BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Bellingham, Washington
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
May 27, 1999
The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., May 27, 1999, in the Board Room of the Administration Building. Prior to the regular meeting, there was an Executive Session at 6:15 p.m. Purpose of the Executive Session – negotiations/personnel matters.
Present: Directors Ken Gass, Don Leu, Elaine M. Lynch, and Ann Whitmyer, President David Blair, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp.
At 6:16 p.m. Lynch moved to begin Executive Session; Gass seconded. At 7:30 p.m. Lynch made the motion to move to regular session; Gass seconded.
At 7:39 p.m. President David Blair called the meeting to order.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Gass moved and Whitmyer seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes
Action on the minutes of the May 13, 1999 School Board meeting.
Investments
Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.
GENERAL FUND:
$1,266,000.00 LGIP, investment, May 7, 1999
$1,257,000.00 LGIP, investment, May 14, 1999
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$2,700.00 LGIP, investment, May 14, 1999
$300.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$8,600.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$69,200.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
DEBT SERVICE
$903,000.00 LGIP, investment, May 7, 1999
$683,500.00 LGIP, investment, May 14, 1999
ASB FUND
$2,000.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$500.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$100.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$100.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
$10,500.00 LGIP, withdrawal, May 14, 1999
Notice of Completion
Approval of Notice of Completion for Sehome bleachers.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
School Board Reports
Gass reported on the Sehome one-act play on May 19; Whitmyer and Lynch also attended. Several Board members attended the District retirement dinner on May 20. Gass and Whitmyer attended the middle school boundary meeting at Silver Beach on May 26.
Whitmyer reported on the last two meetings of the District Budget Advisory Committee. She also attended the Happy Valley DARE graduation and the Sehome High School Senior Tea. Whitmyer gave a legislative update of the special session, which resulted in an award of $7 million dollars in grant money to address school safety.
Lynch and Whitmyer participated in the Sunnyland stream reclamation project with 2nd and 5th graders. They also attended Bill Attebery’s retirement party last Friday afternoon. Lynch attended a program to receive 19 Sehome students as new members in the National Honor Society.
Superintendent’s Announcements/Reports
Dr. Kinsley reported that the Readiness-to-Learn Grant was submitted to the State. A combined consortium of Whatcom County School Districts submitted this year’s grant application. The grant will provide funding to support the District’s Family Information Centers.
Kinsley also reported on the Smart Tools Academy pilot workshop that he attended last weekend in Forks, Washington. The Smart Tools Academy program is funded by the Gates Learning Foundation and provides training for principals and superintendents in the use of technology for learning.
Superintendent Kinsley announced that Sehome High School graduation will be June 5, at
2 p.m. at Civic Field weather permitting- otherwise the ceremony will be at Carver Gym. Squalicum High School graduation will be at Carver Gym on June 5 at 7 p.m. Options High School graduation will be held June 9 at Squalicum High School. On June 8 there will be a celebration for all District staff at 4 p.m. at Squalicum.
Kinsley suggested holding the budget study session on June 17.
Dr. Kinsley announced that District bus drivers won 1st place at this year’s ESD School Bus Safety Road-e-o. The District team has won the competition 16 times out of 19 years.
Audience
Karen Walker, Sehome parent, addressed the Board regarding the lack of sufficient high school Advanced Placement (AP) or Honors math classes.
REPORTS:
School Performance Reports –Alderwood, Larrabee, and Kulshan
The Board heard school performance reports from Alderwood, Larrabee, and Kulshan. These presentations are part of the District’s school accountability process. Two other schools will report to the Board in June.
Financial Implications of the Recent Legislative Session
Business Manager Jim Stevens provided information to the Board about the major areas of financial impact to the District as a result of the 1999-2001 state biennial budget. The largest impact to the District is the increases for salaries and additional contract days. All staff will receive a 3% increase in salaries. Teachers will receive additional increases, depending on years of experience. The legislature also provided three additional staff training days for teachers, and increased the medical benefit allocation for all employees. The level of staffing for K-4 teachers was increased. This will result in 2.75 additional teachers for grades K-4. The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funding for the District was increased by over $90,000.
Health Services Program
Bill Attebery, Director of Student Services gave an overview of the Report of the Health Services Review Committee. The Committee, composed of administrators, certificated and classified staff reviewed and analyzed the District’s health services. The report contained their findings and recommendations, particularly in the area of activities that require a Registered Nurse. Also recommended was a budget proposal to increase the nursing staff by 1.0 FTE next year.
ACTION ITEMS:
First Reading of Policy/Procedures #9310 – Emergencies
The Board heard a first reading of Policy/Procedures #9310 – Emergencies. The policy was revised to include responsibilities associated with emergency procedures and communications. Procedures were developed for evacuation, secure in place, and natural disasters (earthquake).
Summer School Program Approved
Lynch moved and Whitmyer seconded approval of the summer school program. The motion carried unanimously. Literacy support classes will be offered at grades 2,3 and 6. In addition, there will be a math preparation class for grade 9, and technology enrichment for grades 4 and 5.
Curriculum Budget for 1999-2000
Curriculum Director Wendy Barrett provided information to the Board regarding a three-year budget proposal to increase funding to support curriculum efforts. In addition to resources to implement assessment and instructional materials, the proposal is requesting two teachers for the 1999-2000 school year to work with the Curriculum Director to provide added support for teachers in subject specific curriculum and staff development. Final Board decision will be made as part of the budget review and adoption process.
Basic Textbooks for High School History and Economics
The Instructional Materials Committee recommended approval of two basic textbooks for high school history and economics. The books will be available for review during the next two weeks in the Curriculum Office.
Learning Network Proposal for 1999-2000
As part of the budget process the District Budget Advisory Committee is considering a multi-year proposal for funding of the Learning Network. During the 1999-2000 school year continuing support would be provided for the six elementary schools that are currently involved in the Learning Network, with the addition of Parkview Elementary. The proposal also includes funding through 2002-2003 to eventually have the Learning Network in all elementary schools.
Early Release/Late Arrival Schedule for 1999-2000
Gass moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion to approve the early release/late arrival schedule for the 1999-2000 school year. The motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Recommendations Approved
Lynch moved and Gass seconded the motion for approval of the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Dr. Kinsley announced that Assistant Superintendent Ted Czajkowski would be resigning at the end of June to accept a position at the Western Washington University School of Education.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.