2020-07-23-minutes.txt

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BREMERTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 100-C
Special Board Meeting / Board Retreat (Virtual)
Thursday, July 23, 2020
  Generated by Ioanna Cossack on Friday, July 24, 2020
  The special meeting/Board Retreat was held via a Zoom webinar/meeting with each of the directors at their homes or other locations.  A link was provided on BoardDocs to allow the public to attend the Board meeting.  The meeting was called to order by President Dubos at 3:07 p.m.  Pursuant to District Policies 1810 and 1820, the Board’s focus for this meeting was for self-reflection/assessment and reviewing their Goals along with the District’s Mission, Values and Belief statement. 
  Members Present:
Ms. Jonee M Dubos, President
Ms. Carolynn M Perkins, Vice President
Dr. Karen J Bolton
Mr. John P Hurley
Ms. Alyson L Rotter
  Administrators Present:
Dr. Aaron A Leavell, Superintendent
  Recorder: 
Ioanna Cossack
  Review of Online Board Self-Assessment Survey / Self-Reflection
The Directors reviewed the aggregate data resulting from their recent online self-review through WSSDA’s Online Board Self-Assessment Survey.  Trend data was available for the last five years (results from 2016-2020).  There was discussion about how new Board members react to the survey in the spring having only been on the Board for a few months, and they will consider ways that the content or criteria in the survey might be incorporated into the new director orientation.  Dr. Leavell shared that he felt the District has improved very much in the area of Standard 1, Q 7, “Follow a defined process for gathering input prior to making critical decisions.”  With the COVID-19 situation, the large district workgroup considering the best model for delivering education in the fall, and the mandates from the state considering daily changes and health concerns, this is especially important now.  
  The Board discussed the disruption caused by the CoronaVirus, leaving behind study sessions and conversations between the Board and staff that seem to happen easier when the Board is able to hold public (face to face) meetings rather than online meetings.  The Board and District though continue to work on providing timely information to staff and families via many avenues.  Having district administrators each belong to a local service organization, as Director Rotter mentioned, is a very good way of being a part of and communicating district information to the community.  Rationale on some of the Board’s decisions sometimes is hazy, as Director Hurley conveyed, since many times policies etc. are driven by the legislature or other state/federal laws.   
  Under Standard 3, there was a question in regard to Q36, having policies for evaluating staff based on student success. Dr. Leavell explained that the District began with a new evaluation system approximately five years ago, and indicated that there are a few criteria (student data, such as relative growth) tied in.  Policy 5240, Evaluation of Staff, was last updated in 2013 and should be reviewed to see whether it should be updated to support this objective.
  President Dubos highlighted Q46 “Provide for evaluation of district operations to ensure there is an efficient and effective learning environment,” as this gains much more importance now as the District, and all districts, look more at online teaching and learning.  Dr. Leavell shared that if schools are able to be open to students in a hybrid model in the fall, then it is probably important for those two days in the classroom to be more supportive of Social-Emotional Learning, and the online module would be the backbone of the academic environment.
  Moving to Standard 4, there was discussion about how best to recognize schools for their efforts in improving student learning (Q55), particularly if meetings remain online or social-distancing remains in effect through the year.  Dr. Bolton would like to recognize parents for all of the work and sacrifices they have had to make as education has moved into their homes.  She suggested potentially a video sharing the district’s appreciation or recognition of the changes they have had to make in their lives.
  Still in Standard 4, Q62, “regularly evaluate and adjust resources and strategies for closing achievement gaps to maximize their effectiveness,” Director Rotter recalled that this was a focus of the Board after last year’s review.  Dr. Leavell shared the considerations of “equity,” when they do look at each school’s budget and staffing. 
  Under Standard 5, it was noted that Q64, “model cultural, racial, and ethnic understanding and sensitivity,” has moved from very positive in the 2016 survey compared to much more uncertainly in this year’s result.  Dr. Leavell shared a list of books in regard to racial injustice that all administrators will be reading and reviewing over the year, similar to the book study that the Board has begun with their new book “How to Be Less Stupid About Race.”   This will also begin with school building administrators and their staff in the fall. 
  The Board discussed the handling, discussion, and response from community members that are sent to the Board as a group.  Also, within Standard 5, they felt that there needs to be continued focus on Q70, “communicate district performance to the public in clear and understandable ways.”   Director Rotter indicated she understands there are limits to our resources for a webpage overhaul etc., and the group discussed the communication that is being done regularly through newsletters to families and staff, and regular updates on Facebook.  In response to a comment about Q67, “ensure the public is well informed of the Board’s roles and responsibilities,” Dr. Leavell shared that Karen Bevers, Director, Community Relations and Communication, has been talking about creating a “Did you know” type of video about the district and this could incorporate information about the Board, perhaps even including snip-its of each of the directors in the video sharing information. 
  District Framework Update
Superintendent Leavell reviewed the timeline that was incorporated into the Vision, Mission, and BSD Belief Statements developed in 2018/2019.  He talked about the BSD-Teach website which should be available to the Board along with all District staff.  It outlines the District’s Vision, Mission, and Belief Statements, and provides resources to staff and highlights much of the work being done in support of the District’s values and strategic initiatives as outlined in the District Framework document.      
  Superintendent and Board Goals
The Board reviewed its 2019-2020 Board Goals and agreed to roll these over with modifications or additions since the year was interrupted by the COVID-19 situation.  Some of the areas that directors thought should be considered included:
  To what extend does our Board
Q 67 ensure the public is well informed of the Board’s roles and responsibilities?
Q64 model cultural, racial, and ethnic understanding and sensitivity?
Q71 seek community and staff input in its decision-making to gain community and staff support?
Q72 carefully consider community and staff input in its decision-making?
It was discussed that most of these fit within some of the current goals, but the Board agreed to add Q64, modeling cultural, racial, and ethnic understanding and sensitivity to their goals for the upcoming year, under Standard 5. 
  President Dubos shared that a draft document has been shared on the Google Drive with all directors to align policies and potentially Board actions with goals.  She also stated she would like to see a calendar developed to coincide with this document to develop a guide for policy review as they involve the Board goals.  This would also provide a new level of transparency and allow for staff members to plan for policy updates. 
  Superintendent Goals were not discussed.
  Student Dress: Policy and Procedure 3224/3224P
In March, the Board received correspondence dated December 19, 2019 from staff at Mountain View Middle School regarding the need for changes to the district’s Student Dress Policy.  There is no explanation why the letter was delayed.  Reasons for change indicated that the list of clothing students could wear that was a part of procedure 3224P, including hats and hoodies.  Cameras that have been installed at the school to help ensure staff and student safety are mounted on the ceilings and when a dangerous situation arises, it is difficult, if not impossible for security and staff to identify students involved via the camera system as the cameras are mounted on the ceiling and student faces are often not visible when wearing a hat or a hoodie.  Dr. Leavell discussed that although the Board had not been aware of the situation at the time, Assistant Superintendent Iva Scott did work with school administrators on this issue and felt that much of it was resolved.  Also, he included that the District is currently installing new cameras so this should correct this situation.  A letter will be written to the staff to acknowledge receipt and review of their concerns. 
  Board Goals (continued)
In regard to the Equity strand that has been added to the Board’s goals, Director Rotter shared that the planned study session on Equity was meant to be an opportunity for the Board to hear from a national speaker on the topic.  She also reminded the Board that there is a community coalition which is very interested in what school districts are doing in regard to anti-racism/equity and may be looking at what boards are going through, or have gone through Implicit Bias training.  Due to the need for the Board to hold a study session again in regard to reopening our schools in the fall, the Equity study session will need to be held off until September 17th.  President Dubos reminded the Board of the study sessions document on the Google Drive and asked each of the directors to edit that document to include their own priorities in regard to what study sessions they would like to see first.  Many topics are already listed and she would like to prioritize them and add new ones if desired.  A new tab will be created for 2020-21.
  At 5:46 pm, Director Bolton made a motion to adjourn.  The motion passed unanimously and the online meeting was adjourned at 5:46 pm. 
  Minutes to be approved at the next regular Board meeting of August 6, 2020;
    ______________________________       ________________________________
Jonee Dubos, Board President           Aaron Leavell, Secretary to the Board
  ic