BELLINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Bellingham, Washington

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING

OF THE

BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

October 14, 1999

The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., October 14, 1999, in the Board Room of the Administration Building

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

At 7:32 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 September 23, 1999 School Board meeting.

Investments

Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88.

                  GENERAL FUND:

                                  $126,000.00                   LGIP, withdrawal, September 15, 1999

                                    $53,500.00                   LGIP, withdrawal, September 23, 1999

                                  $807,000.00                   LGIP, withdrawal, September 30, 1999

                  CAPITAL PROJECTS

                                    $54,000.00                  LGIP, investment, September 15, 1999

                                      $4,000.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 15, 1999

                                    $10,400.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 15, 1999

                               $1,651,000.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 15, 1999

                                      $5,100.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 24, 1999

                                  $104,600.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 30, 1999

                                  $103,800.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 30, 1999

                  DEBT SERVICE

                                    $78,000.00                  LGIP, investment, September 23, 1999

                  ASB FUND

                                      $1,300.00                  LGIP, investment, September 15, 1999

                                    $45,500.00                  LGIP, investment, September 15, 1999

                                      $1,500.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 15, 1999

                                      $6,700.00                  LGIP, withdrawal, September 30, 1999

Expenses and Payroll

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

                 GENERAL FUND

                     ACCTS PAY:              9/08/99                  $187,457.23

                                                           9/08/99                        1,478.28

                                                           9/15/99                    158,487.29

                                                           9/23/99                    178,928.30

                                                           9/30/99                    494,347.72

                                     Total General Fund                $1,015,698.82

                CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND

                     ACCTS PAY:              9/15/99                $1,666,213.01

                                                           9/24/99                         5,000.00

                                                           9/30/99                     211,838.98

                       Total Capital Projects Fund                $1,883,051.99

                ASB FUND

                     ACCTS PAY:             9/08/99                       $4,289.36

                                                          9/15/99                       32,556.42

                                                          9/30/99                       44,679.40

                                         Total ASB Fund                      $81,525.18

                                                     SEHOME                      $31,526.69

                                              SQUALICUM                     $29,876.43

               EXPENDABLE TRUST FUND

                    ACCTS PAY:              9/3099                           $150.00

                               Total Exp. Trust Fund                           $150.00

                PAYROLL                                                    $4,758,034.84

Personal Services Contracts:

• Foreign language interpreters, as needed for the 1999-2000 school year.
• William Baker to provide yoga instruction at Sehome High School during September 1999.
• John Bremer to provide school psychological consultation services, as needed for the 1999-2000 school year.
• Cynthia Minkler to serve as pianist for the Roosevelt Elementary choir class during the 1999-2000 school year.
• Linda Lamb to administer and score performance tests for classified applicants during the 1999-2000 school year.

Contract:

• Agreement for Services between Cascade Vocational Services and the Bellingham School District for the 1999-2000 school year.

Surplus Items:

• House at 3014 Cornwall Avenue.
• Seven (7) buses that have been replaced and deactivated.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:

School Board Reports

Several members of the Board reported on the visit to Birchwood Elementary on Friday October 1, and the tour of Bellingham High School on October 11.

Lynch attended the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Committee meeting last Thursday. Leu reported on the Options High School orientation on October 6, and the Sunnyland PTA meeting on October 11. Whitmyer and Lynch attended a seminar on election strategies. Whitmyer also attended the training for new District Site Council members.

Superintendent’s Announcements/Reports

Dr. Kinsley announced the Board meeting schedule for the next few months. They are as follows: October 28, November 17 (Wednesday), December 9, January 13, and January 27.

Kinsley reported that at upcoming meetings there would be various proposals relating to the move to three high schools. The issues for consideration will be classified staffing, extracurricular programs, class schedules, AP/Honor classes, and identification of procedures for student choices.

The WSSDA Conference will be held November 18-20. Kinsley asked the Board to please confirm their attendance.

The Bellingham Arts Commission has asked the District to be a partner in Bellingham 2000, a project to promote and support cultural activities in a community wide artistic celebration of the Millennium.

Dr. Kinsley shared with the Board fact sheets on SJR8206, a Senate ballot measure that would guarantee top rating for school district bond sales. If passed, there would be significant cost savings for school districts.

Introduction of Levy Committee Co-Chairs

President David Blair introduced Robb and Gerri Dale, co-chairs of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee for the 1999-2000 levy. The Dales have resided in Bellingham for over 20 years. Robb Dale is the president of Unity Insurance and Gerri spent 18 years in the banking industry. The Dales have two children, one attends Silver Beach and the other is in preschool.

REPORTS:

Summer School Report

Summer School Principal Ann Oveson summarized the 1999 summer school program. Sixty-three students participated in the program. Literacy support classes were offered for Grades 2, 3, and 6. There was a math preparation class for Grade 9 and technology enrichment for Grades 4 and 5. The academic programs were four-week sessions. Technology enrichment was a two-week session. Superintendent Kinsley stated that this program will need to grow in the future to address the learning needs of students, and the need for growth and evaluation must be considered within the constraints of the budget.  There is no special funding for this program. The budget for summer school was provided by District funds.

ACTION ITEMS:

Policy #5320 Approved

Lynch moved and Whitmyer seconded approval of revised Policy #5320– Leaves – Certificated and Classified Administrators and Nonrepresented Classified Employees. The motion carried unanimously. There were no changes to the policy since the first reading at the

September 23 meeting.

Task Force for Assessing School Climate

Whitmyer moved and Lynch seconded approval to establish a task force for assessing school climate. The motion carried unanimously. The group will include representatives from the community and from all levels of the District. They will create indicators and guidelines for measuring and reporting school climate. The support for ensuring a positive school climate is clarified in the strategic plan, Pathway for the 21st Century, and the District vision statement.

Approval to Purchase Property on Pinewood Avenue

Gass moved and Leu seconded the motion for approval to purchase a lot on Pinewood Avenue. The motion carried unanimously. The lot is 9600 square feet and adjoins the north side of Birchwood Elementary School.

Approval of Civic Stadium Improvement Proposal

Leu moved and Lynch seconded the motion to approve a proposal for improvements to the field at Civic Stadium. The motion carried unanimously. City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Director Byron Elmendorf gave an overview of the project. For the past two years, there has been discussion between the City, WWU, and the District related to increased use of the field and the need for surface improvements to ensure safe playing conditions. After research, it was agreed that the field would be resurfaced with synthetic grass. The District will contribute $300,000 from the Capital Projects Fund toward the estimated $1.1 million project.

Middle School Science Trip

Whitmyer moved and Gass seconded approval of the annual middle school science trip to California. The motion carried unanimously. This trip has been offered to eighth grade students from all four middle schools for the past 12 years.

Call for Bid

Gass moved and Whitymyer seconded the motion for permission to call for bid for athletic uniforms and equipment for Bellingham High School. The motion carried unanimously.

Bid Award

Leu moved and Whitmyer seconded permission to award the bid for roofing work at Happy Valley Elementary School to Borders and Son Quality Roofing. The motion carried unanimously. The bid for the project was $39,500.

Personnel Recommendations Approved

Lynch moved and Whitmyer seconded the motion for approval of the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Dr. Kinsley announced the resignation of John Petersen, Transportation Manager, and recognized the contributions he made during his three years with the District.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m.