BOARD MINUTES FOR
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #203
Regular Board Meeting
Highland High School
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The September 19, 2006, Regular Board Meeting was called to order by Chair Julie Smith at 7:00 pm. Others in attendance: Board Members Nikki Keller, DeeDee Trepanier, Bruce Allen, Becky Laughery and; Superintendent Gary Masten; Principals Greg George, Janice Sauve, Kelly Thorson and Andy Woehler, Director of Student Services Barb Gilbert; Athletic Director and Teacher Eric Diener, Teacher James Heinle, Director of Business and Operations Dean Schlenker, Superintendent Intern Heather Hastie; Recording Secretary Sharon Fisher; and several teachers and patrons of the district.
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 pm. Nikki Keller led the flag salute.
DeeDee moved with 2 nd by Bruce that they approve the minutes of the July 17 Regular Board Meeting and the amendment to the minutes of the June 19, 2007 Regular Board Meeting showing a corrected direct deposit amount; motion passed.
Communications: Julie explained what WSSDA is and read the letter from WSSDA regarding their Leadership Class for 2007-08.
There was discussion on “C” squads for 2007-08. Becky Laughery moved, with 2 nd by DeeDee that they approve “C” squads for 2007-08 at the high school and the junior high, if there are sufficient numbers.
DeeDee presented her research on the former HighlandBooster Club. She had interviewed officers and members regarding how they had determined who got what money: the request, investigation and vote. Their fundraisers included spaghetti feeds, taco nights and booster buttons. The group disbanded because requests for money outweighed the number of members who could work. They also did ticket-taking at the games. There was discussion on Booster Clubs and members of the audience were requested to contact DeeDee or Julie if they were interested in starting a Booster Club.
Julie reviewed the Community Forum dates and special presentations scheduled for board meetings. She also encouraged everyone present to help spread the word on the District Facilities Tour on September 20, starting at 6:00 pm.
Julie passed out copies of the Board Self-Evaluations and Goals to the audience and reviewed them. She said the Board would like to find a more appropriate form that reflects the extent of the work they’re actually doing and would be more explicit.
In response to a patron question at the July Community Forum, Julie presented lists generated by teachers regarding “positives” at each school.
Eric Diener explained that HHS is going to a six-period day. With this schedule change, Washington State History is being separated from the Social Studies curriculum. Gary Packard researched and found a book that has an excellent reputation: Washington in the Pacific Northwest. “Earth Sciences in Eastern Washington” is part of the curriculum and there is historical emphasis on women and minorities. This textbook talks about “Washington Today” and ends with ideas rather than dates, so the book will not become outdated so quickly.
Eric said that, as a historian, he feels this is a top-of-the-line book. Superintendent Intern Heather Hastie mentioned she had talked to other schools including Cle Elum, which has used this curriculum for two years, and “the kids liked it a lot”. Bruce moved that they approve the proposed Social Studies curriculum; 2 nd by Nikki. Motion passed.
Dean reported that we were approved for E-Rate grants which would fund renewing the backbone of our electronic connectivity including wireless networking, file servers, routers, and switches. A total of approximately $466,000 was approved – $436,000 for technology and $30,000 for phones. Some of these expenditures are already in the budget. He said we are very fortunate to receive these funds and went through about 100 hours of audit before being approved. There was some discussion on the use of web software such as “DreamWeaver”.
Dean discussed grounds maintenance and said it takes 32 hours per week just to mow lawns; also, Mark has to do a lot of the field work. The fields are in the best shape they’ve been in a long time. They present a real challenge due to the hardpan because water tends to puddle and then run off without soaking in. Dean discussed the potholes on the TIS fields and said they will be filled with sand temporarily because there is not funding to redo the fields at this time.
Dean said the HVAC system at MWC is working well. He said we should save a lot at HHS/HJH with the new retrofit system.
Dean gave the Budget Status Report. He said he believes our reserves will be in the
4-5% range at the end of the year. He stated that we need approximately 2.5% more to create stability for the district.
There was discussion on the upcoming Levy and funding for band uniforms. The Board will host a Facilities Tour on Thursday, September 20, starting at 6:00 pm. It was suggested that this be announced in the newspaper and on reader boards.
Due to Conference Week there is a conflict for the October Regular Board Meeting.
It was moved by Nikki, 2 nd by DeeDee, that they change the Regular Board Meeting to Tuesday, October 23 rd. Motion approved.
Gary presented the Personnel Report. There was discussion and a patron asked if the stipends are paid for work outside the regular day. Gary stated that stipends compensate for time beyond the regular day. Bruce Allen moved with 2 nd by Becky that they approve the Personnel Report; motion passed.
TIS Principal Andy Woehler introduced Mindy Schultz, his principal intern for this year. He discussed SIOP training, the Connected Math Project and Open Court training with the new teachers.
Kelly Thorson, new HJH principal, was introduced. He said he is excited to be here and is working on LID days and learning staff names. He said the math team will have two days with Tom Boyce.
HHS Principal Greg George said the SCOTS program is being expanded this year and Cornerstone Calculus and Drama are being added for average and accelerated students. He said HHS has a new staff member, math teacher Greg Wagner.
Eric Diener, Athletic Director, said fall sports practices at HHS started this week. In football, Shane Roy is doing a great job – there are 25 kids signed up – 17 freshman, 1 senior, 5 junior, 2 sophomores and 1 first-year athlete. He has safety concerns with the number of freshman in a tough varsity schedule. His feeling is that we should cancel the first two (nonleague) varsity games on August 31, Sept 4 and Sept 7. This would make the first home varsity game on September 14 against LaSalle. There are two teams for volleyball with 16 girls signed up and 2 more waiting for paperwork. He said it looks like the junior high numbers will be high enough for a “C” squad. Girls’ soccer will have 20 to 30 participants and Cross Country has more than 20 signed up. Cross Country will be hosting Districts. Eric is working toward a 7-12 grade seamless athletic program.
Barb said she is working on grants to be presented next month. Also, three students finished the WASL makeup and she is working on the paperwork for that.
Janice reported that MWC has three new teachers this year. She also said that the playgrounds look wonderful and she’s very appreciative of the hard work that’s been done. She will be posting class assignments on the door on Friday, August 31. There are about 75 kinders registered so far.
Nikki gave the Legislative Report. She reminded the board about the November WSSDA Conference and the Oct 9 Annual WSSDA dinner meeting. She also said that ESD 105 is looking for four new board members.
There was discussion on the bills. Bruce Allen moved, with second by Becky that they pay the General Fund bills for $194,246.88 with warrants 45732 through 45835; Capital Projects bills for $40,000 with warrant 321, Payroll for $ 233,443.05 with warrants 45836 through 45884l and $427,158.19 by direct deposit. There were no ASB bills this month. Motion approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 pm.
Interested parties were invited to see the security camera system.