for Meridian

Board Meeting Minutes
October 17, 2001

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

Meridian High School FFA president and ASB Publicity Manager Ryan Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance.

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 Mary Mattison and seconded by Sheri Folsom.

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 September 19, 2001, and October 3, 2001

B. Accounts Payable/Payroll

REPORTS

A. Principals' Reports
Administrators at all levels reported on a variety of events for the past month and the coming weeks at all of the schools. All schools will be having Veterans' Day assemblies on November 9. The end of first quarter will be November 2 with reports to parents to follow. Mrs. Jermunson reported that K-5 had made minor changes to the report card. Conferences will take place at all schools with Meridian High School having an all day schedule on Nov. 13, Meridian Middle School, Ten Mile Creek Elementary and Irene Reither Primary School will hold parent teacher conferences on November 13 and 14. Mr. Giller reported on his Trojan Thursday Program. The program will be an opportunity for parents to gain awareness of the high school program through an informal meeting.

The administrators acknowledged the contributions of several staff. Patrick Preisinger was awarded a $25,000 check for being the outstanding teacher in the State of Washington from the Milken Foundation. The breakfast program was praised and Amy Wilcox, Food Service Supervisor, and Gaylen Visser, Transportation Supervisor, were acknowledged for their contribution to making the program a success. Mrs. Jermunson said Lois Bellingham is an administrative intern at Irene Reither Primary School this year. The efforts of Parent Volunteer Coordinator, Robin Youngquist, were also shared. Mrs. Jermunson said she does a great job of getting parents to the elementary to assist in various projects. The latest project was helping to reorganize the library by putting all reference materials in one area. Mrs.Youngquist also calls parents when students are absent.

In curriculum, Mrs. Colson reported on planning being done in Social Studies, Reading and Six Trait Writing. Mrs. Jermunson shared information on math manipulative training and efforts to improve the gifted program.

B. Special Programs
Dr. Holt stated the enrollment in Special Education had gone over 200. For other special programs he reported a good news, bad news scenario. The free and reduced lunch counts have exceeded 50% in one school and are over 40% in two other locations (bad news). However, the increase in the percent will generate more funding for Title programs and make it possible to expand service to special needs pupils in all schools. Dr. Holt also expressed appreciation to Keith Shelly, Maintenance Supervisor, and Gaylen Visser, Transportation Supervisor, for going out of their way to assist Special Programs in serving students.

C. Superintendent's Report

1. Enrollment Report
   Superintendent Dickerson reported that October enrollment is 1466.25 FTE, an increase from the September enrollment of 1448.65 FTE. He said enrollment is over budgeted projections. Discussion followed regarding interdistrict transfer students.
   
   
2. Learning Improvement Day - October 12
   Mr. Dickerson reported on the activities throughout the day for Learning Improvement. He said information on WASL trends was presented to all participants. Topics for the breakout sessions were Open Court training, curriculum by subject area, technology and NCS Mentor Program. Judy Hossner said she received positive feedback regarding the sessions. Mr. Dickerson said participants completed evaluations and that the planning team will meet to review them and also start planning for the next Learning Improvement Day, March 15.
   
   
3. School Construction Update
   Mr. Dickerson reported that some of the smaller projects were in varying degrees of completion and although some projects have not progressed as quickly as hoped, that in the end, all will be happy with the end results. John Stewart was present to give an update on the construction projects. He began by thanking the staffs at Ten Mile Creek Elementary and Meridian Middle School for the positive attitudes in dealing with all the activity associated with construction. He said the gymnasium is on schedule with the foundation in place. The playground is graded and ready to be seeded, and the utilities are installed to the ball diamonds. He said the basic painting project at the middle school is completed with interior side of the exterior doors still to be painted. Mr. Dickerson said the steel guardrail and posts along the playground would be painted later to compliment the campus. Shelving and minor finish work will complete the project for the food service remodel. Mr. Stewart said the occupancy permit for the portable classrooms at TMCE will be issued soon, and the ironwork is in place for the covered play shed. He said the parking lot remodel and the transportation remodel are still in the works. Mr. Dickerson said the phone system is operable on all four campuses, but some components are needed to complete the project. Mr. Stewart finished his report by saying all projects are within the total budgeted amount.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

Mr. Dickerson introduced parent Don Jorgenson and thanked him for his positive involvement in various district activities. Mr. Jorgenson is serving on the I-728 extended learning planning group.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:10 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:20 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Strategic Planning
Superintendent Dickerson said he is working on identifying potential participants for the strategic planning committee. An invitation to participate will be sent to various staff, students, parents, and community members. The committee will meet Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 3 at 8:30 a.m. in the high school multipurpose room with consultant Mike Boring.

NEW BUSINESS

A. Required Math and Reading Goals
Mr. Dickerson presented a summary of Reading and Mathematics Improvement Goals provided by OSPI. He explained that the district must establish three-year district-wide goals for K-12 reading and mathematics by December 15, 2001. Mr. Dickerson explained that the district could set higher goals than outlined by OSPI, but cannot set lower goals. He said the district is also required to develop a basic plan for student improvement.

B. Personnel Report
The personnel report was approved on a motion by Charlie Crabtree and seconded by Mary Mattison. Motion passed. (Copy attached)

C. Maintenance and Operation Levy Planning
Superintendent Dickerson stated the need to start planning for the maintenance and operation levy. He said he had recently attended a seminar and gained new information on Public Disclosure Guidelines. Discussion followed regarding the timing of an election, the amount to request from voters, and the need to select an advisory committee. Mr. Dickerson said the Levy will be the topic for the November education board meeting and that plans will be finalized in December.

D. First Reading-Policy Revisions
There was first reading and discussion of board policy revisions. (See attached summary sheet.)

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Rob Olson adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m.