Bellingham, Washington
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 25, 2001
The Bellingham School Board of Directors met in regular session at 7:30 p.m., January 25, 2001, in the Board Room of the Administration Building.
Present: Directors Ken Gass, Don Leu, Elaine Lynch, and David Blair, President Ann Whitmyer, Superintendent Dale Kinsley, and recorder Shirley Knapp.
At 7:30 p.m. President Ann Whitmyer called the meeting to order.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS:
Blair moved and Gass seconded approval of the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.
Minutes
Action on the minutes of the January 11, 2001 School Board meeting.
GENERAL FUND
$43,000.00 LGIP, withdrawal, January 12, 2001.
CAPITAL PROJECTS
$433,500.00 LGIP, withdrawal, January 12, 2001.
ASB FUND
$32,500.00 LGIP, withdrawal, January 12, 2001.
Personal Services Contracts
Out-of-State Travel
REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS:
School Board Reports
Leu reported on his recent trip to Africa.
Gass attended a community meeting with members of the Northern Heights neighborhood on January 18, regarding the new elementary school.
Lynch attended a Partnership for Learning Steering Committee meeting on January 18, Geneva’s DARE graduation, Bellingham High’s Drama II One-Acts on January 12, and the Readiness to Learn quarterly meeting. Lynch also gave a state and federal legislative report. She highlighted HB1056 relating to a central repository for teacher education and experience information; HB1074, which would change the transportation report date; HB 1029 to resolve payment disputes owed by non-high school districts to high school districts; and portions of President Bush’s education proposal. Lynch announced a video teleconference with legislators and Whatcom County superintendents and directors, which is being planned for January 31, in the Board Room, and a Partnership for Learning/Chamber breakfast on March 8, at the Best Western.
Whitmyer reported on the Partnership for Learning Steering Committee meeting and the Readiness to Learn quarterly meeting.
Superintendent’s Announcements/Reports
On Monday, January 29, Superintendent Kinsley will be attending the Aspiring Leaders Conference at Sea Tac.
Friday, February 2, at 7:30 a.m., the Board will visit Larrabee Elementary School. February 2, is also Groundhog’s Day. Dr. Kinsley reported that he will be “shadowed” by two high school students that day as part of the Jr. Achievement job shadow program.
Kinsley announced that Board presidents and business leaders would be invited to attend the School-to-Work Appreciation Breakfast on February 6.
Last Tuesday, January 16, Dr. Cowan and the Superintendent met with the City of Bellingham Capital Needs Committee to convey school needs for future planning.
Dr. Kinsley reported that high school, middle school, and elementary school leadership teams have been meeting the last three days with consultant Victoria Berndhardt. The teams have been looking at the feedback from the school surveys to make the data usable and applicable as part of the strategic planning process.
Kinsley reported that the feedback forms for the use of I-728 Student Achievement Funds are being distributed. In addition he will be meeting with employee groups to discuss how the funds will be prioritized.
Dr. Kinsley read a mayoral proclamation declaring the month of January “School Board Appreciation Month.” Kinsley recognized the Board for their commitment to students and the community.
Staff Recognition
The following District staff were recognized by Superintendent Kinsley for their achievements:
Sehome Student Video Project
Devan Sullivan, Sehome student, reported on a 30-second ad for Boys and Girls Club that was produced by Sehome video production students. The students worked in collaboration with Boys and Girls Club and KVOS TV through the various stages of the project. The Board had an opportunity to view the final product, which is being aired on KVOS.
REPORTS:
Revised Budget Process for the 2001-2002 School Year
Executive Director Jim Stevens reported on two revisions to the budgeting process for the 2001-02 school year. A provision had been added for deal with the Student Achievement Funds provided by Initiative 728. In addition, there has been a change to the process for handling building budget requests. Those requests will now be reviewed by the instructional support sub-committee prior to being submitted to the District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC). The model continues the long-standing efforts of the District to ensure a strong connection between goals and objectives and the allocation of resources. Dr. Kinsley reminded the Board that there is an opening for an ex-officio participant on the DBAC this year.
High School Student Behavior and Perceptions
Susan Zoller, Deputy Superintendent; Kenn Robinson Director of Student Services; and high school principals Steve Clarke, Becky Elemendorf, and Jim Kistner reported on data that has been gathered regarding high school student behavior and perceptions. The information is based on the Washington State Adolescent Health Survey, which is given to students across the state in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12, and the Senior Exit Survey, which is given to all students in Whatcom County during the last week of their senior year. After review of the surveys, the following two patterns of concern emerged: 1) While the majority of students felt engaged, interested, and connected to school 25-30% of students did not; and 2) Most students do not see a connection between their school work and the “real world” after high school. The Health Survey indicated that while our students were less involved than their peers statewide, many students were regularly engaged in “risky behaviors,” including drug and alcohol use. Buildings are looking at ways to personalize learning, form closer connections between adults and students, and recognize student achievement. Dr. Kinsley stated that student health behaviors should be the concern of the entire community.
Energy Consumption and Cost Impact
Executive Director Jim Stevens reported on energy costs for electricity and natural gas for this school year. There have been no significant cost increases in electricity, but natural gas costs have increased by more than 50% since this time last year. District usage for the year has not gone up; however these increases will mean approximately $100,000 in additional energy costs over the budget.
Building and Grounds Manger Mike Anderson gave an update of the energy renovation projects that have occurred over the last seven years in District schools. The improvements included more efficient lighting fixtures, windows, insulation, steam trap replacement, automated heating, wall construction, univent replacement, and boiler and heat pump replacements. In addition, buildings are looking at other ways to conserve energy.
ACTION ITEMS:
New Elementary Design
Architects Terry Brown of Zervas, and Paul Rising of BLR+B, presented the design development plans for the new elementary school. This phase further details the architectural, civil, structural, mechanical and electrical plans. Dr. Cowan, Assistant Superintendent reported that the City annexation process should be completed by March. After the Plan/SEPA review and approval, the project is expected to be bid at the end of April. Construction is planned to begin in June, with completion still expected in July 2002. The District held two neighborhood meetings with the Northern Heights community to discuss the project and concern about traffic, vehicle access, sight and sound. The District is also gathering more information about the natural gas pipeline that runs through the neighboring property to the north. Final approval for design development will be presented at the February 8 Board meeting.
Student Trips
Blair moved and Lynch seconded the motion to approve in concept a student trip for the Squalicum High School Orchestra to perform in Washington State and at the Northwest Orchestra Festival in Portland, Oregon, March 9-10, 2001. The motion carried unanimously.
Bid Awards
Blair moved and Gass seconded approval to award the bid for the bus turnaround improvements at Parkview Elementary School to Westward Hoe Construction at a bid price of $46,890. The motion carried unanimously.
Personnel Recommendations
Leu moved and Gass seconded the motion for approval of the personnel recommendations as presented. The motion carried unanimously. Dr. Kinsley recognized two employees that are retiring from Lowell Elementary School—Linda St. Andre, library media specialist, and Fred Lund, custodian.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m.