BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL HEARING

ON HIGH SCHOOL BOUNDARDIES

OF THE

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

May 18, 1998

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met for a special hearing at 7:00 p.m., May 18, 1998, in the Bellingham High School music room. The purpose was to present and discuss new boundaries for three high schools beginning in the fall of 2000.

Present: Directors David Blair, Becky Diaz, Mary Stender, and Ann Whitmyer, President

Elaine M. Lynch, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp.

At 7:10 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.  Cowan, and committee members Steve Clarke and Mark Patterson presented each of the options and explained how they met the criteria. Cowan also recognized other committee members who were in the audience.

The following individuals spoke to the Board:

Dirk Elliott (726 Sudden Valley) asked if the three schools would be specialized schools and also stated he had concerns that Sehome would soon need a rebuild. Mr. Elliott favored either Option A or Option C.

John Zaremba (2310 Vining) felt that Plan C was the best choice for all if it could be tweaked to add students in from the Geneva neighborhood.

Barbara Jaffe Nash (516 Clark) was opposed to Option A because it splits up kids from Fairhaven feeder schools.

Jaime Henifin (17 Strawberry Pt.) wanted to know what the athletic classification would be for the three high schools.

Bruce Phillips (194 Shallow Shore Rd.) was opposed to Option A because of transportation issues and in favor of Option B because it would be the least disruptive.

Nels Hansen (905 17th) student, was against Plan A and in favor of B because he is in walking distance of Sehome.

Mikael Fauvelle (1009 17th St.) student, was against Plan A and in favor of Plan B because he is with within walking distance of Sehome.

Tom Resick (617 14th St.) was against Option A because it would break up community bonds. He was in favor of either Option B or Option C.

Bill Zeals (975 Grand Blvd.) from Geneva, stated he was not opposed to any of the schools but did not like Option C because it divides Geneva among three high schools.

Suanne Baker (49 Strawberry Pt.) Geneva parent, stated her first choice was Option A, but could accept Option C with some adjustment to the Geneva neighborhood.

Dave Baker (49 Strawberry Pt.) was against Option A and B. He felt that Option C was acceptable if it could be altered so that it doesn’t break up the Geneva neighborhood. Mr. Baker questioned the importance of the socio-economic criteria.

Lynch advised those attending the meeting that they could also comment by letter to the Superintendent's office at 1306 Dupont St.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.