BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING 

OF THE 

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

May 12, 2005

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., May 12, 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, Ann Whitmyer, President Elaine Lynch, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Nancy Merry. Director Steve Schoenfeld was excused.

At 7:00 p.m. Ann Whitmyer moved to begin executive session; Elaine Lynch seconded. At 7:35 p.m. Jeff Haggen moved to regular session; Ken Gass seconded.

At 7:40 p.m. President Elaine Lynch called the regular meeting to order.

CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:

Jeff Haggen moved and Ken Gass seconded approval of the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Minutes

Action on the minutes of the April 28, 2005 Executive Session and the April 28, 2005 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

  GENERAL FUND

  CAPITAL PROJECTS

  DEBT SERVICE

  ASB FUND

  TRANSPORTATION VEHICLE

Expenditures and Payroll

Action on expenditures and payroll as approved by the Auditing Committee.

Personal Services Contract

• Eero Johnson to co-direct a school play at Lowell Elementary School in May and June 2005.

Out of State Travel

• Julie Craddock and Kiersten Barr to attend a Heinemann professional development training in Coronado, California, July 22 and 23, 2005.
• Janice Smith to attend a strategic planning session offered the Lummi Ventures Program in St. Paul, Minnesota, June 8–10, 2005.
• Carol Beebe to travel as chaperone for Highly Capable Learners' Program students competing in the National History Day Finals in Washington, D.C., June 11–16, 2005.

Contracts

• Interdistrict Agreement between the District and Oak Harbor School District for the District to provide vision services for a student from Oak Harbor School District.
• Work Study Agreement between the District and Bellingham Technical College for the 2004–2005 school year.

Final Acceptance of Fiber Lite Project

Acceptance of Donations

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Along with other Board members, Jeff Haggen visited Carl Cozier Elementary School on May 6 for the Board's monthly school visit. Haggen was impressed by the different ways that math is being taught and how it is increasing student learning.

Ken Gass commented on the schoolwide commitment Carl Cozier teachers have to learning and how teachers report that coaching has helped improve their teaching methods.

During the Carl Cozier visit, Ann Whitmyer was pleased to hear support for the adjustments made in the student support program. Whitmyer also commented that she was pleased to hear teachers endorse the District decision to use much of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funds for professional development. Whitmyer also attended the District Budget Committee meeting.

Elaine Lynch enjoyed seeing how long-time teachers at Carl Cozier are excited about what they are learning through coaching and how it adds innovation to their teaching methods. Lynch also commented that teachers report the changes made in the student support program are working to connect families to needed community resources. Lynch also attended two Readiness-To-Learn meetings.

Superintendent's Announcements/Report

Dale Kinsley announced the End-of-the-Year Community and Staff Celebration on May 24 at Bellingham High School from 3 to 5 p.m. At that time, a draft of the District's Strategic Plan will be presented. In addition, community partnership awards and Bellingham Public School Foundation Mini-Grants will be announced.

Invitations have been mailed to retirees and guests for the District Retirement Dinner to be held June 2 at Northwood Hall.

Kinsley attended a PTA-sponsored breakfast at Sehome High School to honor junior students. At the breakfast, Kinsley presented the school with an Academic Improvement Award from OSPI.

Audience

Johnny Grames addressed the Board about his son's enrollment at Sehome High School.

REPORTS:

National History Day Performance

First place winners in the group category at the Washington State History Day Competition presented their performance of “Media Involvement in the 1989 Tiananmen Square Protest.” Bellingham High School students Alison Blume, Kaitlin Sellereit and Kate Von Krusenstiern will travel to Washington, D.C. in June for the National History Day competition. The students are coached by Judy Wagner, facilitator of the Highly Capable Learners Program.

ACTION ITEMS:

Early Release/Late Arrival Dates for 2005–2006

Jeff Haggen moved and Ken Gass seconded the motion approving the early release/late arrival dates for 2005–2006. The schedule for elementary and middle schools will remain unchanged with ten early release days. This allows time for teachers to also conference with families of students who are not making adequate academic progress. For the 2005–2006 school year, the high schools are requesting an additional four late arrival/early release days for a total of twelve. This schedule will give them needed days for implementation of the culminating project components. Whitmyer commented that early release and late arrival allows collaborative learning time for staff to support improvements for schools and student performance in order to better meet District and state goals. The motion carried unanimously.

Classified Staff Allocation for 2005–2006

Ken Gass moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded approval of the baseline classified staffing allocation for 2005–2006 as presented. District enrollment is projected to increase slightly, causing some shifts in staffing at the elementary and high school levels. Middle schools will maintain current allocations. The motion carried unanimously.

Resolution 2–05, No Child Left Behind Improvement Act of 2005

Ken Gass moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion approving Resolution 2–05, supporting a bill that changes and improves elements of the No Child Left Behind Act. The motion carried unanimously.

Architect for Alderwood Elementary School Classroom Addition

Jeff Haggen moved and Ann Whitmyer seconded the motion approving the selection of Stewart+King Architects for the remodel work and addition of classrooms at Alderwood Elementary School. The motion carried unanimously.

Student Trips

Ann Whitmyer moved and Ken Gass seconded the motion approving a field trip for Squalicum High School students from Richard Synder's class aboard the schooner Zodiac, May 13–15, 2005. The motion carried unanimously.

Personnel Recommendations

Ken Gass moved and Jeff Haggen seconded the motion approving the personnel recommendations as presented. Kinsley noted the recommendations include Jean Prochaska to fill the position of Coordinator of Curriculum and Staff Development. Kinsley also noted the retirements of Margo Montague, Lowell Elementary School principal; Gaye Lynn MacDonald, Food Services manager; Marv Fast, Kulshan Middle School teacher; and Roylene Baker, Parkview Elementary School paraeducator. Kinsley expressed his appreciation for the many years of service they have given the District. The motion carried unanimously.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.