for Meridian

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Vice Chair Judy Boxx called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

Board members present were Judy Boxx, Mary Mattison, Charlie Crabtree, and Sheri Folsom.

ADOPT AGENDA

A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Charlie Crabtree and seconded by Sheri Folsom.

CONSENT AGENDA

The following items on the consent agenda were approved on a motion by Mary Mattison and seconded by Charlie Crabtree.

A. Minutes for May 16, 2001 and June 6, 2001
B. Accounts Payable/Payroll
C. Budget Status Reports

REPORTS

A. Principals' Reports
All administrators were present and reported on year-end activities, moving up exercises, field days and extra curricular events during the last month of school. The kindergarten registration enrollment remains low at 85 pupils. Mrs. Jermunson said the kindergarten teachers will research developmental protocols for kindergarten students and will have a recommendation in January. Mrs. Colson reported Ten Mile Creek Elementary staff would begin interviewing for a counselor while Mrs. Hossner reported that the sixth grade enrollment for 2001-2002 is high. Mr. Giller said the basketball positions were still unfilled at the high school. Both Mr. Giller and Mr. Michaelson said they were pleased with the baccalaureate and graduation ceremonies. Mr. Giller said he would send an end-of- the-year newsletter to parents. All administrators reported a great closing to the school year and thanked the school board for their support during the year.

B. Special Programs
Dr. Holt reported that it appears the Readiness to Learn Grant will be continued according to the latest reports from Olympia. In conjunction with the good news, he reported that RTL coordinator Jeannie Fitzsimmons was awarded a grant by Whatcom County Health and Human Services to continue the STARS after school program at Meridian Middle School. The grant was nearly doubled while other applicants went unfunded. Melanie Hartley, school nurse, also received a grant to provide medication administration training and health room care training to secretaries and aides. Staff at all levels were thanked for their support in doing the Healthy Kids time studies which have resulted in the district receiving substantial revenue during the 2000-2001 school year. At the previous meeting the board heard a report from Linda Witter, Drug and Alcohol Intervention Specialist, on the district Drug and Alcohol Survey results for 2000-2001. There was a request to compare the results to the 1997 survey. Linda was present to share a graph that indicated overall use of controlled substances had significantly declined from the 1997 survey. There was some concern about the increase in cigarette and marijuana use in the sixth grade. The goal is to extend prevention/intervention activity to the younger pupils.

C. Superintendent's Report

1. ITBS Test Results for grades 3 and 6
   Jane Colson presented a comparison report in graphic form for ITBS test scores for 3rd and 6th grades. She said scores for the 3rd grade in reading and spelling were up, but scores in Language Arts and math were down. She explained that there is a great need for supplemental supplies in the math curriculum. Test scores for the 6th grade were consistent compared to 99-00 and 00-01 test results. She said there is a need to improve the math scores at the 6th grade level and also revisit the reading curriculum.
   
   
2. Curriculum Update-Reading Committee Proposal K-5
   Mr. Dickerson said the Reading Committee's recommendation is to use the Open Court Program for reading, and continue to teach the district-adopted curriculum in the areas of Language Arts and spelling. Internet Filtering Computer Network Manager Jack Johnson reported on the Children's Internet Protection Act recently passed by Congress. He said that in order to be eligible for federal funding for technology, which includes the e-rate discount, the district must comply by adopting, and enforcing, an Internet safety policy. Mr. Johnson gave information on compliance with the CIPA and current district practices. He said the district must undertake action by July 1, 2001, send signed certification to OSPI by October 28, 2001, and complete CIPA compliance by July 1, 2002.
   
   
3. Summer Maintenance Projects
   Maintenance Supervisor Keith Shelly reported on scheduled summer maintenance projects. He said the largest projects are to replace the boiler and asbestos abatement at Meridian Middle School and replace the domestic hot water storage tank at Irene Reither Primary School. Mr. Shelly also said he will be replacing windows that turn outward at the middle school for safety reasons.
   
   
4. Interest Based Bargaining/Problem Solving Update - PSE/MCEA/MEA
   Mr. Dickerson explained that the new approach to bargaining, interest based bargaining, was going well and headed in a positive direction. He said the contracts should be settled soon. He thanked all involved for their participation.
   
   
5. Food Service Report
   Food Service Supervisor Amy Wilcox reported that 171,368 lunches were served during the 2000-01 school year. She said breakfast was piloted the first week of June. Mrs. Wilcox said by piloting breakfast it helped her staff to organize and plan for next year when breakfast will be offered. Mrs. Wilcox also made a recommendation for meal prices for next school year. She spoke briefly about restructuring in the Food Service Department and the building expansion for the new freezer and cooler.
   
   
6. Budget Development
   Superintendent Dickerson reported on budget development to-date. He said because the legislature had not finalized the state budget none of the computer programs were available for budget development. He explained that preliminary work has been done and that personnel data has been input, so that as soon as possible, drafts of the budgets will be distributed. He said the budgets should be ready for adoption by the end of July, but that there might be some flexibility in terms of timelines.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:22 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:30 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Approve Meridian Middle School Gym Construction Documents/Bid Advertisement
Architect John Stewart was present to give an overview of building projects, particularly the middle school gymnasium. He said the project was ready to advertise for bids. He briefly outlined the committee work involved with the planning of the new gymnasium, the materials to be used and the timeline for bid advertising. He said with careful planning the gymnasium remains at the cost estimate of $2,300,000. Mr. Stewart said Keith Shelly asked for roofing quotes for the middle school main building and that Quality Roofing had the low quote of $35,000. He said the roofing company can start the job right away, and as soon as the roofing is done, the painting of the middle school exterior can begin. He further reported on the food service improvements at the middle school, the high school track resurfacing, school portables and play shed at TMCE, and the district transportation improvements. He said that Jack Johnson has been working on specifications for installation of the telephone switch work and that project will soon be ready to advertise. After discussion, Mary Mattison made a motion to approve the Construction Documents/Bid Advertisement for the Meridian Middle School Gymnasium Project. Sheri Folsom seconded the motion and the motion passed.

B. District Goals for 2001-2002
Mr. Dickerson reported on district goals for 2001-2002. He said comment sheets had been given to all staff for their input. He said one person completing a comment sheet suggested allowing parents an opportunity to participate. It was decided that Mr. Dickerson would invite parents to respond to the district goals in the next issue of Meridian Matters and post pone taking action until the July board meeting. Discussion followed regarding the draft plan for use of I-728 funds. Mr. Dickerson said the board's decision to adopt a I-728 plan must be finalized by August 31, 2001. There is still a reasonable amount of time left to review the plan.

C. Second Reading and Adoption -- Board Policy Revisions
There was second reading and discussion of board policy and procedure revisions. Sheri Folsom moved to adopt the board policy revisions. Mary Mattison seconded the motion and the motion passed. (See attached summary.)

NEW BUSINESS

A. Public Hearing Regarding Budget Extension, Resolution No. 5-01 - Budget Extension Capital Projects Fund
Mr. Dickerson explained the need for a budget extension to the Capital Projects Fund. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to accept Resolution No. 5-01. Sheri Folsom seconded the motion. Motion passed.

B. Resolution No. 6-01-Clarifying Eligibility for School Employees Retirement System (SERS)
Sheri Folsom made a motion to accept Resolution No. 6-01. Mary Mattison seconded the motion. Motion passed.

C. Resolution No. 7-01 - Increasing the District Revolving Fund
Superintendent Dickerson stated the need to increase the district revolving fund from $2,000 to $3,000. Sheri Folsom made a motion to approve Resolution No. 7-01. Mary Mattison seconded the motion. Motion passed.

D. Set School Meal/Milk Prices
Superintendent Dickerson said he had met with Amy Wilcox and discussed meal prices for the 2001-2002 school year. The recommended breakfast prices are as follows: K-5 $1.00 and 6-12 $1.25. The recommended lunch prices are: K-5 $1.75, an increase of $.25; 6-8 $2.00, an increase of $.25; 9-12 $2.00, no change; and adult lunch $3.00, an increase of $.50. Mrs. Wilcox also recommended increasing the price of milk from $.30 to $.35. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to accept the recommended meal prices. Sheri Folsom seconded the motion. Motion passed.

E. Contract Approval-Resurface MHS track
Superintendent Dickerson said one bid had been received from Atlas Tracks for the high school track resurfacing project. He asked for board authorization to sign a contract with Atlas Tracks. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to authorize the superintendent to sign the contract and Mary Mattison seconded the motion. Motion passed.

F. Revision of Director District Boundaries
Mr. Dickerson reported that Sammamish DataSystems had completed Stage One, which consisted of analyzing the population of the current Board of Director's districts by providing statistical information. Sammamish DataSystems completed a District Summary Report showing the current population counts for each Board district and the amount of deviation from the ideal population value, and a Summary of Population by Race and Hispanic Origin Report. Mr. Dickerson said it is important for each director district to be compact and respect the natural boundaries, while balancing the population of each district. There was board consensus to move forward to Stage Two, which consists of realigning the Board districts.

G. First Reading-Board Policy Revisions
Board policies revisions were not available for first reading. Mr. Dickerson said they would be ready for the July meeting.

H. Personnel Report
Burton Dickerson gave an update on the personnel report. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to approve the personnel report. Mary Mattison seconded the motion, and the motion passed. (see attached)

ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair Judy Boxx adjourned the meeting at 9:27 p.m.