2023-07-24-minutes.txt

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BATTLE GROUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
  Regular Meeting
July 24, 2023
6:00 P.M.
  Lewisville Campus
406 NW Fifth Avenue
Battle Ground, WA
  MINUTES
Members present:
Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
  Member excused:
Mark Watrin
  Student representatives present:
Sora Tolley, Julia Stiffler
  Administrators present:
Superintendent Denny Waters, Deputy Superintendent Shelly Whitten
  Recorder:
Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board of Directors Sandy U'Ren
  Patrons/Staff: 21
1. Call to Order
President Maddux called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
    2. Pledge of Allegiance
Julia Stiffler led the flag salute.
    3. Roll Call
Sandy U'Ren called the roll of the board members. She noted that Director Watrin had a pre-arranged absence. There was a quorum.
  Motion by Ted Champine, Madam President, I move that we excuse Mark Watrin from the meeting.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux

  4. Agenda Approval (Board Vote w/Student Voice)
Director Maddux read the agenda categories out loud. There were no comments or questions from the board members.
  Motion by Mary Snitily, The Board of Directors approve the agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Student Advisory Vote: Pro: Sora Tolley
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
    5. Oath of Office for Student Representative
A. Julia Stiffler, Student Representative 
Denny Waters administered the oath of office for student representative to Julia Stiffler. The audience applauded and she was seated with the board.
    6. Communications
A. Committee Reports
Legislative Committee
Director Snitily reported the Washington State School Directors' Association's General Assembly 2023 Handbook will be available in August.

Audit Committee
Director Snitily announced that the committee met and reviewed the budget reports, vouchers, payroll and the superintendent's timesheet. She noted that everything was in order.

Battle Ground Education Foundation (BGeF)
The board members were reminded of the upcoming BGeF event Stuff the Bus.

Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Committee
Director Champine reported the WIAA committee will meet in August. In addition, he stated that training is open for coaches.

Washington State School Directors' Association Updates
Director Maddux reported the Board of Distinction application window is open now through September 15, 2023.

B. Director Reports
There was not a formal directors' report.
    7. Superintendent and Staff Updates
A. Superintendent Report 
There was not a superintendent's report.
  B. Teaching and Learning Report 
Shelly Whitten reported that the district was approved for two waiver days for the 2023-24 school year.
  C. Human Resources Report 
Executive Director of Human Resources Michelle Reinhardt reported that there has been lots of hiring going on in human resources. In addition, Ms. Reinhardt stated that contract negotiations with the Battle Ground Education Association (BGEA) will resume July 31 and August 1, 2023. Human Resources is hosting a hiring event on July 25, 2023 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at CASEE. 
  D. Finance Report 
Chief Financial Officer Michelle Scott provided a final report on student enrollment for the 2022-23 school year. In addition, Ms. Scott provided information on the Universal Meal Program.
  E. Operations Report 
Executive Director of Facilities Kevin Jolma provided highlights on the summer projects district-wide.
  F. Communications Report 
Director of Communications and Community Outreach Amanda Richter introduced Chris Brown and Jenna Buescher-Hill, the district's communication specialists, who provided information on the Washington School Public Relations Association (WSPRA) Award of Merit the department received.
    8. Citizens' Comments
Tiffani Shupe submitted a personnel complaint and spoke about her pending complaint.

Eunice Ingermanson addressed the board about LGBTQ people.

Jessica Cole addressed the board about Pride Month.
    9. Consent Agenda (Board Vote w/Student Voice)
A. Approval of Consent Agenda
Director Maddux read the Consent Agenda items out loud. There were no comments or questions from the board members.
  B. Approval of Minutes - June 26, 2023 Regular Meeting
C. Approval of Minutes - June 28, 2023 Special Meeting
D. Business and Operations - Vouchers and Payroll for June 2023
E. Personnel Reports - Certificated and Classified
F. Financial Reports - May 2023
G. Second Reading and Adoption of the Proposed High School Psychology Curriculum
H. Second Reading and Adoption of the proposed Textbook Journalism: Publishing Across the Media
I. ESD Contracts for 2023-24
J. Food Services Management Contract Extension for 2023-24
K. Lunch and Breakfast Prices for 2023-24
L. Intergovernmental Cooperative Purchasing Agreement with Lynden School District
  Motion by Andrew Lawhon, The Board of Directors approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Student Advisory Vote: Pro: Sora Tolley, Julia Stiffler
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
    10. Old Business (Board Vote w/Student Voice)
There were no Old Business items.
    11. New Business (Board Vote w/Student Voice)
A. First Reading of Policy 5161 Civility in the Workplace 
Executive Director of Human Resources Michelle Reinhardt presented the first reading of Policy 5161 Civility in the Workplace. Ms. Reinhardt explained the policy is discretionary, and is being recommended because staff conflict has been strained by outside forces brought into the school environment in recent years. This increase in tension among staff could be addressed with staff through this policy. Its implementation could help ensure the district is able to maintain a work environment that is safe, civil, and grounded in both orderly conduct and mutual respect so as to contribute to a quality educational environment for students before situations escalate to a hostile environment.
  Motion by Ted Champine, The Board of Directors accept the first reading of Policy 5161 Civility in the Workplace.
Student Advisory Vote: Pro: Sora Tolley, Julia Stiffler
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
  B. First Reading of Policy 5254 Staff Expression 
Shelly Whitten presented the first reading of Policy 5254 Staff Expression. Ms. Whitten explained that although the policy was discretionary, it was being recommended due to an increase in questions from staff about what are the guidelines they can use to determine if free speech for them exists in their role as a district employee. The policy focuses on employees speech that occurs as a result of the employee's employment with the school district. The policy does not provide an exhaustive list of permitted or non-permitted speech but ensures that implementing this policy and procedure does not conflict with other district policies.
  Motion by Andrew Lawhon, The Board of Directors accept the first reading of Policy 5254 Staff Expression.
Student Advisory Vote: Pro: Sora Tolley, Julia Stiffler
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
  C. Fortinet Network Security Equipment 
Director of Technology Services Scott McDaniel announced that the department of technology services would like to purchase Fortinet Network security equipment. He explained that this was a partial E-rate purchase so the district will receive reimbursement in the amount of $63,029.30. 

The board members asked clarifying questions.
  Motion by Ted Champine, The Board of Directors approve the purchase of the Fortinet Network security equipment.
Student Advisory Vote: Pro: Sora Tolley, Julia Stiffler
Final Resolution: Motion Carries, 4-0.
Aye: Mary Snitily, Andrew Lawhon, Ted Champine, Jackie Maddux
    12. Future Agenda Items and Board Events
A. Future Agenda Items and Board Events
Denny Waters reminded the board members about the new educators orientation luncheon. It was also noted that National Night Out is August 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Kiwanis Park.
    13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
APPROVED:  AUGUST 14, 2023
          BOARD PRESIDENT
  BOARD SECRETARY