the meeting. A sign-up sheet was provided for those who wished to address the Board.

Assistant Superintendent Greg Cowan, who chaired the committee, reported on the Board-established guidelines that were used to develop the three options that are being recommended. Members of the committee presented each of the options and explained how they met the criteria.

The following individuals spoke to the Board:

Mandy Kimberly (610 14th St.) 7th grader at Fairhaven Middle School, preferred Option B. Did not like Option A because it would split the family between high schools.

Anna Simkins (501 13th St.) 7th grader at Fairhaven Middle School, was opposed to Option A because of the distance in travel from Chuckanut. Preferred Option B.

Shanna Cole (521 15th St.) 7th grader at Fairhaven Middle School, was against Option A because of transportation issues and separation of friends. Preferred Option B.

Davis Hayden (1009 17th St.) wanted to keep neighborhood schools, was against Plan A because of transportation issues. Supported Plan B.

Christine Hill (1034 15th St.) was against Plan A- in favor of Plan B. Had some concerns about programs for juniors at Bellingham with no senior class.

Mary Swenson (2500 California St.) Sehome parent, stated she was initially against Option A, but was excited about the renovation at Bellingham High School and the opportunities that will be available due to it’s central location, so she is now open to that option.

Cynthia Zejdlik (115 Sudden Valley) wanted to make sure that students with special needs were considered in Option B.

Pam Whalley (2217 W Birch) stated that children on the south side of the Roosevelt Elementary boundary were split for middle school and then split again for high school in Options A and C. She asked if the Board was also planning to look at middle school boundaries.

Shelly Messing (439 Sudden Valley) was opposed to Option C because it divides Geneva and Sudden Valley and because of after-school transportation issues. Also suggested that both juniors and seniors be given the option to stay at the school they are in when the boundaries are changed.

Mike Stoner (769 Hiline Rd) wanted to keep neighborhoods together. Did not feel “socio- economic” data should be considered. He was against Option A and in favor of Option B, but felt that B should be a little larger.

Brian Hansen (905 17th St.) Sehome and Fairhaven parent was in favor of Option B because his kids can walk or bike to school.

Lisa Hawes (4324 Cordero St.) teacher at Silver Beach, had concerns about Option C because it splits Geneva kids into three high schools.

Mary Erickson (1309 Taylor Ave.) parent of 4 children in the District, was against Option A for transportation reasons.

Carol Lager (4615 Morgan St.) was against Option C, but if selected would like it altered to keep Geneva kids together.

Joann Ernst (1815 Wilson Ave.) was against Option A – liked Option C because it takes into account planning for growth.

Michal Handy (2809 Iron St.) spoke about the pros and cons of Option A and Option B and felt both options needed to be expanded on.

Three Geneva neighborhood residents, who were not signed up to speak, spoke against Option C because it of the Geneva neighborhood split.

Carol Lefcourt (907 16th) spoke about the importance of keeping neighborhood schools together for safety and trust reasons.

Janis Smith (2614 Vining Pl.) wanted added flexibility for inter-school transfers.

Lynch advised those attending the meeting that they could also comment by letter to the Superintendent's office.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:30 p.m.