The Shelton School District Board of Directors met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on December 13, 2005 in the board room located in the CHOICE School.

 

Board members present:  Chairman Bill Freund, Ross Gallagher, Julianna Miljour, Sue McCausland, Holly Sharpe and student board representative Amy Thornton.

 

Staff members present:  Superintendent Joan Zook, Gordy Hansen, Debbie Wing, Sharee Waite, Pat Cusack, Linda Arnold, John Hill, Bill Hicks, Roger McCausland, Jesse Matthews, Jackie McGuire and Alison Nutt.

 

Others present:  Jeff Green, Dedrick Allen, Alan Miljour, Shala and Allie Godwin, and Jim Sharpe.

 

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Freund called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Julianna Miljour read the district’s Mission Statement. 

 

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

There was one addition to the agenda which was a report from Bill Hicks, the district’s Athletic Director, on the proposed athletic league realignment.  This will become the new Item 8.01 and the original Items 8.01 and 8.02 will become Items 8.02 and 8.03 respectively.  Holly Sharpe made a motion to adopt the agenda as amended.  Sue McCausland seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.

 

ADMINISTERING OATH OF OFFICE TO RE-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

Superintendent Joan Zook administered the Oath of Office to newly re-elected school board members Julianna Miljour, Director District No. 4, and Holly Sharpe, Director District No. 3.  Both Julianna and Holly were re-elected to 4-year terms at the November 8, 2005 election.

 

A brief reception was then held in their honor.

 

REPORTS AND RECOGNITIONS

8.01 – Report on the proposed athletic league realignment:

Bill Hicks, the district’s Athletic Director, reported on the proposed athletic league realignment.  Shelton School District currently has 1,259 students in grades 10-12, which puts us in the 3A classification.  The Narrows League, which we are currently in, has made the decision not to be a split 3A/4A league.  Bill believes our best option is joining what will be called the South Sound League which will bring us back to the Olympia area to play.  The South Sound League would consist of the following high schools: Capital and Olympia in the Olympia School District; North Thurston and River Ridge in the North Thurston School District; Yelm; Clover Park and Lakes in the Clover Park School District and Shelton.  Both travel time and time away from class would be reduced.  Bill said that our other option would be to “opt up” and remain in the Narrows League.  Our enrollment is 30 below the cutoff, so in two years it may be that we are in the 4A classification again.  All schools except Shelton have already committed in writing to join the South Sound League.  Bill has verbally committed Shelton to the league, but tomorrow is the deadline to commit in writing. 

 

Our junior high program would not be affected by joining the South Sound League.  The South Sound League will have all the major sports as Shelton does now, including swimming and golf, and Bill thinks the sports seasons will also remain as they currently are, with the possible exception of golf and tennis changing.

 

Joan Zook said it was her recommendation to join the new South Sound League unless the board has strong opposition otherwise.  She believes parents and fans will appreciate this move as far as travel and missed class time for students.  Board members were in consensus to allow the district to commit to join the new South Sound League.

 

8.02 – Report on CHOICE Alternative School’s School Improvement Plan:

Principal Gordy Hansen reviewed CHOICE Alternative School’s School Improvement Plan.  He talked about CHOICE Alternative School; current and emerging data including Family Friendly Schools and student perception surveys, assessment results, demographics, graduation reports, free and reduced lunch percentages, term progress reports, student-led conferences and parent participation; SIP goals; the home partnership program and contract-based education; and looking ahead at what’s next for CHOICE.

 

8.03 – Report on the 2005 Summer School Program and plans for next year:

Debbie Wing, Sharee Waite and Pat Cusack reported on the 2005 Summer School Program.  Sharee Waite, Summer School Coordinator, told board members that the program targeted 150 struggling students currently in grades K-2 in all three elementary schools, although only 74 signed up and attended the program held at Bordeaux Elementary.  The goal at the elementary level was to give students a jump start and build their confidence for the coming year.  Instruction was given to the students at their reading level.  Sharee said that all students showed progress.  A report was also designed to give feedback to both teachers and parents. At the high school level, there were over 300 students who could have benefited from credit recovery, but only 48 students took advantage of the program, which was held at Shelton High School.  Pat Cusack was coordinator for the high school program. Classes were offered in 9th/10th grade English and NovaNet computer courses in math, sciences, and history.  Oakland Bay Junior High also offered a program for current 8th graders offering study skills and the Read Right program.

 

Debbie Wing said she will be working with principals soon on Summer School plans for the coming year.  We will continue the same model at the elementary level for next year and have discussed adding current 3rd graders who are struggling and ECAP head start students.  At the high school level they will continue to do credit retrieval.  They are also doing additional research because of the added issue of 10th graders who do not pass the WASL this spring.

 

Debbie also commented that as far as additional classes being added at Shelton High School next year due to the switch from a 4-period trimester system to a 6-period semester system, additional reading and math classes being offered is all that’s been decided at this point, but Wanda Berndtson and the school leadership team have had many discussions.  Superintendent Zook added that clearly one of the reasons for going to a 6-period day next year is to help those students who are not meeting the standard.

 

DISCUSSION ITEMS

9.01 – Proposed out-of-state travel for Fran Stevens:

Fran Stevens requested permission to attend the National Youth At-Risk Conference in Savannah, GA on March 4-8, 2006.  Fran is scheduled to present a workshop at this conference and will use her administrative staff development funds to cover travel expenses.  Holly Sharpe made a motion to approve the travel and Julianna Miljour seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

9.02 – Proposed out-of-state travel for John Hill:

John Hill requested approval to travel to Washington, D.C. on February 26-28, 2006 to attend the Federal Relations Conference for the National Association of Elementary Principals.  John is serving his second year of a three year term as the Elementary School Principals of Washington’s Federal Relations Representative.  All travel expenses are paid by the National Association of Elementary Principals.  Holly Sharpe moved, seconded by Sue McCausland, to approve the travel.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

9.03 – Proposed out-of-state travel for Sheryal Balding:

Sheryal Balding requested permission to attend the National Association of Secondary School Principals’ Convention in Reno, NV on March 16-19, 2006.  This is Sheryal’s year to attend a national conference, per the administrators’ bargained agreement.  Holly Sharpe made a motion to approve the travel and Sue McCausland seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

9.04 – Proposed revisions to Policy No. 2255 – Alternative Learning Experience Plans:

Debbie Wing reviewed with board members the revisions to Board Policy No. 2255 - Alternative Learning Experience Plans.  We are required to amend our rules on alternative learning programs due to amended WAC 392-121-182.  This affects mainly the contract based and home partnership programs.  This is a first reading of this revised policy.  It will be back on the next board agenda for approval.

 

9.05 – Proposed revision to Policy No. 3110 – Qualifications of Attendance and Placement:

Proposed revised Board Policy No. 3110 was also presented to the board for a first reading.  When the board recently adopted this WSSDA policy language, we did not strike the language about exemptions for testing children for kindergarten if under 5 years of age.  The district has never had this language and children must be 5 years of age prior to September 1 of that school year in order to enter kindergarten.  This policy will also be back on the next board agenda for approval.

 

 

 

9.06 – Report from student board representative:

Amy Thornton reported that there is a band and choir holiday concert at 7:00 p.m. this Thursday in the Shelton High School auditorium.  The band will also be performing at the boys’ basketball game Friday night.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

Ross Gallagher had one correction to the minutes from the November 22, 2005 regular board meeting.  Under board member comments where he talked about the Roosevelt High School band being ranked #2 in the state, it should actually read they are ranked #2 in the nation.  Holly Sharpe made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda with the amendment to the minutes.  Julianna Miljour seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.  The board:

 

·        Approved minutes from the November 22, 2005 regular board meeting as amended.

·        Approved the cancellation of General Fund Voucher No. 39016 issued in error.

·        Approved General Fund Voucher Nos. 102327 through 102635 in the amount of $525,557.47.

·        Approved Capital Projects Fund Voucher Nos. 1577 through 1584 in the amount of $40,955.74.

·        Approved Associated Student Body Fund Voucher Nos. 15938 through 16016 in the amount of $76,032.86.

·        Approved Payroll Voucher Nos. 39249 through 39383 in the amount of $2,313,301.96.

·        Approved the personnel report as presented and as listed below:

-         Accepted the resignation of Alice Justice as a Food Services Worker I at Shelton High School, effective 12/9/05.

-         Accepted the resignation of Olga Salamah as the District Translator, effective 12/1/05.

-         Approved a leave of absence for Melissa Atwell, Head Custodian at Mt. View, from April 3, 2006 through January 1, 2007.

-         Approved a leave of absence for Lucrecia Hernandez, E.A. at Evergreen, from January 4, 2005 through the end of the 2005-06 school year.

-         Hired Scott Hubble as Elementary Basketball Coach at Mt. View for the 2005-06 season.

 

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

11.01 – Budget status report:

Jackie McGuire gave a budget status report as of October 2005.  District enrollment continues to stay above budget.  The non-high districts are also staying current with their payments.

 

11.02 – Levy equalization:

Joan Zook talked about levy equalization, our upcoming levy election in February and how heavily we depend on levy funds because we don’t get full funding from the state.  She said that because Mason County is a property poor county, our taxpayers in Shelton pay a lot more than taxpayers in property rich districts, which is why levy equalization is so important.  We need to send a message to our legislatures to fully fund levy equalization.        

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

·        Amy Thornton is going to New Mexico to visit family for one week during the winter break and plans to spend the other week applying to colleges.

 

·        Sue McCausland has undergone another foot surgery.  She also reminded everyone that tomorrow night is the Holiday Family Dance at Mt. View.  The admission is an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.

 

·        Julianna Miljour said it was great to take the oath of office tonight for another 4 year term on the school board and said she couldn’t imagine a better way to volunteer her time.

 

·        Ross Gallagher said he was happy to see that the travel requests on the board agenda for approval tonight were planned well in advance.  He also mentioned the surplus in the state budget and said the state now has to pay the piper on pensions and it looks as if most of surplus will be pretty well spent.

 

·        Holly Sharpe is also looking forward to her next 4 years on the school board.  She said there is a Citizens for Shelton Schools levy meeting tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. at the Timberland Library.  It is the last meeting until January.  Holly also wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

·        Bill Freund said it’s been a busy year.  He talked about the Washington Learns study and what the consultant is proposing.  He also said that he’s become involved in another finance study.

 

·        Joan Zook mentioned that the State Board of Education is meeting tomorrow.  One of their agenda items is our Mt. View remodel project.  She said that Gordon Beck from OSPI assured her that it wasn’t necessary for us to be there and that he sees no problem with the State Board approving the project.

 

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

·        The Winter Celebration at CHOICE is tomorrow night, December 14.

 

·        Ross Gallagher has agreed to be Santa from 4:00-6:00 p.m. tomorrow night for the Birth to 3 program.

 

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

Joan Zook took control of the meeting and called for nominations for Board Chairman.  Holly Sharpe nominated Ross Gallagher as Board Chairman.  Hearing no other nominations, Joan called for a vote and Ross Gallagher was unanimously elected as the new Board Chairman.

 

Chairman Gallagher then took control of the meeting and called for nominations for Board Vice-Chairman.  Holly Sharpe nominated Julianna Miljour as Board Vice-Chairman.  Hearing no other nominations, Ross called for a vote and Julianna Miljour was unanimously elected as the new Board Vice-Chairman.

 

EXECUTIVE SESSION

At 8:23 p.m. Chairman Gallagher announced that the board would take a 5-minute recess and would then enter into executive session for 15 minutes to discuss the superintendent’s mid-year evaluation.

 

At 8:45 p.m. the board returned briefly to regular session and announced they would need another 15 minutes in executive session.

 

At 9:02 p.m. the board returned to regular session.

 

ADJOURN

Chairman Gallagher declared the meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                    Chairman, Board of Directors

 

 

                                                                       

Secretary to the Board