BOARD MINUTES FOR

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Highland School District #203

Regular Board Meeting

Highland High School

April 17, 2007

Chair Julie Smith opened the Public Hearing to review I-728 expenditures for 2007-08 at 6:50 pm. Others in attendance: Board Members Bruce Allen, DeeDee Trepanier and Becky Laughery; Superintendent Gary Masten; Director of Business and Operations Dean Schlenker; Principals Janice Sauve and Greg George; Director of Student Services Barb Gilbert; Food Services Director Carla Borland; Recording Secretary Lynette Hammarstrom; and some patrons of the district.

Dean reviewed the proposed expenditures for I-728 funds for the 2007-08 school year.

At 7:00 pm, Julie called the Regular Board Meeting to order. Present in addition to those above: Board Member Nikki Keller; Principal Trevor Greene, Secretaries Shana Matzke, Gayle Dowd, Joan Amos, HEA Co-Presidents Teresa Long and Tara Wyckoff; Principal Interns Eric Diener and James Heinle; and student Patrick Notman.

Julie introduced new board member Becky Laughery who took her Oath of Office at the April 10 th Special Board Meeting. Becky led the flag salute.

It was moved by Bruce and 2 nd by DeeDee they approve the Minutes of the March 20, 2007 Regular Board Meeting and Special Board Meetings on March 21, March 29 and April 10, 2007; motion passed.

COMMUNICATIONS

Julie presented Scottie Pride Awards to student Miranda Claire Burns, Secretaries Gayle Dowd, Shana Matzke and Joan Amos, and Food Services Director Carla Borland. Those recipients unable to attend: Teacher Sharon Hill and student Katey Maslen.

Janice reviewed the Response to Intervention training she and her staff have been taking and the benefits it has to finding solutions for students with special needs.

OLD BUSINESS

Dean reviewed the proposed expenditures of I-728 funds for 2007-08. It was moved by DeeDee and 2 nd by Nikki they approve the expenditure plan as outlined; motion passed.

Dean reviewed the revision to Policy 6020 System of Funds and Accounts and proposed policy 6215 Voucher Certification and Approval. It was moved by DeeDee and 2 nd by Bruce they approve the revision to Policy 6020 and adoption of Policy 6215; motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS

Eric Diener gave a report on the Classroom-Based Assessments (CBA’s) and Classroom-Based Performance Assessments (CBPA’s) being used in grades 5-12. By 2008-09, CBA’s and CBPA’s will be required statewide at all grade levels to measure student learning of social studies, arts and health/fitness. Eric reported Highland is ahead of schedule in this process. He displayed art projects created by intermediate level students and senior Patrick Notman played a piece on his tenor saxophone that he used for his CBPA requirement.

It was moved by DeeDee and 2 nd by Nikki they approve three FFA overnight trips; motion passed.

Administrator reports: Dean reported on the land leveling project at the High School/Jr. High site. He also reported the maintenance staff is now painting the tennis courts themselves which will save the district money. As a fundraiser towards the National FFA Convention, the FFA Club will be installing the fence between the HS/HJH campus and the neighbor to the west which will also save a considerable amount based on the bids received for the project. Dean also reported the progress of the second MWC playground.

Trevor reported on the WASL testing currently underway at the Jr. High. The CWU Gear Up program is providing tutors for students. James Heinle gave a spring sports update and reported the 8 th grade students are taking the Science WASL for the first time.

Greg reported the HS will be having freshman orientation soon. Highland has been accepted for a NACL 3-year science grant that will offer professional development for the science staff, grades 7-12. Gary mentioned the district has also been included as one of nine districts for a MSP grant for science and math which will also offer staff development for teachers in those fields.

Janice reported the recent Community Festival was successful. Her building will host 14 Pre/Autumn and Student Teachers next fall from CWU. The MWC staff has had three instructional staff meetings which focus on staff development.

Barb said WASL testing and plans are underway for Summer School. She reported part of our district professional development this year has focused on the development of a district learning walk form with teachers and principals working together (Cohort I).  We expanded the group following winter break, adding new teachers to the group (Cohort II).  The plans are to continue this training next year with Cohorts III and IV at the beginning levels and to provide additional training for those in this year’s groups.

Gary said TIS Principal Andy Woehler was unable to attend this evening’s meeting. Gary reported that all three grades at Tieton Intermediate School are taking the WASL. He and other superintendents in ESD 105 are taking instructionally-based tours of schools in our ESD and last week they visited TIS.

Trevor reviewed work the K-12 District Math Committee is doing at all levels and the valuable assistance Math Consultant Tom Boyce is providing the district.

Greg mentioned CWU’s Gear Up program is financing Tom Boyce’s Professional Development.

Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mike Lewis joined the meeting at 8:00 pm and gave a spring sports update for the High School. Gary reported he and Mike attended the WIAA Award Ceremony in Spokane where Mike was one of nine regional Athletic Director nominees for State Athletic Director of the Year.

Dean gave the current enrollment and budget status reports. He reported Klingele and Associates was awarded the bid at the April 10 th Special Board Meeting to provide an electrical engineering plan for the retro-fit of the High School/Jr. High site. Dean is projecting approximately $70,000 to $80,000 per year in savings in utility costs when the retro-fit is combined with the reduced costs of the geothermal system at Marcus Whitman. Dean reported that should electrical costs go up and propane come down in the future, the system could be reverted back to propane with little difficulty.

Gary reviewed the Personnel Report. It was moved by DeeDee and 2 nd by Nikki they approve the Personnel Report as presented; motion passed.

Legislature Report: Nikki reported the legislature is still in session. Two key items include the simple majority will go to the voters in November and changes are being considered to the WASL deadlines. Nikki will have a more detailed report upon the completion of the session.

It was moved by Nikki and 2 nd by Bruce they approve the General Fund bills for $161,846.83 with warrants 44920 through 45064; ASB Fund bills for $8,532.25 with warrants 3998 through 4019; and the Payroll for $245,000.31 with warrants 45065 through 45142 and $402,467.90 by direct deposit; motion passed.

Dean answered some additional questions on I-728 and enrollment.

At 9:50 pm Julie called for a short recess before going in Executive Session to discuss a complaint against an employee and to review the superintendent’s evaluation. She estimated the Session would last 45 minutes. Only the board and superintendent were present.

Julie reconvened the Regular Meeting at 10:30 pm and adjourned the meeting at 10:31 pm.

Highland School District #203

Special Board Meeting

April 10, 2007

District Office

The April 10, 2007 Special Board Meeting was called to order at 7:00 am by Chair Julie Smith. Others present: Board Members Bruce Allen, Nikki Keller and DeeDee Trepanier; Superintendent Gary Masten; Director of Business and Operations Dean Schlenker; Rebecca Laughery, and Recording Secretary Lynette Hammarstrom.

Gary asked Julie if two items could be added to the Agenda: #8, Early Retirement Notification which would require board action and #9 and Executive Session to discuss a complaint against an employee. The Agenda was so amended.

Gary administered the Oath of Office to Rebecca (Becky) Laughery, appointed at the March 21, 2007 Special Board Meeting to fill the vacancy in District #1.

Dean gave a current budget status and enrollment report. He reviewed the cash balance which he estimated would be $450,000 to $500,000 at the end of the fiscal year, which is below the 7.5% balance required by Board Policy 6000.

Gary suggested the order of the Agenda items be changed in order to accommodate Kevin Ramsey who had not arrived yet and is on a tight schedule.

Dean reviewed the three proposals he received for Engineering Services authorized at the March 8 th Special Board Meeting. The proposals were from Dennis Klingele & Associates, CeGG Engineering, and BrN Engineering, Inc. It was moved by Bruce and 2 nd by Nikki they accept the bid of Dennis Klingele & Associates to design the specifications for the energy retrofit of the High School/Jr. High facility for $13,500; motion passed. A Call for Bids for the retrofit project will be done at a later time.

The Board discussed the Community Leadership Award and selected a nominee. Gary will author a draft of the nomination and will finalize it with the Board prior to the April 19 deadline.

Gary reviewed the need for a financial incentive to encourage staff to notify the business office early if they plan to retire. As it is now, staff do not have to let the district know until July 1 if they do not plan to return, and if circumstances require, the district must issue RIF notices by May 15. It was moved by Nikki and 2 nd by DeeDee they approve the offer of an $800 incentive for early retirement notifications; motion passed.

Gary gave a brief review of the references for WEA Consultant Kevin Ramsey and the services he could provide to the district. At 7:35 am Mr. Ramsey and WEA Representative Janet Beck arrived at the meeting. Kevin explained his roll as a consultant to determine the climate culture of adults within a school district and in individual buildings. There is no cost as his services are funded by teachers’ WEA dues. Kevin briefed the board on his background and reviewed how he would assist the board to achieve better cultural climate in our district and provide a process to deal with issues. Kevin and Janet left the meeting at 8:20 am. The Board discussed the process and it was a consensus of the Board that if they have Mr. Ramsey come into the district, he work on a district-wide level to begin with. Gary reported he spoke with most of Kevin’s references and they were good. Gary will talk again with Kevin to clarify some concerns and will come back to the Board with a plan for a district-wide survey.

Dean reviewed historical levy rates for the past 10 years.

Dean reviewed historical data on enrollment and cash balances. He said the district budget is directly related to the projected enrollment and the Board discussed what enrollment figure to use, based on three scenarios suggested by Dean. It was the consensus of the Board they use 1065 for the projected 2007-08 enrollment which would create a budget deficit of approximately $150,000. Gary reviewed areas such as math and P.E. where the state is requiring additional requirements without added funding. It was a consensus of the Board that the C Squads not be reinstated until a levy is passed covering the cost. The Board discussed areas of staff reductions that could cover most if not all of the deficit. Sharing of staff between the Jr. High and High School was discussed and it was determined both buildings will need to be on a six period day to accommodate that option. Dean said in order to balance the budget with a 1065 enrollment figure, and make up the $150,000 deficit, it will be necessary to reduce staff. Gary will prepare a plan for 2007-08 staffing for board action at the May 15th Board Meeting.

Julie postponed the Executive Session to discuss a complaint against an employee due to time limitations.

Dean reported there will be a brief Public Hearing prior to the April Board Meeting to review I-728 expenditures.

Julie adjourned the meeting was adjourned at 10:55 am.

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