for Meridian

Board Meeting Minutes
April 17, 2002

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Chair Mary Mattison called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and introductions were made.

Board members present were Rob Olson, Judy Boxx, Mary Mattison, and Sheri Folsom.

ADOPT AGENDA

A motion to adopt the agenda was made by Rob Olson and seconded by Judy Boxx. Motion passed.

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Minutes for March 20, 2002 and April 3, 2002
2. Accounts Payable/Payroll
3. Budget Status Reports

REPORTS

1. Principals' Reports
   Principals reported that a very busy schedule of testing would be taking place in the coming weeks. The WASL test will take center stage due to its high profile and impact on students and programs. Parents are being given information on how to best prepare their children before testing. Irene Reither Primary School will hold a Kindergarten Information Night for all parents of incoming kindergartners next year. Kindergarten assessment and registration will take place May 6 and 7. The schools are preparing for transitions or moving up events between schools. The goal is to make the move between schools have as little disruption as possible. Student visits and meetings with parents are also scheduled.
   
   All schools are in the process of conducting parent teacher conferences. Parent interest and participation seems to be high as usual. One concern is that the time for the conferences is shorter than in the fall, but parents remain appreciative of the opportunity to visit with teachers. At the middle school the students lead the conferences by reviewing the goals they created in the fall for their parents and teachers.
   
   Each principal reported to the board on student field trips. The common theme was that most of the trips were curriculum oriented. For example, the civics class visited the Detention Center at Monroe while the middle school science students went to NASA and a social studies class visited historical sites in Canada. Some field trips are taken as a celebration or reward for good grades and conduct. MMS sponsors trips for the honor students to Western Washington University and other points of interest in Whatcom County. Funding for the trips comes from a variety of sources. At IRPS funding comes from the general fund. At TMCE the funding comes from Jog-a-thon proceeds, PTA contributions and ice cream store sales. At MMS pupils may pay admission fees, hold fundraisers, and use general fund dollars. If a middle school student lacks ability to pay for admission then Haas Scholarship Funds are available. Students at MHS do fund raising activities for their field trips, such as the physics class trip to Hawaii, senior trip and choir tour.
   
   Mrs. Hossner commented on the effectiveness of the Volunteer Program at MMS. Mr. Giller praised the efforts of Mrs. Mack with the recent Talent Show and school play. Mrs. Jermunson reported on Parent Night Out, a PTA family night. She said Mrs. Saling and others conducted a parent training activity for IRPS parents. Mrs. Colson praised the efforts of Linda Witter, Drug and Alcohol Interventionist and counselor Cheryl Wynja for their work with the Stand-up curriculum in both the fourth and fifth grades.
   
   
2. Special Programs
   Dr. Holt reported that the Readiness-to-Learn Program had survived the threat of legislative reduction in funding. Thanks to the efforts of Senator Harriett Spanel, RTL funding was maintained at current levels. The program did not get funded to cover expected staff raises but at least the funds are there to carry on with this important program. In addition, funding for the nursing service will return and allow Meridian to continue offering coverage for students. Dr. Holt directed the board to the Early Childhood notebook they had received. The Early Childhood program goals speak to reaching out to serve all "at-risk" students and to this end, Mrs. Saucer, teacher and paraeducators Mrs.Gilmore and Mrs. Timofeyev have initiated a theme based program to support second language speaking students in the primary school.
   
   
3. Superintendent's Report
   
   
   1. Classified Employee Appreciation
      Mr. Dickerson expressed his appreciation to the classified employees of the Meridian School District by publicly thanking them for the important roll they undertake in the education of Meridian students. He said Governor Locke had proclaimed March 11-15 as Classified School Employee Week, but due to the winter storm on the day of the March 20 board meeting, the public recognition was delayed until the April meeting. Mr. Dickerson presented Marja Cartwright, President of Meridian Classified Employees Association and Barbara Walcott, President of Public School Employees, certificates of appreciation for each of their members. In turn, Mrs. Cartwright and Mrs. Walcott presented Superintendent Dickerson with a gift and note of appreciation.
      
      
   2. K-3 Reading Frameworks
      IRPS teacher Liz Theirbah presented copies of the Reading Framework for Grades K-3 manual and gave an overview for each grade level. She said the committee reorganized the state document making it a more user-friendly document. Mr. Theirbah said each staff member is given the document by grade level. She said the document will be reviewed each year and changes will be made as necessary to better serve the students.
      
      
   3. K-5 Progress Report Revisions
      Principal Lynne Jermunson reported on work being done on the grade reporting system. She said six committee members from IRPS and TMCE have solicited samples from 15 different school districts. The committee's goal is to make sure the report card reflects what is being taught. The committee has reformatted information from the top 3 or 4 report cards and will have a rough draft available for staff members to review. Ms. Jermunson said the new report cards would be ready for next fall.
      
      
   4. Enrollment Report
      Superintendent Dickerson reported that April enrollment didn't change dramatically but was down slightly. Mr. Giller replied to a question asked by Rob Olson about running start enrollment.
      
      
   5. School Construction Update
      Mr. Dickerson said the middle school gymnasium interior surfaces would be in place by early next week. The light fixtures and other finish work will be completed next, followed by the wood flooring. He said the fieldwork has had some delays due to wet weather but will be ready by fall.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:12 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:23 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Progress Toward District Goals
   Superintendent Dickerson presented a handout on Progress Toward District Goals for 2001-2002. He reviewed the updates to goals that have been identified. Mr. Dickerson said that Bruce Burpee has been hired as the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and is working in the district when available. He also reported that the Summer School Coordinator has been hired.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Department of Transportation Offer Regarding Relocation of MHS Sign
   Mr. Dickerson said Department of Transportation officials had made an administrative offer to pay for costs associated with relocating the reader board sign located on the corner of the Guide and Laurel roads. Mr. Dickerson said the property owner is very open to extending the agreement with the district. Mr. Dickerson said he recommended holding off on any formal action until he can verify the costs for moving the sign.
   
   
2. Personnel Report
   The personnel report was approved on a motion by Rob Olson that was seconded by Sheri Folsom.
   
   
3. Budget Impacts of Legislative Action
   Superintendent Dickerson provided a summary sheet outlining the recent legislative action and how it will affect Meridian schools. He said there would be no funding for Traffic Safety Education next year. Mr. Dickerson described some options that might be available to students. He said some districts are utilizing an ESD cooperative program to provide TSE services. Discussion followed.

ADJOURNMENT

Chair Mary Mattison adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.