2024-02-27-minutes.txt

Text

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING AND STUDY SESSION
BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FEBRUARY 27, 2014
1.
1.1
1.2

1.3

1.4
1.5

OPENING ITEMS
Meeting Date and Location
February 27, 2014, Geneva Elementary School Library, 1401 Geneva St., Bellingham.
Call to Order/Roll Call
Dr. Smith called the meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. He said the regular board meeting
would be followed by a study session on Early Childhood Education.
Present: Directors Kelly Bashaw, Ken Gass, Steve Smith (President); Scott Stockburger,
Superintendent Greg Baker, and recorder Ruth Rasmussen. Dr. Smith said Camille
Hackler was unable to attend the meeting due to an out-of-town commitment.
Audience
Audience included the following Early Childhood Education team staff members: Nina
Ballew, Lillian Craker, Kristi Dominguez, Trina Hall, Debora Haney, Tamara Koch, Cara
Lind, Brenda Mashburn, and Samantha Stapleton-Cousens.
No audience addressed the board.
Recognition and Presentations
None
Superintendent’s Announcements and Report
Dr. Baker said Executive Team members Ron Cowan and Rob McElroy would be late
as they were co-facilitating a meeting of the Repurposing Larrabee Think.

CONSENT ITEMS
Dr. Gass commented on the purpose of consent items, noting that the board acts on these items to
comply with state regulations and to gain a better understanding of the day-to-day business of the
district. While often the consent item portion of the agenda is approved without comment, he
noted that the board has the option of reviewing any consent agenda item in depth. He added that
board members should notify the superintendent in advance of the meeting if they would like a
formal presentation or more specific details on any item on the consent agenda.
Dr. Gass made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bashaw, to approve the following consent agenda.
The motion carried unanimously.
2.1
2.2

Approval of Minutes of the 1/16/14 Regular Board Meeting; 1/30/14 Community
Linkage meeting; and 2/8/14 School Board Retreat: Action on minutes as submitted.
Approval of Investments: Action on investments for January and February, 2014, as
submitted in accordance with Resolution 13-88. (See Attachment A.)

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February 27, 2014
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2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
2.10
2.11
2:12
2.13
2.14

Approval of Expenditures and Payroll: Action on expenditures and payroll for
January 2014 as submitted. (See Attachment B.)
Resolution 4-14, Request to Transfer Funds from the Capital Projects Fund to the
General Fund: Action on resolution as submitted.
Washington State University Affiliation Agreement – College of Nursing: Action on
agreement as submitted.
Western Governors University Student Teaching Agreement: Action on agreement
as submitted.
Approve Interlocal Agreement with Sunnyside School District: Action on agreement
as submitted.
Ratify Superintendent’s Signature for Study and Survey Agreement: Signature
ratified on agreement as submitted.
Ratify Superintendent’s Signature for Emergency Response Grant Assistance
Agreement: Signature ratified on agreement as submitted.
Ratify Superintendent’s Signature for Bond Program Support and Assistance
Agreement: Signature ratified on agreement as submitted.
Authorize Negotiations for Lowell Improvements Architect: Authorization for
proposal as submitted.
Write off Uncollectible Accounts: Action on request as submitted.
Approval of Donations: Action on donations as submitted.
Staff Travel: Action on out-of-state staff travel as submitted:


2.15

Sehome High School staff to attend the ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and
Curriculum Development) Annual Conference in Los Angeles, CA, March 14-17, 2014. Expenses for
this travel will be paid from Bellingham Administrators Organization (BAO) professional development
funds.
 Squalicum High School staff to attend the National Link Crew Training in San Jose, CA, April 9-11,
2014. Expenses for this travel will be funded through a combination of teacher Individual Staff
Development (ISD) funds, an Associated Student Body (ASB) grant, and building budget.
 Classified staff to attend the National Education Association (NEA) Educational Support Professionals
(ESP) Conference in San Francisco, CA, March 5-9, 2014. Funding for this travel uses a combination
of Bellingham Association of School Employees (BASE) inservice funds and Washington Education
Association (WEA) 4th Corner Grant funds.
 District administrators to attend the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics Conference in
New Orleans, LA, April 7-9, 2014. Expenses for this travel will be from individual professional
development funds and Department of Teaching and Learning funds.
Student Trips: Action on student trips as submitted:
 Squalicum High School Concert Choir to participate in the Kiwanis Music Festival in Vancouver, BC,
April 11-13, 2014. Expenses for the trip will be paid from fundraising, the music Associated Student
Body (ASB) account, choir booster club, and individual family contributions.
 Larrabee Elementary students to attend Mountain School – North Cascades Institute (NCI), March 2526, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be covered by district initiative.
 Sehome High School music students to attend the All-State Performing Arts event in Yakima, WA,
February 14-16, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be covered by fundraising, Associated Student Body
(ASB) funds, and individual family contributions.
 Sehome High School students to attend the annual High School American Sign Language (ASL) Silent
Camp in Camas, WA, March 7-9, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be covered by individual family
contributions and student scholarships.

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February 27, 2014
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2.16
2.17

Sehome and Bellingham High Schools Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) to attend the
State Career Development Conference/Competition in Bellevue, WA, March 6-8, 2014. Expenses for
this trip will be paid with Associated Student Body (ASB) funds and individual family contributions.
Sehome High School Thespian Troupe to attend the State Thespian Convention in Ellensburg, WA,
March 20-22, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be paid by individual family contributions and student
scholarships.
Sehome High School Football Team to attend football camp at the University of Oregon in Eugene,
OR, June 22-24, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be paid by individual family contributions,
fundraising, and the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).
Sehome High School Science Olympiad Team to attend the State Science Olympiad Tournament at
Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA, April 11-13, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be paid
by individual family contributions and donations.
Bellingham, Squalicum, and Sehome High Schools to attend the International Bridge Building
Competition in Chicago, IL, May 8-10, 2014. Expenses will be paid through fundraising.
Sehome High School robotic students to attend the First Robotics Challenge at Central Washington
University in Ellensburg, WA, March 28-29, 2014. Expenses will be paid through individual family
contributions and fundraising.
Sehome High School Track and Field Team to attend the Shelton Invitational in Shelton, WA, May
2-3, 2014. Expenses for the trip will be paid through fundraising.
Sehome High School Girls Varsity Golf Team to attend the Dolquist Apple Tree Invitational Girls
Golf Tournament in Yakima, WA, March 26-27, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be covered by
fundraising.
Sunnyland Elementary students to attend Mountain School – North Cascades Institute (NCI), March
26-28, 2014. Expenses for this trip will be covered by district initiative.

Personnel Recommendations: Action on report as submitted.
Personal Services Contracts: Action on contracts as submitted:
Department
Teaching & Learning

Contract Holder
Jean Abbott, Amanda Cramer, Mikel
Panagos, Ann Stevenson, Erica Wayerski,
John Lehni, Eric Sellereit

Dept. of Health Services & Family
Deborah Dougherty
Support

2.18 Approval of Surplus Items: Action on surplus items as submitted.
3.
3.1

POLICY GOVERNANCE REVIEW
Board/Superintendent Relations (BSR) Policy Review
In keeping with Policy Governance, the Board reviewed the following
Board/Superintendent Relations Policies to discuss possible revisions:
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BSR-1: Board/Superintendent Connection
BSR-2: The Board Acts as a Unit
BSR-3: Accountability of the Superintendent
BSR-4: Delegation of the Superintendent
BSR-5: Monitoring Superintendent Performance
BSR-5.1: Annual Summative Evaluation of the Superintendent
BSR-5.1.1: Monitoring Response Document (Ends)
BSR-5.1.2: Monitoring Response Document (Executive Limitations)

Summary of comments:
 At a future date, the board will consider updating BSR-5, BSR-5.1.1, and BSR-5.1.2.
These updates may include changing the method and frequency of monitoring that is

Draft Minutes
February 27, 2014
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

outlined in BSR-5, Item No. 4. Dr. Smith and Ms. Bashaw will review this item as
part of their work on the Policy Governance Enhancement Committee.
BSR-5, No. 3, requires the following change:
In every case, the standard for compliance shall be whether the
Superintendent has reasonably interpreted the Board policy being
monitored. The Board will make the final decision as to whether a
Superintendent interpretation is reasonable, and will provide to the
Superintendent, by the next meeting, a monitoring response document
(B/SR-5-E-1 or B/SR-5-E-2). BSR-5.1.1 and BSR-5.1.2. The President will
gather individual board member input and will draft a board response
document for consideration/approval at the next meeting.

Dr. Gass made a motion, seconded by Ms. Bashaw, to amend BSR-5 to reflect the
change referenced above. Motion carried unanimously.
In other Policy Governance matters, the board agreed that at a future date it would
consider revising GP-8, Board Members’ Code of Conduct, to add more detail regarding
methods of communication and response time. It was further agreed that at the next
regular board meeting, GP-8 as currently written would be signed by each board member.
4.
4.1

BOARD RESPONSE TO MONITORING
Board Response to Monitoring EL-3, Treatment and Communication with Public,
Parents, and Students.
Dr. Smith noted that the policy states in part “…provide public, parents, and students
relevant information on student progress toward achieving Board Ends policies.” He said
this is not addressed in the report, nor is the district meeting our goal of providing
information to the community on the progress of meeting our ends. He added that the
complications in explaining this to the broader public, however, may hamper the district’s
progress in this regard.
Following further discussion, Dr. Stockburger made a motion, seconded by Dr. Gass, to
approve the report as presented and to confirm that the Superintendent is in compliance
with Executive Limitation 3. The motion carried unanimously. Board members were also
in agreement that the policy itself should not be amended.

5.
5.1

BOARD RESPONSE TO MONITORING
School Board Directors’ Reports
 Dr. Gass said he has completed his second round of visits to his adopted schools,
and the visits have been an extremely positive experience.
 Ms. Bashaw reported that she and Ms. Hackler met recently with Bellingham City
Council member Roxanne Murphy, who serves as council liaison to the district.
Ms. Bashaw also participated in a breakfast meeting with Dr. Baker and Dr.
Smith.
 Dr. Smith recently visited two of his adopted schools. He and Dr. Gass attended
the state auditors’ exit conference with the district, which went very well.

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February 27, 2014
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6. NEW BUSINESS
 The Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSDDA) Spring Regional
Meeting takes place April 30 at Lake Stevens.
 The next School Board Linkage will be in late March (date TBD) with local
senior citizens. Presently a breakfast or luncheon meeting is planned.
 Dr. Smith said the School Board is considering submission of an application to
WSDDA for the 2013 Board of Distinction award.
 Dr. Smith said at a future meeting, he will propose that the board consider
establishing compensation for future-elected board members. Consideration of
board compensation would be a formal and transparent process, he said, involving
readings before final approval. He noted that several school districts have this in
place. The compensation typically involves an amount per meeting and could help
support future board members with commitments such as childcare, for example,
to attend meetings.
7. CLOSING ITEMS
7.1 Board Assessment of Meeting
 Dr. Gass assessed the meeting with an overall rating of 5 (good).
8. STUDY SESSION
8.1 Early Childhood Education
At 6:30 p.m. Dr. Smith convened the study session on early childhood education.
Dr. Baker discussed plans for the district’s early entrance Promise Kindergarten Program
(Promise K). He summarized the district’s progress in early childhood education in recent years,
much of which he said is attributable to the work of Department of Teaching and Learning
Director Trina Hall and Early Childhood Education Coordinator Kristi Dominguez.
Kristi Dominguez acknowledged early childhood education staff members who were in the
audience. She then shared a presentation (attached) with the Board. Following her presentation,
Board members had the opportunity to ask questions and visit classrooms to learn more about the
district’s GRADS (Graduation, Reality and Dual-Role Skills parenting program), preschool, and
kindergarten programs. Following classroom visits, Board members and Dr. Baker expressed
appreciation to staff for their participation in this evening’s meeting.
At 7:57 p.m. the study session ended.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Dr. Smith adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.

Draft Minutes
February 27, 2014
Page 6 of 9
ATTACHMENT A(1)
Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88 – January 2014

GENERAL FUND
WCIP, withdrawal, January 10, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 17, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 24, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 31, 2014

($290,400.00)
($88,000.00)
($164,000.00)
($1,063,000.00)

CAPITAL PROJECTS
WCIP, withdrawal, January 17, 2014
WCIP, investment, January 24, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 31,2014

($442,900.00)
$1,000.00
($1,752,900.00)

DEBT SERVICE FUND
WCIP, investment, January 10, 2014
WCIP, investment, January 17, 2014
WCIP, investment, January 24, 2014
WCIP, investment, January 31, 2014

$13,000.00
$9,000.00
$2,000.00
$8,000.00

ASB FUND
WCIP, withdrawal, January 10, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 17, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, January 24, 2014
WCIP, investment, January 31, 2014

($16,030.00)
($11,880.00)
($19,640.00)
$52,960.00

Draft Minutes
February 27, 2014
Page 7 of 9
ATTACHMENT A(2)
Action on investments in accordance with Resolution 13-88 – February 2014

GENERAL FUND
WCIP, withdrawal, February 7, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, February 14, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, February 21, 2014

($243,000.00)
($85,000.00)
$111,000.00

CAPITAL PROJECTS
WCIP, investment, February 7, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, February 14, 2013
WCIP, withdrawal, February 21, 2014

$5,700.00
($178,800.00)
$12,190.00

DEBT SERVICE FUND
WCIP, investment, February 7, 2014
WCIP, investment, February 14, 2014
WCIP, investment, February 21, 2014

$4,000.00
$15,000.00
$3,000.00

ASB FUND
WCIP, withdrawal, February 7, 2014
WCIP, investment, February 14, 2014
WCIP, withdrawal, February 21, 2014

($500.00)
$44,070.00
($11,990.00)

Draft Minutes
February 27, 2014
Page 8 of 9
ATTACHMENT B

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE
EXPENDITURES & PAYROLL FOR JANUARY 2014
GENERAL FUND
DATE

AMOUNT

1/10/2014
1/17/2014
1/24/2014
1/31/2014

$
$
$
$

TOTAL GENERAL FUND

$

365,423.70
233,392.14
220,866.43
662,625.42

WARRANT #
322893 - 323049
323063 - 323197
323220 - 323354
323529 - 323611

1,482,307.69

CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
DATE

AMOUNT

1/17/2014
1/31/2014

$
$

TOTAL CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND

$

390,658.09
1,757,772.57

WARRANT #
323198 - 323209
323612 - 323630

2,148,430.66

ASB FUND
DATE

AMOUNT

1/10/2014
1/17/2014
1/24/2014
1/31/2014

$
$
$
$

TOTAL ASB FUND
ASB Distribution by School:

BELLINGHAM
SEHOME
SQUALICUM
FAIRHAVEN
KULSHAN
SHUKSAN
WHATCOM

17,075.28
69,143.38
29,589.13
1,646.73

$

117,454.52

$
$
$
$
$
$

29,730.13
29,997.18
18,692.30
262.05
33,728.79
4,877.08
166.99
117,454.52

$
$

WARRANT #
323050 - 323054
323210 - 323219
323355 - 323361
323631 - 323633

Draft Minutes
February 27, 2014
Page 9 of 9
ATTACHMENT B (continued)
PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUST FUND
DATE

TOTAL PRIVATE PURPOSE TRUST FUND

AMOUNT

$

TRANSPORTATION FUND

TOTAL TRANSPORTATION FUND
Total January Expenditure
TOTAL PAYROLL

WARRANT #

AMOUNT

WARRANT #

$

-

$

-

$

3,748,192.87

$

7,719,085.78