Board of Directors, Regular Meeting Minutes, Tuesday, RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 400 BENTON COUNTY, RICHLAND, WASHINGTON The Board of Directors of Richland School District No. 400 met for a regular meeting Tuesday,, at 6:00 P.M. at the Administrative Service Center, 615 Snow Avenue, Richland, Washington. School Board President Phyllis Strickler presided. Board members present: Rick Jansons, Heather Cleary, Rick Donahoe, and Mary Guay. Administrators present: Superintendent Rick Schulte, Executive Director of Financial Services Rich Puryear, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Secondary Education Todd Baddley, Assistant Superintendent K-5 and Assessment Mike Hansen, Executive Director of Human Resources Tony Howard, Executive Director of Support Services Mark Panther, Assistant Superintendent for Instructional Programs Erich Bolz, Communications Manager Steve Aagaard, Executive Director of Capital Projects Kevin Knodel, Executive Director of Information Technology Mike Leseberg, and District Counsel Galt Pettett. An appeal hearing (closed session) took place from 5:30P.M. - 6:00 P.M in the Board Room. The Board meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. 1.0 EXECUTIVE SESSION (Real Estate, Negotiations) The Board adjourned to executive session at 6:00 P.M. to discuss acquisition of real estate, if public knowledge might increase the price 42.30.110 (1) (b). The executive session was projected to last thirty minutes, with no action expected. Executive session recessed until after the regular board meeting at 6:32 P.M. The Board returned to the regular meeting at 6:35 P.M. 2.0 CALL TO ORDER 2.1 Pledge of Allegiance 2.2 Roll Call-All Here 2.3 Approval of Minutes (September 9, 2014) It was moved by Rick Donahoe and seconded by Mary Guay that THE BOARD APPROVE MEETING MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 AS MODIFIED. Vote: Guay, yes; Cleary, yes; Donahoe, yes; Jansons, abstained; Strickler, yes. Motion was approved. 3.0 COMMUNICATIONS 3.1 Requests and Comments by Visitors (time limit)-none 4.0 UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1 Construction Projects (Tier Item 1.13)
Page 2 -------------------- 4.1.1 Middle School Site Kevin Knodel, Executive Director of Capital Projects, introduced Ned Warnick, Design West, who reviewed the site analysis for the new middle school on property in West Richland. Mr. Warnick showed the preferred building area due to high ground and proximity to infrastructure. He also recommended a two-story building to avoid costly grading. He explained the two-story building would have a mechanical mezzanine above the second floor for ease of maintenance. There is also space for expansion if needed in the future with this site location. Discussion followed regarding placement of gymnasiums, playfields, and parking. It was moved by Rick Donahoe and seconded by Rick Jansons that THE BOARD AUTHORIZE A TWO-STORY BUILDING ON THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF THE PROPERTY. Vote: Guay, yes; Cleary, yes; Donahoe, yes; Jansons, yes; Strickler, yes. Motion was approved. 4.1.2 Monthly Progress Report Mr. Knodel reported progress on all projects as follows: Chief Joseph Middle School HVAC System o all pipes insulated, painting complete, new handrails, new loading dock contractors working through punch list Lewis and Clark Elementary o all students/staff signed one of the beams-well received Sacajawea Elementary o approximately one month behind Lewis and Clark (bid one month later)-construction staff learning from Lewis and Clark crew so construction may progress faster Elementary No. 10 o footings going in/pipes in the ground/additional footing drain added/lots of additional work to help mitigate water issues Dr. Schulte reported contractors would like to have buildings enclosed by winter, but this most likely will not be possible with Elementary No. 10. He is working with local media on several videos regarding bond projects, Common Core, and Smarter Balance. Dr. Schulte will also be a guest on the local morning news in October. Mr. Knodel reported furniture for the new schools will be on display in October at Stevens Center. 4.2 Property Lease Mark Panther, Executive Director of Support Services, has been working to finalize a lease agreement for building space on Wright Avenue. This space will be used to house Teaching, Learning and Curriculum staff. An estimated timeline suggested early possession in October to set up communications/technology, with rental to begin in November. Mr. Panther reported several items need to be completed including roof repairs and new HVAC units. The District will be responsible for the maintenance of the building. The parking lot will be lined to help with parking issues.
Page 3 -------------- Dr. Schulte also advised the appraisal, title search, environmental and geo-tech studies, zoning changes, and the comprehensive plan have been completed on the property for the new middle school in West Richland. The owner is out of town at the time, but final paperwork will be completed when the owner returns. 4.3 Communities in Schools (CIS) Contract Eric Bolz, Assistant Superintendent for Special Programs, explained Communities in Schools charge is to remove non-academic barriers to learning. Mr. Bolz advised the Communities in Schools contract has been reviewed by all parties and is ready for Board approval. The Reading Foundation is no longer involved in this project. The District will be working directly with Communities in Schools of Washington who will be responsible for the hiring and supervising of staff. Mr. Bolz explained the state organization has a model to follow and experience with large corporate donors. The hope is to grow this program to include other area districts. A local board will be developed. This program will look different at every school to serve individual building needs. The contract will be placed on the consent agenda at the October 14, 2014 meeting for final approval. 4.4 Enrollment Monthly Rich Puryear, Executive Director of Finance, reported the September Enrollment Reports by Student Count, FTE Count, and FTE by building for each of the schools of the Richland School District No. 400. The report by schools represents a total FTE count of 11,582.66 for September 2014. The budget FTE of 11,402.00, compared to the average FTE enrollment from September through September is 11,582.66, an increase of 180.66 FTE. Mt. Puryear reported the actual enrollment is more than the budgeted enrollment for the first month of the year! 5.0 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Nicki Blake, Executive Director of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum, advised the department will provide bi-monthly updates to the Board of Directors. Ms. Blake provided a tentative schedule of Teaching and Learning topics that staff will be presenting at each board meeting this year. Topics include: Shift to the Common Core Standards Parent/Community Involvement Classroom Support Teachers/Student Centered Coaching Shift to the Smarter Balanced Assessment AVID Rick Schulte suggested a parallel report from Special Programs is being developed. 5.2 Legislative Assembly Positions Mary Guay reported on topics discussed at the recent WSSDA Legislative Assembly in Yakima. Alan Burke, WSSDA Executive Director, led the Assembly. Ms. Guay reported all are looking forward to the WSSDA Conference in November. Bills will go before the Legislative Committee for review and prioritization, then to the Board of Directors for final approval. Superintendent Schulte suggested it would be beneficial to develop Richland School District goals, then meet with local legislators sometime this fall to express District priorities. Discussion followed including:
Page 4 -------------------- All-day kindergarten Smaller class sizes Certifications/trainings for those students not wishing to attend college (CTE classes/job related skills) as well as options for college ready students Lack of increase in educator salary for six years Phyllis Strickler asked that this be placed on the next meeting agenda for discussion and prioritization. Nancy Mayer will contact legislators to plan this meeting to take place after the elections in November. 5.3 Goal Setting Superintendent Schulte initiated discussion at several earlier meetings to set some additional largescale academic goals for the District that are not solely related to test scores. He suggested the concept of student readiness for the next level of education as a guiding focus. Discussion included: Certifications/classes for students whether they attend college or not Classes that give students a vision of what they want to do (or not want to do) Lobbying to get rid of No Child Left Behind requirements Student communication skills: ability to apply for employment/online applications, phone/skype interviews Technology skills/certifications Employment skills-self-starter/punctual/self-reliant, strong work ethic (character traits) Dr. Schulte suggested meeting with principals and community members for input. This topic will be added to the next meeting agenda for further discussion. A special meeting or workshop may be needed. 6.0 CONSENT AGENDA (approval by a single vote of the Board) It was moved by Mary Guay and seconded by Rick Jansons THAT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS (6.1) THROUGH (6.6). 6.1 Personnel Actions CERTIFIED PERSONNEL Aldrich, Stacy, Hired,.4 FTE, Business Education Teacher, Richland HS-non-continuing-9/25/14 CLASSIFIED PERSONNEL Anderson, Andrew, Hired, Database Support Analyst, Steven s Support Center, effective 09/29/14 Dosunmu, Sarah, Hired, Paraeducator, Tapteal Elementary, effective 09/08/14 Dunn, Sheena, Hired, Paraeducator, Hanford High School, effective 09/11/14 Greene, Carrie, Hired, Paraeducator, Marcus Whitman Elementary, effective 09/12/14, temporary Howard, Carie, Hired, Paraeducator, Enterprise Middle School, effective 9/15/14 Neiman, Judy, Hired, Paraeducator, Carmichael Middle School, effective 09/15/14 Nelson, Tracie, Hired, Paraeducator, Jason Lee Elementary, effective 09/15/14 Zimmer, Lesley, Hired, Paraeducator, Hanford High School, effective 09/08/14
LEAVE OF ABSENCE: 2014-15 SCHOOL YEAR: Taylor, Lori, Paraeducator, White Bluffs Elementary, effective 10/01/14 Fiskum, David, Resigned, Bus Driver, Transportation, effective 09/26/14 Werner, Courtney, Resigned, Bus Aide, Transportation, effective 09/26/14 6.2 Budget Monthly Report 6.3 Cash Grant-Tapteal PTA-Curriculum 6.4 Cash Grant-Tapteal PTA-Bass Steel Drum Set 6.5 Cash Grant-White Bluffs PTO-Accelerated Reader Program 6.6 Warrant Approval General Fund Warrant Nos. 10031112 through 10031297 for $1,493,952.68 Nos. 51000121 through 51000122 for $8,809.07 Capital Projects Fund Warrant Nos. 20000352 through 20000363 for $3,945,786.52 ASB Fund Warrant Nos. 40003407 through 40003431 for $121,615.02 No. 54000100 for $68.71 The Board approved the motion unanimously. 7.0 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Legislative Issues-October 14, 2014 meeting Goal setting Contract for Communities in Schools Load limits-hansen Board self-evaluation Page 5 -------------- Board members decided to change the November 11, 2014 (Veterans Day) regular meeting to November 12, 2014 at 6:30 P.M. Dr. Schulte reported he will bring the updated Tier Work document to the Board for review. 8.0 BOARD AND SUPERINTENDENT REPORTS Rick Schulte reported starting building visits at each school, attending principal meetings and Richland Rotary. Mary Guay attended the WSSDA Legislative Assembly in Yakima and reported on legislative activities. Phyllis Strickler attended the boundary meeting last week. Rick Donahoe attended the Hanford High School Open House. Heather Cleary reported she will attend the PTA Council next week. Rick Jansons attended the Carmichael Middle School Open House. The Board recessed to executive session at 8:20 P.M. to discuss acquisition of real estate, if public knowledge might increase the price 42.30.110 (1) (b). The executive session was projected to last thirty minutes, with no action expected. Executive session ended at 9:05 P.M.
Page 6 -------------------- The Board returned to the regular meeting at 9:05 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 9:05 P.M. ADJOURNMENT RICHLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 400 SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS