BOARD MINUTES FOR
HIGHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT #203
Regular Board Meeting
Highland High School
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Following the Community Forum, the September 18, 2007, Regular Board Meeting was called to order by Chair Julie Smith at 7:29 pm. Others in attendance: Board Members Nikki Keller, DeeDee Trepanier, Bruce Allen and Becky Laughery; Superintendent Gary Masten; Principals Greg George, Janice Sauve, Kelly Thorson and Andy Woehler; Director of Student Services Barb Gilbert; Director of Business and Operations Dean Schlenker; Athletic Director and Teacher Eric Diener; Principal Intern and Teacher Mindy Schultz; HEA President Teresa Long; Custodians Al Hudspeth, Ree Baughman, Sheri Rossow, Doug Haun and Fred Kerley; AP/Purchasing Agent Staci Fordahl and Recording Secretary Sharon Fisher and some patrons of the district.
Nikki Keller led the flag salute.
Gary requested that the agenda be amended to include Approval of the Highly Capable Grant to be presented by Janice Sauve under New Business item C1, with Board Action.
Bruce moved with 2 nd by DeeDee that the minutes of the August 21 st Regular Board Meeting be approved as written; motion passed.
COMMUNICATIONS
Julie presented Scottie Pride certificates to the following people to honor them for their efforts in “making our school buildings shine”: custodians Al Hudspeth, Ree Baughman, Doug Haun, Sheri Rossow and Fred Kerley. District Maintenance Worker Howard Brooks and custodians Jesse Cisneros, Sharon Colby and Ken Baughman were also honored but unable to attend.
Julie said she worked with Technology Coordinator Larry Nevers to create an option where parents and patrons can go to the Highland School District website, click on her picture on the Board of Directors page and view her informational updates to the community. There is also a toggle to contact her by email.
In response to a patron question regarding the TIS website, Andy said the TIS teacher’s pages are under construction. He also said AR is now web-based and that he was told by Larry that Skyward also has the ability to set up a teacher page.
There were no other communications.
OLD BUSINESS
Gary gave the Second Reading of the following policies: Policy 5270 General Staff Responsibility and Conduct; Policy 5220, Responsibilities of the Teacher; and Policy 2421 Promotion and Retention. He also reviewed Procedure 5270, Procedure 2025-2 and Forms 2025 1 and 2.
DeeDee moved the Board approve adoption of Policies 5270, 5220 and 2421 as read; Becky 2 nd; motion passed.
There was discussion on declaring the Cowiche Mill property as surplus since it is a small, undeveloped, landlocked parcel of approximately .9 acre and not of any use or benefit to the district. It was moved by DeeDee with 2 nd by Becky that board action be tabled until Dean checks on the requirements for appraisal of the property and the minimum bid procedure; motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS
Gary reviewed the Minimum Basic Ed. Requirement Compliance Form 1497 and reported the District is in compliance.
Barb Gilbert presented a spreadsheet of the 2007-08 State and Federal grants and the expenditure breakdown for each. Following discussion on the grants, Nikki moved, with 2 nd by Bruce that they approve the State and Federal Grants for 2007-08; motion passed.
Janice Sauve presented The Highly Capable Grant application she wrote for 2007-08. Vanessa Williams is approved yearly as an adjunct professor for Central Washington University and teaches the Cornerstone English class for which students receive college credit. Becky Laughery moved, with 2 nd by DeeDee that they approve the Highly Capable Grant application as written; motion passed.
Gary said that GEAR UP will help pay for some of this year’s highly capable costs, such as the reimbursement of the student enrollment fee and some other higher learning expenses. He added that GEAR UP will not fund transportation for after-school programs this year, and the federal grant that supports GEAR UP runs out in a year.
Administrators’ Reports:
Student Services Director Barbara Gilbert said all buildings have the student WASL reports.
Principal Intern Mindy Schultz said the WASL data has been analyzed for the math and science scores and at the September 21 st Teacher Optional Day, they will discuss taking action and how to address needs. Andy added they have implemented CMP math.
TIS Principal Andy Woehler discussed E-Cards, the standards-based electronic version of report cards. There are some interface problems between Citrix and Skyward and also WSIPC. He hopes to start with a “fake class” this week and hopes to have something the teachers can utilize soon.
Janice Sauve, MWC principal, said her school had a wonderful start to the year. They have had their first parent meeting. The Jog-a-Thon kickoff is September 25 th and the event will be held October 9 th. They had a successful Open House and Constitution Day assembly. Janice added Open Court reading is moving ahead at all levels – also LASER Science.
HJH Principal Kelly Thorson said some of his staff is going to MWC for Learning Walk Protocol. On Friday, September 21 st, during the Teacher Optional work day, staff will discuss where students are and where the weak points are in their learning. He added that they are excited about CMP and looking forward to the October 15-19 Open House and Conference Week.
Principal Greg George said that HHS office staff has been very busy dealing with lots of “in and out” student changes due to mobility, but enrollment is up some. They are looking at the WASL data and qualities of instruction. He added that teachers are adjusting and aligning their teaching content time to the new 57-minute periods. He discussed the 16 new security cameras and said there will be approximately 28 when the system is finished and it is really easy to use. Dean said that another 10-12 cameras are on order and maybe some with night vision in the future. Gary added that we are trying to light up the dark corners.
Staci Fordahl, who does the district’s Student Ridership reports, clarified that the State will fund transportation of K-4 students who live within a one-mile radius of the school, but not the other grade levels.
Dean Schlenker reviewed the fund balances and budget status. He said the MWC lawn looks very good now.
Legislative Report: Nikki reported that there is a regional meeting in Yakima on October 9. Also WSSDA has a new booklet “Role of School Boards in Student Achievement “ and each district will receive one.
The Board reviewed the General Fund, ASB Fund and Payroll expenditures. It was moved by Becky and 2 nd by DeeDee that they approve the General Fund bills for $251,740.60 with warrants 45885 through 46020; ASB Fund bills for 4,906.70 with warrants 4062 through 4071; Payroll for $260,468.49 with warrants 46021 through 46081; and $404,725.85 by direct deposit; motion passed.
Gary discussed the various options for students walking across the stage at graduation, even if they haven’t passed all WASL’s for a CAA. There are different certificates they can receive and we need to let seniors and their parents know their options.
At 9:10 pm Julie called for an Executive Session to discuss Administrator Evaluations. The Board Members and Superintendent were the only people still in attendance and Julie estimated the Session would last an hour. The Regular Board Meeting was reconvened at 10:15 pm and Julie adjourned the meeting at 10:16 pm.