2023-07-24-minutes.txt

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Blaine School District No. 503
  Regular Board Meeting
Monday, July 24, 2023
  Minutes
  1. Regular Board Meeting
A. Call to Order
President Thomas called the meeting to order, in the district boardroom, at 7:00 p.m.

All directors were in attendance.
     Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  B. Pledge of Allegiance
President Thomas led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
  C. Board Comments on the Agenda
There were no comments on the agenda.
  2. Public Comment
A. Public Comment
The following individual addressed the board regarding a topic of concern:
Natalie Chavez commented on information she learned in Vaccine Advisory Committee meetings. She continued to share her concerns related to the COVID vaccine, and asked for the district to consider these concerns when the Whatcom County Department of Health pushes for student and staff vaccinations in the fall.
  3. Reports
A. Budget Status and Financial Report
Executive Director of Finance and Operations Amber Porter provided a report on revenue and expenses through the month of June which included a Debt Service Fund payment. She shared comments on her earlier projection for the district's ending fund balance. The business office will continue into October with work on finalizing activity for the 2022-2023 fiscal year.
  B. Superintendent's Report
Dr. Christopher Granger provided an update which included information on the following topics.
Dr. Granger thanked Amber Porter for her hard work on development of the district's proposed budget which will put the district in the best possible financial position for the long term. The accuracy in Ms. Porter's work is also appreciated.
Preparations are underway for the Admin Retreat that takes place in the beginning of August.
All staff will return on August 28, with a special gathering at the PAC in the morning.
Dr. Granger shared comments on the importance of leadership, and he read from an article by Georgia coach Kirby Smart regarding three costs of leadership. He further commented on the collaborative work being done at the district's cabinet level, and he explained the rationale for calling out shared leadership of all stakeholders as a focus point in the district's work to improve student outcomes.
  4. Consent Agenda
The board approved all items listed on the Consent Agenda. President Thomas declared the 5-0 vote.
  A. Approval of Minutes - June 20, 2023 Regular Board Meeting
The board approved the minutes of the June 20, 2023 Regular Board Meeting.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  B. Financial Matters
The board approved Financial Matters as detailed on the Consent Agenda, including Resolution 2223-13.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  C. Personnel Matters
The board approved the recommended Personnel Matters.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  D. Contracts & Agreements
The board approved the following service contracts:
2023-2028 WCLS ConnectED MOU
2023-2028 WA Dept. of Health Information Sharing Agreement
2023-2028 ESD 112 DOL CDL Services Agreement
2023-2024 NWESD NWRDC Agreement
2023-2024 NWESD Threat Assessment Consortium
2023-2024 WA Student Achievement Council (GEAR UP)
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  E. 2023-2024 Student Fee List
The board approved the recommended Student Fee List for 2023-2024.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  F. Policy 1400 Meeting Conduct, Order of Business, and Quorum: Second Reading and Adoption
The board approved "Second Reading" and adoption of updates to Policy 1400 Meeting Conduct,
Order of Business, and Quorum.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  G. Policy 4060 Distribution of Information: Second Reading and Adoption
The board approved "Second Reading" and adoption of updates to Policy 4060 Distribution of Information.
Motion by Erika Creydt, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  5. Action Items
A. Policy 2121 Substance Abuse Program: First Reading
President Thomas described the changes to this policy which reflect the board's direction at the last meeting. Director Creydt agreed that it sounds good and she really likes that the updated language calls out that vapes will be considered drug paraphernalia when found in school. Dr. Granger reiterated that the language is also not limited to vapes.
  The board approved "First Reading" of revised updates to Policy 2121 Substance Abuse Program.
Motion by Kimberly Akre, second by Charles E Gibson
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
  6. Board Comments and Future Meeting(s)
A. General Comments
President Thomas stated that the upcoming School Improvement Plan work session is one of his favorite meetings. He asked about the district's Admin Retreat, and Dr. Granger described the plan for that collaborative work.

Dr. Granger notified the board that a special meeting will be announced for August 29 at 7am for action on the SEIU agreement. However, it will also be placed on the regular meeting agenda, so the special meeting may not be needed.
  B. Future Meeting(s) and Agenda Suggestions
A Strategic and Campus Plans Work Session is scheduled at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 28, 2023 followed by the Regular Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Suggestions for agenda items include:
Monthly Financial Report
Superintendent's Report
2023-2024 Minimum Basic Education Report
Consideration of 2023-2024 Budget Adoption
SEIU Collective Bargaining Agreement
Policy Updates
  7. Executive Session
A. Executive Session
There was no executive session at this meeting.
  8. Reconvene & Adjourn
A. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m. by a unanimous vote.
Motion by Don Leu, second by Dougal Thomas
Final Resolution: Motion Carries 5-0
Yea: Kimberly Akre, Dougal Thomas, Erika Creydt, Charles E Gibson, Don Leu
    DATE MINUTES APPROVED: August 28, 2023
   
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                                      BOARD PRESIDENT                                                               SECRETARY/CLERK