The Shelton School District Board of Directors met in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on December 12, 2006 in the board room located at CHOICE Alternative School.

Board members present: Chairman Ross Gallagher, Julianna Miljour, Sue McCausland and Holly Sharpe.

Staff members present: Superintendent Joan Zook, Jackie McGuire, Alison Nutt, Linda Arnold, Sheryal Balding, John Bryz-Gornia, Bill Hicks, Roger McCausland, Brian Faire, Wanda Berndtson, Bracken Budge, Sue Barnard, Carey Murray, Steve Warner, Gail Straus, Gary Nelson, Dianne Arnold, Dan Olson, Mark Weston, Ray Field, Margo Otto, Sandi Thompson, Gordy Hansen, Carrie Fennell, Mary Whitehouse, Jeri DeMiero, Robin Gagnon and Tami Ford.

Others present: Dedrick Allen, Jeff Green, Lee Voorhees, Gene Crater, Cathy Gallagher, Chase Gallagher, Amaira Gallagher, and several high school students.

RECEPTION FOR ROSS GALLAGHER

At 5:30 p.m., prior to the start of the regular meeting, a reception was held for out-going school board member Ross Gallagher. Ross will be resigning as of January 1, 2007 after 11 years of service on the board to assume his new duties as a Mason County Commissioner.

CALL TO ORDER

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

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA

There was one addition to the consent agenda, which was a supplemental personnel report as a new Item 9.08. Julianna Miljour made a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended and Holly Sharpe seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Sue McCausland read the district’s Mission Statement.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

The meeting was turned over to Superintendent Joan Zook who called for nominations for board chairman. Holly Sharpe nominated Julianna Miljour as board chair and Ross Gallagher seconded the motion. Hearing no other nominations, Joan Zook called for a roll call vote and the motion passed 4-0.

Chairman Miljour then called for nominations for board vice-chairman. Ross Gallagher nominated Holly Sharpe as board vice-chair. Hearing no other nominations, Chairman Miljour called for a roll call vote and the motion passed 4-0.

Chairman Miljour then called for nominations for legislative representative. Ross Gallagher nominated Sue McCausland as legislative representative. Hearing no other nominations, Chairman Miljour called for a roll call vote and the motion passed 4-0.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

8.01 – Proposed Resolution No. 06-16:

Proposed Resolution No. 06-16 authorizes the refunding of bonds. Jackie McGuire gave a brief summary of the bond refunding transaction that occurred yesterday morning. Seattle Northwest Securities was able to sell the bonds at quite a bit lower rate which is very good news. There is another refunding planned for January 8, 2007 if the market stays favorable. Between the two issues being refunded, there will be a savings to Shelton School District taxpayers of a little over $1 million. Lee Voorhees from Foster Pepper PLLC, the district’s bond counsel in connection with the bond sale, delivered the original Resolution No. 06-16 and related documents for board and superintendent signatures. Holly Sharpe made a motion to approve Resolution No. 06-16 and Sue McCausland seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

8.02 – Mt. View remodel discussion:

Mark Weston discussed the proposed Mt. View remodel project. He reported that when the original bids came in $1 million over budget, the scope of the project was scaled down by 60% and the district went out to bid again. On November 21^st bids were opened for a second time and despite of reducing the project by 60%, the bids still came in only 20% less than the original bids. Mark said they are somewhat at a loss to explain why since they used the same methodologies as with our other construction projects. Olympic Middle School was completed at $160 per sq. ft. and Evergreen Elementary was completed at $135 per sq. ft. The latest bids for the Mt. View remodel, which was advertised at only 40% of the original bid, came in at $250 per sq. ft. with the low bid at $3,960,000. The district has $2.3 million in bond funds and $900,000 in state matching funds, which gives us $3.1 million for the project. Mark Weston recommended to the board that they formally reject all bids received. Holly Sharpe then made a motion to reject all bids on the Mt. View project and Sue McCausland seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-0.

Mark and board members then discussed what steps to take next. Mark believes the district should still go ahead with the site work planned for Mt. View and already has city approval for the work, which includes construction of a new parking lot, adjoining retention pond, fire lane and stormwater improvements. This is all work that is outside of state match. He also believes the district should tear down the large playshed which is unsafe and construct a new metal playshed in its place. The playshed would cost upwards of $80,000 to repair and a new metal playshed would cost approximately $160,000.

Board members requested that the January 9, 2007 board agenda include a revised plan and budget for Mt. View for the work mentioned above, as well as a discussion about the use of the remaining bond funds.

8.03 – Proposed policy on retiring of athletic jersey numbers:

Bill Hicks was present to discuss the request the school board received to retire the #45 Shelton High School football number worn by former Shelton High School student Chris Boelk who was recently killed in a car accident. Bill reported that the Athletic & Activities Committee was convened and had a lot of discussion on this topic. The Committee does not recommend the retiring of jersey numbers or adopting an actual board policy on this issue. They do recommend recognizing Chris Boelk by some other means and his parents are considering starting a scholarship in his name.

The #45 jersey that Chris wore is currently worn by Shelton High School junior Jacob Hanes who will graduate in 2008. Bill said that after Jacob graduates the high school will only offer this number up to a deserving player.

8.04 – Date for Interviews for Director District #2 position:

Joan Zook recommended the board hold interviews for the open Director District #2 position during the first week of January so that the board can seat someone at the January 9 regular meeting. Board members agreed to meet on January 4 at the district office. Board members will review applications from 5:00-6:00 p.m. and interviews will begin at 6:00 p.m. The application deadline will be extended to Friday, December 29.

8.05 – Attorney selection:

Joan Zook reported that Ben Settle, the district’s legal counsel, has accepted the federal judgeship in Tacoma, so the district will be looking for new legal counsel in the next few months. Joan will bring a several names of knowledge attorneys in the area of school and labor law who work for other school districts and let the board review their experience.

CONSENT AGENDA

Ross Gallagher made a motion to approve the consent agenda with the addition of Item 9.08. Holly Sharpe seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously. The board:

· Approved minutes of the November 14, 2006 regular board meeting.

· Approved General Fund Voucher Nos. 105773 through 106089 in the amount of $520,295.15 for November 2006.

· Approved Capital Projects Fund Voucher Nos. 1639 through 1641 in the amount of $972,607.69 for November 2006.

· Approved Associated Student Body Fund Voucher Nos. 16666 through 16742 in the amount of 119,750.00 for November 2006.

· Approved Payroll Voucher Nos. 40695 through 40827 in the amount of $2,539,316.70 for November 2006.

· Approved the cancellation of General Fund Voucher No. 20437.

· Approved the regular and supplemental personnel reports as submitted and as attached. (See Attachment #1.)

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

10.01 – Math WASL

Joan Zook reported that the Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction will be recommending to the legislature that graduating seniors for the next 3 years be exempt from being required to pass the WASL to graduate. Fewer than 50% of students in the state are passing the math portion of the WASL and the system has not been able to respond in math as they have been in reading and writing to teach the skills and have the students perform the skills. Joan believes we are going to have to retrain teachers on how to teach math. The good news is that there is a budget surplus so there may be some resources coming our way. Ross Gallagher added that this was a major discussion at the recent WSSDA Conference.

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

· Sue McCausland thanked Ross Gallagher for being a leader and for the work he’s done while serving on the board, adding that she hopes he is available to instruct her on how to deal with legislative representation. She also commented that the CHOICE Winter Celebration is tomorrow night and thanked all the businesses in the community who have made donations towards gifts and dinner. She also wished everyone happy holidays.

· Holly Sharpe commented that Southside is making up several of their missed school days next week. She also said she realized while listening to Ross tonight that the board is losing their historian. And, she announced that Ross will be honored during half time at tomorrow night’s Shelton High School boy’s varsity basketball game.

· Ross Gallagher commented on several good speakers at the recent WSSDA Conference. He also said he has a huge stack of paperwork from the county already and he hasn’t even been sworn in as county commissioner yet. All the newly elected officials in Mason County will be sworn in at the courthouse at 9:00 a.m. on December 22^nd.

· Julianna Miljour commented on Ross’s ability to be comfortable with his fellow board members and said it is an honor to serve as the 2007 board chair. She is also looking forward to taking a break this holiday season but also realizes the struggles of so many families in the community.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

· A special board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 4, at 5:00 p.m. at the district office to interview board candidates for the Director District #2 position.

· Sue McCausland would like to discuss at the next board meeting 1) getting a group together to attend the WASA/WSSDA Legislative Conference in Olympia in February; and 2) scheduling a board retreat in the very near future.

· Holly Sharpe mentioned attending the WSSDA 2007 Northwest Conference on Diverse Student Groups coming up in April.

ADJOURN

Chairman Miljour declared the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Chairman, Board of Directors

Secretary to the Board