for Meridian

Board Meeting Minutes
December 18, 2002

CALL TO ORDER/FLAG SALUTE/INTRODUCTIONS

Vice Chair Judy Boxx called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and everyone present introduced themselves.

Board members present were Judy Boxx, Charlie Crabtree, Sheri Folsom and Rob Olson.

ADOPT AGENDA

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

CONSENT AGENDA

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

1. Minutes for November 20, 2002
2. Accounts Payable/Payroll
3. Budget Status Reports
4. Resolution No. 11-02 Canceling Outstanding Warrants

ANNUAL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

1. Election of Board Chair
   Vice Chair Judy Boxx called for nominations for chairperson. Charlie Crabtree nominated Mary Mattison. There were no further nominations. Rob Olson seconded the motion. Mary Mattison was elected chairperson by unanimous vote.
   
2. Election of Board Vice-Chair
   Judy Boxx called for nominations for vice chair. Sheri Folsom nominated Judy Boxx. There were no further nominations. Rob Olson seconded the motion. Judy Boxx was elected vice chair by unanimous vote.

REPORTS

1. Principals’ Reports
   
   1. Lynne Jermunson was pleased to report that Parent Teacher Conferences at IRPS had 98% parent participation. She said a Parent Curriculum Night was held so teachers could explain EALR’s, benchmarks, report cards, and rubrics to parents; report cards and rubrics are now aligned, and Jack Johnson has designed the new electronic report card. Mrs. Jermunson stressed that the focus at IRPS is on student achievement and thanked the board for supporting the valuable staff development training that teachers are participating in. She said there have been many family activities at IRPS, including a family fun night sponsored by PTA called Snuggle Up and Read. Over 120 people participated in this event and parents expressed their appreciation for the focus on reading. Jeannie Fitzsimmons and Jeanne Claire Saucer are teaching parenting classes. Jeannie teaches the parenting portion and Jeanne Claire the children’s class. Mrs. Jermunson said Jeannie Fitzsimmons had written and received a $10,000 grant from the Children’s Trust Foundation and explained how those funds are being used. She briefly reported on the duties of volunteer coordinator Robin Youngquist and how she helps in the daily operation of the school. She closed her report by inviting board members to the school winter program, The Holiday Alphabet, December 20.
      
   2. Principal Randy Flowers said that people make things happen and he shared his appreciation of music teacher Brian Myrick. He said Mr. Myrick has worked hard to adapt to 4th and 5th graders and moving between TMCE and the high school on a daily basis. He also expressed his appreciation for the dedication that Matt Beck shows, not only in his P.E. classes, but also during recess times. He said Matt has organized a variety of activities during noon recess. Jim Lissner and Matt Nelsen run the homework club after school Mondays and Wednesdays and Matt Nelsen has offered to coach the Math Olympiad team. Mr. Flowers said Judy McCourt is helping with the Young Author’s Conference and Brian Myrick is planning on starting a youth choir. He said TMCE did not have a paid volunteer coordinator at this time, but that there was a lot of volunteering going on at the school.
      
   3. MMS Principal Jerry Sanderson said Luanne Alvord is completing her administrative internship and would give the principal’s report, and he would report on work being done by Meridian Middle School volunteer coordinator Kristi Lauter. He said Mrs. Lauter works approximately five hours each week and helps in coordinating volunteers for health screenings, school pictures, chaperones for field trips, providing snacks for test days and fund raising activities. She also tracks student behavior. Mrs. Alvord reported that the new gymnasium is greatly appreciated. She described the recent 8th grade science trip by Amtrak to the Seattle Science Center and said the Band and Choir Concert was a huge success with over 600 people in attendance. Mrs. Alvord said Mrs. Johnson did a great job in managing both the band and choir. The student-led parent teacher conference was successful with a 95% attendance rate. Mrs. Alvord also shared information on Y Adventures and after school enrichment classes. She said 14 students have been identified for the highly capable program, and that academic support is available to students three days a week before and after school. An area of concern is the increase in students requiring special services.
      
   4. High school principal Bill Giller reported that MHS has averaged a monthly attendance rate of 97% for September through November and 98% for December. He and Mr. Michaelson gave information and answered questions regarding Timber Ridge. It was reported that at the beginning of the school year there were 19 Meridian students registered at Timber Ridge. Dave Shick, Mike Protzeller, Patrick Ames, Mark Van Dyke, and Grant Meidal attended Try a Trade Day sponsored by Bellingham Technical College. They spent a day at the college in three different programs and were then partnered with a business in the community. There was further discussion of MAP testing and reading levels and what can be done for students who test below grade level.
      
2. MEA Presentation
   MEA President Lee Clonts stated that January 14th is a Day of Action in Olympia and that it coincides with the governor’s state of the state address. He said six Meridian teachers, along with administrators and community members will be attending the rally. He said Meridian teachers voted to not close school that day but to instead send a contingency from the community to Olympia. Mr. Clonts said the major areas of concern are to protect I-728 and I-732 funding which provides adequate compensation for teachers and support personnel, and maintain stable funding to insure higher academic standards provided to students. He pointed out that Rob Olson said the community respects the teachers’ decision to keep school open on January 14. Mr. Dickerson said he and Mr. Clonts would be drafting an article for Meridian Matters to further explain Meridian Education Association’s decision.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

RECESS

The board recessed at 8:12 p.m. and returned to regular session at 8:17 p.m.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

1. Second Reading and Adoption – Policy 6213
   There was second reading on revision to board procedure number 6213 – Reimbursement for Travel Expenses. On a motion by Rob Olson and a second by Sheri Folsom, board procedure number 6213 was approved.
   
2. Second Reading for Procedure 3240
   There was second reading and discussion on board procedure number 3240 – Student Conduct. Mr. Dickerson explained that the district administration team has plans in motion to get information to staff, parents and students about this topic. Information will be in the district and school newsletters in the coming weeks and a meeting is planned in February. This item will be on the agenda in January for further discussion.
   
3. Site Council Guide
   Charlie Crabtree made a motion to approve the Site Council Guide. Rob Olson seconded the motion and motion passed.
   
4. Senior Project Guidelines
   On a motion by Rob Olson and a second by Charlie Crabtree, Senior Project Guidelines were approved.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Meridian Middle School Field Trip Approval
   Mr. Clonts said the 8th grade science trip is scheduled for Port Townsend in May. He said students must write an essay to attend and that they will study marine science, write in their journals, work in labs and do interactive activities. This is a three-day field trip. Mr. Clonts said the NASA trip to San Francisco would be four days. The criteria for attending this trip is based upon behavior and academics. Mr. Dickerson said the 6th Grade Outdoor Education Program would be going to Coronet Bay. He explained that because all the trips are away from the district and are overnight, board approval is required. Rob Olson made a motion to approve the Outdoor Education Program for Grade 6, Grade 8 Science Trip and the NASA trip. Sheri Folsom seconded the motion and motion passed.
   
2. Personnel Report
   The personnel report was approved on a motion by Charlie Crabtree and seconded by Sheri Folsom.

ADJOURNMENT

Vice Chair Judy Boxx adjourned the meeting at 8:30 p.m.