for Meridian

Board Meeting Minutes
September 19, 2001

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Rob Olson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and introductions were made.

Board members present were Rob Olson, 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 Judy Boxx.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

A. Minutes for August 15, 2001, September 5, 2001 and September 11, 2001
B. Accounts Payable/Payroll
C. Budget Status Reports

REPORTS

A. Principals' Reports
All administrators were present and outlined a list of events, which have taken place in the opening weeks of the new school year. The principals recognized staff that had achieved Master Degrees during the summer-Lee Clonts and Nancy Slentz from Meridian Middle School and Sarah Updike from Ten Mile Creek Elementary. All grade levels are participating in various activities to support the people in New York and Washington D.C. The high school is planning a blood drive in October. The middle school staff is reviewing the feasibility of taking their annual 6th grade field trip to Fort Langley in British Columbia, in light of the recent international event that has made the border crossing a long wait. WASL test results were briefly shared and will be sent home to parents. Principals reported on inservice activities planned for the early release day and also invited the school board to participate in the open houses and parent nights, planned for the end of September.

B. Special Programs
Dr. Holt reported the Early Childhood Program was up and running with an enrollment of twelve students. The staff is also working on an interagency agreement with Whatcom Community College's Early Childhood Program, which would bring additional parent support and parent education to the current program. In addition, the staff is interacting with a consultant to assist in the planning.

C. Superintendent's Report

1. Enrollment Report
   Superintendent Dickerson reported that enrollment is lower by about twenty students from where we ended last school year, but that new students have entered school since the count day. Mary Mattison asked for a student inter-district transfer report. Mr. Dickerson said he would be monitoring enrollment.
   
   
2. Strategic Planning
   Mr. Dickerson said he has an appointment with strategic planning consultant Mike Boring to begin the planning process. There was discussion regarding possible meeting dates. Because of conflicting activities on Friday evenings, a Thursday evening, Saturday combination was suggested. It was decided November 1 and 3 as possible dates.
   
   
3. I-728 Planning
   Mr. Dickerson reported on I-728 planning. He said that Early Childhood is a major component of the plan and also the extended learning program.
   
   
4. DOT Property Acquisition on SR 539
   The Department of Transportation will be widening the Guide Meridian and has offered to pay $2,100 for 5,811 square feet of road frontage owned by the district. Superintendent Dickerson was asked to have a real estate appraiser check the amount to see if it is a fair offer.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Former staff and community member Pat Hammell spoke about her concerns regarding the recent hiring of a middle school coach. She said her concern was that a selection committee had recommended a person for the position; the person had actually started coaching and then was removed from the position. Parent and staff member Nancy Slesk shared her hope for a larger selection of electives at the middle school level. She said not all students are musically inclined and would like to see a portion of I-728 funds spent on a foreign language or art program. She said she would also like to see a summer school offered at Meridian schools.

RECESS

The board recessed at 7:50 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:07 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

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

NEW BUSINESS

A. Approve Negotiated Agreements - MEA/MCEA/PSE
Representatives from Meridian Education Association and Public School Employees were present to say members had voted to ratify the agreements. Both groups said it was a fair agreement and felt that it was a positive bargaining process. Charlie Crabtree made a motion to approve the MEA, MCEA, and PSE agreements and Mary Mattison seconded the motion. Motion passed.

B. Personnel Report
The personnel report was approved on a motion by Sheri Folsom and seconded by Judy Boxx. Motion passed. (Copy attached)

C. Director District Boundary Revision
Mary Mattison made a motion to accept the revision to the district director boundaries as previously presented. Charlie Crabtree seconded the motion and the motion passed. Burton Dickerson said the next step is to have Sammamish Data Systems provide legal descriptions of the boundaries and then file the descriptions with the Whatcom County Auditor.

D. Designate Claims Contact
Superintendent Dickerson said he had received a notice that state law requires the board to appoint an agent to receive all notices requiring official action. Sheri Folsom made a motion that Superintendent Burton Dickerson be the claims contact for the district. The motion was seconded by Mary Mattison and passed.

E. High School Graduation Date
The graduation date for the Class of 2002 was discussed. The date of Friday, June 14, 2002 was cited as a possible date. When asked, Mr. Giller said he had received positive comments regarding Friday evening graduation.

F. Fort Langley Field Trip
Mrs. Hossner said that the 6th grade has made an annual trip to Fort Langley in British Columbia and was seeking board approval to go again this year. There was discussion of lengthy border crossings and that students may arrive home later than usual. It was decided that the school inform parents of delays at the border crossing, and if there are no objections, the school should proceed with plans to make the trip. Sheri Folsom made a motion to approve the field trip at the discretion of school staff. Charlie Crabtree seconded the motion. Motion passed.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Rob Olson adjourned the meeting at 8:43 p.m.