January 3, 2017

LogoSequim School District No. 323

“Inspire and Achieve“

503 North Sequim Avenue, Sequim, WA 98382

Telephone: (360) 582-3260, FAX: (360) 683-6303, www.sequim.k12.wa.us


Tuesday, January 3, 2017 – 6 PM Regular Board Meeting

CALL MEETING TO ORDER/ PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (REF. POLICY 1400/1420)

President Henrikson called the Regular Meeting to order at 6:00pm with all Board Members present excepting Vice-President Horan, who was excused. Our Student Board Representatives arrived shortly after the meeting began. The Pledge of Allegiance was conducted.

PRESENT

Robin Henrikson, President     Jack Walsh

James Stoffer, Director     Patsene Dashiell, District Office

Heather Short, Director     Linda DeIvernois

Michael Howe, Director     Paul Wieneke, District Office

Kaylee Gumm, Student Board Representative

Téa Gauthun, Student Board Representative

Ann Rekner, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Director Stoffer moved to request approval of the minutes from the December 3, 2016 Regular Board Meeting as presented. Director Short seconded. Vote taken; motion carried.

CHANGES/ADDITIONS AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA (REF. POLICY 1420)

Director Short moved to approve the agenda as printed. Director Stoffer seconded. Vote taken; motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS - The Board believes that public comments are a very important connection between our community and the Board. This time is set aside for receiving both written and oral communication.

President Henrikson asked for any Public Comment regarding agenda items. Hearing none, President Henrikson asked for Public Comment regarding general items.

  • Mr. Brian Kuh invited the board and the audience to the Citizens for Sequim School Levy Kick-Off Event on Tuesday, January 10 at 6:30pm at the Boys and Girls Club. Discussion followed.
  • District Public Information Officer Patsene Dashiell introduced Ms. Erin Hawkins, new school reporter for the Sequim Gazette.

BOARD COMMUNICATION AND OTHER ITEMS

  • Director Stoffer reported that on December 13 Governor Inslee announced his comprehensive plan for meeting the state’s constitutional commitment to fully fund basic education for the state’s 1.1 million public school students. The budget highlights essential policy and funding to meet the state’s paramount duty. This budget, paired with the capital budget, provides strong recommendations that address many of the policy components important to school directors across the state. WSSDA issued a statement; which can be found on the WSSDA website. There was what is called Pre-Filing of a Bill by two State Senators; proposing to amend the State Constitution by removing Paramount Duty Language from the Constitution; which has create a bit of conversation on social media. The Bill is SJR 8200 and can be found on the WA Legislative Home Page under Bills. On January 4 the Legislature Education Funding Task Force is finalizing its recommendations and then will present to the Legislatures on the 9th; when the 2017 session starts. From there, the will be work by the various committees in both the House and Senate; with the Senate proposing a Funding Plan and the House; sometime through that 120 days there should be a final proposal presented to the Governor. Remember; what is decided it will not go into effect until the 2018 School Year. The WSSDA Government affairs office is following the process closely. We can expect a call for Legislative Reps to testify on various components and or bills; but that notice has not gone out. The big item is the Legislative Conference on the 12 & 13 Feb. We need to confirm who is going and to settle on room reservations soon. WSSDA has a block of rooms waiting and they plan on releasing them by January 13. Representative Tharinger retains the Chair of the Capital Budget Committee; Finance, Rules, & Tech & Economic Development. Representative Mike Chapman will be serving on the Transportation and Public Safety Committees, and is the Vice-Chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources committee. Senator VanDeWege is the ranking member on the Natural Resources & Parks Committee. Director Stoffer met with our three legislators over coffee on December 13th and ensured they had copies of the WSSDA Legislative Priorities and of the district’s proposed levies; which they were very supportive of. Representative Tharinger gave Director Stoffer a couple of Capital Budget info sheets; highlighting specific RCW requirements of School Construction Funding. These will be posted in OneNote under Legislative items. The new Board of Natural Resources takes office on January 10 with our OSPI Superintendent of Public Instruction and the new Department of Natural Resources Commissioner. A major decision facing the BNR is the Sustainable Harvest Plan, which provides revenue under Trust Lands to Schools. Currently it is under a 90-Day Public Comment period. There are statewide presentations occurring; there is one scheduled for Clallam County on January 17 in Port Angeles at 6pm. The Olympic Medical Center Board is proposing a resolution of support of our two levies and will be discussing them at their meeting January 5.
  • President Henrikson is waiting to hear back from WSSDA regarding our board completing another Self-Assessment Survey. Following those survey results, the board can schedule a one-hour workshop, maybe in February or March, to debrief and make plans for moving forward. A goal-setting workshop can be planned following strategic planning. Discussion followed.
  • There will be an Executive Session following the next meeting to debrief on the superintendent evaluation framework process, reviewing the standards and discuss superintendent contract renewal. Discussion followed.
  • Board Exit Slips from the last meeting suggested that reports be submitted in advance of the meeting.

STUDENT BOARD REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNICATION & STUDENT RECOGNITION

  • Student Board Representative Téa Gauthun reported that Greywolf Elementary finished a very successful food drive the week before Winter Break. Their kids collected over 80 boxes of food for the Sequim Food Bank. Greywolf Elementary 4th graders also had a successful pajama drive coordinated with the Scholastic Book Company. Thursday, January 5th Greywolf Elementary has their Family Involvement night from 6:30-7:30PM. The focus this month is on math. Greywolf after school clubs are starting including Coding Club, Chess Club, Drama Club, Sewing Club and Brain Power Club.
  • Student Board Representative Kaylee Gumm reported that at Sequim Middle School the new year is kicking off quietly with a couple away basketball games. The boys are playing at Neah Bay tonight and at Stevens Middle School on Thursday. Sequim Middle School counselors are busy coordinating 2nd semester schedules and students are taking the second round of I-ready diagnostic assessments. At Sequim High School classes are just starting to rev back up again after break. There is a double header basketball game versus Port Angeles, at home tonight. The Winter Wishes assembly went flawlessly and a lot of gifts were given to those in need. They would like to thank the community for all the donations.

CONSENT AGENDA – REQUEST BOARD APPROVAL: Any item may be moved to New Business with a motion from any Board member.

a. General Fund Vouchers No. 187295 thru No. 187303 in the total amount of $27,372.89; 187304 thru 187332 in the total amount of $18,862.22; and No.187333 thru No. 187333 in the total amount of $700.42; and No. 187334 thru No. 187407 in the total amount of $161,031.80; and No. 187408 thru No. 187475 in the total amount of $67,041.23.

b. ASB Fund Vouchers No. 10706 thru No. 10723 in the total amount of $19,181.89.

c. Personnel - Employment with the District will be conditional upon the district’s receipt of a criminal conviction history record that is clear of any convictions, adjudications, protective orders, final decisions, or criminal charges in accordance with Washington State law and conditional upon receipt of a sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form from prior Washington State employer(s), where employment was in a school setting, indicating that no sexual, verbal or physical misconduct materials were found in the records of such employer(s) pursuant to RCW 28A.400 and WAC 180-87-080.

1) Offer Classified Bus Driving position to Cal Scott, for the 2016-2017 school year, effective December 5, 2016 as presented.

2) Offer Classified Bus Aide position to Jody Wilkinson, for the 2016-2017 school year, effective December 12, 2016 as presented.

3) Approve request for Unpaid Leave of Absence for Justine Wagner, High School Health teacher, from January 17-19, 2017 as presented.

4) Offer Certificated Grade 4/5 Split teaching position to Robert Mendiola, for the 2016-2017 school year, effective January 3, 2017 as presented.

5) Accept Letter of Resignation from Peter Harker, Sequim Middle School Paraeducator, effective immediately, for the purpose of doing substitute teaching, as presented.

6) Approve Leave of Absence Request from Julie Romberg, Sequim High School English teacher, from April 1, 2017 through June 15, 2017 as presented.

7) Offer Executive Director of Finance and Operations position to Heidi Hietpas, for the 2016-2017 school year, removing the “Interim” from her title, effective January 1, 2017 as presented.

8) Offer Classified 4-hour/day high school Health Paraeducator position to Cherie Myers, for the 2016-2017 school year, effective January 3, 2016 as presented.

d. Accept Cash Donation to Sequim High School in the amount of $1,500 for students in need and $3,000 toward Winter Wishes, as presented.

Director Short moved to approve the Consent Agenda, Items ‘a’ thru ‘d’ as presented. Director Stoffer seconded. Vote taken; motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

a. Director Stoffer moved to Approve and Adopt at Second Reading Policy #2140 – Guidance and Counseling. Director Short seconded. This policy is revised to reflect the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model of Counseling core principles. The suicide portion of this policy has been incorporated into its own policy and procedure. These changes have been vetted by our school counselors and school psychologists and our school nurse, who recommend approval. Classified Discretionary. Vote taken; motion carried.

b. Director Short moved to Approve and Adopt at Second Reading Policy #3420 – Anaphylaxis Prevention and Response. Director Stoffer seconded. ESB 5104, which went into effect July 28, 2013, gives districts the ability to better prepare for student anaphylaxis events. The intent of the new law is to ensure that all students have greater access to the life-saving drug during an anaphylactic attack. It allows designated, trained school personnel to administer epinephrine from the school supply to students previously diagnosed with life-threatening allergies. Classified Essential. Vote taken; motion carried.

c. Director Short moved to approve at First Reading Policy #3246 – Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Reasonable Force. Director Stoffer seconded. OSPI has issued newly revised regulations on Chapter 392-172A, WAC pursuant to HB 1240 which passed in the 2015 legislative session. HB 1240 impacted use of restraint and isolation for ALL students, not just those with disabilities. That’s why this update to Policy/Procedure 3246, Use of Restraint, Isolation and Other Uses of Reasonable Force needs approval, even though Sequim School District does not employ the use of Restraint or Isolation. Classified Essential. Vote taken; motion carried.

d. Director Stoffer moved to Approve and Adopt at Second Reading Policy #5281 – Disciplinary Action and Discharge. Director Short seconded. The policy has been updated to clarify: 1) that the law does not require discipline in every situation; 2) that sufficient cause is necessary for disciplinary action or discharge; and 3) that reports of child abuse or neglect must be reported to CPS, law enforcement, OSPI and parents as required by law. The procedure has been deleted because it is an unnecessary reiteration of the policy, RCWs and applicable collective bargaining agreements. Classified Discretionary. Vote taken; motion carried.

NEW BUSINESS

a. Director Stoffer moved to Approve 2016-2017 School Improvement Plans for Greywolf Elementary, Helen Haller Elementary, Olympic Peninsula Academy, Sequim Middle School, Sequim High School and Sequim Options School, as presented.

b. Policy #3115 – Homeless Students: Enrollment Rights and Services was introduced. The law now requires middle and high school principals who have identified more than ten unaccompanied youth, to establish a point of contact for homeless youth. Additionally, amendments were made to the McKinney-Vento Act and Title I, Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which took effect on October 1, 2016. Classified Essential. Someone from Learning Support Services will be at the next meeting to answer questions regarding this policy.

c. Policy #3140 – Release of Resident Students was introduced by Marilyn Walsh, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent. The policy has been revised to include an additional justification for release pursuant to statute. Classified Essential.

REPORTS

a. The Inclement Weather Plan Report was postponed by Jeff Gossage, Director of Transportation, until the threat of inclement weather passes.

b. Superintendent Gary Neal reported that due to overcrowding at both Elementary schools, a new 4/5 split classroom is being housed in Sequim Middle School, taught by Mr. Robert Mendiola. Discussion followed.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

President Henrikson drew board members’ attention to:

a. Upcoming Board Meetings, etc.

o January 16 – Regular Board Meeting Moved to TUESDAY, January 17 @ 6pm due to Holiday

o Monday, February 6 – 6pm Regular Board Meeting

o February 12-13 – 2017 Legislative Conference

o Monday, February 20 – Regular Board Meeting Moved to TUESDAY, February 21 @ 6pm due to Holiday

b. ♥ February 14, 2017 – Levy Election

c. November 2016 Budget Summary

d. November Comparative Budget Report

e. November Budget Status Report

FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER

Director Short expressed her appreciation that Heidi Hietpas, Executive Director of Finance and Operations, has had the “interim” removed from her job title.

ADJOURNMENT

At 6:33pm Director Stoffer moved to adjourn the Regular meeting. Director Short seconded. Vote taken; motion carried.